Sleep apnea -- condition & machines - what do we need to know?

[tempus vernum]

DH was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea this week. He isn't severe enough that we are in a rush but severe enough they want him on a machine within a few weeks. He's symptomatic and doesn't have

He spoke to the person about 5 minutes because he was at work and busy. Long enough to glean they are getting him a data controlled machine but will take a few weeks.

He didn't find out what type of apnea he has - he looked at me blankly when he asked.

From what the doctor told him at his appointment before the in lab sleep study, he has no risk factors for sleep apnea. Still possible but we need to find out exactly what the risk factors are so he can avoid them - I know being overweight is one.

I started to google and got confused. Decided to start here. If anyone has links, that would be great.

[mipennsn]

My Dh has sleep apnea and so does his mom. I would get the most current machine as they keep updating the technology. (He has a Resmed S-9)

He uses a nasal pillow mask.

His machine basically sounds like air blowing all night.


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[Mother of Sons]

My machine doesn't make any noise but I can't sleep facing dh because it blows air in his face. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common and the treatment is pretty much the same for both. Most likely he will use it for a month and go back in. They will read the card in his machine and give him a permanent pressure setting. Trying lots of masks is a good idea. Lots of people like nasal pillows but I hate them. Resist the temptation to over tighten the mask. Th biggest risk factors are obesity and a large neck. For now he can try positioning to help. Does he usually sleep on his back? Side sleeping or sleeping sitting up help.

[Quiteria]

If he can't sleep with the machine, he may want to look at the devices sold by dentists now.

[tempus vernum]

Lost my reply and don't even remember what I was saying (I'm still a concussion mess which is making this situation interesting - I deal with the insurance for him).

Thank you all Taking notes.

He has no risk factors (he's 6'3" weighs 185 and has a normal neck) but doc says it happens for people without risk factors

[tempus vernum]

More questions -

how much do you pay for your CPAP? Do you rent or did you buy? If you purchased, how often do you need a new one? (I saw the comment about staying with the most current machine)

we are having some difficulty with insurance and the home medical service offered us an option that we can get it but sign saying if insurance doesn't cover it we will pay private pay. It is $100/month.

AND yes, they want him to do the 30 days of recording information for the doctor as MoS said.

They also said - try tons of masks and the nurse informed me as many masks as he wants to try are free the first 30 days and after that we pay . . . until 6 months when he's eligible for a new one . . .

I am almost positive dh won't want to pay $100/month while we wait for the crazy insurance hold up (they are notoriously SLLLLOOOOOOWWWWWWW). Last week said 1-2 weeks, now saying possibly 21 more days. . . praying they are wrong and get the authorization immediately.

The problem is he is on the high edge of mild (one more lost breath per hour and he'd be moderate I think) so they don't know if they want to pay. He's miserable so the doctor wants to try this. AND not being in a rush is one thing - another month of miserable with a diagnosis (we've waited a week already )

I just want my dh back. I'd pay a lot more than $100/month to get him back. He's been getting sicker and sicker for months now which is how this journey began.

[esperanza]

My dh has a CPAP machine. It has made SUCH a difference in his sleeping and his mood! His was maybe moderate, I don't remember.

We got a machine through a local home health place. Horrible customer service with them (Lincare), but that's another story. He did have to try various masks until he found one he liked. We rented the machine for a year and then it was paid for (so maybe more like leasing...). We don't make payments anymore, and I haven't heard of getting a new machine unless this one breaks! He can get replacement parts at determined time periods depending on the part, but we haven't done that often, mostly because we have to pay for it (co-insurance). But for example, he could get a new mask seal sooner than a new mask. There are lots of parts to it. Once you have a mask you like, you shouldn't need a new one for a while but you could get a new seal.

It didn't take long for me to get used to sleeping with it on. The big downside is that his movement is much more restricted at night- pretty much can only sleep on his back, some on his side. It would drive me crazy as a stomach sleeper! He sometimes thinks he get neck/back aches from being restricted.

But overall, VERY worth it!

[Mother of Sons]

You shouldn't have to replace the cpap for several years at least. If it works it works kwim? You do have to regularly buy new masks and hoses and filters. I'm frankly terrible at that but they recommend every 6 months. You don't have to buy new headgear though until it starts to wear down.

In the mean time try to sleep sitting up. Do you have a recliner? That really helps me.

[tempus vernum]

ANyone wanna share how much they spent or spend if pay monthly

[Quiteria]

Mine had a REALLY hard time as a stomach sleeper. In theory, some masks do better than others for side sleeping, but those didn't work well either...you had to learn to sleep with your mouth shut for the one they suggested.

The dental option was cheap...under $200, I think. Haven't tried it yet, but seems legit. Hoping. Dh doesn't want to try anything while working, because lost sleep trying to get used to it seems worse than status quo to him.

[mipennsn]

$100/month without insurance sounds right for a rent to own (own it after 12 months). Insurance companies don't want to pay if you aren't going to keep using one.

Insurance will pay for a new one about every 5 years (I think), but it is in the rent deal again.

I was saying to get the most current one to get an edge of keeping up with the technology.

I would find out if your insurance company will reimburse you if you get the machine prior to approval.


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