My prescription clusterf**ck; DME doesn't take my insurance.

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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ChicagoGranny
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Re: My prescription clusterf**ck; DME doesn't take my insurance.

Post by ChicagoGranny » Wed Mar 25, 2015 4:19 pm

JV1967 wrote:I'm also hoping that the ASV machine helps me so much that I won't need this low dose of Clonazepam to function, and not freak out every day. I used to sleep well before this happened to me, and my anxiety issues were better controlled by my own mind. I used to nod off to sleep long before my boyfriend would, without having to take meds. This medical drama has done a number on me. I've lost 19 lbs in a little over two months. I've been a nervous f***ing wreck.
Dr. Park has several blog entries about sleep apnea and anxiety - here is one - http://doctorstevenpark.com/prone-to-panic

You are likely to experience a big improvement in anxiety level with good CPAP therapy. It can take some weeks until you optimize the therapy, learn to sleep well and overcome your current sleep debt.

BTW, You may want to peruse other blog entries on Dr. Park's site. He is very good at understanding the problems of sleep apnea.

JV1967
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Location: Northeastern USA

Re: My prescription clusterf**ck; DME doesn't take my insurance.

Post by JV1967 » Thu Mar 26, 2015 6:26 am

ChicagoGranny wrote:
JV1967 wrote:I'm also hoping that the ASV machine helps me so much that I won't need this low dose of Clonazepam to function, and not freak out every day. I used to sleep well before this happened to me, and my anxiety issues were better controlled by my own mind. I used to nod off to sleep long before my boyfriend would, without having to take meds. This medical drama has done a number on me. I've lost 19 lbs in a little over two months. I've been a nervous f***ing wreck.
Dr. Park has several blog entries about sleep apnea and anxiety - here is one - http://doctorstevenpark.com/prone-to-panic

You are likely to experience a big improvement in anxiety level with good CPAP therapy. It can take some weeks until you optimize the therapy, learn to sleep well and overcome your current sleep debt.

BTW, You may want to peruse other blog entries on Dr. Park's site. He is very good at understanding the problems of sleep apnea.
Thank you.
AirCurve10 ASV Bilevel, with Humidifier. F&P Simplus FFM. Using Sleepyhead software.

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archangle
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Re: My prescription clusterf**ck; DME doesn't take my insurance.

Post by archangle » Thu Mar 26, 2015 7:35 am

JV1967 wrote:Does anyone here think I should get an MRI (open) to see if there is something wrong in the brain, or if I have a Chiari Malformation? I'm thinking about asking my doctor to send me for one. I likely seem like a total hypochondriac, but this sh*t scares me. Not knowing what's causing it is bugging me.
Plenty of people with no "brain damage" have central apnea, especially CPAP induced central apnea. I forget whether you have central apnea without CPAP pressure.

However, it doesn't rule out having some sort of brain damage. After you do your ASV CPAP for a while, and monitor your data, see if things get stable and your treatment is adequate. At that point, consider whether you have any symptoms that warrant an MRI.

Many patients and even doctors get what I call "apnea blindness." We tend to blame everything on apnea or CPAP and can miss symptoms of other problems. Remember that even with perfect CPAP therapy, we're all susceptible to all the medical problems of normal people.

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JV1967
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Re: My prescription clusterf**ck; DME doesn't take my insurance.

Post by JV1967 » Fri Mar 27, 2015 11:01 am

archangle wrote:
JV1967 wrote:Does anyone here think I should get an MRI (open) to see if there is something wrong in the brain, or if I have a Chiari Malformation? I'm thinking about asking my doctor to send me for one. I likely seem like a total hypochondriac, but this sh*t scares me. Not knowing what's causing it is bugging me.
Plenty of people with no "brain damage" have central apnea, especially CPAP induced central apnea. I forget whether you have central apnea without CPAP pressure.

However, it doesn't rule out having some sort of brain damage. After you do your ASV CPAP for a while, and monitor your data, see if things get stable and your treatment is adequate. At that point, consider whether you have any symptoms that warrant an MRI.

Many patients and even doctors get what I call "apnea blindness." We tend to blame everything on apnea or CPAP and can miss symptoms of other problems. Remember that even with perfect CPAP therapy, we're all susceptible to all the medical problems of normal people.
I'm still waiting for the two night sleep reports to show up in the mail, along with my copy of the prescription. The DME is scheduled to deliver and help me set up my machine on Tuesday. My doctor said I have mostly onset and waking centrals, and a bit of OSA combined. My Central score on first test was 5.1.

I had an echocardiogram and treadmill test yesterday, thankfully the doctor called me this morning to tell me my heart looks good, and he thinks it's healthy. I just want to get my brain checked out now, because I have experienced head trauma; domestic violence, and I also have pain and some stiffness in my neck, on the right side.
AirCurve10 ASV Bilevel, with Humidifier. F&P Simplus FFM. Using Sleepyhead software.

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chunkyfrog
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Re: My prescription clusterf**ck; DME doesn't take my insurance.

Post by chunkyfrog » Sat Mar 28, 2015 10:43 am

Absolutely! Head and brain tests are de rigueur for athletes with even minor head trauma.
--which makes it an absolute MUST for victims of abuse--especially where head blows have occurred!
I wonder why this was not done MUCH sooner.

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JV1967
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Location: Northeastern USA

Re: My prescription clusterf**ck; DME doesn't take my insurance.

Post by JV1967 » Sat Mar 28, 2015 12:03 pm

chunkyfrog wrote:Absolutely! Head and brain tests are de rigueur for athletes with even minor head trauma.
--which makes it an absolute MUST for victims of abuse--especially where head blows have occurred!
I wonder why this was not done MUCH sooner.
Because a couple of my doctors are a bit less than caring when it comes to this; and a couple of other issues. If my neurologist doesn't do this for me, I'll try my best to find one who will.
AirCurve10 ASV Bilevel, with Humidifier. F&P Simplus FFM. Using Sleepyhead software.