CPAP rental
No I have not but the government covers $780 for a machine and that covers the lowest price point one for the most part. No reason not to get it.
Most CPAP places do the government forms and send it off anyway so you don't have to do much but take it home.
Referral: July, 2012 Orientation TWH: November 12, 2012 NP/SW: March 25, 2013 Sleep Study: April 15, 2013 Nutrition Class: April 16, 2013 Dietitian: June 19, 2013 Psych: June 25, 2013 Dr Okrainec: August 2, 2013 PATTS: August 9, 2013 Surgery Dr. Urbach: August 30, 2013
It can be a tough adjustment, but stick with it. I didn't really think I needed one but now I can't imagine living without it. It makes all the difference in the world and will probably save your life.
Referral: Apr 2013; Orientation (HRRH): Aug 12, 2013; 1st Surgeon Appt (Dr Sohi): Aug 23, 2013; SW/RD/RN: Nov 8, 2013; Internist (Dr Glazer): Nov 14, 2013; 2nd Surgeon Appt: Nov 20, 2013; Start Opti: Jan 3, 2013; PATTS: Jan 16, 2014; Surgery: Jan 24, 2014
Hi Alysan,
You can rent a CPAP, but I was actually lent a CPAP for the 6 weeks it took before I knew whether I would need an APAP or just a CPAP. I went to a Shopper's Drug Mart Home Health Care Centre (the Markham one).
The agreement was that I would buy the CPAP machine I was lent if that was all I actually needed, or I'd buy an APAP machine in the rather remote chance that I'd need one. The generous (not) folks at Medigas offered to rent me a machine by the month. Medigas also has higher prices and poorer service (from my experience) than Shopper's.
I really like my CPAP, it's a ResMed Series 9 Elite with humidifier and I bought a ResMed Quattro FX full face mask that's very comfortable. OHIP pays for 75% of the cost of whatever machine you choose and a basic mask and tubing. I recommend that you get an expensive mask, they are worth it.
If you really do need a CPAP machine, I don't think renting one would be very economical. OHIP doesn't cover any portion of a rental unit. And, if you need one, you will need one for a long time after surgery, if you ever come off it. It will improve your quality of life very dramatically: I noticed a huge difference the first time I used mine. I felt refreshed and had my first real restful night's sleep in ages. I had been having an apnea episode every 67 seconds, and my blood O2 saturation level was below 90% well more than half the time (you'd be on oxygen in a hospital with a level that low), and it even fell to 67% once, which is life-threatening. I used to wake up gasping for air before I got my machine, thinking I was dying. The lower your blood oxygen levels fall, the harder it is for your heart to start pumping blood again. Sleep apnea can kill instantly, or slowly, as well as making you miserable.
Good luck!
Jenn. :)
HI Alyson,
Im not sure where you live, but most providers (at least mine) had a trial program so I find a machine and mask that works for me. OHIP does cover a large part of the cost depending upon the mask and the machine that you choose. If you are in the Durham Region I can recommend a not-for-profit company that provides them. Far less hassle than the for profit companies ie MediGas
Robyn
Referral Summer 2012, Orientation June 10/13 HRRH, Dr Hagen July 3/13, Dr Glazer, RN/RD/SW September 19/13, Dr Hagen October 10/13, Surgery January 21/14
http://images.obesityhelp.com/uploads/profile/370613/tickers/robynrne2b9ddd6b097c6ab0185ec57651b7f22.png?1392080601
HW 290 Opti Start Weight 280.9 Surgery Weight 264.8 CW 207
Honestly, its worth the price, every penny. I had a cardiac arrest and died, literally was dead for 25 minutes. It's taken me a year and a half to relearn everything, from feeding myself, walking and speaking. I was told my cardiac arrest was from my sleep apnea. Its so worth the cpap. I hated it, but knew I needed it to keep me alive.
I am four months post op today and have had my cpap machine turned down a bit, but not at the point yet of getting rid of it, and who knows I may never stop using it. But if you need it, please, get one, don't mess around with sleep apnea.