scrubbedexpat091

Anyone have or know someone with sleep apnea that uses a CPAP machine?

Wife has been diagnosed with it, and a CPAP machine has been recommended by the doctor, not sure when she will get one, waiting to see if the ministry will cover it at all, otherwise we have to save for one.

Are the machines loud? Find a good improvement in sleep with one vs not using one?

No clue what kind of machine it will be (brand etc..) but it will be the lowest cost one if the ministry pays as they pay for the cheapest so it won't be any fancy version.



We have decided to move, (long term 1 1/2 to 2 years from now) only criteria is being in BC, not a tiny town, but doesn't have to be a big city either, prefer being within 4-6 hours of the border, but not completely required.

I have been looking at various towns/city's online, but not having to been to most, hard to tell online which would be the best, wanting to narrow it down to a relative few so we can go visit and see what some are like (that's why we prefer being within 4-6 hours of the border, makes it easier for us to drive on days off to visit since driving or flying up north isn't an option as the moment.

Island works as well.

Mostly looking for:

Lower rent (650 ish on the high end)

City/town that offers the basics without going too far, anything else is a bonus.

I've thought about Campbell River, and Kelowna and Kamloops and surrounds.

So more well traveled BC folks, have you been through, spent time in a town that was nice and not too pricey rent wise?

We pay 850 now and it's a major financial hardship but rents are going higher here, and if we could find something cheaper locally we would, but there is just such a major shortage of rentals, rent is just becoming insanely high, 1,200+ a month for a 1 bedroom, and I've now seen rooms for rent in houses going for 700+ a month, so unless something happens and they build rental housing, I don't see rents coming down in price anytime soon.

The only die-hard set in stone requirement is we have to stay in BC due to the disability issue.

We plan to save enough to cover the move, and leave several months for living on as we likely won't have jobs before the move since we are not well skilled and well the kinds of jobs we can get, most places won't waste time on out of towners who can only visit with a good amount of notice.

I just need to narrow down our list a bit, just because somewhere looks good online, doesn't mean it will be good, and we just can't visit everywhere....

BristolUK

My wife used one.

Because one of her treatments cost a fortune she got provincial drug coverage and the machine was covered too.

One was basic and then a different one with a self adjusting feature was supplied.

Not loud at all, although you can hear breathing through the machine if you listen closely. But not like Darth Vader or anything like that You might hear air if the mask isn't a good fit. Sleep was improved, but it's important to make sure the mask is a good fit, not just for the air escaping but discomfort and potential sore nose.

The straps can be quite different too.

Aviator

BC does not cover CPAP machines for anyone. Only extended health covers it.
Best bet is buy one out of Ontario. In BC suppliers want around $2600, the same machine in ON is $900, with free warranty replacements.

ICBC require anyone diagnosed with sleep apnea to undertake a medical on license renewal.

scrubbedexpat091

With moderate to severe sleep apnea and on PWD the ministry will consider covering the cost, the place dealing with says they get approval majority of the time but not always, so we shall see.

It's not guaranteed by any means, however both the ministry and sleep place have said they may cover it when one is on PWD, so only time will tell, however the sleep place says they have good success with the ministry providing payment for it for those on disability when they have moderate to severe sleep apnea.

The general BC health system may not, but we are seeking special funding from the ministry of social development and social innovation for it.

We are not going to rush out to buy one until we have exhausted the possibility with the ministry first.

Oink

If you get a model from the 1990s make sure you first extinguish your cigarette before putting the mask on.

BristolUK

The sleep clinic my wife attended had no difficulty in getting it paid for. I think it's a bit like dentists and orthotic clinics. There's good money in it for them and they know how to get it no matter where it comes from.

scrubbedexpat091

The sleep place as well as the doctor have both dealt with the ministry in getting funding for the machines for those on disability without issues, its a case by case basis and you have to apply for the funding, but it's on the ministry website as something they may cover if medically needed and several disability advocacy websites say the same thing, so I'll assume they know what they are doing.

So far in the 15 years she has been on PWD, the only thing they have refused coverage for is a crown for a tooth.

When there were no specialists in this town, they even provided her with transportation funding to make her medical appointments in Vancouver.

plasticcanuck

On of best things one can do is assist with sleep apnea is to lose weight.

Juggernaut1064

Do you have any insurance through your jobs ? I have one and Great West Life paid for it, just under $2000.
Price obviously depends on what model.
Provincial ones that are free tend to be basic and noisy.

Heres a link to what i have, well worth the extra $$$$
Make sure you get a Humidifier with what ever model you buy.

https://cpapglobal.com/shop/4-bileve...to-system-one/

Universal voltage too so no problems when i visited the UK.

Oink

That's what an old college tutor did. He was always nodding off, so much so he couldn't drive safely. When he went for a sleep diagnosis and they found he stopped breathing 70 times per night and had to go on a ventilator at home. He lost 70 lbs. and his sleep apnea improved considerably and he didn’t need his machine anymore. TBH it still didn’t make his tutorials any less boring.

BristolUK

That looks just like the one the province paid for for my wife. Hold on....

Yes, it is the one she had. It's not noisy is it. Nor the one paid for before that.

scrubbedexpat091

No, we don't get insurance through work. Low end jobs don't tend to offer benefits like that, it would be nice if they did though...

We have both been working on losing weight, both of us, it's harder for her since one of the medications she is on has a side effect of weight gain so it's an uphill battle when the weight isn't being caused by food.

But we have been hiking daily, so if anything we will at least be in better shape.

Juggernaut1064

I got mine in MB lol the one a friend had that MB health supplied was like a bloody jet engine lol

BristolUK

Now you mention that I remember my wife had removed the mask once but hadn't been able to turn it off and had fallen back asleep.

On hearing the sound you'd think having the mask on would make one blow up like a balloon.

I suppose it might do that when encountering no resistance.

plasticcanuck

What about one of the other "in mouth" type devices. Low expense, less intrusive.
ApneaRX | Micro-Adjustable Sleep Apnea Appliance

There are others on the market