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I was very fortunate to be warned about these CPAP woes and hassles by a friend who went through it before I did. His advice? If you think you might have sleep

I was very fortunate to be warned about these CPAP woes and hassles by a friend who went through it before I did. His advice? If you think you might have sleep apnea, do NOT get diagnosed, just buy a CPAP machine second hand and see if it helps you feel better. I did, and the CPAP helped a lot. Eventually I figured out that simply sleeping reclined (on a triagle pillow) actually gave me 90% of the benefits with 0% of the hassle of the mask though.

caymanjim 5y ago
It's valuable to have a doctor who can help you diagnose the problem and get the machine set correctly; technicians who can help with mask fitting and explain proper usage and maintenance; and followups to monitor effects. Some people might be able to manage those things on their own, and I certainly feel that people who already saw a doctor and own a CPAP should be able to manage their care if nothing changes. I don't think it's good advice to self-diagnose, buy used equipment, and hope you get it right. CPAP quality degrades over time, for one. Some people might benefit from a CPAP, but really need a more complex and expensive machine like a BiPAP. Some people have central sleep apnea rather than obstructive sleep apnea. Some people would be better off with surgery or implanted devices. These are not things one should be figuring out on one's own. If none of that is convincing, in the US it's illegal to sell a CPAP to someone without a prescription. I honestly don't care about that part, and if I knew how to order a new CPAP directly (perhaps from Canada or something), I would personally do it and skip the doctors entirely, but I don't think it's good advice, especially before you're properly diagnosed.
- pareidolia 5y ago
  > If none of that is convincing, in the US it's illegal to sell a CPAP to someone without a prescription. Like that means anything. I've bought a DSX900 ASV machine from the US, no problem. I've been self-treating UARS for 4 years now. None of the "sleep doctors" I've talked to even understand the thing, I had to do everything myself.

caymanjim 5y ago

It's valuable to have a doctor who can help you diagnose the problem and get the machine set correctly; technicians who can help with mask fitting and explain proper usage and maintenance; and followups to monitor effects. Some people might be able to manage those things on their own, and I certainly feel that people who already saw a doctor and own a CPAP should be able to manage their care if nothing changes. I don't think it's good advice to self-diagnose, buy used equipment, and hope you get it right. CPAP quality degrades over time, for one. Some people might benefit from a CPAP, but really need a more complex and expensive machine like a BiPAP. Some people have central sleep apnea rather than obstructive sleep apnea. Some people would be better off with surgery or implanted devices. These are not things one should be figuring out on one's own. If none of that is convincing, in the US it's illegal to sell a CPAP to someone without a prescription. I honestly don't care about that part, and if I knew how to order a new CPAP directly (perhaps from Canada or something), I would personally do it and skip the doctors entirely, but I don't think it's good advice, especially before you're properly diagnosed.

pareidolia 5y ago
> If none of that is convincing, in the US it's illegal to sell a CPAP to someone without a prescription. Like that means anything. I've bought a DSX900 ASV machine from the US, no problem. I've been self-treating UARS for 4 years now. None of the "sleep doctors" I've talked to even understand the thing, I had to do everything myself.