CPAP without Sleep Study or Prescription??

[crash1270]

I'm pretty sure I have sleep apnea. I snore pretty bad, have stopped breathing a few times in my sleep, also have severe nighttime allergies. I cannot sleep on my back with my snoring. I have GER and several times while sleeping on my stomach I have had acid re-flux that has come up my esophagus and into my lungs causing violent coughing attacks. I have all the typical symptoms with a family history of apnea. I have plans to have a sinuplasty surgery to clean up my whole sinus system and a deviated septom. Last year I went to my ENT doc and he prescribed a sleep study so I scheduled it. Sleep center called me to verify insurance and inform me my fee was $2,800. About that time my wife tore her rotator cuff and labrum and we were in for a big insurance deductible so I canceled the sleep study. I can afford the sleep study a few months down the road but at present it is pushed back. I have seen where you can buy CPAP machine in parts without a prescription. I am thinking about doing it this way. My insurance deductible is $5k so I am willing to try the DIY method if its even possible?

I understand that a sleep study is important and I will be getting one this year. I would like to get a jump start on the CPAP if it is possible??!! Is there a cheaper way to get into a CPAP?

 

[HarryCat]

I'd recommend you try the cpaptalk.com forum or the apneaboard.com forum, or probably both. I haven't been on those boards in a while, but back when I was there were several helpful people over there.

 

[Vince]

I know two people that use CPAP, they rented to start. You're not supposed to buy one , until you know you are comfortable with it. They both continue using them and now can sleep through the night.

 

[Vince Carter]

I've seen a few people, endure, the sleep studie's and liong adjustment periods to CPAP and I would avoid the whole routine if at all possible.

For your reflux/GERD I would like to recommend that you look in to low stomach acid...its so confused with too mcuh stomach acid. This is what has helped me: Betaine-HCL, and a pre/pro-biotic. I've got A LOT of relief with those two before a meal. Also, PLEASE avoid PPIs like Prilosec...they will destroy what's left of your stomach acid and really affect your nitric oxide (required for erections)...they're notorious for ED side effects.

 

[captain]

CPAP has to be set for what the user needs. The settings are probably determined in the sleep study I would guess. You can do your own study with a recording pulse/oximeter to see what's happening when you sleep. It's not going tell you how to set a CPAP but you will know if your not breathing.

 

[CoastWatcher]

I've seen a few people, endure, the sleep studie's and liong adjustment periods to CPAP and I would avoid the whole routine if at all possible.

For your reflux/GERD I would like to recommend that you look in to low stomach acid...its so confused with too mcuh stomach acid. This is what has helped me: Betaine-HCL, and a pre/pro-biotic. I've got A LOT of relief with those two before a meal. Also, PLEASE avoid PPIs like Prilosec...they will destroy what's left of your stomach acid and really affect your nitric oxide (required for erections)...they're notorious for ED side effects.

I disagree with my good friend Vince Carter on the worth of a sleep study, though I acknowledge the points he raises, there is no disagreement when it comes to the question of PPIs. Be wary of them, very wary.