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Mike081376 wrote: because the office told me that my sleep clinic is affiliated with a DME (or something like that) or owns one??? SAid that they have all the machines and could direct me...
Mike

Oh, they will direct you.

Mike,

ASAP

get a copy of your sleep study....in your hand
get a copy of your 'script....the original if possible.....in your hand
go to cpap.com and get educated on cpap systems.
Find out what DME's your insc. will cover
Find out what other DME's are in your area

With your 'script you can go anywhere.
If possible, tell your Dr. what YOU want.
If you know what you want, tell your Dr. to write the 'script for that specific machine.
I think it is best to have it written with something like "apap of patients choice"

It's your therapy.

This may be the most difficult and frustrating thing about cpap,
getting your equipment.

Knowledge is power.

Mike....

You're about to walk into a snakepit.......put on your thickest boots....and use your head.

Here's a recent thread that'll give you a headstart.

viewtopic.php?t=38052

Throw your "knowledge acquisition mode" into afterburner.......get your info together as fast as you can.

The snakepit will throw lots of BS your way....and if you go for it, things will be a lot harder down the road.

Gerald,

Thanks for the advice...I am meeting with the sleep DR. next week to go over the 1st and last nights results. Normally I would have met with him before the Cpap study last night but they expedited my results, my fam dr told them no to 7-10 days on getting the results back (he's great). Also, I think I will take ya'lls advice and tell the Dr. to give me a script for "cpap of patients choice" I like that and that way I know I AM going to get the machine that works best for me and not HIS pocket. Also I am calling Blue Cross on tomorrow and ask them what DME's are in my area and how much/what they cover for cpap and mask..... Again do any of you have any suggestions on a machine that YOU wish you'd had for your first???? Thats why you all have been great, you can help us new guys not have to make the mistakes of past choices....

Hope ya'll are having a great day!!!

Mike

Oh and thanks Carbonman....didn't want to leave you out!!!!!

Learn as much as you can about all the available machines out there.

Tell the doctor which machine YOU want, and what mask YOU want. The doc is there to tell you the severity , the suggested titration values that kept your airway open, and whether you showed a need for CPAP or BIPAP. This is not a discussion as all he is needed for is the script with the items that YOU want on it.

If the doc suggests straight CPAP then make sure you get an A(uto)PAP. It does both fixed and variable pressures giving you a choice in your therapy. Get the best system that you can with full data capability so that you can monitor your therapy.

Go in to the DME with PRINTOUTS of the exact machine you want, the exact mask you want. A reputable DME will not even attempt to change your mind on the machine requested if you come to them prepared. If you get a "we can't do that" then simply thank them and walk out the door.

Check with your insurance to see if they will reimburse you if you buy the items online. You will be amazed at how much the DME is going to charge for the machine. One wanted $1400 for the Autoset II $400 for the hybrid mask, and $400 for the humidifier. Unfortunately my deductible was $1500 so I would have incurred most of the cost before insurance paid in full. APRIA wanted $63 a month INDEFINITELY as they said AETNA would never purchase the machine.

I bought the complete system for less than $700 online and am submitting the charges to my insurance. This was last month when I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea.

Also, I am a stomach sleeper, always have been and always will be...

Don't bet on it... some us adopt stomach sleeping as a protective response again having apneas - it helps, slightly. Once on CPAP....

O.

Hi ya'll....so now im trying to sleep after having the cpap study last night and honesty....I cannot sleep! Maybe its more mental but im almost scared to try and sleep because i dont have the cpap machine and.....i probably wont have one for at least a week....ive felt groggy and ate up all day since my study last night, i am NOT a negative person but i almost dont want to try an sleep because for obvious reason...i know i wont.......HELP!!!

Mike

bump for advice........

Mike......

Find yourself a nice comfy recliner....or sofa.....anything comfortable that'll let you sleep at about a 45 degree angle.

That's what I did until I could get my machine.

Wasn't perfect....but I was able to sleep......without fear of having a stroke.

Gerald

Gerald,

Thanks for the advice....that seems the most frustrating thing is that they hook you up to the cpap.....then they send you on your way for 7-10 days until your tests come back.....keeping the faith and trying to be patient..but almost aprehensive about sleeping. Probably sounds stupid but obviously I cant sleep as it is....now seems worse

Gerald wrote:Mike......

Find yourself a nice comfy recliner....or sofa.....anything comfortable that'll let you sleep at about a 45 degree angle.

That's what I did until I could get my machine.

Wasn't perfect....but I was able to sleep......without fear of having a stroke.

Gerald

I second the recliner suggestion. We have had two lengthy power outages this winter and no way was I going to lay in bed and stop breathing. Sleeping in the recliner at least gave me some halfway decent sleep time. I was frankly afraid to sleep in bed without my trusty CPAP purring next to me, because I never want to go through any more gasping events that I used to endure.

Nancy in AZ