New here! Camping with Respiratory Therapists

Hello!

What happens when you go camping with 3 Respiratory Therapists? They monitor your breathing as they drink cocktails around a campfire! Get a sleep study, they said. It will change your life, they said. You'll wake up feeling refreshed, they said.....

As per their suggestions, I had a sleep study about 3 weeks ago and got the Sleep Apnea diagnosis. Last Wednesday, I went for the overnight mask fitting. An evening of TORTURE as I had tried on at least 5 masks throughout the night. I ended up with something that covers my nose and mouth. Apparently, I slept for 4 hours with it on.

Tomorrow, I'm supposed to get the call about the prescription for the 'equipment'. What equipment, I'm not sure. Should I be asking questions when they call me or save them for the DME place? What questions should I be asking? Do they all come preset? Do they all come with humidifiers?

And, I did order the PurSleep Starter pack. I know this subject is a bit controversial, but I will not be using the products containing Lavender. I'm hoping the PurSleep products will help with panicking when I wake up with the mask.

I am a heart attack survivor. I had an MI in 2007 at the ripe old age of 40. I had 100% occlusion of my LAD (Widowmaker). My hubby said that I stopped snoring after my heart attack, for a couple of years. He worries now that I am back up to pre heart attack snoring levels.

I am delighted to be here and learn a lot more!

Denise

Welcome to the forum.
As far as equipment goes, make sure you get a fully-data-capable machine.
Do lots of reading on this site and use the "Search" function above. There are really no "new" questions or topics with regard to this therapy which haven't been covered in the last 10 years. But, don't be afraid to ask.


Den

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Your heart doc should have referred you in 2007 but that is another topic.

Yes ask your questions of whoever is providing your equip. called a DME. Write your questions down so you don't forget. Write the response next to it.

Be sure to get a copy of the script and the sleep study report, it is for and about you.

Today most will come with a humidifier but it has to be on the script from the doc. You can always turn it off if you don;t need or want it; but if you need it you will have to jump thru hoops if you don't get it up front.

The machines do come preset but sometimes they aren't set the best way - another topic. You may (should) do well if these RT's are in the sleep business and they are close friends.

Either way welcome to the forum.

Denise_in_MI wrote:Hello!

What happens when you go camping with 3 Respiratory Therapists? They monitor your breathing as they drink cocktails around a campfire! Get a sleep study, they said. It will change your life, they said. You'll wake up feeling refreshed, they said.....

As per their suggestions, I had a sleep study about 3 weeks ago and got the Sleep Apnea diagnosis. Last Wednesday, I went for the overnight mask fitting. An evening of TORTURE as I had tried on at least 5 masks throughout the night. I ended up with something that covers my nose and mouth. Apparently, I slept for 4 hours with it on.

Tomorrow, I'm supposed to get the call about the prescription for the 'equipment'. What equipment, I'm not sure. Should I be asking questions when they call me or save them for the DME place? What questions should I be asking? Do they all come preset? Do they all come with humidifiers?

And, I did order the PurSleep Starter pack. I know this subject is a bit controversial, but I will not be using the products containing Lavender. I'm hoping the PurSleep products will help with panicking when I wake up with the mask.

I am a heart attack survivor. I had an MI in 2007 at the ripe old age of 40. I had 100% occlusion of my LAD (Widowmaker). My hubby said that I stopped snoring after my heart attack, for a couple of years. He worries now that I am back up to pre heart attack snoring levels.

I am delighted to be here and learn a lot more!

Denise

I'm a little confused about some of what you wrote.
Have they not gone over the results of the sleep study with you?
If so, they should have mentioned what they found and what pressures you may need.
Be sure to get a copy of your sleep study.
Most machines come with Heated Humidifiers these days (check with your insurance and what the doctor is ordering).
And, they'll come configured to what the doctor orders through the prescription. MAKE SURE TO GET A COPY OF YOUR Rx.


Den

.

So far all that I have been told is that I had 67 incidents of apnea in one hour. My lowest pO2 was 80%. That was from the original sleep study. I will probably (?) learn more tomorrow when they call with the 'reading' from the sleep Dr. of the night of mask switch outs.

Were they supposed to tell me something else?

Denise

Denise_in_MI wrote:Were they supposed to tell me something else?

Most won't tell you anything and leave that for the doc. So not until you see the doc.

Hi Denise,

If it were me, I would ask for a copy of the sleep study reports while there. Ask everything you can think of. And don't sign the papers until you feel comfortable with the answers. Be sure you understand the insurance payment system and that everything is clear. Most places have a 30-day mask exchange policy, during which you can return your mask to try another brand or size. Masks are usually the biggest hurdle. And if you should do this, be sure to arrange for an exchange early in case it takes time to schedule. Be sure to ask about that policy.

Sounds like your apnea is pretty severe. It's important to be treated.

But hey, it's helpful to have those Respiratory Therapist camping friends! They should be able to answer questions as well. You might be forced to listen to the "I told you so's," but hey, go for it.

Good luck!

Thank you all for your help! I'm sure it gets old helping newbies, but it truly is greatly appreciated.

I'm a senior member on a Addison's Disease forum for dogs. No one appreciates help more than a new person.

LDuyer wrote:Hi Denise,

If it were me, I would ask for a copy of the sleep study reports while there. Ask everything you can think of. And don't sign the papers until you feel comfortable with the answers. Be sure you understand the insurance payment system and that everything is clear. Most places have a 30-day mask exchange policy, during which you can return your mask to try another brand or size. Masks are usually the biggest hurdle. And if you should do this, be sure to arrange for an exchange early in case it takes time to schedule. Be sure to ask about that policy.

Sounds like your apnea is pretty severe. It's important to be treated.

But hey, it's helpful to have those Respiratory Therapist camping friends! They should be able to answer questions as well. You might be forced to listen to the "I told you so's," but hey, go for it.

Good luck!

Hi Linda!

Good to see you posting here again. I checked your posting history and saw it's been a few years.

Take care and don't be so reclusive. OK?


Den

.

Fully-data capable! Absolutely a must! We'll take you the rest of the way.

Useful preparation for the meeting:

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

[quoteFully-data capable! Absolutely a must! We'll take you the rest of the way.

Useful preparation for the meeting:

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/ ][/quote]

YES!! Drowsy Dancer! Were you reading my mind?

Approach the whole thing as if you were buying a used car from a shady dealer.

Call your insurance first to see which ones are in network, what is covered and how (purchase, rent to own). Get the prescription in your hands before you leave the doctor.

You need a fully data capable machine (including AHI, Leak rate) - this is because though you may not have any problems, if you do have issues that is the only way to figure out what is happening. Note they will lie through their teeth and tell you it has data when all it has is hours of use in order for them to collect the insurance money.

It will be interesting to note the reactions of your camping buddies.
As a rule, a lot of their colleagues are freaked out by the idea of a patient having access to efficacy data
and control over their therapy. I wonder if that changes when the patient is a friend;
--somebody they actually care about.

This is very enlightening! I just left a message for my insurance company to call me about the coverage so that I can go into the DME provider sounding a bit more 'educated'.

My RT friends had better stay my friends and give me good advice! None of them are in the 'sleep' business. All are in hospital. I work for a major hospital system in the Detroit area.

....still waiting for the phone call from the sleep center...

Welcome to the board.

You're lucky to get here before you go into the lions den of the DME (CPAP salesman).

I suggest you read the links in my signature line to find your way through the minefield.

Good luck.