I am a new user of my CPAP machine.  I have been on it for one month now, and it has helped tremendously.  I still consider myself quite new with it, finding the best way to deal with the various situations that come up.  The other day a friend of mine asked if I was able to get any special adjustment on my utility bill since I have to run this each night as I sleep.  I visited the web site for my utility provider and it gives an application, and speaks of "life-support" machines that qualify for adjustments.  Technicially the machine doesn't support my life, but it does provide the air pressure to aid my heart and blood flow.  I am just wondering....with the damage that sleep apnea can do to one's body, does this still qualify as life supporting?

Does anyone have any clue just how much energy a machine might use for a month?  I just use a cold humidifier, so that wouldn't be using energy.  My average sleep is 7.5 hrs per night.  My pressure is set to 13.  I don't know all my sleep study results, but I was clasified as moderate about 15 month ago, but only came down with sleeping problems 7 months ago.

Hi Mickie,

Well this is a new twist.  By life support, they probably mean a ventilator, but hey, give it a shot and tell us what happens!!  Given that CPAPs are just very fancy small fans, I'm sure they don't use much energy.  You can run one over night on a 12 V marine battery.

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

I just checked my utility bill and checked out this same issue on their internet site.  My electric provider specifically lists a CPAP as one of the devices which qualifies.  The utility requires a doctor's statement and a questionnaire to be filled out annually.  I don't know how dire your health circumstances have to be, but I was going to call the utlilty to check it out.  I figure it is worth checking out. (I have moderate apnea as well.)

mickiej51 wrote:

I am a new user of my CPAP machine.  I have been on it for one month now, and it has helped tremendously.  I still consider myself quite new with it, finding the best way to deal with the various situations that come up.  The other day a friend of mine asked if I was able to get any special adjustment on my utility bill since I have to run this each night as I sleep.  I visited the web site for my utility provider and it gives an application, and speaks of "life-support" machines that qualify for adjustments.  Technicially the machine doesn't support my life, but it does provide the air pressure to aid my heart and blood flow.  I am just wondering....with the damage that sleep apnea can do to one's body, does this still qualify as life supporting?

Does anyone have any clue just how much energy a machine might use for a month?  I just use a cold humidifier, so that wouldn't be using energy.  My average sleep is 7.5 hrs per night.  My pressure is set to 13.  I don't know all my sleep study results, but I was clasified as moderate about 15 month ago, but only came down with sleeping problems 7 months ago.

That's a good one.

Believe it or not CPAP is a machine which supports your life. Look at it the other way, there is a strong possibility that you would die 'before your time' if you stopped using it. It's certainly worth a shot at getting an adjustment.

In Ireland, while we can't get an 'adjustment' on the utility bill, CPAP does qualify the user for placement on a special list that in the event of power cuts the power company will endeavour to keep people on this list supplied. In the event of a cut people on the list will be reconnected first.

Keep us posted.

Daniel.


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

From SDG&E website in San Diego

*A qualifying life-support device is any medical device used to sustain life or is relied upon for mobility.
This device must run on gas or electricity supplied by SDG&E. It includes, but is not limited to, respirators
(oxygen concentrators), iron lungs, hemodialysis machines, suction machines, electric nerve stimulators,
pressure pads and pumps, aerosol tents, electrostatic and ultrasonic nebulizers, compressors, IPPB
machines, kidney dialysis machines, and motorized wheelchairs. Devices used for therapy rather than
life-support do not qualify.

I wonder if CPAP is considered life-support or therapy?

swellens wrote:

From SDG&E website in San Diego

*A qualifying life-support device is any medical device used to sustain life or is relied upon for mobility.
This device must run on gas or electricity supplied by SDG&E. It includes, but is not limited to, respirators
(oxygen concentrators), iron lungs, hemodialysis machines, suction machines, electric nerve stimulators,
pressure pads and pumps, aerosol tents, electrostatic and ultrasonic nebulizers, compressors, IPPB
machines, kidney dialysis machines, and motorized wheelchairs. Devices used for therapy rather than
life-support do not qualify.

I wonder if CPAP is considered life-support or therapy?

An interesting conundrum........CPAP is treatment therapy..........but if you have OSA and don't use it you could die 'before your time', so in my book this makes it a life support machine also.

A nebulizer provides treatment therapy, but is classified as life support by the utility company. I think there is an argument there.

Daniel.


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)