What Now?

[bunkit]

I just finished my 2nd sleep study. The technician hinted that I should stay on top of the sleep company for my results so that I might get my machine faster.

My question is...do I call the lady that scheduled my appointment or should I call my doctor and ask her to see if she can expedite the process?

Who makes out the prescription for the CPAP? A sleep study doctor who goes over my results or my own doctor?
Thanks to all I learned here and after my study last night, I'm pretty sure I know what I want.

Any idea on how long it's going to take now to get things going?

I apologize for all the questions.

Again, THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all that helped me. I really do appreciate each and everyone of you.

[bap40]

From my experience it took 2 weeks to get a script from the sleep doc who owns the sleep center that I went to... BUT any doc can write a script for a machine once they have the results. The sleep doc wrote out my script for a plain cpap and after fighting with them because I wanted an auto machine, I went to my family doctor and asked him to write for an auto machine. He was happy to do this for me and I got the machine I wanted. I fired the sleep clinic from being my DME and went to another place with my new script and was very satisfied. So I would say that you would need to push the sleep doc who is the one who will be reading your study and then go from there.

Good luck,
Brooke

[bunkit]

Thanks Brooke. You're reply prompted me to call my doctor. I'm going to see if she'll write it to begin with. I'm hoping to avoid going through some of what others have had to go through. Thanks!

[alnhwrd]

Either your sleep Dr or your regular Dr can write the prescription, which is what you need to get your machine. They will want to see the results of the titration study, the second one, to determine the pressure you should be set at. Since the sleep study will probably be sent to the sleep doc, it would be my guess he will write the RX. In my case the sleep doc reviewed the results and got the prescription out right away, but the DME he sent it to was slow in getting the machine for me, since they do not carry them in stock. It took two maddingly long weeks for the equipment to get to me.

If it were me I would call the sleep doc's office and politely ask if the doc has gotten the results and when you can expect the RX. It never hurts to be a bit of a squeaky wheel. If it takes too long, call your regular doc and see if he/she can expedite the process for you. Good luck.

[bunkit]

Oh great! So even after the script is written it can take a while? Fabulous! The sleep doctor would write it w/o talking to me?
I keep hoping someone will listen to the fact that I'm a flight attendant and give me a nice small machine.

[Wulfman]

Typically, the sleep lab goes over the data and then gives a report to the "sleep doctor". The sleep doctor is the one who writes the prescription (although ANY doctor could write a prescription for it).

As far as a time frame, it could be days to weeks. In my case it was about 3 weeks (in 2005).

Concerning expediting the procedure.......I guess you could call all parties involved and ask. (and then keep bugging them)

Den

[Wulfman]

Oh great! So even after the script is written it can take a while? Fabulous! The sleep doctor would write it w/o talking to me?
I keep hoping someone will listen to the fact that I'm a flight attendant and give me a nice small machine.

They're SUPPOSED to go over your sleep study with you, but I've read and heard of too many situations where that's not the case. Chalk it up to another "failure" in the world of sleep apnea treatment.

Den

[OCNorsk]

After I went in for my sleep study, I had a follow up appt with the dr. After that (same office, same time) I had a "fitting." Then the people who provide the machine came out to my house that afternoon and I was set.
Of course, she explained everything to me and all I understood was "Blah, blah, blah, Ginger," but they came back a couple times to help me with problems.

[sleepisgood]

Hi Bunkit, I know you, you Whacky woman you.

Personally, my sleep doc expected me to have severe OSA. She warned the sleep lab to expect that and asked them to really try to get a split study done so I could start CPAP faster. I had my study on a Tuesday, got a call from the DME my doc uses on Wednesday, and had my machine on Thursday. My DH was out of town on Wednesday and I was so scared by what little they had told me of my results that I slept in a recliner that night. I didn't want to die in my bed with no one around to take care of my toddler for a couple days. I'd been living with OSA for years and hadn't died so the odds of something happening in a couple days weren't high, but I completely understand why once it's a known problem it's scary to not be doing anything about it.

I didn't know then that I had choices about machines and DMEs, but I got lucky. Mine hasn't been perfect, but they're pretty good and they set me up with good equipment without me having to push for it.

They set me up with Swift LT nasal prongs, which were OK, but I also needed a chin strap (which I DETESTED) and the chin strap wasn't working well with the Swift headgear. So I switched to a Fisher Paykel (sp?) nasal mask, which was fine (except for needing a chin strap.) Then I got sick and needed a full face mask for a while. Even though it's a mask with good reviews (Mirage Quattro) it leaked constantly and didn't work for me. Then on a whim I tried the Swift LT again and was psyched to see that I liked it a lot better and had learned to sleep with my mouth closed so I didn't need the chin strap any more. My therapy numbers are awesome and I'm feeling better.

There was an adjustment period- I yanked my mask off every hour or two for a couple weeks. Now I put it on, lay down, and am out like a light. I used to wake up and be unable to get back to sleep- no more. I used to get night sweats and be in a fog every morning- no more. I used to take advil for aches and pains a couple times a day 5-6 days a week- I haven't taken any in over a month now. I'm not as cranky. Heck, my PMS is even better! Don't get frustrated- there is a way to make CPAP work for you, even if you don't find it on the first (or fifth) try.

When I linked you here I hadn't noticed the yellow light bulb at the top of the screen- it says "Our Wisdom." There is tons of good information for newbies all in one place there.

[bunkit]

Hi Bunkit, I know you, you Whacky woman you.

Ha! Which Whack are you?

I used the swift LT last night but it looked different then the one I had seen on the website that is linked here. This one did not go over my head but just down my face. Oh how I Loved it because I could read while I was getting drowsy. They tried another one on me but I was looking cross eyed. Didn't like that.

I wish someone had done it for me they way it was done for you. I'd sure like to have my machine before I return to work but that is this Saturday so I won't hold my breath. *snort*

They did not get a good read on me until 30 minutes before my study was over this morning. Did I mention that here already? I'm so tired I don't remember what I've already said.
My step dad has an extra CPAP machine and he tried to loan me one. I explained that they are specially made for each person but he didn't believe that.

I'm too tired to argue.

[Babette]

Bunky honey, you're Dad's right, and you're sleep deprived. You're doing the best you can with the available information.

You CAN borrow your Dad's machine. Just tell us what it is, and we'll walk you through setting it to your prescribed pressure.

Now, as to getting a machine. I had BAD LUCK with the DME my doc sent my script to. Ask if you can get your script yourself, and just buy online. Depends on your financial situation, of course. I buy from https://www.cpap.com, and then submit my own claim to my insurance. I only get 70% reimbursed, but I then take the 30% remainder, and write it off my FSA. It's worth it to me to do this, as the local DME's SUCK.

You might get lucky and have a great DME experience. It happens frequently.

I highly recommend Optioncare, a Walgreen's subsidiary, if you have acess to them. http://www.optioncare.com

They are very good here in my town, and I wish they carried the mask I like, but they say they can't do it. So, no worries. I can buy it online very easily.

Having a local DME IS valuable when you want to try on masks. So, even if you decide to buy your machine online, you may want to find a local DME for the mask.

We can help you with pressure setting on any machine. Just get all the info about the machine, and we'll send you the info you need.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!
Barbara

[lizpalika]

Sometimes you can move things along quickly! I had my sleep test on Thursday, the doctor wrote the prescription on Monday, and I had all my equipment and a class on using it by the next Wednesday. All in less than a week.

I'm only on my second week of using it but am already feeling amazingly better.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease!

Liz

[sleepisgood]

Hi Bunkit, I know you, you Whacky woman you.

Ha! Which Whack are you?

I used the swift LT last night but it looked different then the one I had seen on the website that is linked here. This one did not go over my head but just down my face. Oh how I Loved it because I could read while I was getting drowsy. They tried another one on me but I was looking cross eyed. Didn't like that.

I'm usually pretty quiet over there, but I'm the Whack who PM'd you with the name of this board, and who said even though there's no reason to hide the fact that you use a CPAP, I'm a dork who isn't ready to mention it over there.

Honestly, knowing now that your OSA is severe, a lot of stuff you posted in the past about being stressed/sick/etc. makes even more sense. I really hope that CPAP and better sleep are the "ticket" for you. (Ba-ba-bum.) I saw a thread here somewhere about OSA being used for FMLA- I don't know if that thread might still be helpful for you or not.

I'm no expert, but I know there's a Swift LT and a Swift II. One has the hose off to one side, one has the hose in the middle. The LT has the hose in the middle. (And there are likely other more important differences. Heh.)

You 'sound' so tired- I hope you get set up quickly!

[bunkit]

Bunky honey, you're Dad's right, and you're sleep deprived. You're doing the best you can with the available information.

You CAN borrow your Dad's machine. Just tell us what it is, and we'll walk you through setting it to your prescribed pressure.

I had no idea. I tried to get it going once and the freaking thing kept turning off. I figured that was because it was not set for me. It would come on for a few seconds, then cut off. I got so irritated...I gave up. I have not returned it to him yet.

It says REMstar pro 2 on it so I don't know if that's a really old model or what. It has a heat and RAMP button along with a start/stop button. There are also two 'arrow' type buttons on it.

[bunkit]

I'm a dork who isn't ready to mention it over there.

Honestly, knowing now that your OSA is severe, a lot of stuff you posted in the past about being stressed/sick/etc. makes even more sense. I really hope that CPAP and better sleep are the "ticket" for you. (Ba-ba-bum.) I saw a thread here somewhere about OSA being used for FMLA- I don't know if that thread might still be helpful for you or not.

I'm no expert, but I know there's a Swift LT and a Swift II. One has the hose off to one side, one has the hose in the middle. The LT has the hose in the middle. (And there are likely other more important differences. Heh.)

You 'sound' so tired- I hope you get set up quickly!

You're so silly.

FMLA for ourselves is like pulling teeth at work. Funny, I can get it because of my mother but there are flight attendants who have CANCER and they are turned down for the FMLA. It's really sad.

I have so much to learn about all this.

I am very tired and I just spoke with my doctor. I'm surprised. She's usually very helpful but this time she said she would go with the sleep study recommendation because THEY were there and she wasn't? I told her I had been researching and then she said, "but what you want might not be covered by your insurance."
This is not a huge concern to me because I think a couple of years of not getting sleep warrants the exact device that I need.
But...what do I know? Heh