IS CPAP JUST A CASH GRAB FOR THOSE WHO DON'T REQUIRE IT?

Definitely not. Sheesh.

I was never told where to pick up my cpap.  I chose where I got mine.

One thing to consider.  If it shows on your medical records that you were tested and advised to get a machine it gets reported to the ministry of transportation.  I was told this by the dr at the clinic who apologized for doing it, but said he had no choice as it was required by law.  If you ever get into a car accident and they look this up it can be considered impaired driving. 

That being said....I've never slept better with my cpap and was very grateful to have it in the hospital with me.

Just to add to my above post, that lady works at the clinic, she's not an Ex employee, but you are right she could be bias. The sleep clinic I went to DID tell it's patients where to get their script filled and conveniently was only two or three blocks away. I know doctor's get kick backs on drugs, but I don't know for sure about the CPAP. Again just going on second hand info

I had to go for a sleep study prior to my surgery.  I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea.  I was quite angry about the whole thing and also thought the CPAP machines were a cash grab for the doctors and that the manufacturers were making a killing off insurance companies.  Deep down I knew I was not sleeping well but at the same time I was never tired during the day and had no trouble concentrating at work or in my car.  I voiced my concern with my doctor and was pretty much told my driver's license could be yanked and I would definitely not be approved for surgery should I decide not to use a CPAP machine which made me even angrier.

So, I went to the SMG and bought a machine.  I was advised that it could take up to several weeks to get use to it.  It took me about 5 minutes and could not believe the difference it made in my sleep. I no longer get up in the middle of night to go to the washroom and sleep solid all night long. I went back to my doctor with my tail between my legs.  Now a year and half later, I cannot even imagine sleeping without it.  I have lost approx. 85 lbs. since my surgery. I still have sleep apnea but it has decreased substantially.

I believe a high percentage of people have sleep apnea and either do not realize it or are in denial and just cannot afford the machine or even the cost the insurance company does not cover.  If the time ever comes when I do not need the machine anymore, I will donate it to someone who cannot afford one.  It has made a huge difference for me!!

If it was a cash grab every single one of us would have a CPAP ..when I had my sleep study they were convinced I had apnea... I woke many times during the night mainly to use the washroom..I was always tired...did the sleep study it came back negative I was sleeping fine... Had my hysterectomy 6 months later and have never slept better.... I was being woken by the pain in mt lady parts from the weight of my uterus pulling...and the uterus sitting on my bladder....they could have easily sold me a machine but clearly I didn't need it 

My sleep doctor had a CPAP salesperson right in his office suite.  I didn't HAVE to buy it from them, but they're the ones who gave me the loaner for a month, so I figured, fine, better to try it out first.  And the doctor's staff didn't make it really REALLY clear that I didn't have to go with them.  In fact, they directed me to the salesperson's office right after I got my prescription.  So I did go with the company that was there because it was easy, but I also kind of went "hmm" about it.  I'm happy with the service I got, but I find it hard to believe that there was no relationship happening there between the doctor's office and the company selling the machines, since the salesperson was using space right in the doctor's suite of offices!

So you did an overnight sleep study and they told you that you were fine and didn't need one - but then they sent you for a second sleep study WITH a CPAP machine?  That sounds weird to me too.  The way it went for me is that I went for the first overnight sleep study to see if I have sleep apnea.  I did (moderate sleep apnea), so then they booked the second overnight sleep study with a CPAP so they could figure out what pressure level to set it at.

Are you sure that they communicated the results of the first overnight study properly to you?  If you have doubts, don't hesitate to ask some more questions of the doctor on your follow up.  Also, as a non doctor who also doesn't play one on the internet, there may be other reasons for CPAP machines than sleep apnea, so while you should always ask questions when in doubt, it's probably also a good idea to keep an open mind to other possible explanations.

Well heres a thought you are an adult and can make your own choices, if you dont want it dont buy it, but hopefully they dont give you grief at the clinic for your surgery that they expected you would have one...based on the fact u had two sleep studies one leaning more toward you having OSA then the other.

 

The thing is.... if you don't treat it and buy the machine, you can lose your driver's license.

Everyone has a rough night sleeping with all the electrodes and the mask at the clinic and of course you had a horrible night's sleep.  They must have seen that your breathing improved somewhat during the sleep that you did manage to get and that is why they suggested taking a machine home for a month.  Isn't that a free trial?  Not sure where the cash grab is in that?  If it helps you - great.  You will learn to love the machine if it makes a positive difference.  If it doesn't make any difference - then don't buy one.

Absolutely not, no.  What paranoid thinking. Do you wear a tinfoil hat to bed too?