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I have a close relative that I am very sure he has sleep apnea.  He has been told in the past, even by physicians sharing a hotel room with him that they thought he had it.  The problem is now he is unemplyed except for part time jobs so has no health coverage. I am so worried about him.  I wonder if there is any way he can be helped without insurance?

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Ginny, I hope you're back on CPAP and feeling better every day.

 Depending on your state, some have "ability to pay " plans. Could the relative talk to a health care clinic to provide him a home test at a cheaper rate like what insurance's pay?  Then, if the home test confirms OSA, get a full data machine (Phillips or S9s are widely available) from SecondWind.

If you have a recording oximeter, available from Amazon for less than $100, this worn overnight, might prove it with desats alone. Although some people don't have major desats, even a dip for 3-4% is considered positive. Even based on this evidence, maybe the relative's provider would consent to writing a AutoPAP Rx that they could use with SecondWind.

Once they have a full data machine, it is important to note the data and make adjustments. Although you want to start low and gradually increase, you would want to set the range wide so the auto can titrate itself. Set the EPR at the max initially so help breathe. If you have any used masks, that would be a start, as most of us go thru a few to settle on one. 

First have been back on my CPAP x2 nights.   I am going to print him some info to read about apnea and mail it to him.  He lives in CT.  It sounds like he has had a pretty good while.  Has so many symptoms.  Snoring, gasping for breath while asleep,(reported to him by several people) constant fatigue, depression, difficulty sleeping.  He is otherwise healthy, not overweight at all (another person who does not fit the stereotype) and physically active.  I have been in a car with him when he has fallen asleep SO quickly while sitting alone in the back seat. Thanks for your suggestions.  I was thinking a home test might be cheaper.

K. S. said:

Ginny, I hope you're back on CPAP and feeling better every day.

 Depending on your state, some have "ability to pay " plans. Could the relative talk to a health care clinic to provide him a home test at a cheaper rate like what insurance's pay?  Then, if the home test confirms OSA, get a full data machine (Phillips or S9s are widely available) from SecondWind.

If you have a recording oximeter, available from Amazon for less than $100, this worn overnight, might prove it with desats alone. Although some people don't have major desats, even a dip for 3-4% is considered positive. Even based on this evidence, maybe the relative's provider would consent to writing a AutoPAP Rx that they could use with SecondWind.

Once they have a full data machine, it is important to note the data and make adjustments. Although you want to start low and gradually increase, you would want to set the range wide so the auto can titrate itself. Set the EPR at the max initially so help breathe. If you have any used masks, that would be a start, as most of us go thru a few to settle on one. 

With all those symptoms, maybe his doctor would be willing to prescribe a full data machine with auto set as to the pressures. I have friends that I suspect have OSA,and I encourage testing, they agree, then and look at my gear, and flatly state, NO, I don't have it! A sleep center might be more supportive as so many doctors are unsupportive & ignorant on OSA.

He is in the medical field himself(mental health, but as I said not full time work for 4 years) and has many physician friends. He can not afford the price of a machine.  He has agreed to speak with a close friend (a physician) about the symptoms after I kind of scared him today on the phone! :)

I cut down on work, even retired early because I just did not feel energy at work. Hard to keep up, although, none of my co-workers or bosses seem to notice. Treatment is essential if you want to/have to continue to work into your 60s.

That is what I told him today!!!!  It really helped that his GF finally noticed and said to him, "Ginny's right, you have sleep apnea".His Dad (now 81) had heart by-pass surgery about 10 years ago, reportedly snores badly.

K. S. said:

I cut down on work, even retired early because I just did not feel energy at work. Hard to keep up, although, none of my co-workers or bosses seem to notice. Treatment is essential if you want to/have to continue to work into your 60s.

A situation like this is why WalMart should carry CPAP supplies.  If you could outfit someone completely for less than $400-$500 do you think we would have more people jump on the bandwagon to good health?  There is a sleep strip sleep apnea test available from numerous retailers for less than $100.  When someone has all the the symptoms even that seems like a waste when it's money that could be spent on treatment.  Would one of those doctors he has roomed with in the past write a prescription?

He is going to Atlanta for 2 weeks for temporary work and he is going to speak to his friend physician about all this.  Agree with your comment about Walmart availability! I am going to look in to the strip test. 

Mary Z said:

A situation like this is why WalMart should carry CPAP supplies.  If you could outfit someone completely for less than $400-$500 do you think we would have more people jump on the bandwagon to good health?  There is a sleep strip sleep apnea test available from numerous retailers for less than $100.  When someone has all the the symptoms even that seems like a waste when it's money that could be spent on treatment.  Would one of those doctors he has roomed with in the past write a prescription?

That's great, Ginny. If you google SleepStrip you will come up with several youtube videos about it and some retailers that have it for sale.  It seems like it would be pretty accurate too me.

Mary, the sleep strip is hard to get hold of now, as the manufacturer are having problems (not sure what) and it's out of production and has been for months :(  We've had to get a different way of diagnosing people on our Hope2Sleep Website, but it's more accurate as it gives the AHI and is going well Home Screening and is certainly persuading our GP's to send people for the full sleep study.  People are also using it who are in denial, but they can't deny it any longer when they see the results :D  (By the way, the Sleep Strip isn't supposed to be used in the USA without a prescription, according to the FDA).

Hope your relative finds a solution Ginny :)

I am going to look again, but think I saw them for sale on Amazon.

He (my relative) has not mentioned any more about it and I don't want to harp on it with him.  I know he is worried about it but he has so many financial woes he just can't afford to take on another bill.  

Just re-checked Amazon.  They have a sleep strip listed and says in stock.  Cost $79.95.

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