ASAP

[pstanley]

...ASAP being when I would like to begin sleeping through the night. Here's my situation, thought some of you might be kind enough to offer some perspective:

22yo male, 6'2" 230 lbs. (some of that is muscle, I swear). Been snoring in a "dear God, what on earth is wrong with you?" kind of way since maybe age 15/16.

Diagnosed via SleepHealthcenters (sleephealth.com) in Boston area, perhaps some of you have experience with them as they have many locations.

I just had my titration study and the technician told me my pressure etc. I think I could become addicted to this "sleeping soundly" thing!! Here is where y'alls' expertise comes in:

My follow-up apt. is 2 weeks out, per their policy (to give the techs time to review the studies). This is when I will be meeting with my doctor and a respiratory therapist for a "CPAP setup." I'm not brushing off these guys' opinions, but frankly, is there any reason for me to wait that long? How likely are they to try to get me to buy a CPAP system through them? If I already know the ideal pressure setting, is there a good reason not to go ahead and order online (insurance issues aside)? I plan on keeping my appointment and I value their advice, but I'm really getting sick of these headaches (literally and figuratively).

I appreciate any thoughts, and I'm glad to hear that so many people have been helped by this contraption.

Best,
stanley

p.s. anyone have experience with the dental device / retainer thingy? efficacy vs. cpap?

[GumbyCT]

If I already know the ideal pressure setting, is there a good reason not to go ahead and order online (insurance issues aside)?

You mean besides getting your prescription? You will need it to buy online. Do forget to get a copy of your study, while you are there. You could always make notes & compares prices.

Local service can be a good thing esp. in the beginning when you have more problems & Q?'s. Just get yourself iinformed.

Start at the Yellow Lite bulb - Our Collective Wisdom
viewtopic/t14303/New-To-CPAPtalkcom-Cli ... tbulb.html
cpaptalk-articles.php

READ cpaptalk.com FAQ
cpaptalk-faq.php

For Acronyms & Definitions
http://www.sleepnet.com/definition.html

Suggested Specific CPAP Equipment Scripts (Slinky) (Diagnosis and Prescription)
cpaptalk-articles/CPAP-machine-prescription.html

Good Luck,
GumbyCT

[cflame1]

pstanley,
No matter what you decide to do, you still need the perscription and a full copy of the study. The perscription you'll need if you decide to buy from anybody but them, and believe me they'll try to insist that you buy from them (common trick).
Before you go and see them though... read a lot on here... find out which machines you'd like... pick a couple from various categories, because depending on the pressure and the result of the study they may offer you different types of machines.
Find out what your insurance will cover and from whom... by talking to your insurance directly.

Be an informed patient!

[DreamStalker]

Tell them that you won't settle for anything but the best for your health.

Tell them you know that the insurance code is the same for both APAP and straight CPAP machines and that APAP machines can be set in CPAP mode. In other words, an APAP has more options and your insurnace copay remains the same with either machine.

Tell them you want exhalation relief ... in particular the newer AFLEX option.

Get your prescription in hand ... and if they don't want to cooperate with your request, thank them for the diagnosis and tell them you will take your business elsewhere to have the prescription filled.

Not let them talk you into anything less!!

[NightHawkeye]

My follow-up apt. is 2 weeks out, per their policy (to give the techs time to review the studies). This is when I will be meeting with my doctor and a respiratory therapist for a "CPAP setup." I'm not brushing off these guys' opinions, but frankly, is there any reason for me to wait that long?

No, at least not if your doc is willing to write a prescription for you. Call his office and tell them what you want. Your physician should be there to help you. You have a right to select your equipment. In some ways you may find this transaction similar to buying an automobile. You want the best equipment you can afford, while the dealer (i.e., doc and/or DME) will have a vested interested in maximizing their profits by providing the least expensive equipment they can.

How likely are they to try to get me to buy a CPAP system through them?

All too likely, judging from numerous reports posted on this forum.

If I already know the ideal pressure setting, is there a good reason not to go ahead and order online (insurance issues aside)?

Nope. Many of us have successfully done so. A few folks have problems. Compared against the massive numbers of people who experience horrendous problems getting proper equipment from local providers though, the online CPAP experience works quite well.

There are risks and benefits whichever way you decide. Just make sure you take control of your therapy and get the equipment you need. (I recommend APAP with monitoring capability so that you can easily optimize your treatment.)

I plan on keeping my appointment and I value their advice, but I'm really getting sick of these headaches (literally and figuratively).

One consideration is that the online CPAP vendors can usually ship you equipment for next day delivery.

Regards,
Bill

[goose]

One important thing to do prior to your meeting with the docs is to call your insurance company and find out what they will cover

- Will they cover Online purchases?? If so, what percentage??
- What's the copay for the equipment??
- What DME's are covered in your area?? Always nice to have choices.

Get your prescription in hand. Get copies of your sleep studies in hand -- both the summary (about 2 pages) and the actual study sheets (usually 5 or more pages). You have a right to all those copies. Learn what all the numbers etc. mean to you....

It's probably best not to be confrontational unless being nice doesn't work. You'll have to read them to ascertain whether or not they're trying to help you or just lead you down the garden path. You'll know by their reactions to your questions and after reading info here, you'll have questions!!!

Gumby gave you a whole list of links to check out. Check'um out!!!
Dreamstalker let you in on the big "secret" about the billing codes.
What that essentially means is that they may try to give you a basic machine because it costs them less. You don't really want a basic machine -- you want a data capable, Auto CPAP machine with AFLEX (Respironics terminology - they are not the only supplier - read the info Gumby supplied to learn as much as you can about all the options). The billing code for the basic machine and the higher end APAP w/AFLEX is the same, so the DME doesn't make quite as much money if they have to give you the higher end blower. You might call ahead and see what brands of machines and masks they supply/recommend.
You might ask the doc for a make/model specific prescription -- again, do your homework so you know exactly what to ask for.
If you have questions -- ask away. We're here to help as best we can!!!!

Welcome to the forum -- keep us up on how you're doing!!!!!

Take care
cheers
goose

[Sleepy Dog Lover]

If they are a good DME, you will be able to try on a variety of masks at pressure. That is what they did for me at the DME, they would adjust it and try to stop any leaks. I was then able to choose which mask I wanted from that expererience. I found that invaluable. Of course the down side for me is that they would only give me the bare bones respironics plus, although it did at least have cflex. My insurance is pretty good, so I took that and insurance paid for it 100%, it is now my backup machine. I got my prescription and bought an auto from cpap.com for my main machine.