qualifying for a new sleep study

[palerider]

It's been 10 years since... well, actually, I never had a sleep study, a friend knew I had apnea, bought a machine on craigslist, and said "figure it out and wear it".... and here I am.

got it figured out yet?
<ducks and runs>

Newp!

[Brattygirl69]

Pale rider, do you have a degree in respiratory therapy you just decided you needed a machine ?
WOW! Doesnt sound too wise to me

[Dog Slobber]

Pale rider, do you have a degree in respiratory therapy you just decided you needed a machine ?
WOW! Doesnt sound too wise to me

You don't need to have a respiratory therapy degree to reasonably conclude OSA based on experienced symptoms.

Where did he say that he just decided he needed a machine?

BTW, using data provided by devices such as the ResMed AutoSet device, one can often reasonably conclude OSA, and titrate optimum pressure settings.

[palerider]

Pale rider, do you have a degree in respiratory therapy you just decided you needed a machine ?
WOW! Doesnt sound too wise to me

Well, if you knew something, you'd realize how wise it was.

I was falling asleep at work, I was falling asleep every night watching tv, I felt like warmed over death many mornings, sometimes unable to even make it to work.

I got a machine, and after the *first night* there was a huge improvement.

There's *zero* reason to "have a degree in respiratory therapy" and even less of a reason to be concerned.

As many people have said, the most dangerous thing you can do with a cpap is drop it on your foot.

[palerider]

Pale rider, do you have a degree in respiratory therapy you just decided you needed a machine ?
WOW! Doesnt sound too wise to me

You don't need to have a respiratory therapy degree to reasonably conclude OSA based on experienced symptoms.

Where did he say that he just decided he needed a machine?

BTW, using data provided by devices such as the ResMed AutoSet device, one can often reasonably conclude OSA, and titrate optimum pressure settings.

Actually, a friend who had been through the grinder recognized the problem, and bought a machine off craigslist, and said "here, learn to use it, and USE IT". ... I did, and it changed my life.

I was in denial, like so many people... I was told that I was falling asleep watching tv, "no no, I heard the whole thing, I just closed my eyes. " then I'd watch it later, and there were large sections of the show I didn't remember.

[Goofproof]

Pale rider, do you have a degree in respiratory therapy you just decided you needed a machine ?
WOW! Doesnt sound too wise to me

Common Sense is often worth a lot more than a degree. Too bad Common Sense is so uncommon at this point in man's evolution. Jim

[chunkyfrog]

Many of us have been "served" by too many RT's with degrees, but no COMMON SENSE.
And that is just the ones who make it here.
Who knows how many lost souls give up, because of respiratory malpractice.
I'm sure that is a thing, then maybe we have identified a new TORT.
Hey, any ambulance chasers out there?

[Auntducky59]

it amazes me how someone can decide for whatever reason they need CPAP/APAP therapy & just go out & buy the equipment without doctor intervention. I am not that daring & would want a doctor to prescribe it & would want insurance to pay for 80%. This equipment is too expensive for insurance to not be involved. After being ragged on quite a bit, I find it funny that the person who gives me the hardest time hasn't been "officially" diagnosed for apnea. interesting.... and now, let the "ragging" begin as I know it will happen!

[Auntducky59]

You are supposed to have a doctor's prescription in order to purchase CPAP equipment. Self diagnosis explains why so many people on this forum are buying used equipment from members of this forum , Ebay or Craig's list. No prescription required if buying used from sources other than authorized suppliers who do require a prescription for purchase. I am not sure I can trust advise from someone who has "self diagnosed" themselves.

[Wulfman...]

it amazes me how someone can decide for whatever reason they need CPAP/APAP therapy & just go out & buy the equipment without doctor intervention. I am not that daring & would want a doctor to prescribe it & would want insurance to pay for 80%. This equipment is too expensive for insurance to not be involved. After being ragged on quite a bit, I find it funny that the person who gives me the hardest time hasn't been "officially" diagnosed for apnea. interesting.... and now, let the "ragging" begin as I know it will happen!

Nonsense!
In hindsight, I wish I would have self-diagnosed and treated myself. But, 15 years ago, I hadn't even heard of Sleep Apnea.
By the time you pay the deductibles and co-pays, the costs come out about even when comparing the insurance-provided equipment to out-of-pocket costs. MANY lightly-used fully data-capable machines can be had for fractions of the costs of the insurance-covered machines.
For just "garden variety" OSA, this is pretty easy to self treat. Just get a fully data-capable machine and use software to monitor the therapy. Fifteen years ago, hardly any fully data-capable machines were being prescribed and forget about Auto (APAP) machines.
With a sleep study and doctor prescriptions, you get those results permanently embedded in your medical history.
That may have huge negative implications in your medical history for then on.

This forum gave me the education and information to be able to self-treat once I had been diagnosed and acquired my equipment.
On top of all the other crap, my worthless sleep doctor got my prescribed pressure WRONG. It took my (self-purchased) data-capable machine and the software to prove he didn't know diddly squat about what he was doing. Hell, he even wrote out my prescription wrong. Never prescribed a mask or humidifier......it's amazing he has managed to stay in business all these years.......but, he works for a large hospital/clinic conglomerate.


Den

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[Auntducky59]

Now, before the ragging begins, I am sure that not EVERYONE who buys used is a self-diagnosed person. I am sure that some of you who buy used do have a prescription, but choose to save money by buying used as your 20% co-pay can be pricey and you decide not to use your insurance by going through a DME or you may just want to purchase a second machine to try it out. But I am afraid I am always going to think you don't have insurance, and not an official diagnosis, & not trust what you have to say.

[Auntducky59]

by the way, I think I will try to find a different forum. administrators, you have me permission to delete my profile. I can't seem to do it myself. I will just delete all my profile information & let you delete me permanently. If I don't find a different forum, then I guess I don't need a forum to figure this out. I actually have a doctor & DME I trust (military system) and my experience has been mostly positive with my doctor/DME. I trust them more than most on this forum. good luck to everyone. signing off.

[Wulfman...]

You are supposed to have a doctor's prescription in order to purchase CPAP equipment. Self diagnosis explains why so many people on this forum are buying used equipment from members of this forum , Ebay or Craig's list. No prescription required if buying used from sources other than authorized suppliers who do require a prescription for purchase. I am not sure I can trust advise from someone who has "self diagnosed" themselves.

Years ago on the forum, we came to the conclusion that these machines and equipment should be available at the big box stores on palates, right next to the glucose monitors and blood pressure machines. And, they should cost less than $100.
In some other countries (like Australia) it's much easier to buy them. If people could get this stuff easier and cheaper, it would probably increase the number of people who could get treated.......and cut down on the adverse health conditions which come from untreated OSA.
Purchasing extra equipment without having to jump through the insurance hoops ensures that we will have equipment available WHEN our primary machines have problems. Anyone with this condition who doesn't have backup machines and equipment is surely flirting with disaster (and potentially DEATH).

Some of the people with "holier than thou" attitudes need to look at the bigger picture.


Den

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[Wulfman...]

by the way, I think I will try to find a different forum. administrators, you have me permission to delete my profile. I can't seem to do it myself. I will just delete all my profile information & let you delete me permanently. If I don't find a different forum, then I guess I don't need a forum to figure this out. I actually have a doctor & DME I trust (military system) and my experience has been mostly positive with my doctor/DME. I trust them more than most on this forum. good luck to everyone. signing off.

Some people can dish it out, but they can't take it.
When you're a "know-it-all", you aren't receptive to opinions from others. Sad!


Den

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[Pugsy]

by the way, I think I will try to find a different forum. administrators, you have me permission to delete my profile. I can't seem to do it myself. I will just delete all my profile information & let you delete me permanently. If I don't find a different forum, then I guess I don't need a forum to figure this out. I actually have a doctor & DME I trust (military system) and my experience has been mostly positive with my doctor/DME. I trust them more than most on this forum. good luck to everyone. signing off.

Only Carolyn can remove/deactivate a member account so you would need to contact her with your request via a private message.

BTW it's not against the law to PURCHASE anything cpap related without a RX....it's just against the law for DMEs/doctors to SELL you cpap equipment without a RX.
Private purchase or selling...that law doesn't apply between private parties either. That law is just for DMEs/doctors.

Not everyone has insurance available or a medical care team that is as trustworthy as yours must be. Are we supposed to just say "sorry, you are SOL" and let people go untreated when there is a perfectly viable safe option available?
Unfortunately the only forum that your particular viewpoint might fit it died out a few years back. Might be a bit difficult to find a good fit for your way of thinking. Good luck to you.