Am I required to have a sleep study to get a cpap?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
purple
Posts: 837
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:06 pm

Re: Am I required to have a sleep study to get a cpap?

Post by purple » Tue Jul 22, 2014 2:29 pm

Not sure what your personal situation is, but some sleep clinics do some charity work for those who do not have enough money, although sometimes the first contact with a sleep clinic will be adamant that they do not do that. Do you have a teaching hospital near you, then call them and then their social worker to see what they will do. You would prefer a split night study, where the first part of the study confirms you have apnea, and the second half is a titration study, to determine what settings you need.

Keep in mind that about half of those who get through the studies, get a machine will still not use it. Sleep Doctors and clinic workers love people who come in knowing they will benefit from treatment, and are committed to accepting some frustrations to get better sleep. They are also sensitive to the simple fact that some are employed, and can not afford the apparent prices that are charged. They love to help people who might be employed, as opposed to the many of us who have health insurance due to disability.

One of the co-current diseases, I think, that occurs with those of us who have sleep apnea, is diabetes. Have you been screened for diabetes? Some of the treatment of diabetes is diet and exercise, which can be done if an individual is aware they have diabetes, and then learn how.

Best wishes tho.

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archangle
Posts: 9294
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 11:55 am

Re: Am I required to have a sleep study to get a cpap?

Post by archangle » Tue Jul 22, 2014 5:18 pm

To buy through "legitimate" sources, you need a prescription. It may be hard to find someone who will write a prescription without a $leep $tudy.

While it's not rocket science, even Auto CPAP machines require some knowledge to set up and use properly. You don't just turn them on and go. You also need to look at the results and figure out whether it's working.

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