When CPAP is not an option--suggestions?

I am concerned that we are putting all this effort but haven't heard back from KA? Come out, come out wherever you are!!

fwiw - yes any doc can write a script but YOU may have to teach a GP what to put on the script. There are many posts on that in this forum. I mention this only cuz to get an auto s/he will need two pressures written on the script - a Min. and a Max. Many GP's leave that part out. I think 8-12 cm is a good starting point for a self-titration.

But I am not a doctor,
nor did I sleep with one last nite
and if you want to go this route I suggest doing lots of reading and learning here on this forum.

Karen, I feel your pain and frustration! Obviously, getting a cpap is extremely important if you can manage it at all.

Cpapauction.com is a great place, but you will need a prescription to buy one there, as well as online cpap suppliers, which your doctor may or may not give you without the second study (titration). With Craigslist and anyone on the forum selling a machine, you obviously wouldn't need a prescription. Same with masks. The software that's used to read the data from the machine, you don't need a prescription for that and some folks here may be able to help you with that, depending on your machine. That data we're referring to is information on your AHI each night, which is the average number of times an hour you stop breathing or have restricted airflow; snoring, how much your mask leaks, etc. Since you can't have the second study, having this data is essential in determining what pressure you need.

Trying to piece this all together, maybe learning what you need and saving for it, could take a while. During that time, sleeping in a recliner can help. So does not sleeping on your back. If you are overweight, losing weight MAY help. Don't take sleeping pills or anxiety medication right before bed because that makes apnea worse. I think alcohol makes it worse, too.

I'm not a doctor (wish I was!), so I'm only suggesting things. Although the best course of action is to always follow through with sleep studies and titration studies to get a good information and where to set the machine to start with, sometimes no insurance, bad insurance, or extremely limited funds make that impossible. And the machines sure aren't cheap either. There are times that no matter what you try, the money is just not there and I think some folks just don't understand that.

oh Oh, something else I just thought of. If you wanted to get into another sleep lab BEFORE your Ins. expires you can ask to get on the cancellation list. Labs get way too many last minute cancellations and it's not profitable to leave the beds empty. I had my last two that way, last minute.

I found this Post and Hope it helps.ds
Reply with quote donating a used cpap
by ds on Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:10 am

I have a used Remstar/ pro cpap that I'd like to donate to someone who can't afford to buy one. The DMA company who supplied me with the machine doesn't take back used machines,nor does Respironics, but they suggested I post this on this site. I'd love to give it to someone

ds
Reply with quote donating a used cpap
by ds on Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:10 am

I have a used Remstar/ pro cpap that I'd like to donate to someone who can't afford to buy one. The DMA company who supplied me with the machine doesn't take back used machines,nor does Respironics, but they suggested I post this on this site. I'd love to give it to someone I found this Post and maybe it will help You. Good Luck

Dan, Unfortunately unless that ds person joined the forum, I don't think there is any way to contact them.

The whole post is here - donating a used cpap
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=52909&p=489042&hili ... r+#p489042

Another is here - but no idea if it has been given away.
Used Remstar Auto CFLEX
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=50924&p=468467&hili ... r+#p468467

While a machine without data is better than nothing - you will need the data to determine what pressure you need.

First of all: Everybody here in CPAPTalk.com need to erase AWAKE, repeat AWAKE from their memory, this org has been sleeping and not awake for months!

Second: educate yrself well: know the Resmed and Respironics family of CPAP well, know the price range of new ones and results of CPAPauction auctions.

Third: this technique is the one I used:

first check your LOCAL Craiglist - there will be some CPAP for sale. Contact only seller who are knowledgeable.
Do not contact anybody who do not even know what their CPAP name, hours of usage and whether auto/straight, dumb/data capable. Many sellers do not even know the CPAP brand, some even mentioned Lincare or Apria

Then search the Craiglist neighboring cities/towns - you might get better CPAP and better sellers in other places

Contact members of CPAPtalk.com for used or backup CPAP. Many of us upgrade frequently or sell our backup CPAP for many reasons and like to help others in the same boat

Hi all. This is my 3rd attempt at replying and none are showing up, si I apologize for seeming to have asked a ? and hten dropped out of sight.

The info is very helpful, and I do not want anyone to think I am being rude or stupid, I just really do not have money. When the food stamps are cut I don't have food $ and I ahve saved for 3 years to replace my old eyeglasses that I can't see very well out of anymore. So, buying is not an option now, but I will start saving, and if it turns out that the study shows more than mild apnea I will be able to buy somehting used in a couple of years. At least I will ahve a goal to work toward.

Anyway, thanks for all the help, it is appreciated. Karen

GumbyCT wrote:oh Oh, something else I just thought of. If you wanted to get into another sleep lab BEFORE your Ins. expires you can ask to get on the cancellation list. Labs get way too many last minute cancellations and it's not profitable to leave the beds empty. I had my last two that way, last minute.

That is how I had mine, too.

I also lost my insurance around the time I got my BiPap machine. I am making payments to the DME. I almost own it. Yay for me. But anyway, it is possible to make payments.

[.

First, see if your insurance will permit an outright purchase and not a rental. I like the suggestion to explain this to your sleep doctor immediately, and ask them to order you an autocpap immediately for home titration and to keep as an outright purchase, not a rental. You wouldn't have to have the doc after that, but you could plan to have them interpret the data from the first week on your autopap. Then they wouldn't feel like you are trying to bypass them. At least TRY to shake things loose. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If your insurance won't pay for a purchase, at least rent the machine till your insurance expires and use the data to program any cheap cpap you can get until you can do better. Just don't give up too soon. Without a titration, I'd say the only script you're gonna get a doctor to give you is for an auto titrating machine. If you read around a bit on here you'll find you really aren't at the end of your rope. Just keep moving forward.

One more thing you might try is your local "Freecycle". These are Yahoo groups and are sorted by geography. You can ask for anything you want and if anyone in your area has what you are asking for you get it for FREE.

Ordinarily, this would not be the best option because it's so random and you never know the quality and cleanliness of what you are going to get, if anything, but in your case it's worth a try. At least 50% of the people who are put on CPAP fail to continue their treatment after a short time. That means that there are hundreds of unused CPAPs mouldering in closets and basements, even in your rural neck of the woods. Try every few weeks if you don't get an immediate response.

Study up on what you need (an auto-titrating Respironics M Series or System One or a Resmed S8 or S9 are your best bets). You may not get exactly the machine you need, but you never know. When you get a machine, be sure to ask here how to clean it, make sure it's running, and set it up and to titrate yourself.

You will need a mask and hose as well. If you look on CPAP.com for the size and type of mask that you think will work for you, ask here--many of us have extra masks lying around that did not fit or weren't comfortable for us and are willing to share. Lots of us have spare hoses as well.

Before you start looking for equipment and asking for things, be sure to study up on this site so that you understand exactly what you need. Then let us know what you want.

Finaly, you should contact your state health service to apply for Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California). You may be able to get what you need through them for little or no share of cost. If you have Medicare already, then you will have coverage better than most private insurances.

KA/KA - Sounds like you are facing some very sparse times, and doing so while suffering from untreated sleep apnea must make it all seem more than you can even tackle. I erased what I had starting writing because it was more suggestions and prodding, but it hit me that maybe this isn't the time. Do what you can, and trust that one way or another, you will get the equipment you need to treat your medical need. By the way, I found a basic older machine recently at a thrift shop for $6. Couldn't believe it. Also saw someone ask for one on Freecycle and they got it in no time. So, this may not all be as big as it seems. About the eyglasses - did you get a current exam with a new prescription? I went many years buying thrift store glasses for a dollar and was always excited that I found decent looking ones that fit my worsening eyesight. Not that I couldn't afford to get glasses at that time - I was gainfully employed. Just never ocurred to me my eyes weren't just aging, they were deteriorating permanently due to undiagnosed glaucoma.

With all you are facing, you'll need the rest and restoration good sleep can give you. Don't reconcile yourself to doing without treatment. If you're gonna go down, at least go down fighting! Or asking for help.

I saw in a post a few weeks ago a reference to the website http://www.secondwindcpap.com and they sell discounted and new C-PAP machines. I checked the site today and they seem to offer lots of different types of machines. This might also be an option for affordable equipment. Best of luck.

About Craigslist, I've bought two high end machines at very good prices from private individuals. Lately my local CL is clogged with obvious dealers claiming to be private sellers selling their "slightly" used machine and masks. Most are non data cpap machines for $450 dollars and masks for $70. Just because someone brags it's a good deal doesn't mean it is. Someone who has been told a machine will cost them over a thousand will think it's a good deal. Discernment.