Sleep Apnea Support Group

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they may not be aware of sleep disturbances.

984 Members

1,450 Posts

0 Online

RascalFlattsFan 04/03/2011

The other morning my mother got up and asked me if we had lost power over night. Her machine was off when she woke up. I knew we hadn't since my machine had worked all night. I checked her machine and it was dead!! Just dead! So discouraging :(
She's been staying with us since she had rotator cuff surgery 6 weeks ago.

I don't know who to call. She hasn't had a sleep study in about 10 years. We're so afraid she's going to need one before she can get a new machine. But she's in a lot of pain b/c of her shoulder UGH!!! This is NOT the time for any sleep study.

Just venting, sorry. She's 82 and has severe OSA. I hope we can get this straightened out tomorrow, Monday morning. Of course this happened on a Friday night lol

Just to make matters worse - she moved from NJ to PA 8 months ago and hasn't gotten established with a sleep apnea doctor.
Tomorrow should be FUN! Her dead machine is @12 years old so I'm guessing it just died of old age.

deleted_user 04/04/2011

Is there a name on the machine of the distributor (mine has one). Maybe if so, you could call that number, explain the situation, and they could refer you to someone in your area?

Worth a shot anyway - or call doctor in NJ who ordered machine and have them give a script for a new one to a DME company where you are now, provided she's been doing fine with the machine on current settings?

Explain her age, recent surgery, etc, maybe they'll cut you some slack!!

Good luck!!

deleted_user 04/04/2011

Is she still using the same insurance that she was when she got the machine? If so, they may not require a new study. Is she on Medicare? If so, they will just require that she see a doctor and prove compliance prior to the machine dieing. Her DME should be able to take care of this for her and provide her with a loaner while hers is being repaired.

deleted_user 04/04/2011

Maybe it was just the power supply? If you have a volt meter perhaps you can check it out...

Let us know how you make out.

rkc

RascalFlattsFan 04/05/2011

Thanks for your suggestions! After much bs'ing on the phone with her NJ supplier, and many calls to a doc here, faxing etc. we thought we had everything set up. We're waiting to hear from someone in our area to call to bring a new machine. Don't know when this is going to happen. too many nights sleeing without a machine :(
Trying to sleep that is. Don't they understand how important it is to have a working CPAP machine?

harry3333 04/05/2011

many cpaps dont last 12 years
try this, turn it on and drop on floor from height of about 8 inches, the shock may start it running, worked for me

RascalFlattsFan 04/05/2011

I'd love to drop it in the garbage and be done with it forever *sigh* Unfortunetely this will never happen. I'm just thankful we have these dreadful machines to help us stay live. The new machine will be here tomorrow. Poor mother has had to sleep 4 days without her CPAP. A real nightmare

Join the Conversation