How can I get better relief for sleep apnea?
I am only 25 yrs old and have sleep apnea, the obstructive form. I completed two sleep studies that have confirmed this but, medicaid will not pay for the c-pap machine b/c the score for my study reflect that it is not "severe" enough for them to pay. Now, I am using provigil as a "band-aid" its okay, but the side effects are causing me headaches and I take seasonique birth control pills, I was told there was a 5% chance of impregnation, which is low, but I still worry a little. My doctor’s office was suppose to put me on a list to get a "loaner" and/or "free" c-pap machine, but I was told yesterday that this will only be considered after I start regularly seeing the doctor while I am on the provigil and still maybe not until January, if then. I am suppose to graduate form college in may, I need this sleeping disoreder corrected asap, it is effecting my life horribly and my education. Thanks serious responses only.
Tagged with: band aid • birth control • birth control pills • c pap machine • education • headaches • impregnation • medicaid • provigil • score • sleep • sleep studies
Filed under: Sleep Apnea Machine Questions
if your sleep study doctor will write a Rx for a cpap machine call home life oxygen 901 373 3503, talk with greg (owner), he might rent you a unit inexpensively by the month, or perhaps sell you a used unit for a very low price. he’s worked with many sleep apnea persons. he may even have a way to get reimbursement for your need.
self help might be useful, i.e. sleep at a forty five degree angle, try a neck flexion cushion to maintain the angle in your throat while sleeping, try using the nasal strips at night to keep your upper airways open, and lastly ask your doctor for other tips that may be very inexpensive or no expense at all.
Try a full body pillow and sleeping on your side.
Also, some have strapped a tennis ball to the small of their back. I don’t know how well it works.
I’ve read that Tabasco sauce on your upper lip when you sleep is a good temporary cure for sleep apnea. I don’t know if it true or not, but it’s worth a shot. Be careful, however, not to get it in your eye!
You can buy a cpap without your insurance. I found it was cheaper to do that then pay my 50 percent copay.
you can get one for 200-600 dollars. Depends on the bells and whistles like anything else. A mask cost 50-100.