HELP! Travelled 6000 miles and forgot my CPAP machine!

Hi,

I can't believe I've done this - but I've just travelled from London to San Francisco, and I've forgotten my CPAP machine! I've not been on the machine long - a few months, and I had some initial problems, but now the difference it has made is astonishing.

I'm actually over here for a job interview on Monday - all of which was super-quickly arranged (the flights were only booked on Thursday), and in my haste to get packed and sorted, the CPAP machine was completely overlooked. First night of the stay, and - as you can see - it's 03:54am and I'm having nightmarish sleep. I'm now having panic attacks that without good sleep I'm going to totally futz it and this - fairly huge opportunity for me - will disappear.

Does anyone know if it is possible to rent a CPAP machine for a few days in the San Francisco area? Any help most gratefully received.

you'd have to get a perscription... and find a DME that's open.

Give Stanford University Sleep Lab a call in Palo Alto close to southern part highway 101.
you will find all you need there....including your loss memory
Google and good luck.

Have your doctor fax you a copy of the perscription. Then find a DME, if your staying at a hotel they may be able to help you with this. Another thing you could try is to find a hospital that has a sleep center. They may be able to give you a list of DMEs that could help. They will most likely ask for a charge card to bill the machine to and credit the machine cost back when returned.

Brenda

Oooh, sorry Doctor Bob. Call around, but you may have difficulty even finding a DME open on a Saturday and NONE on Sunday.

Maybe somebody in the area has a back up machine and mask they can lend you . . .

Below are some DME's in/around San Francisco, that sell/rent equipment. This is from a google search, so I know nothing more than what is below. You'll have to call them and see. I had something like this happen to me in Salt Lake City years ago (my machine fell and rotor broke). I found a DME on Saturday that was able to sell me a demo machine at a good price (was better for me than renting).

Let us know how you do. If all else fails, maybe someone in the area can loan you a backup machine.

Apria Healthcare
(510) 732-8800
1635 Divisadero Street, Suite 135
San Francisco, CA 94115-3043
Branch:
(650) 588-9744
476-480 Carlton Ct
South San Francisco, CA 94080-2012

ITC Medical
4373 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA
(415) 387-7100
1235 Noriega St
San Francisco, CA
(415) 661-4900
1635 Divisadero St
Suite 105
San Francisco, CA
(415) 346-7100

Sincere Care Medical Supply
1632 Noriega St.
San Francisco, CA 94122
Phone: 415-752-3288
Fax: 415-759-8900 728 Pacific Ave., #116
San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: 415-788-1288

Pulmonary Solutions
Santa Clara, CA Office
2255 Martin Avenue, Suite E
Santa Clara, CA 95050
P: 408-492-9504
P: 415-259-4923

You might check Craigslist.org

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/?are ... catAbb=sss

You may find something that will work and have a spare to take home with you.

please message me.
i have an extra i'd be happy to loan you.

araminta wrote:please message me.
i have an extra i'd be happy to loan you.

People willing to help each other is a wonderful thing!

araminta wrote:please message me.
i have an extra i'd be happy to loan you.

Awesome!

dr_bob wrote:I'm now having panic attacks that without good sleep I'm going to totally futz it and this - fairly huge opportunity for me - will disappear.

I see that a very kind member has given you a loaner. Excellent.

But if this gracious deed hadn't occurred, what might be your best course of action, imho?

1. Don't panic.

2. Take life slow.

3. Always.

During the interview: .Stifle a polite yawn..Tell that you have forgotten your xPAPy, and, are thusly, sleep-deprived.

After the interview: Stifle a polite yawn. .Mutter to yourself, but mutter clearly enough so they juuust catch it: "Boy, I picked a hell-of-a-day to quit drinking."

Worked for me during my first air-traffic controller interview.

Gawd, I was so young and innocent . . .

Hi guys,

Firstly - Araminta - thank you very much for the kind offer. Most appreciated indeed. I would take you up on it, however I have come to my senses now, and I feel a bit of a prat for having gotten so worked up! However, I have slapped myself about the face a bit and shrugged off my little 3am panic attack. 3 days without my CPAP isn't going to kill me - hell, I managed 6-7 years without it before!

Amazing what a couple of days in sunny, warm California can do for your outlook!

I tell you one thing though - as soon as I get home, after the 12+hrs of travelling and 8 timezone changes, that CPAP machine and my face are going to be reunited!

Thanks, all! Wish me luck for tomorrow!

Sending positive vibes your way!

Starlette