New to this Forum and CPAP

[cortez356]

Hi to everyone. I will try to keep this short. I am a canadian who is fed up with the really bad health care. Recently I travelled to a US hopsital/clinic for an unrelated matter. They diganosed me and set me on the right path. However as part of the diagnosis I was given the overnight oximetry test. DR. says I may have sleep apnea and is the cause of my lack of energy and being tired. I return to the US next week for a sleep lab overniter. I have never even seen a CPAP machine! If I do need a CPAP I will not be able to have the cost covered by Canada. I am willing to spend the $$ but worried about adjusting the machine. In my Province they send you to a supplier who gives you a loaner and after some more tests and 3 months you get the apparatus. I will not have that luxury. Here is my first question: After leaving the lab I plan on driving to Second Wind ( 200 miles) and buying the Devilbis intellipap auto w hum. and a suitable mask. Will I be able to set this up without the help of the lab? Doesnt sound very complicated. Is that machine a good choice? I did watch some of the videos and have read some of the forum but I know I will have more questions.

Bob Dean

[2ndGenCPAPgal]

Unfortunately, you probably won't be able to go straight from the lab to purchase a machine. The results of the overnighter will need to be evaluated by a physician and he will need to write a prescription for the machine. If you call them in advance and explain the situation, they might be able to accomodate you but depending on how things are structured it might not be possible.

We have several Canadian's who post here, so if you post your Province they may be able to offer some other suggestions. If I recall correctly, some forum members maintain US PO Boxes and just buy their supplies online and have them shipped to their PO Box.

[Julie]

Hi, I'm in the Maritimes and use the IP, which is excellent. I do get my machines and masks from Cpap.com or other US online dealers, but if necessary use a local one. And the last poster here is right about the US companies who can be used as 'drops' (perfectly legal!) to resend your things up here. I don't know what province you're in, but no gov't insce pays for equipment, however private insce. does if you check with them as to what they cover and how often (e.g. new machine every 5 yrs, new mask every 3-6 mos.) and mine were happy to pay because what I submitted was a lot less than getting the stuff up here. I no longer have private insce., but pay on my own.

[Mary Z.]

Good Luck with your sleep study. Hopefully during that visit they can titrate you and learn your correct pressure. Tell them at the lab, and the doctor ahead of time what you are trying to accomplish. You might not be able to get the presciption that day, but when you do get the prescription and buy the machine maybe the people you buy it from can set it for you. The prescription can also be faxed to the dealer. You probably can also get help by PM from a forum member to set it up. It should be doable in either case. It sounds as though you've picked a good machine. Keep us posted on how it all turns out.
Mary Z.

[nanwilson]

I think you had better wait and hear from some of the other Canuck members here.
Some provinces DO pay for CPAP, Ontario does, Alberta does not, don't know about others. Why don't you just call your provincial health department, that's what I did when I started out, called them, called seniors health, called aids for daily living, called the lung association...............I checked everyone I could think of. Its called homework, until I found this forum and have been here ever since. You have found this forum first, why don't you just ask the question.
Good luck
Nan

[Hawthorne]

If you live in Ontario, there is Provincial Government assistance (Asssitive Devices Program) for your first machine and any new ones over the years 5 years apart, with a new prescription. Any Extended Health Plan you have will pay much (sometimes all) of the difference to get you all set up with a machine, humidifier, hose and mask.

If you get your sleep study done in the US and get a prescription from a US doctor, you will not be able to take advantage of this. You would need a prescription from a doctor in Ontario.

Getting a sleep study and the results (prescription) in Ontario can take a long time, at least where I live.

Buying online or in the US however, is much cheaper, if you have no extended health plan and are not in Ontario to take advantage of the ADP. Sounds like you can get a sleep study faster too.

Wherever you buy your machine and mask (US or Canada), you will need a doctor's prescription. If you can get your prescription right away, and then go to Second Wind, you should be able to get the machine, humidifier, mask and tubing as you plan. You should check with Second Wind first to see if they sell retail in person or just online.

I used the Ontario program for my first machine and initial equipment, 8 years ago. In the last 2 years, I have bought everything online from US suppliers. It is much cheaper and most suppliers send it via the Postal Service, meaning no Brokerage fees (which Couriers charge). Cpap equipment is medical equipment and therefore there is no Customs or Duty charges. If you have someone in the US who will take delivery and then ship it to you, most online suppliers will ship items over $100 free (to that US address.) Of course, you would have to pay shipping from that address to your address in Canada. If you end up liking Resmed masks and want to order them online, you will need a US address since Resmed will not allow shipment of their products out of the US now.

There are many people on the forum using the Intellipap Auto (seems like a great machine) so they can help you set it up for optimum therapy - no problems there.

[Emilia]

Hi Bob,
I can tell you that SecondWind will be wonderful to work with. I purchased my IntelliPAP Auto from them online, but I also had excellent communication with them via phone and email. They will set up the machine to whatever pressures your Rx says. You do need to have the RX to buy it..... They will even give you the clinician's manual so you can get in 'under the hood' and adjust things as you need to. There is a Respiratory Therapist on staff (I think the owner is a RT) who is available to help you and answer questions, too. I live in FL and did this all long distance very easily. I just faxed my Rx and they shipped it to me. Being a MN company, I am sure they sell to Canadians all the time so talk with them, and I am sure they will work with you. I don't think there would be any problem ordering it from SW and having them ship to you.

When you go for your titration they will fit you with a mask. Ask if there is a way to get a sample or two... never hurts to ask! SW has a limited number of masks on their site, but they may have a lot more on site. Cpap.com has a very large selection, but most will require you to purchase return insurance to send it back if it doesn't fit. You also cannot have a ResMed mask sent to Canada. So.... either try to get a sample mask at your second study, have them tell you the name and model of the one you use successfully during titration so you can buy that specific one, and then you can at least get started well. I got the one they used during my titration, but I have since moved on to two other masks that I purchased. Most of us on here have a few masks to change out with from time to time.

I've had my machine for a month now, and I love it. You've chosen an excellent device -- you are now close to being on the road to recovery!!

You can purchase the software and data module that gets attached to the machine from here: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/devilb ... ystem.html

Best wishes for

[cortez356]

Thank you for the replies. SW is a licensed therapist and will assist with the set up. I really appreciate the help.

Bob