I cough and throw up because I have post nasal drip build up in the back of my throat. I'm currently seeing an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist to figure out why that happens. (I've also been told to stop using my CPAP machine until my post nasal drip is sorted out.) I hope you figure out what is causing you to get nasueaus and throw up.

I was in need of a low-cost or free CPAP recently and had no idea where to turn for help. CONSIDER GETTING A USED CPAP. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH A USED MACHINE. FOR LESS THAN $50, ANY HEALTHCARE EQUIPMENT STORE WILL CHECK OUT YOUR MACHINE AND CAN SET IT TO YOUR CORRECT PRESSURE. I GOT ONLINE AND FOUND A COMPANY (WWW.CPAP.COM) THAT EMAILED ME THE OWNERS MANUAL(FREE) FOR MY USED MACHINE AND IT TOLD ME HOW TO SET THE PRESSURE AND I DID IT MYSELF FOR FREE. I PUSHED 3 BUTTONS AND IT TOOK A WHOLE 10 SECONDS! (THE WEBSITE SAID THAT THE TECHNICIAN WOULD TALK YOU THRU IT IF YOU NEEDED THEM TO) I'm posting this to help others who are in need of a CPAP so they know what some of the resources are. I asked on the main message board of this website, thinking there would be some helpful advice from others. What I got was tons of replies from people who didnt understand what I was asking or those gave me lots of unwanted medical advice (some bordering on scare tactics!) All I asked for was : a used CPAP machine from someone who no longer needs it or advice on how or where to obtain a machine for cheap or free. Finally, I received a few emails from people who offered their machines to me. They were too afraid to even post on the main message board because of how badly people were 'flaming' me. Anywho..it worked out. But not before I found some valuable resources. I would suggest that you invest in a new mask and hose, because those items cannot be successfully steralized for reuse. These items can be a bit pricey...from a healthcare store, you might pay upward of $150 depending on style just for the mask. Ebay or cpapauction are both good places to look for the best deals on those. You might get one for less than $20! I contacted a friend of mine who works in the healthcare field and they got me a new mask that was a sample from a healthcare store for free. CPAP RESOURCES: #1 Check out this board for free or cheap CPAPs (there's one on here for sale now). #2 www.cpapauction.com #3 run a "want" ad in local newspapers or classified papers #4 short term rental or purchase on payments from a healthcare supply store #5 go to a surgery support group and make a request there. #6 www.ebay.com does not sell cpaps, but does sell needed accessories #7 healthcare supply stores often sell used or refurbished machines 75% or more off of the huge $1200 price tag. I found one for $300 locally... THIS ONE WILL GET YOU SOME CRITICISM BUTTT... #8 Post on main message board that you are in need of a free or cheap CPAP. I warn you: You will get lots of people telling you that its dangerous and that you just need to go buy a new one and be done with it. I had a woman (an EMT) give me all kinds of unsolicited medical advice...some true, but some just a bunch of scare tactic crap! I told her that I took my medical advice from my MD, not an EMT! Well, the fact of the matter is: not all of us have money lined pockets or great healthcare insurance and must go this route. It is perfectly safe and legal! One lady told me I could sue the person who gave me the machine if it malfunctions and i'm injured...bullcrap! One person said the cpap is a machine only given by prescription and it was analagious to buying prescription drugs from somebody! CRAP! The truth is you cant set up shop to sell CPAP's, but to 'gift' it to someone is perfectly legal and if someone is concerned about legal issues, then exchange the machine annonymously thru the mail!!!!! I hope this helps someone...I wish I would have known where to turn a month ago when I started looking for one... OH AND BY THE WAY... >>>I AM NOT ADVISING ANYONE TO GO OUT BUY A CPAP BEFORE HAVING THE PROPER SLEEP STUDIES DONE AND ACTUALLY BEING DIAGNOSED WITH SLEEP APNEA.>AS SLEEP APNEA IS A VERY SERIOUS DISORDER DEALING WITH YOUR LUNGS, YOU CAN DAMAGE YOU LUNGS IRREPAIRABLY OR EVEN DIE IF YOU USE A CPAP INCORRECTLY.

Hello! I know this may sound stupid but I am trying to get to the bottom of my hair loss. In the last month or so I have started loosing gobs of hair and I don't know why. At first I thought it was from a change in medicine so I quit taking it about 2 or 3 wks ago but I still am loosing my hair. So I got to thinking about the headgear that I wear and wondered if that could be the cause....has anyone started loosing hair as a result of wearing the headgear? I have long hair so usually I will put it in a ponytail before I put my gear on. I know that some men loose their hair when they wear hats all the time so I wondered about this. Thanks in advance for your input! Kellie

Would you be interrested in donating your machine to me? I had sleep studies a couple months ago and was diagnosed with sleep apnea. My insurance gave me 30 days to acclimate to the machine. Long story short: I didnt use the machine enough for them to approve the purchase of the CPAP, so I had to return it. I am waiting on insurance approval for WLS but my surgeon says all my ducks are in a row, so to speak, so he foresee's no problems. He said I could be in surgery by the end of October or beginning of November. He did, however, request that I get a CPAP for use following my surgery, while on pain meds. He said that after that if I still didnt want to use a CPAP, he'd be alright with it. My insurance requires 2 more sleep studies in order to approve another months rental! I've scheduled the appointments, but am months away from getting the machine. My surgeon said I should try to get a donated one from another patient who no longer needs theirs or rent or buy it outright. Well, the cost of buying(>$1400) or renting a machine($425) is cost prohibitive, so I'm trying to find a kind person on here to donate one...Will you help? Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions. Have a nice day!

you should not try and readjust the machine yourself. You can get a prescription from the doctor that he had his study done with to have your DME readjust the pressure. A sleep study shouldn't be needed unless a different pressure is being prescribed. titrated pressure is a very individual thing and just like a prescription medication, it shouldn't be monkeyed around with without a doctor's prescription and a professional filling it.