Need CPAP, know nothing, can't afford test...

I need a little help here.

I sleep about three hours a night, toss and turn a lot...and my wife says it's scary how long I go without taking a breath.

Relative say that is why I don't have enough energy to spit... (I was always very active...waterskiied till I was nearly 50).

I don't have insurance ...and the VA is a joke. Soo.. I'd thought I'd try to buy a CPAP machine and see if that helped.

I see there some are some very old CPAP's for sale (according to other member's comments)...and I really don't know one from another.

I could sure use some help to determine what would be the oldest ...or maybe what I should look for in a good later model CPAP and what it should cost. I can't afford a lot...and am afraid I might buy an antique if I'm not careful.

Any tips would help...to include a machine that is for sale at a bargain, if you know of one.

If this is a stupid idea...Well I'd like to know that too.

Thanks...Stan

Hi Stan, and Welcome -- We love it when people find this forum before they start buying stuff.

There have been folks in your position who have done what you're thinking of doing and many of them have met with success. If you have plain old obstructive apnea you might be able to do the same.

You would want a fully data capable APAP machine (auto-adjusting CPAP) to help you learn more about your sleep and what's happening when you use the machine. Tricky part is you need a prescription for many of the trusted sellers. However, we have some established forum members who occasionally sell machines that would work for you and would not require a prescription. Craigslist is another possibility but we'd really want you to be checking with us about how to find a good reliable machine and about what you should expect to pay.

Could you afford a home sleep test? It is of course the best way to start the journey.

As far as the current models of APAP machine, the biggest names would be ResMed S9 (Autoset -- not Escape Auto) and with Respironics (Remstar) I believe it would be one of the first two machines listed here on our forum host's website: https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machines/apap ... 1:1::::30: Somebody will correct me if I'm wrong about the PR machines.

There are older models in both lines but it becomes less convenient to pull the data from the machine and upload to your computer.

Ask questions -- we're happy to help.

Can you do $400?

STL Mark has a PR S1 560 machine which would do what you want and is new and the latest (which you want because you want central event detection) technology. You will need software but that's easy and free.
If you can't afford it...there are other ways to get a decent machine.

viewtopic/t98609/For-Sale--New-DS560-at ... t-550.html

That is not a stupid idea. You wouldn't be the first to strike out on your own. You can get lots of tips and pointers here on machine selection. Someone will come along soon with links to help in your decision making. My only concern with investing in a machine before being tested is there's always a chance the machine you choose isn't the best for your needs, if it turns out you need a very high pressure. It's a roll of the dice, but you could always resale it and recoup some of your money if it comes to that. there are things that can go on in your sleep that you can't find out from a machine, but for the average person with garden variety OSA, that extra info gained from a study isn't critical. Just be sure to wait till you're knowledgeable about the machines before moving on it.
Edit: I see you've already got help on board.

My dad got pretty good service from the VA for his apena and CPAP, with a little help from me. That was 5 years or so and a different city, so your results may be different.

He did have to wait a while for his appointments, and I had to help him with getting a humidifier. They did want to do surgery at first. Don't let them do that to you. They did actually look at the data his machine collected and adjusted his pressure accordingly, which a lot of high dollar civilian "sleep specialists" are too stupid to do.

While some people have had success managing their own CPAP, it's not just a question of buying a machine and using it. You do have to do a lot of learning and the medical mafia doesn't want you to know what to do and to be able to do it.

There are some links in my signature line about what machines are good and what are bad.

Stan's Customs wrote: If this is a stupid idea...Well I'd like to know that too.

that's basically what I did backin 2009, I had 'insurance' but the worthless kind, where it'd all be out of pocket, and a friend had not too long before been through the whole sleep study, money grubbing 'sleep doc', and ended up having to manage his own settings... so I just went on craigslist, with his advice, and picked up a machine, and started adjusting it based on the data that it reported.

only thing I suggest, when you do get a machine, make sure you're in a good position when you go to sleep... I was on my side, and had my arm kinked up a bit... I don't think I moved for 8 hours, and my arm hurt for *weeks*.

Can I afford $400? Can I afford not to ??

The answer is no...unless I have too, then I have to. I don't think I can make that decision with what little knowledge I have.

I don't know what a "home test" is or what it cost either. Evidently I need that badly...yes/no?

I'd rather do nothing ...than just waste what resources I have on something that probably won't do much good.

What's the minimum I should do or buy ..and not be in the dregs of the spectrum? (...bottom of the barrel).

Thanks...Stan

Stan's Customs wrote: I'd rather do nothing ...than just waste what resources I have on something that probably won't do much good.

might save your life...

you mentioned the VA, I heard recently that sleep apnea was being categorized by the VA as more important than missing limbs.

Stan, the machine that STL Mark is selling would be excellent, and if you end up not needing or using it, you'd have the best chance of recouping your money if you re-sell it because it is the latest model. If you do in fact need the machine you will have gotten a very good machine at a very good price from someone we trust.

People have self-titrated on APAP machines without having had a sleep study. Obviously a sleep study is ideal if you can afford one, but you can still move forward without it.

Obviously we can't predict whether a machine would be helpful to you. We're just responding to what you told us about your symptoms and your interest in a DIY approach.

Pugsy wrote:Can you do $400?

STL Mark has a PR S1 560 machine which would do what you want and is new and the latest (which you want because you want central event detection) technology. You will need software but that's easy and free.
If you can't afford it...there are other ways to get a decent machine.

viewtopic/t98609/For-Sale--New-DS560-at ... t-550.html

I vote for this option too. Or you could watch for a Craigslist ad for this same model.

Prescriptions are required so a doctor can tell if the therapy is working or not and that's a good idea... but it's not like you're going to poison yourself by mistake or something if you go out on your own with a unit without a prescription.

There's an Epworth sleepiness scale and some other online sleep apnea surveys that might give you an idea how likely you are to have apnea.

[quote="palerider"... I heard recently that sleep apnea was being categorized by the VA as more important than missing limbs.[/quote]


True! My uncle was able to get everything he needed thru the VA in California. He has nothing but good things to say about his care.

Stan,

Have you called your local VA? If not, try that tomorrow morning. If you don't like their response (something like - its going to be 8 months to get an appointment) then I would buy the machine from STL Mark & let us help you with the journey. We have folks here who care, will share their experience in all areas of help you may need. STL Mark is a well respected forum member to do business with & that machine is a great one, same exact model as mine.

To start once you get the machine & mask you will start sleeping with it to get some data to help refine your treatment. Let us know as soon as you have the machine or if you decide to go the VA route. Whichever way you choose tho go, it needs to be soon. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes, just to name some of the reasons you need to be treated.

You sound committed to change, which is good. A good attitude goes a long way on this journey. Tomorrow is Monday. Let us know which route you choose.

Jen

I understand your thinking that the oldest machine possible will be the cheapest, and while it might be, you generally get what you pay for and as you said (sort of :0) nothing almost could be better. There's no point in an old one because it won't tell you anything useful and you'll just be out whatever it cost you with no more info than you have now. And do yourself one big favor - vet everything people tell you about the bro-in-law's case, their sister's case, their machines, etc. etc. here, because you'll get a decent consensus of very knowledgable opinions from experts. The trouble with some doctors (which we are not) is that they may (if you're lucky) understand OSA on a scientific basis, but the great majority are clueless when it comes to treatment (equipment related), let alone even assessment outside of a lab, and as busy and tired MDs do, give you a quick and easy answer that may either lead you down the wrong path (paths!) or at best not be much help at all, and on top of that half of them want to operate - in the face of stats that say it doesn't work and leaves you worse off than before. So DO listen to people like Pugsy, Roby Sue and others, and you will find answers and be taken care of. Good luck!

Stan's Customs wrote:Can I afford $400? Can I afford not to ??

The answer is no...unless I have too, then I have to. I don't think I can make that decision with what little knowledge I have.

I don't know what a "home test" is or what it cost either. Evidently I need that badly...yes/no?

I'd rather do nothing ...than just waste what resources I have on something that probably won't do much good.

What's the minimum I should do or buy ..and not be in the dregs of the spectrum? (...bottom of the barrel).

Thanks...Stan

Sorry to hear about your insurance situation and your lack of funds to buy a machine but I don't know as much about sleep apnea as many of the more knowledgable members here but personally I wouldn't even attempt to buy a machine not knowing much about the subject here without having a test done but since you've already said you cannot go that route I don't know what to say. Do you qualify for ObamaCare or Medicaid? I wish you the best.


Stevoreno_55
MS Gulf Coast
06/22/14