XaXiS
join:2009-08-15
Canada Eh | [Serious] Sleep Apnea Anyone here suffer from it and wears a CPAP?
I got diagnosed back in 2002 and I wear a nose mask. When I got my gallbladder out in April I had to take the machine in. They said it was leaking air after the surgery. I cannot see where it is leaking from at all. Is it covered under OHIP to get it looked at? |
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 ArthurSWatch Those Blinking LightsPremium
join:2000-10-28
Hamilton, ON | Leaking air? Maybe the mask is leaking air due to a poor fit? Unless you still have a warranty with the unit, you'll have to pay out of the pocket for any repairs, which can be costly depending on what is wrong, maybe you're better off getting a new one. If you need a new machine, then get a current prescription from your sleep doctor, then order it in from the USA (www.cpap.com). It will most likely be cheaper. The copay here in Ontario is absolutely ridiculous, and often more than what the machine is worth, but alas, the government likes giving lots of money to medical suppliers! |
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XaXiS
join:2009-08-15
Canada Eh | reply to XaXiS
The mask is new. I have no idea how they say it is leaking to be honest. Next year I willl be able to get a brand new one. It's weird that the government partially funds a cpap machine but not the mask. |
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ArthurSWatch Those Blinking LightsPremium
join:2000-10-28
Hamilton, ON | said by XaXiS:It's weird that the government partially funds a cpap machine but not the mask.
Not weird, just usurous of sleep apnea sufferers, filling the pockets of the providers who know they have a virtual monopoly of the market with a complicit government. You'd be surprised how much cheaper they are south of the border. Saved hundreds of dollars on a travel machine for myself. A few manufacturers have tried to clamp down on cross border sales, so I simply have them ship to CBI in Niagara Falls, and I then bring it across the border duty and tax free. |
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| reply to XaXiS
I know little about these machines, however perhaps the leak is internal and it is not providing enough pressure to keep your airways properly inflated.
A bit of soapy water along the hose and fittings on the mask might show any pinhole leaks.
I cannot find any information on repair or servicing costs, however they may offer assistance if the machine is broken. Might be worth calling and inquiring what can be done.
quote:
»health.gov.on.ca/en/public/progr···pap.aspx
What if I need to replace my equipment?
ADP may contribute towards the cost of a replacement if your equipment is no longer working, is no longer under warranty and cannot be repaired. You must continue to meet the ADP eligibility requirements and you will need a new ADP application form signed by the doctor.
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 DKSDamn Kidney StonesPremium,ExMod 2002
join:2001-03-22
Owen Sound, ON
kudos:2
 ·Bell Sympatico
| reply to XaXiS
said by XaXiS:Anyone here suffer from it and wears a CPAP?
I got diagnosed back in 2002 and I wear a nose mask. When I got my gallbladder out in April I had to take the machine in. They said it was leaking air after the surgery. I cannot see where it is leaking from at all. Is it covered under OHIP to get it looked at?
If you aren't having it checked by a respiratory technologist, it can get out of whack. I have apnea and have used a CPAP for fifteen years. You will pay for repairs, but in my experience, they are quite generous with warranty repairs (don't fix it with duct tape) and parts aren't always expensive. BTW, you qualify for a new machine under ADP every five years. But you have to go back to your sleep specialist. My last co-payment was $200.
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Need-based health care not greed-based health care. |
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DKSDamn Kidney StonesPremium,ExMod 2002
join:2001-03-22
Owen Sound, ON
kudos:2 Reviews:
·Bell Sympatico
| reply to Thane_Bitter
said by Thane_Bitter:A bit of soapy water along the hose and fittings on the mask might show any pinhole leaks. The only fix is to replace the hose.
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Need-based health care not greed-based health care. |
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DKSDamn Kidney StonesPremium,ExMod 2002
join:2001-03-22
Owen Sound, ON
kudos:2 Reviews:
·Bell Sympatico
| reply to ArthurS
said by ArthurS: The copay here in Ontario is absolutely ridiculous, and often more than what the machine is worth, but alas, the government likes giving lots of money to medical suppliers!
The co-payment is $25%. It is covered by most drug plans. ODSP recipients have the co-payment covered 100%.
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Need-based health care not greed-based health care. |
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ArthurSWatch Those Blinking LightsPremium
join:2000-10-28
Hamilton, ON | said by DKS:said by ArthurS: The copay here in Ontario is absolutely ridiculous, and often more than what the machine is worth, but alas, the government likes giving lots of money to medical suppliers!
The co-payment is $25%. It is covered by most drug plans. ODSP recipients have the co-payment covered 100%. Indeed, ADP covers 75% of the cost of the equipment up to a max of $780. However providers take advantage of that and charge ridiculous amounts for the machines they offer. Want to upgrade to anything beyond their "basic" machine, and you pay dearly. I asked what it would cost to upgrade to the ResMed S9 and just about fell off my chair!
In my case, ProResp wanted to charge the "full price" of $1040 for a machine, hose, and a basic mask ($260 copay, $780 covered by ADP). Same equipment from the USA can be bought from a dealer for $495, and that is with my choice of mask. I did a bit more digging, and found the same machine on auction, brand new, for $125, add a mask for another $100.
I don't have a drug plan, and ended up paying less and getting a better machine and mask. A couple hours of research saved me a lot of money. My sleep doctor was incredibly supportive and impressed. |
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| reply to DKS
Yes, if the hose was the only problem, one would have the expectation that replacing it should fix the machine. |
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DKSDamn Kidney StonesPremium,ExMod 2002
join:2001-03-22
Owen Sound, ON
kudos:2 Reviews:
·Bell Sympatico
| reply to ArthurS
said by ArthurS:said by DKS:said by ArthurS: The copay here in Ontario is absolutely ridiculous, and often more than what the machine is worth, but alas, the government likes giving lots of money to medical suppliers!
The co-payment is $25%. It is covered by most drug plans. ODSP recipients have the co-payment covered 100%. Indeed, ADP covers 75% of the cost of the equipment up to a max of $780. However providers take advantage of that and charge ridiculous amounts for the machines they offer. Want to upgrade to anything beyond their "basic" machine, and you pay dearly. I asked what it would cost to upgrade to the ResMed S9 and just about fell off my chair! Why upgrade? A basic machine is all you need. I use a REMstar Basic M. Works well. I also lost a good bit of weight.
In my case, ProResp wanted to charge the "full price" of $1040 for a machine, hose, and a basic mask ($260 copay, $780 covered by ADP). Same equipment from the USA can be bought from a dealer for $495, and that is with my choice of mask. I did a bit more digging, and found the same machine on auction, brand new, for $125, add a mask for another $100.
I don't have a drug plan, and ended up paying less and getting a better machine and mask. A couple hours of research saved me a lot of money. My sleep doctor was incredibly supportive and impressed.
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Need-based health care not greed-based health care. |
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ArthurSWatch Those Blinking LightsPremium
join:2000-10-28
Hamilton, ON | said by DKS:Why upgrade? A basic machine is all you need. I use a REMstar Basic M. Works well. I also lost a good bit of weight. I needed one with a humidifier, otherwise my sinuses flare up like crazy! I tried it without humidification once, I literally went through an entire box of kleenex the next day blowing my nose!
said by DKS:You would buy used medical equipment? Caveat emptor. Who said I was buying used equipment? This is brand new stuff, in the original packaging! Seek and you will find! 
said by DKS:Again, you don't need more than a basic machine. You may want more, but it's completely unnecessary. I refuse to use the humidifier with mine, with my mould allergies. I use VitalAire as my supplier.
For me a humidifier was necessary, and gave me a much more restful sleep. Everyone's needs are unique. To say it's completely unnecessary is nonsense, and if you use distilled water and keep your equipment clean, you should have zero mold problems. |
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| reply to DKS
said by DKS:You would buy used medical equipment? Caveat emptor.
Where do you see that? |
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XaXiS
join:2009-08-15
Canada Eh | reply to XaXiS
Mine has a humidifier but I don't use it much. Distilled water is a pain in the ass to find out here. I really don't think that there is a leak anywhere, I just tried soaking the hose (wow that sounds bad lol) and nothing shows. It is so weird that I got diagnosed back in 2002 and I was skinnier back then, but I know people who are like at tops !80 and they have it as well.
My first machine was at 6 this one is at 11 I think. Sometimes I can even realize that I am not breathing if I haven't slept a lot. It's really odd. I might need to get a new bed I guess. |
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XaXiS
join:2009-08-15
Canada Eh | reply to XaXiS
I can't blame it on facial hair or lack thereof. LOL |
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DKSDamn Kidney StonesPremium,ExMod 2002
join:2001-03-22
Owen Sound, ON
kudos:2 Reviews:
·Bell Sympatico
| reply to ArthurS
said by ArthurS:For me a humidifier was necessary, and gave me a much more restful sleep. Everyone's needs are unique. To say it's completely unnecessary is nonsense, and if you use distilled water and keep your equipment clean, you should have zero mold problems.
Humidifiers are now standard, unfortunately, in Ontario. I am the complete opposite. I need "dry" or I will be full of sinus infection. And yes, humidifiers are unnecessary. People never used them for years.
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Need-based health care not greed-based health care. |
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XaXiS
join:2009-08-15
Canada Eh | reply to XaXiS
Are you supposed to feel the air down your throat? I might need to be retested or something because I am not feeling it at all. I feel it in the nose of course and can talk normally. Before when I spoke, you could tell that it was going down the throat. |
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 mazhurgPremium
join:2004-05-02
Portage La Prairie, MB | said by XaXiS:Are you supposed to feel the air down your throat? I might need to be retested or something because I am not feeling it at all. I feel it in the nose of course and can talk normally. Before when I spoke, you could tell that it was going down the throat.
About the only way to ensure that the CPAP is operating normally is to take it for maintenance, unless you have a pressure measuring device. The #s given by the controls are just a settings, they do not indicate the actual numbers.
Also, if your needs have changed, again about the only way to confirm is to go see a sleep specialist where they can confirm that your prescribed pressures are still valid.
Sleep apnea does all around bad things to CV system. Don't take chances. |
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| reply to Last Parade
said by Last Parade:said by DKS:You would buy used medical equipment? Caveat emptor.
Where do you see that? Selective reading |
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