Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
I have two sons with sleep apnea. For complex reasons, we ended up buying an S9 on the "grey" market for my second son as the doctors battled the insurance company. He was finally sent to a DME and also got an S9, so we have a spare.
I am overweight, over 60, snore, etc. my wife egged me into trying the APAP. Bottom line it, it really helped. I wake up better, more alert, no snoring, and have had beneficial side effects, like no acid reflux at night, and vastly reduced PVCs.
It is helpful to go ahead and get diagnosed, or am I better off just staying "off-grid" with this?
Thanks
Jim
I am overweight, over 60, snore, etc. my wife egged me into trying the APAP. Bottom line it, it really helped. I wake up better, more alert, no snoring, and have had beneficial side effects, like no acid reflux at night, and vastly reduced PVCs.
It is helpful to go ahead and get diagnosed, or am I better off just staying "off-grid" with this?
Thanks
Jim
_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: nasal, nasal pillow, etc. |
Re: Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
The only disadvantage I can see with accepting treatment, is longer life and better health. Jim
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
Re: Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
If you don't get diagnosed (even if only in a 'home' study using your sons' machines to titrate your pressure settings) you won't get a prescription for a new machine with software, etc. to tell you how you're doing (apart from how you feel) and/or what's not working if you suddenly don't feel so hot. No script, no machine, unless you take a chance on an old one from Craig's list with who knows how many hours on it. And you can't get masks without a script either, unless you buy all the parts from e.g. Cpap.com and put it together yourself, hopefully correctly, but with no choice of mask, nowhere to try on different ones as you would at a dealer.
And you won't feel great any more and your wife may end up an early widow, or worse, having to take care of you in whatever state you might be left in by a stroke, never mind an MI.
Stay off the grid, and play Russian roulette... at least your sons have been caught early, but you're already damaged goods by who knows how many years of not being treated.
And you won't feel great any more and your wife may end up an early widow, or worse, having to take care of you in whatever state you might be left in by a stroke, never mind an MI.
Stay off the grid, and play Russian roulette... at least your sons have been caught early, but you're already damaged goods by who knows how many years of not being treated.
_________________
Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: IntelliPAP Integrated Heated Humidifier |
Last edited by Julie on Mon Sep 22, 2014 3:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Wulfman...
- Posts: 6688
- Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:41 pm
- Location: Nearest fishing spot
Re: Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
Depends.......jmdearras wrote:I have two sons with sleep apnea. For complex reasons, we ended up buying an S9 on the "grey" market for my second son as the doctors battled the insurance company. He was finally sent to a DME and also got an S9, so we have a spare.
I am overweight, over 60, snore, etc. my wife egged me into trying the APAP. Bottom line it, it really helped. I wake up better, more alert, no snoring, and have had beneficial side effects, like no acid reflux at night, and vastly reduced PVCs.
It is helpful to go ahead and get diagnosed, or am I better off just staying "off-grid" with this?
Thanks
Jim
Prior to the recent changes in health insurance rules, "pre-existing conditions" were a big deal. Not so much these days.
With a prescription, equipment and supplies are a bit easier to purchase. But, not impossible without one.
But, in hindsight, if I could have stayed "off the grid" nine+ years ago, I'd have done so. But, once you get tossed into the medical machinery and evaluated and labeled, it's kind of hard to do that.
Your call.
Den
.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
- Wulfman...
- Posts: 6688
- Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:41 pm
- Location: Nearest fishing spot
Re: Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
I believe that the OP has tried using a machine and feels better doing so. I believe his question is whether he should just get a machine and use it without going through the "medical mafia".
If I understand that correctly, my answer is to get one and use it, regardless of whether you go through the diagnosis and get a medical "label" in your records.
Den
.
If I understand that correctly, my answer is to get one and use it, regardless of whether you go through the diagnosis and get a medical "label" in your records.
Den
.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
-
- Posts: 1116
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 11:10 am
- Location: Rochester, MN
Re: Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
If you do have sleep apnea, it could hurt not to be diagnosed. Sleep Apnea can cause heart attacks, strokes, and more. Look at it this way: How many years will it be until your sons are grown and out of the house? Do you want to miss their graduations, their weddings, and the grandchildren that may come along? If you nod off while driving with your sons in the car, do you want to risk injuring or killing them because you drove into a brick wall when you fell asleep? A heart attack that kills you at age 85 won't be nearly as damaging to your family as it will if that heart attack kills you at age 45 when your sons are in college or about to be married.
I cannot think of any disadvantages, except for the expense and inconvenience. Seems to me it's worth the disadvantages.
I cannot think of any disadvantages, except for the expense and inconvenience. Seems to me it's worth the disadvantages.
_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine |
Mask: AirFit™ F10 Full Face Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead |
Now using AirFit F10 mask; Quattro Air is backup mask. RemZzzz mask liners with both.
Re: Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
Gotta be honest, I'm all for a diagnosis but it ticks me off that this stuff requires a prescription. I should be able to get one at a drug store. Where's the potential for abuse? It's not like anyone's going pay $500+ to buy a machine they don't need. Worried we'll use the wrong pressure? Heck most of us on these boards know more than our doctors! (Seriously, I told the doctor what to put on the prescription so I could get the machine I wanted).
As it is, if you don't know what you're doing, you get a diagnosis, get sent to a DME who gives you whatever he has in the back closet. Why not say, "here's you're diagnosis, here's your pressure, go get yourself a machine"?
/End Rant/
As it is, if you don't know what you're doing, you get a diagnosis, get sent to a DME who gives you whatever he has in the back closet. Why not say, "here's you're diagnosis, here's your pressure, go get yourself a machine"?
/End Rant/
Re: Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
Because life is easier with a prescription and you might need help finding the right pressure I'd go for the sleep lab if you can afford it/your insurance will cover it. Sadly those are really the only reasons...
_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead SW. NeilMed and Alkalol Nasal rinses. Veramyst. AutoPAP 11-20 cms. Started June '14, untreated AHI 31-38, with PAP around 1. |
- BlackSpinner
- Posts: 9745
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:44 pm
- Location: Edmonton Alberta
- Contact:
Re: Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
The official diagnosis is helpful if you end up needing surgery or in the hospital for any other reason. It can make a difference for the anaesthesia and to be allowed a cpap in your room.jmdearras wrote: I am overweight, over 60, snore, etc. my wife egged me into trying the APAP. Bottom line it, it really helped. I wake up better, more alert, no snoring, and have had beneficial side effects, like no acid reflux at night, and vastly reduced PVCs.
It is helpful to go ahead and get diagnosed, or am I better off just staying "off-grid" with this?
Thanks
Jim
_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine |
Mask: Hybrid Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows and Headgear |
Additional Comments: Quatro mask for colds & flus S8 elite for back up |
71. The lame can ride on horseback, the one-handed drive cattle. The deaf, fight and be useful. To be blind is better than to be burnt on the pyre. No one gets good from a corpse. The Havamal
Re: Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
I fully intend to continue treatment that's not the question.as to getting the equipment, it's not hard to get good quality machines, even new. The grey market s 9 I bought was brand new, and new masks are available without prescription from some websites.I am currently using the AutoSet ResMed s9. I have monitoring software and can tell how I'm doing. Neither of my sons, who went through DMEs, get any sort of feedback at all.
the question is, are there disadvantages and advantages 2 a medical diagnosis of sleep apnea, assuming I am going to continue self treatment.
the question is, are there disadvantages and advantages 2 a medical diagnosis of sleep apnea, assuming I am going to continue self treatment.
_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: nasal, nasal pillow, etc. |
- Wulfman...
- Posts: 6688
- Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:41 pm
- Location: Nearest fishing spot
Re: Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
When I went to the hospital in 2011, nobody asked me whether I had a prescription for mine. I just brought my equipment with me. One of the hospital RTs plugged a digital manometer onto it to check the pressure it was set for, but nobody asked me to justify the pressure setting.
Den
.
Den
.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
Re: Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
the autoset you have and sleepyhead allow you to keep on top of your therapy. you can continue to do it off the grid, as it were, or spend the money to have a doctor tell you what you already know. as Den points out, having a prescription makes it a little easier to get masks.jmdearras wrote:I have two sons with sleep apnea. For complex reasons, we ended up buying an S9 on the "grey" market for my second son as the doctors battled the insurance company. He was finally sent to a DME and also got an S9, so we have a spare.
I am overweight, over 60, snore, etc. my wife egged me into trying the APAP. Bottom line it, it really helped. I wake up better, more alert, no snoring, and have had beneficial side effects, like no acid reflux at night, and vastly reduced PVCs.
It is helpful to go ahead and get diagnosed, or am I better off just staying "off-grid" with this?
Thanks
Jim
your comment about your sons who've gone through the system not getting any worthwhile advice is telling. no reason to think you'd fare any better
Get OSCAR
Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.
Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.
- Wulfman...
- Posts: 6688
- Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:41 pm
- Location: Nearest fishing spot
Re: Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
I can't think of any disadvantages.....OR advantages to having the official "diagnosis". Sounds like you are heads and shoulders above most of the users who got chewed up in the "medical machinery". Good for you!jmdearras wrote:I fully intend to continue treatment that's not the question.as to getting the equipment, it's not hard to get good quality machines, even new. The grey market s 9 I bought was brand new, and new masks are available without prescription from some websites.I am currently using the AutoSet ResMed s9. I have monitoring software and can tell how I'm doing. Neither of my sons, who went through DMEs, get any sort of feedback at all.
the question is, are there disadvantages and advantages 2 a medical diagnosis of sleep apnea, assuming I am going to continue self treatment.
Quite a few of the forum members have bypassed the normal medical channels to treat themselves. I can think of one in particular who was a forum mainstay for years. She occasionally shows up to say "Hi". Most of us miss her.
Den
.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
Re: Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
It sounds like you are taking all the right steps for self treatment since you are monitoring your readings. It really depends on you, I got my diagnosis over 7 years ago and the only time I've talked about it with my Dr. was when I asked him for a 'script for an APAP instead of a CPAP. Some people like the reassurance of having professional guidance, some are just fine without. Sounds like you are in the last category and are taking the prudent steps to self treat. Were it me (and since I'm doing essentially the same thing I guess it is) take care of yourself and don't bother the Drs. with it.
Re: Disadvantages to being diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?
How do you know there PVC's, do you have verification by EKG?jmdearras wrote:
I wake up better, more alert, no snoring, and have had beneficial side effects, like no acid reflux at night, and vastly reduced PVCs.
Jim
We need to talk.
_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: AirFit™ F10 Full Face Mask with Headgear |
ResMed AirSense S10 Autoset (Ins. Pur. 3/16/2016)
AutoCPAP 10-15 EPR 1.0 (Latest Sleep Study 3-7-16)
Started CPAP March 1995 with a pressure of 11.0
AutoCPAP 10-15 EPR 1.0 (Latest Sleep Study 3-7-16)
Started CPAP March 1995 with a pressure of 11.0