am i going to get it ?

[puzzled]

had an overnight pulse oximetry test done.
I only got about 5 to 5 1/2 hours sleep last night, due to having an MRI early in the morning.
my question, am I going to get a cpap/bipap unit.
here is the data I got:
4% oxygen desaturation index (odi) 4.75 per hour
total events 31
average duriation 48 seconds
mean onset sao2 93.7
mean low spo2 89.4
spo2 fell to 88% or less 10 events
<= 89% 5:24 minutes
<= 88% 2:12 minutes
overall high 98
overall low 87
overall baseline 92.8
""results suggest patient my qualify for stationary oxygen under medicare group 3 criteria because:
arterial oxygen saturation was at or below 89% for at least 5 minutes. Also requires one of the following
1. dependent edema sugg of CHF 2. Pulm. hypertension or cor pulmonale 3. Eryhrocythemia
(I have none of the 3)
talked to insurance company, about doing a home study..they said they consider home sleep study as "experimental"
and therefore do not cover, and they said the only way covered if at a facility.
Doc said with my levels he says it would merit doing a study, either home or facility, he said let him know which I would
want to do, and he would sign the paperwork..

so, my question to all the good folks here......does it look like I should get out the "ole sears and roebuck" catalog, and start to look at
machines, and pick out a color one I like, or one that sounds good, and start to educate myself on the subject ??

many thanks for your educated opinions.

oh yes...type II diabetic...overweight..take bp med but under control..and a touch of asmatha...that only rescue inhaler used, when needed (rare)

[ChicagoGranny]

does it look like I should get out the "ole sears and roebuck" catalog, and start to look at
machines

You may well have sleep apnea, but your oximetry study does not indicate sleep apnea.

If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, a sleep study should be undertaken. What symptoms do you have?

[Julie]

And in any case a diagnosis would be needed to ascertain what type of sleep problem you have - apnea isn't everything - there are variations, other related problems (some of which won't get diagnosed at home), etc. etc. and if it came to it, different machines for different diagnoses.

[puzzled]

thank you for the reply. Main thing right now is the reason for not much energy, and terrible night sweats. Just about every night for a number of years
now, I get up and I am soaking wet. I finally have got tired of this and am pushing it with my doctor...so looking at the possibilities. we do not
think it is hypoglycemia, although if the sleep apena does not prove out, then it will be the use of a constant monitoring blood glucose meter for
several days.
we have also discovered that I did not have diabetic neuropathy (feet going numb), but after a neurologist and a ride in the mri, discovered some
nerve problems in my lower back...also I hazarded to guess it could also be in part due to the metformin I was taking for diabetes, and after
some talks, we got the Dr. to run our b12 levels, and they were low..i got my first shot last week, and the next day, I felt better than I had for
several years.
so that will give you some insight as to why and when.

thank you !

[ChicagoGranny]

Until you have your sleep study results, try to avoid backsleeping. In most people, obstructive sleep apnea is worse when sleeping on the back because gravity is directly pulling the tongue and soft palate into the airway. Many people get some relief, but not a cure, when sleeping on the sides or stomach.

[robysue]

As others have pointed out, the oxymetry study you did at home does not clearly point to OSA. If you have an option to have an in-lab sleep test done, I'd recommend that. Not everyone with OSA has significant drops in their O2 levels. (Neither my husband nor I had any documentable O2 drops of more than 4%, but we both have OSA.)

It is also worth trying to find out ahead of time what the lab uses as the criteria for scoring hypopneas. One commonly used set of criteria requires a 4% drop in O2 along with a drop in airflow of at least 30% (as I recall). Another commonly used set of criteria uses a drop in airflow of at least 50% that is associated with either a 3% drop in O3 OR an EEG arousal. For many peope the difference in AHI computation is minor regardless of the criteria used to score hypopneas. But for some people (like me) the difference can be the difference between being diagnosed with moderate OSA or no OSA at all.

[Hang Fire]

It is also worth trying to find out ahead of time what the lab uses as the criteria for scoring hypopneas.

I disagree with that. It is too much to ask of an uninitiated patient having their first sleep study. The lab would think it is a question that someone told them to ask. And, what would Puzzled do with the answer? Become more Puzzled?

Using an AASM certified lab is a better recommendation. http://www.sleepeducation.org/find-a-facility

[Julie]

FWIW night sweats are a common symptom of apnea.

[bwexler]

You should Goggle Epworth test and answer the questions.
That will tell as much as the O2 test.
Next step is to determine your part of the cost for an in lab sleep study and an Auto CPAP machine. You will need to talk to your insurance company to determine which labs and DMES are in network, how much they charge and your copayment.

Then compare the total to the cost of an Auto CPAP machine at our sponsor CPAP.com

You haven't disclosed your age or weather you are male or female. So I will ask, is it possible you are experiencing menopause. That could cause some of your symptoms.

Then look in your check book and make some tough choices.

[puzzled]

had to jump thru some hops to find things out. seems most people just do it, and pay no attention to the cost.
Here is what the insurance company said:
split night sleep study $640
Dr to read study $130
Auto cpap $1250
Humidty unit $350
I estimate the hose, and mask, and etc at about $150

since I've met my deductible, I would only pay 20% of the above

BUT, I looked at several sites that sell CPAP equipment, they are quite a bit cheaper than the local seller, and what the insurance co think things
are worth.

[grayghost4]

I have this one for sale $525.00 shipped to you in the US.
Comes with hose ... just need a mask ... no Insurance ... no hoops to jump through.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5530260594.html

[puzzled]

thought I would give an update. The dr thought I needed to do a sleep study. Went around with insurance co....bcbs said home study was considered
"experimental"...and therefore not pay....well after the sleep center and the clinic talked to them, they (bcbs) agreed to a home sleep study, but in
results were not ok with all (GP, Sleep center doctor), they would also pay for an in home study.

so, used the respartronics nurse call sleep study system...different...had a problem turning it off...took it all off, all the alarm lights went on, I tried to turn
the off button...didn't do any good...after all things tried, I reconnected it, let it go to "normal"...and tapped the button, and everything shut down then.

so awaiting results....I was told it would be the next day...but they didn't tell me which day was "the first day !"

a question looking thru all this...I got the insurance co costs for equipment.....but why....for something they are going to shell out almost $2000...I can order
new, for about $475 ???? same items....all new, etc ?????
they are so worried about cost containment....have they looked at what they are doing ???
just like glucose test strips....a box is marked $48 at the pharmancy....the insurance company allows $55 !!!!

[Chevie]

I got the insurance co costs for equipment.....but why....for something they are going to shell out almost $2000...

You are confusing the list price which shows on invoices and other places. No insurance company will "shell out almost $2000" for a CPAP.

[puzzled]

Well I taked to my insurance company, and their allowable for a cpap machine was $1250.....and that is what an area provider said......and I pay 20% of that
allowance and they pay the 80%....same with the supplies........and the $1250 the local provider is paid for a cpap machine.

[Chevie]

Well I taked to my insurance company, and their allowable for a cpap machine was $1250.....and that is what an area provider said......and I pay 20% of that
allowance and they pay the 80%....same with the supplies........and the $1250 the local provider is paid for a cpap machine.

So the insurance company is paying $964 toward a CPAP machine? That's incredulous.