And people wonder why the healthcare system is so screwed up..... - Page 2

OTB · 01-09-2010, 05:02 AM

I've been on Cpap for 5 yrs. Where we live, (semi-rural, brownouts and sporadic outages are common; ergo, blown machines are common )the circuitry is a small computer, and no, an apc doesnt supply enough power.
Part of the deal is monthly replacement of filters and same-day replacement of blown units. Quarterly replacement of masks and hoses.
I've gone through 3 units; mine are the expensive Bi-pap units @$3k a pop ($5200msrp). Do the math.

OTB · 01-09-2010, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsunami

Is surgery an option?

For some; success ratio about %40 according to my doc, painful, and if you gain weight, you're right back to where you were....

I'm fortunate in that once I found the right mask, it works great and I don't ever notice it. Asleep for 7-8 hrs and wake up refreshed.

Had to go through about 10 different masks till I found one that was right for me.

cbrchick · 01-09-2010, 08:30 AM

Wow Trace, that kinda sucks (get it?...k, lame joke)...

Unless you gained a shit load of weight (don't think so) or smoke (nope), you must have developed like central/obstructive apnea since I saw you last. Granted, I might not have heard any snoring b/c I had ear plugs in I think. ( we shared a room once

...all innocent you pervs).

It's insane with the monthly rate and all, just make sure if you get a used machine all is working well. The thing with those devices, if they aren't working, your not breathing in your sleep with a mask on your face.

Besides all the insurance stuff, this is a positive step in that once you start using the Cpap, you'll find yourself much more rested and refreshed during the day. You won't be tired with all that CO2 circulating in your blood when you wake up.

Plus, now Carolina can indulge in those gas mask fetishes that all us girls (esp. military) have but never act on

Amber Lamps · 01-09-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTB

I've been on Cpap for 5 yrs. Where we live, (semi-rural, brownouts and sporadic outages are common; ergo, blown machines are common )the circuitry is a small computer, and no, an apc doesnt supply enough power.
Part of the deal is monthly replacement of filters and same-day replacement of blown units. Quarterly replacement of masks and hoses.
I've gone through 3 units; mine are the expensive Bi-pap units @$3k a pop ($5200msrp). Do the math.

Ha! Score one for the Tigger! J/K.. Seriously, I figured it was something like that. These insurance companies can be stupid at times but I found it hard to believe that they would be such easy marks.

Tmall · 01-09-2010, 08:58 AM

My boss has had the surgery, he regrets it.

He can't eat certain foods now because it directly effects his nasal pasages. Spicy food burns the inside of his nose and he said it was extremely painful while it was healing.

OTB · 01-09-2010, 09:47 AM

The first few times I used it; I felt like I was being smothered (mask over face) and that my lungs were going to explode (13psi pressure). I had some chafing and soreness till I found the right mask. I went from being a side/belly sleeper to sleeping on my back.

I used to wake up a million times a night; I would fall asleep in the middle of dinner or in the middle of a conversation. I fell alseep many times while driving the car and once ON THE BIKE.....in the middle of the afternoon.

My blood pressure was 210/120.....

My wife said I snored like I was going to shake the house apart and I would stop breathing for 30-40 seconds at a time. She would shake me to get me to start breathing.

Every joint hurt; I couldn't wake up in the morning; I felt like I was running a marathon all the time and I had constant headaches.

Now I sleep like a normy....

BP as of yesterday was 119/70.

I can go all day with nodding off.

My wife sleeps through the nite.......

I wake up in the morning and feel GREAT!

I pack the CPAP where ever I go; I have a large tank bag where it goes on overnight rides.

I put it on , push the button, and within 30 seconds I fall asleep.

Give it a chance and you'll never notice it, but it will change your life for the better.

I am just grateful I have something that can be treated so easily.

6doublefive321 · 01-09-2010, 10:44 AM

OTB is spot on. I started using a CPAP machine in November.

The main reason the insurance companies rent the machine at the beginning is the purchase cost and the fact that not everyone who gets a machine will use it. While the memory card in the machine is great for diagnostics if you need a "tune up", it is also tells the insurance company if you are using the machine every night. If, like lots of other people, you can't live with the machine and stop using it, the memory card will tell the tale and the insurance company can recover some of the money they spent. If you use it regularly, they will eventually purchase it. Its actually a pretty smart approach by the insurance companies.

I've been using my CPAP for two months, and I can tell a significant improvement in my overall health. I am still having some issues with mask comfort. As I am finding out, mask choice is a trial and error process.

RACER X · 01-09-2010, 11:21 AM

my dad has one, has had it for a long time.

Z says i need 1 too, and she's prolly right. i snore, i just don't wake up.

defector · 01-09-2010, 12:07 PM

One of my employees has one. Same deal, ins pays monthly. His work has actually improved alot.

Best part of the entire deal? He got a new nickname ("Maverick"). And now he has a sign on his office that says Highway to the Danger Zone....

derf · 01-09-2010, 01:18 PM

A friend of mine had the surgery and he says it was the best thing hes ever done. He went from never being able to wake up and always being tired to waking up without an alarm clock at the correct time every day and he gets a full night sleep. He says that he can't eat spicy food because it burns his sinuses but not being tired more than makes up for that drawback.

01-09-2010, 05:02 AM	#11
OTB The Man Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CrabTown USA Moto: 00 Bimota DB4 Posts: 823	I've been on Cpap for 5 yrs. Where we live, (semi-rural, brownouts and sporadic outages are common; ergo, blown machines are common )the circuitry is a small computer, and no, an apc doesnt supply enough power. Part of the deal is monthly replacement of filters and same-day replacement of blown units. Quarterly replacement of masks and hoses. I've gone through 3 units; mine are the expensive Bi-pap units @$3k a pop ($5200msrp). Do the math. __________________ http://www.decreasingradius.net/ Last edited by OTB; 01-09-2010 at 05:08 AM..

01-09-2010, 09:47 AM	#16
OTB The Man Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CrabTown USA Moto: 00 Bimota DB4 Posts: 823	The first few times I used it; I felt like I was being smothered (mask over face) and that my lungs were going to explode (13psi pressure). I had some chafing and soreness till I found the right mask. I went from being a side/belly sleeper to sleeping on my back. I used to wake up a million times a night; I would fall asleep in the middle of dinner or in the middle of a conversation. I fell alseep many times while driving the car and once ON THE BIKE.....in the middle of the afternoon. My blood pressure was 210/120..... My wife said I snored like I was going to shake the house apart and I would stop breathing for 30-40 seconds at a time. She would shake me to get me to start breathing. Every joint hurt; I couldn't wake up in the morning; I felt like I was running a marathon all the time and I had constant headaches. Now I sleep like a normy.... BP as of yesterday was 119/70. I can go all day with nodding off. My wife sleeps through the nite....... I wake up in the morning and feel GREAT! I pack the CPAP where ever I go; I have a large tank bag where it goes on overnight rides. I put it on , push the button, and within 30 seconds I fall asleep. Give it a chance and you'll never notice it, but it will change your life for the better. I am just grateful I have something that can be treated so easily. __________________ http://www.decreasingradius.net/

01-09-2010, 10:44 AM	#17
6doublefive321 Resident Droog Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern burbs, Atlanta Moto: 625 SMC, '08 Tuono R Posts: 471	OTB is spot on. I started using a CPAP machine in November. The main reason the insurance companies rent the machine at the beginning is the purchase cost and the fact that not everyone who gets a machine will use it. While the memory card in the machine is great for diagnostics if you need a "tune up", it is also tells the insurance company if you are using the machine every night. If, like lots of other people, you can't live with the machine and stop using it, the memory card will tell the tale and the insurance company can recover some of the money they spent. If you use it regularly, they will eventually purchase it. Its actually a pretty smart approach by the insurance companies. I've been using my CPAP for two months, and I can tell a significant improvement in my overall health. I am still having some issues with mask comfort. As I am finding out, mask choice is a trial and error process. __________________ I'm sick and tired of being bored.

01-09-2010, 11:21 AM	#18
RACER X AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Richmond, Tx Moto: '10 Tuono Factory Posts: 4,569	my dad has one, has had it for a long time. Z says i need 1 too, and she's prolly right. i snore, i just don't wake up. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ 2014 GROM! 181cc of FURY 2010 Aprilia Tuono Factory - SOLD 2009 SFV Gladius - SOLD 2008 Hayabusa - SOLD.

01-09-2010, 12:07 PM	#19
defector My balls, your chin Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The desert of Az Moto: 929, SV650, YZ250 Posts: 1,917	One of my employees has one. Same deal, ins pays monthly. His work has actually improved alot. Best part of the entire deal? He got a new nickname ("Maverick"). And now he has a sign on his office that says Highway to the Danger Zone.... __________________ Reading this signature may give you special powers, including the ability to run through walls. You should try it immediately.

01-09-2010, 08:30 AM	#13
cbrchick Canyon Carver Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Moto: Honda CBR 600, Yamaha Zuma 50, Suzuki SV1000 Posts: 395	Wow Trace, that kinda sucks (get it?...k, lame joke)... Unless you gained a shit load of weight (don't think so) or smoke (nope), you must have developed like central/obstructive apnea since I saw you last. Granted, I might not have heard any snoring b/c I had ear plugs in I think. ( we shared a room once ...all innocent you pervs). It's insane with the monthly rate and all, just make sure if you get a used machine all is working well. The thing with those devices, if they aren't working, your not breathing in your sleep with a mask on your face. Besides all the insurance stuff, this is a positive step in that once you start using the Cpap, you'll find yourself much more rested and refreshed during the day. You won't be tired with all that CO2 circulating in your blood when you wake up. Plus, now Carolina can indulge in those gas mask fetishes that all us girls (esp. military) have but never act on

01-09-2010, 08:58 AM	#15
Tmall Aspiring Rapper Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Halifax, NS Moto: '12 CB1000R Posts: 3,569	My boss has had the surgery, he regrets it. He can't eat certain foods now because it directly effects his nasal pasages. Spicy food burns the inside of his nose and he said it was extremely painful while it was healing.

01-09-2010, 01:18 PM	#20
derf token jewboy Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man Posts: 10,799	A friend of mine had the surgery and he says it was the best thing hes ever done. He went from never being able to wake up and always being tired to waking up without an alarm clock at the correct time every day and he gets a full night sleep. He says that he can't eat spicy food because it burns his sinuses but not being tired more than makes up for that drawback. __________________