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I've come here for some sort of advice I suppose. I know now, at this point in my life I'm suffering from sleep apnea of upper airway resistance syndrome. I know that my daytime exhaustion and lack of motivation, morning headaches, extreme snoring and stoppages in breathing (so I'm told I don't remember these when they happen), are due to some sort of sleep disorder.
I sought help. And have been told it will be 2 years minimum before I get in to see a specialist. (In Canada) I'm so tired during the day I've been taking a caffeine/ ephedrine stack (used in the gym, but now has translated into my daily life). The thing about taking this is if I don't. There is no way I have thew energy to do my job. And if I keep taking these they can be potentially fatal. I can't wait 2 yrs. To get into a sleep clinic, I'm not sure what I can do? I would buy my own cpap machine but I've read u can't until you've seen a doctor... Well very good then. I'm out of options... Is there any other possible way out? I'm suffering, and I don't have family, insurance or health care to help me. I'm really worried about this all. My heart actually feels strained, and I think its the ephedrine that's doing it. Your not actually sposed to feel your heart, like you'd feel your bicep after a workout. Similar feeling. Scary.
I sought help. And have been told it will be 2 years minimum before I get in to see a specialist. (In Canada) I'm so tired during the day I've been taking a caffeine/ ephedrine stack (used in the gym, but now has translated into my daily life). The thing about taking this is if I don't. There is no way I have thew energy to do my job. And if I keep taking these they can be potentially fatal. I can't wait 2 yrs. To get into a sleep clinic, I'm not sure what I can do? I would buy my own cpap machine but I've read u can't until you've seen a doctor... Well very good then. I'm out of options... Is there any other possible way out? I'm suffering, and I don't have family, insurance or health care to help me. I'm really worried about this all. My heart actually feels strained, and I think its the ephedrine that's doing it. Your not actually sposed to feel your heart, like you'd feel your bicep after a workout. Similar feeling. Scary.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Nancy on
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Mike,
I am a newby to Sleep Apnea and have been on CPAP for ~ 3 months now and am still learning the ropes of this situation. I hope someone else with more information, can give you some direction. I wondered if you went to an ER, would you get referred sooner? It is not the desireable way to get health care but in the US, in some situations, the ER is used as a gateway to care.
Nancy
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Permalink Reply by PD Laire on
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this may not be a popular opinion and i mean no offense to the sleep techs and other experts on this forum, but my personal opinion is that you owe it to yourself, given these circumstances, to get a CPAP on your own through any means possible. Do NOT wait for a specialist and sleep study. I'd suggest you get a fully data capable M series Pro Auto CPAP and set the range between, say, 7 and 10, and then look at the data every couple of days to figure out whether you need adjusting. the folks here can tell you how to do all this. for starters, you need to get the machine and a mask -- a nice nasal mask might be a good start -- do you have a small, medium or large nose? You can get this stuff on ebay or craigslist without a prescription. i'm sure some people might think this is irresponsible. but if you have to wait years for this to happen, you could be dead. you need to take matters in your own hands.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa Marie Cardillo on
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I agree, PD, Mike needs to get a set-up, I tried several masks and a few brand new, that I could send to Mike. Ihave many health issues going on that I need to vent about, but it can wait ,I want to help Mike Lisa
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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I agree 24 months is to long to wait. post your data. You will get the help you need.
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The safest way to buy a new, lightly used or used fully data capable CPAP or APAP is thru cpapauction.com. Unfortunately, you need a script for a CPAP to buy there. Is there any possiblity of talking your family doctor into writing a script for a CPAP? Explain the situtation to him, explain how a fully data capable APAP can be used to titrate what pressure you need. Explain that this is they way they get someone started on therapy in many countries when there is a long waiting time for in-lab titrations. Explain even in the USA Medicare is now paying for at-home APAP titrations for 3 months due to not enough sleep labs in many areas of the country and thus long waiting lists.
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Permalink Reply by Marie Davis on
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Dear Mike: I also was unisured. Doesn't Canad have some sort of a "high risk" program that you can qualify for a monthly premium and certain criteria. Some states here offer them but they are not readily known. First of all GET OFF the energy drinks. I know 2 people that have had heart attacks from them! They are stimulants (EVEn if they are organic) I am not an expert just a previous user of those as well! I started having heart palpitations on day and thought I was having a heart attack. Then my last advice is even if you have to save your pennies for a sleep study (they aren't that expensive) do it. You don't need a specialist (at least not in the Us) to have a sleep study. Then get going on it....find a way....my heart hurt every morning before I got my CPAP> I felt like adrone that was thumping thru my life with my eyes closed. PLEASE PLEASE get help somehow so you get your life back...it will be worth it. Perhaps a payment plan at a sleep study clinic???? Best of luck keep in touch ...remember no more energy pills or drinks. (P>S They are agrevating your sleep apnea too....)
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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Well he is in Canada so things are slightly different there.
If you are able to get a script from your primary doctor fine, upload the script at www.cpapauction.com and you should be able to find a good machine at a reasonable cost. Do buy one that is data capable or you will be in the dark trying to figure out your pressure. Come here if you find one, but before you buy it ask if it is data capable someone on here will be able to tell you.
If you could get an auto machine that would be even better as it gives you a range of pressures and you should be able to narrow your pressure range down using it.
If you can't get a script, search various other outlets such as thrift stores, garage sales (assuming these are in Canada as well), craigslist.com, or even put your own ad wanting to buy one. Check with us to see if the price is reasonable and ask questions about the machine, prior to buying. Ask how many hours it has on it, has it been around cigarette smoke, etc.
Good luck and do keep us posted.
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Hello Mike:
I am from Canada (Ottawa) I am a newbie to cpap therapy.....I went online and found this cpap for sale here in ottawa.....
Address: 107 Flanders Street, Nepean, ON, K2J View map
Date Listed: 27-May-09
S8 AutoSet Vantage System with Integrated Humidifier, user manual and case. Two units snap together which makes it very easy to fill himidifier resevoir. Very small so sits well on a bedside table. Barely used, I lost 50 pounds and no longer have apnea. Originally $1500.00. This machine really helped. Please respond by e-mail or by phone at 613-823-7591.
Address: 107 Flanders Street, Nepean, ON, K2J View map
Date Listed: 27-May-09
S8 AutoSet Vantage System with Integrated Humidifier, user manual and case. Two units snap together which makes it very easy to fill himidifier resevoir. Very small so sits well on a bedside table. Barely used, I lost 50 pounds and no longer have apnea. Originally $1500.00. This machine really helped. Please respond by e-mail or by phone at 613-823-7591.
I'm sure this person will sell it for alot less than what they paid for it.....I found this on kiji.com select the city on the right hand side then select health special needs.... you can also post a want ad on this site and craigslist.com for free.....
Another option can be to contact the local cpap outlets in your region they often carry used machines....hope this helps you......Good luck Mike.
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Hey everyone. First, thanks a lot for all the advice I really appreciate it.
To answer some of the questions. The three doctors I've been to have all told me they need proof of my condition before they can prescribe treatment.
I can't locate a website that will off load a machine without a prescription. So if anyone knows of one, could you PM me?
And yah haha I think garage sales exist up here.
Again the help is so appreciated. All of you.
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Well I ended up making a deal for that machine the lady posted earlier. Thanks again. Ill be around for awhile I suppose bugging the hell out of yall.
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I paid 800 Canadian. Which is find with me, it saves me a two year wait to get in and get tested. It also saves me a 400 dollar sleep study charge. So I have no problem paying 800 to get the help I need right now.
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