Help: Need to get spare CPAP machine - new diagnose no OSA

[GoodNightRest]

Dear All,

I was thinking to get my second CPAP machine for a spare/backup.
It was Kaiser where I got my OSA diagnose (from both: at-home-test and their sleep lab). Since I am not with Kaiser anymore, I asked my GP to write me prescription for the machine. He wanted me to take "at home sleep test." I got the result yesterday, and to my surprise it says that I don't have OSA anymore.

I asked my doctor how can it possible? He said maybe because I lost weight (I lost 20 lbs) - I don't want to argue with him.
He refused when I asked to have sleep study as my at-home-test is negative.

What's my option to be able to purchase CPAP now?

I contacted Kaiser, they told me to contact the Sleep Department where I had the test. We'll see how it goes.
But can I still use that old prescription?

Or is it better to just buy the machine from forum members (I read that some members here sell the machine)?

Thanks!

[Pugsy]

When you did the home sleep study did you use your cpap the night before?

What type of home sleep study did you use? Just an oxygen sensor or your finger? Or a more thorough home study with sensors on your face/head and a thingy in your nostrils to measure air flow and a chest belt to measure respiratory effort?

If your old prescription didn't have an expiration date it would still be suitable for ordering online.

[GoodNightRest]

When you did the home sleep study did you use your cpap the night before?

What type of home sleep study did you use? Just an oxygen sensor or your finger? Or a more thorough home study with sensors on your face/head and a thingy in your nostrils to measure air flow and a chest belt to measure respiratory effort?

If your old prescription didn't have an expiration date it would still be suitable for ordering online.

Hi Pugsy,

It's just an oxygen sensor on my finger. I know, it's not sufficient.

I never had a printed copy of my old prescription, Kaiser forwarded it directly (or perhaps they just submitted the order) to the CPAP vendor (Apria HealthCare).

[Julie]

Get a copy of your old script (yours by law) and see what it says.

[avi123]

If you have your old Rx from Kaiser then contact this person who should honor it and sell you a CPAP:

Mark Seager, Respiratory Therapist
Owner
SecondwindCPAP, LLC
http://www.secondwindcpap.com
Toll Free: 855.263.2727

[Pugsy]

Okay, so they only used a pulse oximeter and based the "no OSA" diagnosis on the "no drops in Oxygen" thing and that's not a reliable data point. You already know that so I won't give you that speech.

If you can't get your hands on a RX so you can buy online you can usually find a spare machine here or you might check with Mark at Secondwindcpap.com and explain the situation about Kaiser and not having a RX...he might work with you. I can't promise for sure but in situations like this they will sometimes work with people.

[Gasper62]

Respironics' latest machines are being sold on Amazon, with NO Rx required. However, it will still be a very good idea to rustle up a copy of your original test print-out AND your old prescription. FWIW....mine states that it's valid for a period of 99 years. That leaves me no less than 97.6 years to go before I'll need another sleep study. Only 9 short years till my next scheduled colonoscopy. Dang !

[Gasper62]

One thought just occurred to me.......does your current PAP machine record data from your sleep sessions ? If so, making your "case" could, and should, be a slam-dunk if it shows apnea/hypopnea events. Kinda tough to dispute what the machine says.

[GoodNightRest]

Get a copy of your old script (yours by law) and see what it says.

Thanks Julie, yes I am waiting for it, we'll see what it says.

[GoodNightRest]

If you have your old Rx from Kaiser then contact this person who should honor it and sell you a CPAP:

Mark Seager, Respiratory Therapist
Owner
SecondwindCPAP, LLC
http://www.secondwindcpap.com
Toll Free: 855.263.2727

Hi Mark,

Yes, I will see what it says in the old prescription. I don't want to buy from Apria HealthCare again, especially since I am going to buy it out of the pocket, I want to purchase from vendor with reasonable price.

[GoodNightRest]

Respironics' latest machines are being sold on Amazon, with NO Rx required. However, it will still be a very good idea to rustle up a copy of your original test print-out AND your old prescription. FWIW....mine states that it's valid for a period of 99 years. That leaves me no less than 97.6 years to go before I'll need another sleep study. Only 9 short years till my next scheduled colonoscopy. Dang !

Thanks Gasper!

One thought just occurred to me.......does your current PAP machine record data from your sleep sessions ? If so, making your "case" could, and should, be a slam-dunk if it shows apnea/hypopnea events. Kinda tough to dispute what the machine says.

Well, I tried to explain to my doctor, but he refused to listen. His main argument is because when I first diagnosed with at-home-test oximetry, I got AHI=52.

[Pugsy]

If you did your in home test this time after using cpap the night before there is a possibility of a "hold over" effect from your past cpap use.
Some docs are suggesting being off cpap for 3 or 4 nights to eliminate the "hold over" effect which might make the apnea events not show up or be as bad during another diagnostic test.

[GoodNightRest]

If you did your in home test this time after using cpap the night before there is a possibility of a "hold over" effect from your past cpap use.
Some docs are suggesting being off cpap for 3 or 4 nights to eliminate the "hold over" effect which might make the apnea events not show up or be as bad during another diagnostic test.

Hi Pugsy,

Oppsss, sorry forgot to answer your question.
I see, that makes sense. My doctor (and also the person from facility where I picked up the oximetry from) didn't tell me anything, other than "don't use the cpap that night when you take the test."

I'll try to ask my doctor again. Thanks Pugsy.

[Gasper62]

Again.....if your current machine is "data capable", it will plainly show what is happening during sleep. Do you know how to retrieve the data and load it to Sleepyhead ?

[GoodNightRest]

Again.....if your current machine is "data capable", it will plainly show what is happening during sleep. Do you know how to retrieve the data and load it to Sleepyhead ?

Thanks Gasper. Yes, I downloaded it from the SD card and loaded it to SleepyHead before
I will give it a shot with my doctor (even though I am a bit pessimistic as he doesn't seem to know much about sleep apnea).