BajaBlanca - 11-9-2019 at 11:40 AM
My son has terrible sleep apnea and needs a cpap, no insurance and can't afford it.
Anyone have one lying around that they aren't using?
Thanks, Blanca
AKgringo - 11-9-2019 at 02:27 PM
Blanca, I suffer from apnea, and have for longer than I ever knew that it was a disorder, and had a name! I went through the sleep study clinic
testing, and tried the cpap, but I could not tolerate having it on while sleeping.
While I still have symptoms, they are nowhere near as frequent, or severe as they were before I eliminated alcohol from my diet back in 2008.
I hope he gets what he can use, good luck!
BajaBlanca - 11-9-2019 at 02:34 PM
Thanks for the info, I will mention the alcohol part to him but he is quite overweight. I think that is the main issue.
Les has a cpap and it worked a miracle. It was a real adjustment but now he can't even think of sleeping without it.
4x4abc - 11-9-2019 at 02:38 PM
no alcohol did it for me too
bajabuddha - 11-9-2019 at 02:54 PM
Blanca, my better half has apnea, but can't tolerate her CPAP. She went to a dentist (specialist) that made an appliance she wears at night that
helps keep her jaw forward and her airway open... it has worked wonders for her. It was a bit pricey, had to pay out of pocket for it.
Maybe check into it, could be cheaper (and less cumbersome) than a CPAP. Possibly save a few bucks.
mtnpop - 11-9-2019 at 09:32 PM
have used what is called an "anti snoring tongue sleep apnea device" you can find on ebay or Amazon.
seems to help quite a lot. looks like a gimmick but are not very expensive to give them a try. way less intrusive than a cpap.
might buy more than one also.
good luck what ever you do. A sleep study is expensive also
there is a company selling refurbished cpap for about 1/2 new. just google "refurbished cpap" pressure needs to be set to the individual me thinks
also...
motoged - 11-10-2019 at 01:44 PM
I have used a cpap regularly for 12 years and adjusted to the nose mask easily within a few sleeps. It complicates travel, but is so much worth the
effort. I had laser throat surgery as a first try solution to apnea (removed uvula and created a scar from tonsil to tonsil....which is intended to
stiffen the throat/palette and act as a batten does in a sail....stiffer tissue=less snore flapping)....and all it did was hurt like hell for two
weeks, ruin my singing voice and allows me to aspirate food more frequently....for $1100.
I then explored the dental appliance route...the prep xrays and photo process was $750 with no guarantees of efficacy, so I bailed on that...and got
my first cpap.
The university respiratory program did a better sleep study than the hospital....and it was free as a student project....and the hospital study was
free because up here in the frozen wasteland we have Health Care.
Losing over 50 lbs was helpful over past two years....and I don't use alcohol much, but agree that it contributes to apnea.
I am on my second cpap....Baja electricity fluctuation fried my first one....get a small surge protector for such varying electric currents.
And yes....buying new or used /refurbished on line is less expensive than at a shop (which here doesn't charge for follow-ups on
readings/adjustments), but cpaps need to be calibrated for individuals, and that would be an expense for on-line units.
A cpap with humidifier is recommended. 
[Edited on 11-10-2019 by motoged]
[Edited on 11-10-2019 by motoged]
BajaBlanca - 11-13-2019 at 05:46 AM
refurbished! brilliant idea.
Les did his respiratory test in Ensenada and it was remarkably inexpensive. Don't remember the exact cost.
My son sounds like a freight train when he sleeps with the apnea thrown in.
The dental apparatus is an interesting thought ..... gonna think about it.
Gracias amigos.
BajaBlanca - 11-13-2019 at 06:44 AM
Harakat
good point! all good points. I believe he has done the sleep test but I can ask him. My son lives in L.A.
I see refurbished machines for as low as $100.
bajaguy - 11-13-2019 at 07:14 AM
Trying to self medicate with a CPAP (or maybe he needs a BiPAP) is a bad idea
He needs to do a sleep study, have the results analyzed and get a machine programmed to his needs.
Also needs to get the right type of mask for his problems. There are several types of masks and the sleep study/doctor/technician will fit him with
the proper mask.
Left untreated, sleep apnea can cause other health/medical problems
I have been using a BiPap for about 11 years, no problems
vacaenbaja - 11-21-2019 at 07:16 PM
I would try this outfit. I would suggest getting an auto cpap that will constantly adjust to the right setting
https://www.secondwindcpap.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2KDPnt_85Q...
advrider - 11-21-2019 at 08:05 PM
I have snored my whole life, worse when I am in really good shape? Several sleep studies, no apnea, I was told I needed the surgery that motoged had.
Several people told me it didn't work so I passed.
I use a dental appliance that helps a little but probably could use a machine myself? As other have said he should have a study done, in Baja if
it helps with the price. Apnea has a whole bunch of serious health effects if not treated. With some good rest/ sleep he might start loosing weight.
AKgringo - 11-21-2019 at 08:27 PM
One of the health risks that seem to be associated with apnea is atrial fibrillation, which I also suffer from.