Questions for newly diagnosed

[MaskedOne]

Welcome to the forum.

I'm relatively new to PAP therapy and scored a 17 AHI on my sleep test. I'm in my 60s and tiredness began to settle in on me in my mid-50s. I marked it down as the onset of old age. Coincidentally, my wife's complaints about my snoring also began. I had no knowledge about apneas, obstructed sleep, or PAP therapy back then. I took the sleep test at my wife's urging and when it came back "moderate" I felt it proved that I was sleeping fine. As I researched the sleep test results in detail, and considered what they meant, especially in the long term, it began to dawn on me that I had a serious problem.

I began PAP therapy with a lot of skepticism, reassuring myself I could toss it all in a yard sale box if (when) it proved unnecessary.
On the first night, I was so quiet my wife stayed in bed with me all night and has stayed ever since.
Within 2 weeks, I felt more rested: I was not falling asleep every time I sat still for a while.
Within a month, the afternoon naps were part of my past. And I did not fall asleep in the car when my wife was driving.

I encourage you to read the PAP therapy guide.
This forum will provide great advice and guidance. The recommendation for a ResMed 10 is one such example.
Expect your own PAP therapy to have its ups and downs (good nights, bad nights) but it will put you on a healthy trajectory.
It has been a game changer for me.

[jcp519]

When you say a couple masks, do you mean a couple sizes or a couple styles?  Seems the air sense 10 has a humidifier built in, but what about heated tubes?  I just want to try and get everything I need to get going and give myself the best shot at success.

Try as many masks as you can to get a gauge of what's most comfortable for you. I've probably tried at least 10 at this point and still try new ones every so often. Many people like nasal pillows because they quite minimalist. As far as sizing goes, most masks come with a sizing guide or a fit pack. Try to find the mask size that fits well and does not leak. The sizing can vary from mask to mask.

Definitely get the heated tubing as well. It makes the whole pap experience much easier with the humidifier as it will prevent condensation from forming in your tubing.

[Schernenk]

I got some good info today on how this all works here in the great white north (Canada).  Basically a prescription is required to obtain a CPAP or APAP, my doctor has already sent a prescription to the lab who did the test...surprise surprise they sell equipment too, which I guess was to be expected.  I can use my doctors prescription for whatever vendor I like but (he will send it) but this lab is somewhat local geographically to my location.  

Long story short they will offer me a free 4 week trial (and they offer the Airsense 10), but I need to purchase a mask.  I would go in person to the clinic for a fitting where they would set me up with the mask and the initial settings on the machine.  After the 4 week trial I can choose to buy a machine through them or purchase a machine online.  If however I need any service done on my equipment and I didn't get it from them there is a special service charge.

Plus side is I can make 100% sure CPAP therapy is for me (hopefully) in 4 weeks with little risk, and the in house fitting of a mask, which is appealing.  Downside is I would be paying a bit more, but I don't mind paying a bit more for service.  There masks range form $295-$350 CDN depending on style ($215 - $260 USD).  This all sounds pretty reasonable to me, the only other downside is they have no appointments until April 8th and I am keen to get started LOL. 

I should be able to get all this covered by my companies health care plan.

Thoughts?

[jcp519]

I'm not sure if this is just the case in Canada, but $215 for a mask seems a bit overpriced. I feel like you could definitely find a better price for one online. Most masks in the US go for ~$100-$150 USD online. But the fitting can be useful for the first time you get a mask.

I do think it would be a good idea to do the trial though. Sometimes having a place to get the machine serviced is a good idea. If it is all covered through your insurance, then that makes it even easier too.

[OttSteve]

As a fellow Canadian with this affliction, I may be able to assist with some of the relevant questions. First, do you have private insurance that covers these costs? Second. check your Provincial Health Plan to determine if some or all of the costs are covered, and then check what hoops they make you jump through to get the money. You may have to go through a "provider" to get coverage. These are companies who help you fit masks and pick a machine - mine even gave me a loaner for three months. The sting comes when you go to buy the machine and supplies, which are typically marked up 300%. They will also push monitoring and consultant services on you as well. I lost my group insurance when I retired, and now buy supplies from Amazon or the CPAP Outlet. I view the whole provider industry as a racket supported by group insurance plans, but it worked for me at the time.

In your case I see two possible paths. I would first get a sleep study done (your GP should provide a referral) which should include a qualified professional opinion and a prescription for an apnea system. If you have private/public insurance I would go to a provider, as they can help fit a mask which suits you. You can then terminate any relationship with them as you see fit. The other option is to buy a machine/mask, etc and use the resources on this forum to get it properly set up. The risk of this option is spending some money and time trying different masks.

Good luck

[TBrobbs]

I found my sleep provider’s prices very overpriced for masks, but for my first experience I stuck with them, mainly for the reasons jcp519 raised. It was good to get masks fitted and I was able to try a number of different ones in my first 30 days. I’ve already found a better Canadian online source for when I’m ready to replace the mask that is $100 cheaper than the sleep provider’s price.

[OttSteve]

I got some good info today on how this all works here in the great white north (Canada).  Basically a prescription is required to obtain a CPAP or APAP, my doctor has already sent a prescription to the lab who did the test...surprise surprise they sell equipment too, which I guess was to be expected.  I can use my doctors prescription for whatever vendor I like but (he will send it) but this lab is somewhat local geographically to my location.  

Long story short they will offer me a free 4 week trial (and they offer the Airsense 10), but I need to purchase a mask.  I would go in person to the clinic for a fitting where they would set me up with the mask and the initial settings on the machine.  After the 4 week trial I can choose to buy a machine through them or purchase a machine online.  If however I need any service done on my equipment and I didn't get it from them there is a special service charge.

Plus side is I can make 100% sure CPAP therapy is for me (hopefully) in 4 weeks with little risk, and the in house fitting of a mask, which is appealing.  Downside is I would be paying a bit more, but I don't mind paying a bit more for service.  There masks range form $295-$350 CDN depending on style ($215 - $260 USD).  This all sounds pretty reasonable to me, the only other downside is they have no appointments until April 8th and I am keen to get started LOL. 

I should be able to get all this covered by my companies health care plan.

Thoughts?

Sorry, just getting used this this forum's format.  I think that you are on the correct path.  It is worth having assistance picking a mask and the free trial will let you try different masks in the "combat zone".

Masks from online vendors are typically $80-$200, my provider wanted $250 for a mask I can get for $100 online.  You typically replace them every six months to a year, so this would just be the "starter ".

[Schernenk]

I'm not sure if this is just the case in Canada, but $215 for a mask seems a bit overpriced. I feel like you could definitely find a better price for one online. Most masks in the US go for ~$100-$150 USD online. But the fitting can be useful for the first time you get a mask.

I do think it would be a good idea to do the trial though. Sometimes having a place to get the machine serviced is a good idea. If it is all covered through your insurance, then that makes it even easier too.

I think you are right about the masks being overpriced, I have found them for $100 Canadian Less online, but for a jumping off point it seems to make sense to try the provider.  If I only need one mask instead of two because I can try them it comes out in the wash, then I can order online later.  We have what's called a health care spending account at work, with is like a piggy bank for the year that covers lots of stuff.  I fund the account since I own the business so in a round about way it will be all covered, though I'm robbing Peter to pay Paul.  Thanks for the feedback though, this has been an amazing resource so far.

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Sorry, just getting used this this forum's format.  I think that you are on the correct path.  It is worth having assistance picking a mask and the free trial will let you try different masks in the "combat zone".

Masks from online vendors are typically $80-$200, my provider wanted $250 for a mask I can get for $100 online.  You typically replace them every six months to a year, so this would just be the "starter ".

Great point, I think since I'm such a "newb" starting with the provider is a good start, then move online later.  I don't mind paying a bit more for some service and experience, but I'm not willing to continually pay more then double.  I own a business and wouldn't expect that from my customers (paying more then double).

[Schernenk]

As a fellow Canadian with this affliction, I may be able to assist with some of the relevant questions.  First, do you have private insurance that covers these costs?  Second. check your Provincial Health Plan to determine if some or all of the costs are covered, and then check what hoops they make you jump through to get the money.  You may have to go through a "provider" to get coverage.  These are companies who help you fit masks and pick a machine - mine even gave me a loaner for three months.  The sting comes when you go to buy the machine and supplies, which are typically marked up 300%.  They will also push monitoring and consultant services on you as well.  I lost my group insurance when I retired, and now buy supplies from Amazon or the CPAP Outlet.  I view the whole provider industry as a racket supported by group insurance plans, but it worked for me at the time.  

In your case I see two possible paths.  I would first get a sleep study done (your GP should provide a referral) which should include a qualified professional opinion and a prescription for an apnea system. If you have private/public insurance I would go to a provider, as they can help fit a mask which suits you.  You can then terminate any relationship with them as you see fit.  The other option is to buy a machine/mask, etc and use the resources on this forum to get it properly set up.  The risk of this option is spending some money and time trying different masks.

Good luck

 
I am in British Columbia, seems to be a grey area, one site says it isn't covered by MSP and the Gov BC site says something about having moderate to severe apnea and the CPAP is potentially covered, though the cheapest reasonable option is all that's allowed and the family must have no other means.  I am considered mild based on my in home sleep study (though if I do the math based on my actual time asleep which I tracked vs the test time I am actually moderate) and I have some medical coverage, so they likely won't cover it.  

Also, you mentioned a sleep study, I did an in home but I have read the in home is not super accurate, I wonder if it's worth doing an overnight study at some point or just better to get going on CPAP therapy since I do definitely have apnea.  An overnight will tell me more but at the end of the day I need/want to treat it regardless and the in home did reveal the apnea.

[OttSteve]

 
I am in British Columbia, seems to be a grey area, one site says it isn't covered by MSP and the Gov BC site says something about having moderate to severe apnea and the CPAP is potentially covered, though the cheapest reasonable option is all that's allowed and the family must have no other means.  I am considered mild based on my in home sleep study (though if I do the math based on my actual time asleep which I tracked vs the test time I am actually moderate) and I have some medical coverage, so they likely won't cover it.  

Also, you mentioned a sleep study, I did an in home but I have read the in home is not super accurate, I wonder if it's worth doing an overnight study at some point or just better to get going on CPAP therapy since I do definitely have apnea.  An overnight will tell me more but at the end of the day I need/want to treat it regardless and the in home did reveal the apnea.

The lab is better, but it's a bit of an ordeal.  I went to the lab, where they put me in a gurney, covered me with sensors and seemingly miles of wires and then said go to sleep, all while watching me on CCTV.  I think I finally fell asleep at about 4 AM, just before I was about to leave.  The doc did get a good 45 minutes of data, which was more than enough for diagnosis. 

I wouldn't worry about the accuracy of your test. With the data from your loaner trial, the input of the provider and this forum, you should be in good shape.