New and waiting and worried.

[Sheffey]

A six month wait from Doctor's visit till getting help really seems excessive.

These things can be improved by people who take charge of their plot in life. I have excellent success by asking to be put on a waiting list. One doctor's office said they did not do a waiting list, but I could call back and ask if they had any cancellations. I asked her if she minded me calling every day, and she said that would be fine. On the third day they had a cancellation. Then there was the sleep lab who kept a cancellation list. They called late one afternoon, and I hurried home to pack a small bag.

No need to be treated like sheeple. (Said in honor of Jim.)

[yaconsult]

The squeaky wheel gets the grease! You have to keep on top of the process and find out where things are stopped and keep calling them to move them along. Once there is a sleep study, the sleep study has to go to the doctor's office. The doctor evaluates the study and requests that the DME get equipment for you. The DME has to contact your insurance to approve that they will get paid for the equipment.

So, you have three points of contact: doctor's office, DME, insurance company. Find out which step it's stuck at and keep calling them, at least a couple of times a week and ask them when it will be done and what can you do to expedite it. If you just sit back and wait for it to happen, there is no telling how long it will be. Be in contact with all three of them and let you know that you are suffering and need HELP! Believe me, it makes a huge difference.

In the case of my DME, I just drove to their office and sat in the waiting room until I could talk to someone and straighten out the snafu in my case. Turns out they needed a form faxed but had never requested it. I walked out with my new machine.

[Cannuck 1]

My Dr. sent me for a sleep study in Oct. 2014, it took until Jan 2015 to actually get the sleep study. I had a 64 AHI, it did not surprise me as I knew I was in very bad shape. Actually I thought I was dying. Given how long it took for the sleep study, I assumed it would take just as long to actually get the machine, so I borrowed one from my sister in law who no longer used it.... surprising how many people there are like that. I simply cranked the machine as high as I could, I had no idea it would go to 20, and I had no idea what results the tritration would yield (18 was prescribed eventually). I got lucky, the random high pressure that I was guessing at actually helped to carry me through till April when I finally got my machine. A six month wait from Doctor's visit till getting help really seems excessive.

Now that is a story how information can get disarrayed in the doctors office, new staff or overworked doctors that are a little careless.
Some one should be accountable is my way of thinking.

[mint0101]

OH man, let us know how things go...it's horrible you have to wait so long. After I did my sleep study, I 'made up' a international trip I had to go on, therefore I 'encouraged' my doc to review my sleep study results and prescribe me that *amn CPAP...even with my so-called trip, my doctor wrote my prescription two days after I told him I was going on the 'trip' and I got my CPAP about 10 days (I think?) after my sleep study...just keep on pushing...just like someone said, the squeaky wheel gets the grease

[Mudrock63]

You also need to understand that with most folks, it is not just plugging in the machine and automatically feeling better. You will have to get used to the treatment. And if you are like many here, your first prescribed settings may not be optimal for treating your condition. It can take a couple of months to work out the bugs. THEN when your therapy is optimized and you are using your equipment consistently (every time you sleep) for a little while you should start feeling better.

In the meantime, continue to educate yourself here. Learn about Sleepyhead software and posting screenshots. Once the seasoned veterans see your numbers, they can offer invaluable advice towards optimizing your therapy.