CPAP without sleep study?

[davelikesbeer]

A while ago, I was talking to the husband of my wife's friend. The subject of sleep apnea came up. It seemed like he was a real candidate for it. He was really interested in finding out more about it, so I offered my pulse oximeter for him to use, but he declined.

Fast forward a few months, I was just talking to his wife. She claims he has a CPAP machine (he doesn't use), and says he's never done a sleep study.

They have Kaiser insurance. I can't imagine Kaiser would give someone a CPAP machine without doing a sleep study first. Does this sound possible?

In theory, he could be prescribed a machine and do a home titration with it. Although, I wonder if he purchased a machine on his own and decided to try to treat OSH himself. If it is the latter, then no wonder he gave up.

[Xney]

I know somebody with kaiser where they gave him an auto machine to take home and run a test with.

I think they also wore something at the same time.

Seems sketchy to me but what do I know.

[Pugsy]

Janknitz has Kaiser.

Send her a note and ask her but she never had a formal in lab sleep study. I think she had a home study or was given an APAP to use for a month...or both. I can't remember for sure about the home study but I know she was given an APAP to use for 30 days to evaluate pressure needs (wasn't given a humidifier at that time) and then given a permanent machine once that 30 days worth of data was evaluatated.. They are pretty rigid with their requirements and you have to jump through all their hoops if you want Kaiser to supply the equipment. If he did get the machine from Kaiser...he had to follow their protocol and you can bet he met their requirements. They do home studies first...and save the expensive sleep lab studies for the people who have problems.
That's how they save money.

[pats]

They have Kaiser insurance. I can't imagine Kaiser would give someone a CPAP machine without doing a sleep study first. Does this sound possible?

Maybe he had an at-home study, followed by at-home titration. That is how I was diagnosed with OSA and prescribed an APAP, and I'm a Kaiser patient. Perhaps by "without doing a sleep study" your friends mean "without an overnight in a sleep lab".

[archangle]

While the in-lab PSG study is theoretically a great idea, if they simply put a good data capable CPAP machine on someone, get a good night's data showing clear signs of apnea, you could probably say with good confidence the patient has apnea.

If the night's trial does NOT show apnea, you need to look a little further. You really can't rule out apnea with a CPAP machine due to the fact you have to run a minimum pressure to vent enough air out the mask.

Don't forget a lot of people won't do an in-lab test or don't sleep when they do.

[Wonderbeastlett]

I have heard and read of people buying off craigslist or from other people without a Rx. I think being your own health advocate is great but also you need to know when it becomes dangerous. Data machines are great to monitor your progress but people just trying them out could be harmful. There could be so many other things that are wrong and the patient doesnt know. OSA mimics other illnesses and vice versa! Its safer to get tested but yes, I have heard of this happening.
I myself dont know much about kaiser but its hard to think any insurance company would just give out a machine, for no reason, with no testing to back up that decision.

[davelikesbeer]

I had a chance to talk with him this evening. It does sound like it was an at home test. He doesn't have a prescription for a CPAP yet and unfortunately his insurance doesn't cover it.

[Lizistired]

I'm glad you talked to him. I was wondering about that. You can help him or get him on the forum. Whatever he is comfortable with. It sounds like he knows he has a problem.

[pats]

I had a chance to talk with him this evening. It does sound like it was an at home test. He doesn't have a prescription for a CPAP yet and unfortunately his insurance doesn't cover it.

I got my prescription, as well as a sleep report copy, from Kaiser in the mail the week after my in-home titration.

[davelikesbeer]

I'm glad you talked to him. I was wondering about that. You can help him or get him on the forum. Whatever he is comfortable with. It sounds like he knows he has a problem.

Sadly, it sounds like it will have to get worse before he will take it seriously. He told me he wasn't able to sleep with the CPAP. But what's worse is the person who set up his machine told him people who have worse OSA tend to accept CPAP more easily. I think he took this to mean his sleep apnea isn't that big a deal. These idiot technicians should keep their mouths shut. It doesn't sound like he's interested in pursuing getting a CPAP and going on therapy.

[BoeingGeo]

You can get your regular PCM to write a script so you can buy from online guys. However, insurance will want some sort of sleep study done if you want them to pay.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Some get sent home from their Dr.'s visit with a 'reservation' for their PSG. Others get a home study with a recording pulse-oxymeter and chest band to record chest movement. A friend was sent home with only the pulse- oxymeter. His SpO2 was fine. No further testing there.
My Dr. diagnosed me based on 2 home studies...thank goodness as my PSG was a bomb. He wrote the 'scrip for the S9 Autoset and tracked me for a month. Has made a world of difference.
My husband's heat attack was his eye opener! I hope your friend doesn't wait until some Medical emergency happens.
Did you tell him that having OSA increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure. ..and this little goody....sexual dysfunction? That last often gets a man's attention!
Good luck to you both,
Cindy