[Health] New Boy.. What do I need to Know ?

[Warren Barrett]

Hi guys,
I have just come from the Dr's and i have it bad. I did an over night test last week and the results where not good at all, O2 was less than 50 % and something else I did 71 times in a hour..?
I did the test with a BOC specialist Doctor. He wants me to sign up for a 6 week trial starting next week for $150 and then said the machine is $2600 ish after that... is this correct ?
What do I need to know ?
Where do I start ?
I am worried.
Thanks Warren

[PoolQ]

Welcome and you are in a good place. Nothing happens quickly with sleep apnea, so you are not in imminent danger, but yes your numbers are not on the good side and you need to get treated in a timely manner (not TONIGHT!), but sooner rather than later would be good.

Do you have insurance or will this be out of pocket?
Get a copy of your sleep report and tell us what the numbers are.
You do not have to get the machine from the doctor, but you will need a prescription.
Checkout the supplier list at the top of the page to get an idea of prices.
CPAP is a generic name and also a specific type of machine CONSTANT PAP machine, then there is APAP, BiPAP (VPAP) and ASV PAP machines. these are in order of cost $2600 is between BiPAP and ASV, so check the links above to get educated on costs and what machines cost what.

I don't know what a BOC doctor is.

You will get LOTS more info after the morning crew gets on board, relax and don't panic, nothing will happen soon. Educate yourself, read and ask questions. This is important, but nothing close to a heart attack.

[player]

If you are looking for a machine on a budget you can buy used and save $$$... You need to know what machine is what though.

[zonk]

If you're in Australia, do you have private health insurance with extras cover or just extras cover?

[Warren Barrett]

If you're in Australia, do you have private health insurance with extras cover or just extras cover?

Hi yes Im in Australia (Newcastle NSW)
no insurance to cover the cost of the machine . BOC gas is the big company that is supporting the specialist. I will get a copy from the Dr and post ASAP
Thanks guys

[justMongo]

BOC = British Oxygen Company. HQ'ed in Guildford, Surrey, England, UK. A part of the Linde Group since 2006. A multinational out of Munich Germany.

O₂ desaturation below 50% is of concern. You may need supplemental O₂ induced into your xPAP flow from a concentrator.



Mongo

[OpalRose]

I think you need to know you may be able to buy cheaper in the States, but as others have said, alot is dependent on what type of machine is needed.

Does the 6 week trial have to do with adding oxygen to your cpap therapy? If so, I think you would need a doctor's guidance.

[zonk]

Hi guys,
I have just come from the Dr's and i have it bad. I did an over night test last week and the results where not good at all, O2 was less than 50 % and something else I did 71 times in a hour..?
I did the test with a BOC specialist Doctor. He wants me to sign up for a 6 week trial starting next week for $150 and then said the machine is $2600 ish after that... is this correct ?
What do I need to know ?
Where do I start ?
I am worried.
Thanks Warren

Did the sleep test was split test and include the titration part as well? If titration was not done on the night, I'm guessing here, the doctor want APAP (something like ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet) trial at home otherwise if the diagnoses comes out with something other than obstructive sleep apnea, then you would be sent back to the sleep lab for second night and the price of the machine would be higher than the quoted price. Because of 50% oxygen desat, I would rather have the titration at the sleep lab, so pressure can be determined and like to see oxygen level in high 90s while on CPAP. Sleep studies are covered by Medicare

$160 for 6 weeks trail sound reasonable (machine is on the high side) you'll have the chance to trial different masks which is important, normally $160 comes off the price, if you decide to buy the machine from them, but we cross that bridge when we get there

Beside gases, BOC in Australia provide sleep studies and CPAP services

[cate1898]

Welcome to the forum Warren Barrett! Good job on finding this forum, it's a wealth of information!! One thing to keep in mind if you're thinking of buying in the US or elsewhere is how it may affect the warranty, but I'm sure zonk being an Aussie will be able to chime in on that.

[trish6hundred]

Hi Warren,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
I wish you much success as you start your CPAP journey.
Hang in there for more responses to your post.