Hello All,

I am getting tired of getting hit 4-5 times a night from the wife to tell me I'm snoring. (I'm asleep, how the hell do I know what I'm doing?!?!) I assumed I would look into the whole CPAP world, and figured the experts at SIGforum would be the best place to start.

I have ZERO knowledge in this area and thought I would try to find a deal on the local Craigslist or Facebook marketplace to see if it helps. I have no idea if there is a health/sanitary issue of buying a used unit and what I may need to do before using. I see new units are $500+, and some used are like $70. No idea of the differences or bells/whistles.

Please give me any beneficial info to know, or something you wish you knew before buying one.

Thanks in advance!

Been using PAP machines for 20+ years (CPAP,BiPAP,AutoPAP) works well for me. In order to purchase one from a reliable source you must have a prescription. Perhaps you have a family member who could pass on a used one + mask to you (I have done that)I would not want to use one that had been used by an unkown person.

Probably not a great idea to pick up a used machine since they are prescription medical devices, getting supplies for mask, tubes etc will require a prescription.

If you have insurance they will cover the required sleep study to see if you qualify, if so insurance typically covers the whole thing.

If you end up getting a used machine the problem you'll face is if it's setup incorrectly for your needs, these work on pressure and a doctor sets the pressure you need to advert the problems.

I did give my dad my old CPAP we are similar size and build and my mom says he raises the roof, and I know it from travel days with him I'd always get a separate room...

^^^^ THIS ^^^^^

Yessir, you need to seek a sleep specialist and do a study. There is more than a slight chance that you just snore, making CPAP unnecessary. You may also have significant apnea issues and not know it.

Do you wake feeling tired? Hungover all day without the benefit of having drank? Fall asleep while driving or sitting at your desk? Those were my clues, there are others, easily Google-researched. If you have any clues (and yes, snoring is one) I would urge you to do a sleep study and find out.

As the above have mentioned, even if you procured a CPAP machine, if you need one it most likely will not be set to the proper pressure to help you. That is something that is tweaked and determined during the sleep study.

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
Yessir, you need to seek a sleep specialist and do a study. There is more than a slight chance that you just snore, making CPAP unnecessary. You may also have significant apnea issues and not know it.

Do you wake feeling tired? Hungover all day without the benefit of having drank? Fall asleep while driving or sitting at your desk? Those were my clues, there are others, easily Google-researched. If you have any clues (and yes, snoring is one) I would urge you to do a sleep study and find out.

As the above have mentioned, even if you procured a CPAP machine, if you need one it most likely will not be set to the proper pressure to help you. That is something that is tweaked and determined during the sleep study.

With most, especially primary care folks who have arrangements to help with assessment, you can do a 2-4 day at-home test. For me it was the best option since I likely wouldn't have slept at all, let alone normally, in a lab.

I was diagnosed with mild apnea, ~17 events per hour. To me, that sounded like I should be dead, but getting on an auto machine cut out the snoring, helped me rest a little better and I stopped waking up during the night to pee or otherwise. All in all a positive, after my wife got used to the new silence. Took me a couple weeks to get used to the mask, now it's a non-event.

Oh - the machines now make virtually zero noise. My ceiling fan creates more background noise than the machine.

That's why I love this place. Thank you all for the replies! I had no idea they were Rx only.

My wife was like that and she got a CPAP machine. Took a little while to get used to it. I also bought her an adjustable bed which also helped tremendously.

The sleep study is a joke. I had such cut and dry symptoms my Dr told me there is no doubt whatsoever you have apnea, and I have it severely bad. Had to do the study anyway, even though there was no doubt. That cost me $1000 because the sleep study wasn't in network. Pissed me off.

I don't use the thing anymore anyway because I also have severe insomnia, so when I do manage to fall asleep, I don't usually have it on my face, and my wife wont wake me up because if I am finally asleep I don't want to be bothered.

So in short, I'm sure Ill be dead soon because I don't sleep, and when I do I don't sleep well at all.

I've had two overnight sleep studies since 1997. Then and one two years ago. The studies document the number of apneic events, correlations to sleep stages (REM), heart rhythm sleep patterns, effectiveness of various CPAP pressure settings, etc.

They are valuable tools when performed by a reputable sleep clinic and neurologist. A Rx will be issued for the CPAP or similar equipment and recommended settings that the health care equipment provider's technicans will set it to. They will also instruct you on adapting to the equipment and maintaining it properly.

Bottom line is that using professionals to diagnose and establish treatment for this condition is the proper way to go.

It also allows for the proper pressure. What works for one person may not help another at all.

I've had multiple machines. No insurance so I've never owned a new one. I currently am using a Resmed 10 that I found on craigslist for around $200. No issues getting accessories for anything that I've owned. Online or Ebay.

Sleep apnea is no joke, it can kill you. Check with you insurance and find a recommended sleep doc, maybe a referral from your PCP?

One of our members is in that business. I'm kind of surprised that he has not shown up in this thread.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
One of our members is in that business. I'm kind of surprised that he has not shown up in this thread.

Shhhhhh!

Look here:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...950068624#8950068624

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...450052024#8450052024

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...870044024#2870044024

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...840070424#8840070424

email me if you still have questions...
DTV

I go to the sleep study tomorrow night....

I was diagnosed with shift work disorder-but I've been off shift work since my seizure/stroke in February...

I just can't get to sleep (my brain wont stop thinking )

Then, when I do sleep I cant' stay asleep-when I roll over I wake up.

Then on top of all that I had a stroke a few years ago.

I remember being in the service when I could sleep anywhere - anytime...but I guess we were all just exhausted all the time

I'd give money for a good night of sleep.

Mrs. Mike says I snore occasionally and I'm thin so it's not like an obstruction when laying down....

I guess I will find out tomorrow night.

I did mention to Mrs. Mike that the sleep docoter was in the business of selling CPAP machines...it appeared to be the only tool he has in his toolbox. (color me skeptic, but we will see)

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:

I'm thin so it's not like an obstruction when laying down....

Thin people have sleep apnea too.

Sorry to hear about the strokes, wish you the best.

The sleep study last night was the worst...

felt like an octopus had ahold of me....wires everywhere

did eventually fall asleep btu work each time i moved

feel like a zombie today

These tests are usually inaccurate as the sleep techs crank up the pressure to achieve a triple Zero result.
zero: Apneas, Zero Hyponeas and Zero Snores.
They also get to go home earlier.
There are home testings available, where you sleep in your own bed.
Also If you know you have some sort of issue, simply get an automatic Cpap (APAP) and the unit will read your algorithms and adjust through-out the nite.
I'm At your service...

I have NEW and Demo units available.

You don't want to use a CPAP device that is not adjusted to your required pressure. So, the first route to understanding your problem is the sleep study. Then once the doc has gone over the results with you, you can make a decision about the device, he will write you a prescription and send you off to a durable medical equipment provider who will set up your machine, teach you how to use it, recommend a mask, and train you in adjustments. One thing, you will need to hang on to the prescription as many of the CPAP Suppliers want to have a copy on file, if you are buying new masks, hoses and so forth.

It's made a life changing improvement in how me and the wife can sleep, and how I feel every day.