"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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Please help! I need suggestions.
This is long, but I really need some help. Earlier this year I had a sleep study done. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. It was mild on my sides and moderate on my back. My AHI was moderate at around 28 (almost severe) and my snoring severe. My husband confirms I snore worse on my back, better on my right, and on my left very little snoring.
The sleep specialist spoke to me regarding options. He mentioned the tennis ball thing and my losing weight. I said that was all fine, but I wanted faster help because I had such terrible headaches. I wanted an autopap because my weight can flucuate a lot and I didnt want to repeat a sleep study everytime I lost 10% of my body weight. He flat out refused the auto saying the cost wasn't justified (to me, that just means more sleep study and higher costs to me and his paycheck). He ordered a second sleep study with CPAP.
However, my husband got a new job in a different state and we had to move. I had planned to pick up where we left off once his new insurance started. But then we found out we literally could not afford his new insurance! If we had known that, we would never have moved but that's hind sight.
All I can say is that I am fighting and doing whatever I can. But we live almost paycheck to paycheck so can't afford very much. Private insurance will likely decline me, we make too much for Medicaid, my employer doesn't have insurance. I am going to fight to work on things because I am having some serious issues from my apnea. However, I can't make anything happen overnight. I'll just have to keep trying.
I have just found out I have normal tension glaucoma from the sleep apnea. Luckily I work for an eye doctor so we can monitor my vision loss. It's incredibly frustrating and devastating to see that I have lost vision and be unable to do anything about it.
But it now has me thinking of trying ANYTHING that will at least mayeb slow down progression until I can get a better solution. I am not giving up on CPAP! But I want to at least try some things in between.
I'd like to try a pillow along with the tennis balls. Do wedges do anything? It seems to me they would make you sleep on your back more wouldn't they"?
Views: 42
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chris H on
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Hi Bonnie, An oral device might be a solution.Do you have any "sleep dentists " near where you moved ? Good Sleep,Chris
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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An oral device is an option, but they are still expensive. Will your old doctor write you a prescription for a CPAP machine? I doubt your pressure needs will change significantly with a 10% decrease in body weight. Used machines are available at reasonable prices (also masks and other supplies) from cpapauction.com. Another option is secondwind which sells used machines. The tennnis ball on the back on the shirt works. I think you're right about the wedge. I think you would be more prone to sleeping on your back with one. Another alternative- along with the tennis ball sewn into the back of your shirt use an inexpensive soft cervical collar. They have not been proven to help, but many people are happy with them. If I could do withour CPAP by changing my position in bed I would make every effort to do that. While you're testing positional therapy perhaps you can put away a small amount of money each payday toward saving for a used machine. People also find them on Craigs List and the classifieds. Just be careful and know what you are buying- a relatively new machine without too many hours on it if possible. Perhaps ask around your friends and family to see if someone has given up on therapy and is willing to part with their machine.
There is also the Provent device- google it. You would need a prescription from your sleep physician. I would get a prescription for a machine and mask from him before too much time goes by in case you find you are able to afford a machine at auction.
If there is a local A.W.A.K.E. chapter (google them, too and there will be a list of local chapters) perhaps someone there can help you.
I would not recommend OTC dental devices, if you decide to go this route have a dentist fit and adjust it for you.
Good luck, please keep us posted.
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For a regular cpap, wouldnt I have to know the pressure? That's why I was hoping for an auto eventually.
What's a collar?
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A soft cervical collar that gives some support to the neck and chin. They do not have to be expensive and are in most drug stores, or from amazon.com. So you're just planning on getting an auto and winging it to figure out your own pressure?
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I think an auto pap does the pressure for you so you don't need to know it ahead of time. Thats why I was leaning towards an auto.
On a side note....the tennis balls are working!! I had to sew 6 tennis balls (lol) to keep me off my back. One ball wasnt enough. But it's keeping me on my sides and my hubby said I'm not snoring at all! :D I still have apnea on my sides, but it's mild so maybe this will help slow down the progression until I can sort out the machine.
Hopefully the balls will keep me off my back. It's only been three days. My back is sorer from not being able to shift on it. But the difference in my sleep is remarkable!! Except now, I don't want to ge up for work, lol. Normally the apnea gets me up at 6:00ish because I can't sleep anymore with a headache. Now I just want to SLEEP. Looking forward to my first sleep-in in years this weekend! Cross your fingers. :)
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