Sleep lab results, says no auto machine

[kcl]

Yesterday I talked to the sleep tech (not sure of his actual title) about my sleep study 2 weeks ago. I've recently asked here for suggestions and info on machines, etc... since my last one was years ago. They will be raising my pressure from 9 to 11 as I was having events until that level. I asked about getting an auto machine which has been suggested here but no way he would do that, said I don't need it, it would be like starting over every night, blah, blah. He even said I didn't need it because I can just come and get a sleep study and know the pressure I need (which I'm thinking if it were that choice I'd take the machine over all their wires and sleeping in a strange bed with someone watching me and huge copay!) He also made a comment, sounds like someones been on the internet which I found condescending. Of course I educate myself! He said they prescribe a respironics machine but I haven't talked to the medical supply company to know what the scrip actually says and what machine they will be giving me. I'm calling them tomorrow. He said it will be one that monitors usage (which isn't a problem, can't sleep without one).

[palerider]

Yesterday I talked to the sleep tech (not sure of his actual title) about my sleep study 2 weeks ago. I've recently asked here for suggestions and info on machines, etc... since my last one was years ago. They will be raising my pressure from 9 to 11 as I was having events until that level. I asked about getting an auto machine which has been suggested here but no way he would do that, said I don't need it, it would be like starting over every night, blah, blah. He even said I didn't need it because I can just come and get a sleep study and know the pressure I need (which I'm thinking if it were that choice I'd take the machine over all their wires and sleeping in a strange bed with someone watching me and huge copay!) He also made a comment, sounds like someones been on the internet which I found condescending. Of course I educate myself! He said they prescribe a respironics machine but I haven't talked to the medical supply company to know what the scrip actually says and what machine they will be giving me. I'm calling them tomorrow. He said it will be one that monitors usage (which isn't a problem, can't sleep without one).

sounds like your sleep tech or whatever is either sadly misinformed, an idiot, or a control freak.

I'd suggest avoiding.

find another doctor to write you an rx for an auto machine, and go from there. I'm partial to the resmed autosets myself

as you should know by now, a properly set up auto is *nothing* like starting over every night... it starts out where you need it and responds to any extra needs throughout the night.... instead of having to have the pressure cranked up to whatever takes care of everything (for example, rem sleep)

if you let them saddle you with a machine that just "monitors usage" then you're chained to them, and can't take control of your own treatment, since the machine (brick) won't have any useful data.

[amenite]

He also made a comment, sounds like someones been on the internet which I found condescending.

Sounds like someone has realized a substantial chunk of their job function is being replaced by machines. No good reason not to have an autoset of some kind IMO. I got out from under the yoke of insurance and did it myself once I knew better.

[Mudrock63]

The first 35 days of my treatment my machine, on the sleep lab doctor's advised settings, lowered my AHI from 37 to an average of 21.74. Better, yes, but nowhere near ideal. Every recommended setting change I have received on this board has lowered the AHI, including a switch to APAP mode. I am now on 18.0 min/20.0 max and the average AHI over the last 8 nights is 4.41. Now that is MUCH better than 37, and I feel a lot better overall than I did when I spent the month on the "prescribed" settings from the sleep study.

To make all of these tweaks that have improved my machine's performance would have meant countless doctor visits/calls/appointments, and would have set my therapy back many more months. And for them to take a 5 or 6 hour snapshot of your sleep in an unfamiliar setting, and then hit the magic number that is going to cure a lifetime's worth of sleep problems is hubris to the extreme. If they were THAT good, I guess we wouldn't all be here on this board, would we? Personally, I think an entirely new approach is needed for this condition. Use the sleep studies to diagnose, and then there needs to be a lot more interactive process to maximize an individual's therapy. They are leaving a lot of insurance money on the table when we are forced to self-treat on here or face years worth of doctor visits to get to our sweet spot.

I'm sure there are a few lucky ones who leave that initial sleep study with the prescription that takes care of their problem. For the rest of us, thank God for this board. I would insist on a machine that can be adjusted to meet your needs. And I certainly would NOT go back to that sleep clinic with the know-it-all tech. Unless you are lucky, you are going to get a lot of deer-in-the-headlights looks from the actual doctors you deal with. You need to educate yourself enough and have the resources....Sleepyhead software and a data-capable machine....to be able to talk intelligently to your doctor about the condition and hopefully help him/her help you get the most out of your treatment.

[LSAT]

Yesterday I talked to the sleep tech (not sure of his actual title) about my sleep study 2 weeks ago. I've recently asked here for suggestions and info on machines, etc... since my last one was years ago. They will be raising my pressure from 9 to 11 as I was having events until that level. I asked about getting an auto machine which has been suggested here but no way he would do that, said I don't need it, it would be like starting over every night, blah, blah. He even said I didn't need it because I can just come and get a sleep study and know the pressure I need (which I'm thinking if it were that choice I'd take the machine over all their wires and sleeping in a strange bed with someone watching me and huge copay!) He also made a comment, sounds like someones been on the internet which I found condescending. Of course I educate myself! He said they prescribe a respironics machine but I haven't talked to the medical supply company to know what the scrip actually says and what machine they will be giving me. I'm calling them tomorrow. He said it will be one that monitors usage (which isn't a problem, can't sleep without one).

And how many thousands does a sleep study cost. Be aware that they may try to give you a low end model that does not record data. They make more money that way. Does your doctor have some relationship with the sleep lab or DME?

[Sleeprider]

There is not much to add to this, except your last sleep study just proved that your pressure needs do in fact change. An auto-CPAP will make that change automatically, and inform you of the changes by recording the data. A PRS1 Auto CPAP with humidifier today costs about $400 due to being replaced by the Dreamstation. It's quite a bargain. What does a sleep study cost?

It's beyond obvious this sleep clinic is protecting its business interests, above serving your medical needs. Don't let them do that. Take your diagnosis and ask your primary care doctor to take over your care of sleep apnea. He can simply write your prescription for auto-CPAP and supplies, and prescribe a pressure range of 9.0-14.0. That will cover everything you need. Fire your clinic. I have not been back for a sleep study since my original Dx in 2008. It's insane to use sleep studies to monitor your efficacy when an inexpensive machine will do that for free.

[70sSanO]

I have a question.

Must the prescription state an Auto?

Since Auto can be run in a straight CPAP mode, could a DME just set up an Auto as a CPAP?

Is there anything that prevents a DME from doing this?

This is for my own knowledge for when I need to replace my machine.

Thanks!

John

[Janknitz]

I have a question.

Must the prescription state an Auto?

Since Auto can be run in a straight CPAP mode, could a DME just set up an Auto as a CPAP?

Is there anything that prevents a DME from doing this?

This is for my own knowledge for when I need to replace my machine.

Thanks!

John

You are exactly right! There is no reason you cannot have an auto machine because of course it can be set up in CPAP mode if that's the best setting for you.

The sleep tech here is giving a load of baloney.

Your insurance won't care whether you get APAP or a CPAP. Same billing code, same reimbursement as far as the insurance company. And your RX does not need to specify APAP. But DMEs don't like supplyin APAPs because they lose a little profit margin, so without an RX specifying APAP you may have to fight with your DME.

[OkyDoky]

The sleep tech may not be speaking for the doctor. Sounds like he is trying to make himself feel important by being controlling. Talk with the doctor who writes the prescription. Give him good reasons for wanting Auto and see what he says. No way would I take a machine that just monitors usage. I would also let the doctor know that you felt the tech was condescending about you trying to educate yourself. Once written get copies in hand of the sleep study and your prescription.

[kcl]

And how many thousands does a sleep study cost. Be aware that they may try to give you a low end model that does not record data. They make more money that way. Does your doctor have some relationship with the sleep lab or DME?

I know! Yes, the doctor does have a relationship with this lab. It's in their office. But I LOVE the Dr. Seriously, he saved my life when I had severe shortness of breath and primary was telling me to relax like it was anxiety (her nurse was anyway). This Dr. who is a pulmonologist got me in and discovered I had bilateral blood clots! I will call the Dr. over this first, anyway, and see what happens, at least if I can't get the auto machine.

[kcl]

He also made a comment, sounds like someones been on the internet which I found condescending.

Sounds like someone has realized a substantial chunk of their job function is being replaced by machines.

I know, right! That was my first impression while he was talking...smh.

[Stormynights]

I have only seen a sleep doctor one time and I was so happy to get an appointment with her because she also uses a cpap machine. She told me that she uses a straight cpap and will never prescribe any other type of machine because this is all she needs so she thinks it is all anyone else will need. I went back to my primary care doctor and he wrote the prescription for an ASV machine because he thought this was what I needed. Get a copy of your sleep study so you can get a second opinion.

[kcl]

I have a question.
Must the prescription state an Auto?
Since Auto can be run in a straight CPAP mode, could a DME just set up an Auto as a CPAP?
Is there anything that prevents a DME from doing this?
This is for my own knowledge for when I need to replace my machine.
Thanks!

John

You are exactly right! There is no reason you cannot have an auto machine because of course it can be set up in CPAP mode if that's the best setting for you.
The sleep tech here is giving a load of baloney.
Your insurance won't care whether you get APAP or a CPAP. Same billing code, same reimbursement as far as the insurance company. And your RX does not need to specify APAP. But DMEs don't like supplyin APAPs because they lose a little profit margin, so without an RX specifying APAP you may have to fight with your DME.

Thank you! This is what I needed to know.

[kcl]

The sleep tech may not be speaking for the doctor. Sounds like he is trying to make himself feel important by being controlling. Talk with the doctor who writes the prescription. Give him good reasons for wanting Auto and see what he says. No way would I take a machine that just monitors usage. I would also let the doctor know that you felt the tech was condescending about you trying to educate yourself. Once written get copies in hand of the sleep study and your prescription.

It's so hard to get into or speak with a Dr. unless you have an appt. and this Dr. is booked for weeks and weeks. I do like the particular Dr. but we will see. I will communicate with him, just might have to be through the nurse.

[chunkyfrog]

Don't you just HATE it when your doctor is a Luddite?
I like my geeks.