If you’re positive you have sleep apnea do you HAVE to get a sleep study done or can you just buy the machine?
by Sarah Aniston
Filed under Sleep Apnea Books
Money is an issue and I dont have insurance. I’m also interested in anyone’s experiences in using manual vs. automatic machines. Thanks!
talk to your doctor, a doctors statement is required to get a breathing machine.
you MUST get a sleep study done and a prescription for the machine before you can get a machine due to each person needs a different setting and face mask. If you don’t have insurance. companies can “rent” out a machine so instead of BLAH amount for whatever machine you only pay like 30 or something a month. Or do a rent to own process. good luck
In addition to the great comments already given, I agree that you need a doctors refferal to be able to get the cpap machine.
Its also important to get the right pressure settings, some people don’t adjust well to cpap therapy so an optimal setting is very important.
Also a sleep study (polysomnograph) does more to help patients than what at first brush you might think. One being optimal pressure setting, cpap can be a mode of treatment that does take some getting used to, so its very important to have the study done.
All excellent responses, you said it, “dddkth”.
It is illegal to sell medical devices without a proper prescription. If you were able to get a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine second hand or from a no-name fly-by-night company, these are some problems you would have:
A machine of unknown history or quality standards.
You would not know exactly how much pressure you need (it’s the pressure of the air that’s therapuetic, not the mask or machine itself.)
How would you check the pressure the machine is set at? This is very specialized medical equipment.
CPAP is a long term therapy, and there are alot of components that need to be replaced regularly. These items (masks, tubing, headgear, filters, humidifiers, and chin straps) are also available by prescription only. How would you get a steady supply of quality items?
The mask fit is (arguably) the most crucial step to successful therapy on CPAP. There are hundreds to choose from. Who would help you find the right ones for your face, and then how would get a steady supply of them?
I hate to be a downer, but this is the truth. Treatment of sleep apnea is a specialized area of medicine, and for good reason. I hope you can find some way to qualify for insurance or medical assistance to get what you need. Can you keep looking for a different job that has benefits?
Good night, and good luck.
Oh, almost forgot, Automatic CPAP machines generally work best for people who need very different pressures depending on what position they are sleeping in, but are gaining more widespread popularity. Some patients need higher pressure while on their back, lower pressure while on their sides. Regular CPAP works well for most patients who have gone through a full night CPAP titration sleep study..