Lost 42 lbs & wonder if I need new sleep study

[palerider]

I feel like the last person in the United States to move from having car windows that had to be cranked to getting those new-fangled buttons that roll the window up for you, only I had no idea they existed.

More like they sold you a car that has no instrument panel.

in all fairness, Granny, instrument panels have come a long way since that machine was made

[palerider]

Can't get around doing the sleep study. New job and new insurance company, so the new sleep study (and new machine, and a rental payment I must contribute to rather than owning like I do with this machine) will be required, even though I'll be going to the same doctors and same hospital. Fun, fun, fun for me.

as granny said, no, not really. only if you decide to subject yourself to the whims of the insurance company.

you might come out even, or even far ahead by just going and buying a nice lightly used machine from a forum member, off craigslist, or secondwindcpap and taking charge of your therapy...

[Wulfman...]

Sorry!

ResMed S8 Compact

Can't get around doing the sleep study. New job and new insurance company, so the new sleep study (and new machine, and a rental payment I must contribute to rather than owning like I do with this machine) will be required, even though I'll be going to the same doctors and same hospital. Fun, fun, fun for me.

I don't understand. Why do you HAVE to "comply" with that? If you already have a prescription, you should be able to buy a new/newer machine from many sources. Even without a prescription, you can get them without much trouble. There are many that come up for sale on the forum, "secondwind", CraigsList, CPAP.COM, etc., etc.
And, if you're thinking about "supplies", they can be obtained with far less hassle and cost than through a brick & mortar DME.


Den

.

[him8nc]

I don't understand. Why do you HAVE to "comply" with that? If you already have a prescription, you should be able to buy a new/newer machine from many sources. Even without a prescription, you can get them without much trouble. There are many that come up for sale on the forum, "secondwind", CraigsList, CPAP.COM, etc., etc.
And, if you're thinking about "supplies", they can be obtained with far less hassle and cost than through a brick & mortar DME.

Den

.

My current prescription is probably from 2009'ish.

I've lost 42 lbs. recently.

Since losing weight, I'm not sleeping as well and probably need a new sleep study to get the machine set wherever it needs to be now.

That's why I think I need a new sleep study.

I don't understand why that's so hard to understand.

I can't get any readings from my machine. I can't readjust the setting on my machine.

If I got a new machine, I would have no idea where to set it considering my current setting is not working for me.

If my insurance is paying for it, that's why I would comply with my insurance.

I don't have cash to spend on all of this. It's not cheap.

[Wulfman...]

I don't understand. Why do you HAVE to "comply" with that? If you already have a prescription, you should be able to buy a new/newer machine from many sources. Even without a prescription, you can get them without much trouble. There are many that come up for sale on the forum, "secondwind", CraigsList, CPAP.COM, etc., etc.
And, if you're thinking about "supplies", they can be obtained with far less hassle and cost than through a brick & mortar DME.

Den

.

My current prescription is probably from 2009'ish.

I've lost 42 lbs. recently.

Since losing weight, I'm not sleeping as well and probably need a new sleep study to get the machine set wherever it needs to be now.

That's why I think I need a new sleep study.

I don't understand why that's so hard to understand.

I can't get any readings from my machine. I can't readjust the setting on my machine.

If I got a new machine, I would have no idea where to set it considering my current setting is not working for me.

If my insurance is paying for it, that's why I would comply with my insurance.

I don't have cash to spend on all of this. It's not cheap.

My sleep study and prescription are from 2005. But, I have data capable machines to tell me how I'm doing. I never met my deductibles any year since that year when I had my sleep study and started therapy and was able to buy lots of machines and supplies for what the deductible was ($750.00) in the subsequent years.

Even if your insurance is "paying for it", I presume you would still have deductibles with your new insurance and it being a new year. And, depending on the amount, a person could buy a lot of stuff for some of those deductibles.

If you got a new machine, you would set it up EXACTLY (or as close to it as possible) like your present machine and see what is happening and why you're having "issues".

And, as I said, there are lots of fully data-capable machines that are available from other sources besides the usual DMEs.


Den

.

[ChicagoGranny]

If I got a new machine, I would have no idea where to set it considering my current setting is not working for me.

Well, we should have explained that to you. Den is right - the machine should be set to your current settings. Then you start observing what happens at night using SleepyHead software. Forum members can help you interpret the results. If something needs adjusting, they can guide you in making the adjustments.

But a lot depends on your insurance. If your have a Rolls Royce policy that will pay 100% for a sleep study - go for it. If your deductibles/copays for a sleep study and a new machine are close to or above the cost of a new machine - you need to do something different.

But you have to satisfy yourself not us.

BTW, congratulations on the weight loss!

[chunkyfrog]

Insurance is always different. You need to "do the math"
My first year the deductible was satisfied with the sleep study.
Otherwise, i was ahead buying online 100% out of pocket.
Forced rentals are even worse, you are stuck with the deductible every year.

[RicaLynn]

The newer data capable machines give you enough data to be read through Sleepyhead that it's like having a mini sleep study at home. With a little reading on your own and help from the more knowledgeable members here, you WILL be able to troubleshoot your own therapy and tweak your settings so you can sleep better.

You already know you have apnea, you already have a prescription for the equipment, what you need is to tweak your "dosage" a bit and you DON'T need a new sleep study to do that! Others have suggested several ways for you to procure a newer machine at a fraction of the insane DME markup, and you can even start with your current mask and hose so there's no additional cost there. You CAN do this without paying through the nose to your docs and/or insurance; we can help.

[Drowsy Dancer]

The newer data capable machines give you enough data to be read through Sleepyhead that it's like having a mini sleep study at home.

This is a great way to describe it.

Others have already mentioned ways to pick up a data-capable machine for less than the DME markup.

[BlackSpinner]

Since losing weight, I'm not sleeping as well and probably need a new sleep study to get the machine set wherever it needs to be now.

That's why I think I need a new sleep study.

It might be a good thing, especially since it is the beginning of the year and your deductible will be reduced.

I don't understand why that's so hard to understand.

It isn't. We have been giving you options, however all this stuff maybe hard to understand at your end. We will hold your hand through the process. We have all been there in various ways.

I can't get any readings from my machine. I can't readjust the setting on my machine.
If I got a new machine, I would have no idea where to set it considering my current setting is not working for me.

You can get the manual online and access EVERYTHING. YOU can adjust your machine. If you got an autoset you can titrate yourself easily.

If my insurance is paying for it, that's why I would comply with my insurance.

I don't have cash to spend on all of this. It's not cheap.

It is the beginning of a new year. Unless you have super insurance your copays are going to more then you would pay if you bought online. I bought the latest bell and whistles machine from one of our members for under $500 US. With the 13 month rentals you will probably pay more.

[chunkyfrog]

I SET MY OWN MACHINE most here do!
It is not difficult, easier than most computers.
There is no sense paying through the nose for someone to do it for you,
---who is barely able to do so and often doesn't really care if it is done correctly.
Haven't you ever done something yourself because that's the only way to get it done RIGHT?
This is why most of us are here!
--that and most insurance takes your money and then tries to cheat you at every turn!

[VVV]

YOU can adjust your machine. If you got an autoset you can titrate yourself easily.

Certainly. I had two titration studies and they did not get the pressure settings right either time. My settings work very well today because I adjusted them myself over a period of about two weeks.

If you have already had a sleep study and have a script for a CPAP, I don't see the need for another titration study. Even if you have another titration study, it will be best to have a data-capable machine to check if the lab got the setting right.

[bwexler]

What I suggest is you get your calculator and phone and figure out exactly what YOUR cost will be for the sleep study and the new machine.
If your out of pocket including the rental is more than $1000 than its a no brainier. You can buy the latest new machine and set it up your self, with help from everyone here.
If it is less than you need to sharpen your pencil and do some shopping at the places already mentioned.

We do understand everything you have said. You need to read the stickies at the top of the forum so you can begin to understand what we are saying.

[kteague]

Not to muddy the waters, but another option is to have your doctor order a 1 or 2 week trial on an autopap. At the end of that period the machine data should reveal your current pressure need and you could adjust your old machine accordingly. If you are continuing to lose weight though, this will just be a stopgap measure while you are making decisions. Getting a sleep study is not a bad idea. Just expensive when money is an issue. You may want to consider reserving the sleep study for when you are close to your goal weight (are you now?), as your needs could change again. Whatever you decide to do, you have to make the decision you are comfortable with. We all have different tolerance to doing things "off the book". I have bought several used machines through the years, both from forum members and from Craigslist. Been real lucky - and real careful. Also seen my share of sleep doctors and gone through the mainstream processes more than once. A lot goes on in 10 years. If you are feeling that buying a machine new or used outright and adjusting your pressure as it determines your current need is outrageous, please know that some insurances won't even pay for lab studies unless medically necessary. They have their patients do a trial on an autopap then they prescribe the pressure the machine has determined is needed. What has been suggested to you is actually what some insurances deem adequate. Good luck whatever you do. And congrats on that weight loss. A bit green with envy.