NEED HELP WITH SLEEP APNEA PLEASE!!!!

NEED INFORMATION ON FREE SLEEP CLININCS OR SOMETHING TO HELP WITH MY BOYFRIENDS SLEEP APNEA.. HE HAS NEVER BEEN DIAGNOSED BUT HE HAS IT.. FOR SURE.. 100 PERCENT.. HE IS 29 AND ITS BEEN GETTING REALLY REALLY BAD TO WHERE HE IS COMPLETLY AFRAID TO GO TO SLEEP FOR FEAR HES NOT GONNA WAKE UP..

WE HAVE NO ISNURANCE NO MONEY.. WE ARE REALLY STRUGGLING.. HE CANT KEEP A JOB BECUASE HES ALWAYS SO TIRED.. DSHS WONT PAY FOR ANYTHING THEY DONT CONISDER THIS A DISABILTY.. WE HAVE A BABY ON THE WAY IN OCTOBER AND I WANT HIM TO BE A DADDY NOT A MEMORY..

PLEASE IF YOU CAN HELP OR GIVE ADVICE OR ? PLEASE WE ARE DESPEREATE..

THANKS
KRISTI

If it becomes necessary, there are ways to bypass the expenses of the medical system, but that wouldn't be my first effort. He may want to start by going to be seen by a doctor at a local clinic where charges are prorated based on income. They would best know where to refer him as they deal with uninsured patients all the time. Sleep clinics affiliated with a hospital that treats the indigent often have a fund for such situations. Talk to their finance office or maybe social services office about the options. I've heard that the A.W.A.K.E organization may have funds too. He would not be the first if he decided to pursue cpap treatment on his own. If he does that it should be with full knowledge that there are things that can be determined in a sleep study - possibly important things - that he won't know if doing this on his own. Like if any oxygen desaturations persist even on cpap, if any heartbeat irregularities were seen, if limb movements are an issue, how fragmented his sleep actually is, if he has any central apnea events either before or induced by cpap, or if he has complex sleep apnea. That said, I'm of the opinion that doing nothing is more dangerous than doing something but not everything. Machines and masks must be prescribed by a doctor unless a private purchase from an individual, like on Craigslist. The temptation when finances are an issue is to get the cheapest machine, but in this situation, it would be wise to get nothing less than a fully data capable machine. Think twice and ask questions here before purchasing a machine. It's an investment you don't want to regret. Unfortunately, you can't always know what eventual needs will be, but if he does end up needing to upgrade even further, he can resale the first one to recover some of the money. Until he can do something, elevate the head of the bed a few inches, make sure he stays off his back, and avoid alcohol and sedatives. Get him here to get support if he goes this on his own.

Hi, Kristi. Kteague had some excellent suggestions. The organization that she mentioned is a nonprofit group called Awake in America. They help people who don't have health insurance, have inadequate health insurance, or don't have the financial means. They can help your boyfriend obtain a free sleep study, and they also supply free CPAP equipment to those who can't afford it. See their website for more information: http://awakeinamerica.info/donaterelief/. Your boyfriend may need to get paperwork filled out by a doctor first, but he should qualify for their assistance.

I hope he gets the help he needs. It's very, very important to treat the sleep apnea, as it can cause many health problems. Best wishes to both of you on the upcoming birth of your child!