Having been down this path, it’s evident to me that the US has built up a sizable medical equipment industry around CPAP machines and their supplies. The sleep doctors who prescribe them don’t have many alternatives, so it’s the normal treatment they hand out.
So it’s not a surprise that a casual mention of sleep quality ended with a CPAP machine rented by the month. It’s kind of what happened to me.
Better to outright buy the machine online, then open it up and disable the modem.
Why in the world does a CPAP machine need a modem?
Most have a cf slot to store the sleep data, it’s how the doctor / clinician can see if it’s working, make adjustments to pressure etc. but for convenience they can just upload the data directly.
They also do OTA updates.
However they also can perform an enforcement function: compliance. Insurers will penalize users of the device for not using it enough.
This isn’t something I know much about just have seen it discussed, I don’t think all jurisdictions allow insurers to access this data for enforcement but it does seem to happen in USA.
I think what happens is the insurers agree to pay for the device in installments. But they will cancel those payments if the person isn’t using it.
But disabling the modem won’t fix that problem, you’d still get caught by the cf recorded data, or failing to provide it.
Many patients starting out CPAP therapy go noncompliant because they have various issues or concerns with the machine, mask comfort, etc.
Insurance companies are tired of paying thousands of dollars in machines and supplies that don't go used, so they instead 'rent' the machines from medical equipment suppliers, and use the machine's usage data to determine that you are still using it (and thus continue to pay for treatment). Typically after a year or so of usage they get 'paid for' but there's still ongoing compliance monitoring to get insurance to pay for supplies.
The sleep lab and sleep doctors can also remotely review the usage and make adjustments as needed. One example is using the humidity sensors in ResMed units to adjust the humidification settings remotely. I was with a doctor that showed usage logs together and noted the bedroom was severely dry and thus we needed to adjust the humidifier to run hotter to compensate.
I’m always on HN talking about myofunctional therapy (my mom is a practitioner in NYC). Recommend looking into it in addition to losing weight as treatment.
First time I see that term
„Oral myology plays also an important role in the management of patients with sleep breathing disorders and snoring where oropharyngeal exercises were found to reduce the severity and primary symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Poor positioning of the tongue affects breathing and allows a series of events to occur that can affect the orofacial complex. Patients with sleep apnea and other breathing difficulties usually have decreased tone and mobility in the cheek, tongue, lip, and soft palate, and sensory alterations due to a tendency to engage in mouth breathing rather than nasal breathing. In treatment of sleep apnea, oral myology therapy involves a series of exercises designed to improve tongue position and tongue function for a better control of the extrinsic tongue muscles and place the tongue in a ‘‘proper posture during function and at rest.’’“
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_myology#Sleep_apnea_and_s...
I will need to look into it, I’ve been thinking about getting a cpap for a while but they seem too noisy and annoying to maintain
Mine is not noisy! It requires minor weekly cleaning, not a big deal.
The bigger problem is habituation to the mask/hose setup. If you sleep on your back you’ll have it easy. Side and stomach sleepers or people who turn a lot will have a harder time getting used to it.
What model do you have?
Currently doing myo, and Buteyko! Glad to see someone else here. I've also done a MARPE.