Quote:
Originally Posted by shermanator
I have long experienced symptoms of never being able to get enough sleep. A few months back, I managed to get in to a sleep clinic, where the doctor explained that my symptoms (lack of restorative sleep, waking up gasping, not being able to shut my brain off, consistently jarred awake by little things) were related to sleep apnea. In the process of waiting for my sleep study, I have begun to develop insomnia, and now I can’t seem to fall asleep before 2 am on most nights. Currently I have gotten less than 5 hours of sleep for the last 5 nights, when a few months back I would have been out for 8 hours minimum.
I feel like I’ve tried everything to get to sleep now that my routine has been jarred. Alcohol, no alcohol, warm milk, reading, earplugs, sleeping in a cool room, sleeping in a hot room, exercise 4 hours before bed, no exercise at all before bed. I feel like nothing works.
It’s amazing how such a simple natural act like sleeping can have such an impact on lives. I have found that my mood almost 100% depends on the quality of sleep I received the night before.
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I am not sure why you have to wait for a sleep study. You can have a Level III study done at home, and most Respiratory homecare companies can do one within a couple of weeks. Particularly if you are having lots of symptoms, it might be better to not wait to get into a sleep lab.
While buying sleep gear over the internet might seem like a good deal, there are lots of benefits to going to a sleep provider. It's not like buying a guitar on the internet, it's an airway control device that is prescription set, and can have some serious consequences if not set properly. Not to mention the follow up care you get from an actual Respiratory Therapist. You don't know what you are getting when you buy online, whether it's been properly set etc, and you won't get any follow up from a sleep provider if you have problems. None of the companies will touch an internet CPAP with a 10 foot pole.
Also, the masks are intimate and non-returnable, so if you go with a provider, you'll get an exchange...very important when you consider that there are probably 30-40 styles of masks in 4-6 sizes each. Kinda hard to pick one out over the internet, and if the one you pick up doesn't work for you, you'll be SOL on the internet, but a provider will exchange it for you. They cost $225-500 depending on the style. Machines start 1200-2400 for a CPAP depending on the type, and they can go even higher if you have a complex apnea. Most insurance companies cover the cost to some degree, but all providers will quote your company and you will know before you have to buy. Also, CPAP providers offer a 1 month trial with as much follow up as you need to get you going. It can be hard for some people to learn to be on CPAP. I am a Respiratory Therapist and I work for a CPAP provider. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions...