I think my wife has sleep apnea. Our doctor says it sounds likely but she can't get treatment without going through a sleep study, and we can't get in until November.

So, how hard is it to find one of those CPAP machines? Maybe on eBay? Any harm in trying it? Or is this a really bad idea for reasons that haven't occurred to me?

Answer:

Getting her a CPAP without a diagnosis or titration is a rotten idea. The diagnosis will determine if she has sleep apnea and the titration is to measure what pressure level is needed to keep her airways open if she does indeed have sleep apnea. Additionally, the masks aren't one-size-fits-all, and they are rather expensive to buy only to find out another size is needed. Also, I would be leery of a CPAP bought from an anonymous bozo on eBay - is it clean? What's it set at? Using a CPAP set to an inappropriate pressure is as bad as not using one at all.

In the meantime, she can try sleeping sitting (an easy chair or recliner is ideal; stacking up pillows on the bed might work as well). Stomach-sleeping and side-sleeping collapses the airway somewhat less than sleeping on the back.

YOu might also want to consider asking if another test, using a pulseox machine that is used at home overnight, could be done before the sleepstudy. I was diagnosed this way; the patient takes home a unit, attaches the monitor to the finger before going to sleep, and takes it back to be read the next day. It won't detect things like restless leg syndrome or other sleep disorders, but at least it would rule in or out apnea, and she could begin treatment earlier.

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