Well, my study results are in...

[Geddy]

Just called to get my results from my sleep study last Wednesday.

Thanks to you folks, this time I knew to ask questions. I know I'll have more for the DME company.

AHI number is 74.7.
Oxygen desaturation was 78%.

They're faxing my order for a CPAP over to the DME company today, but she said I likely wouldn't hear anything from them until Tuesday, because of the holiday weekend.

She also said that they were going to keep me on oxygen for a while with the CPAP machine and monitor it, which I can't figure out how that's going to work, but I'm sure they'll tell me.

Oh, and my pressure is 13cm with a ramp of 6cm over 20 minutes to 13cm. I guess that means a slow build-up or something.

Wish I could get the machine sooner. She said my numbers improved dramatically after they put the mask on me. My AHI dropped to 9.6m which she said should get better over time, and my oxygen went back up to an average of 94%,

Guess I need this. She said it's no wonder they came in the middle of the night and did the split study.

[lbw]

Best of luck with the CPAP. With your numbers you should certainly begin to feel better fast. Just the oxygen alone will help. You will have to update and let us now what maching and mask you are getting. I certainly have found lots of help and support from this forum.

[djr1215]

She also said that they were going to keep me on oxygen for a while with the CPAP machine and monitor it, which I can't figure out how that's going to work, but I'm sure they'll tell me.

Both of the masks I use have supplemental ports or supplemental oxygen.

[jdm2857]

You're correct on the ramp function. The machine will start out at 6 and increase to 13 over 20 minutes. After adjusting to CPAP, many users find that they no longer need ramp and turn it off.

Make sure that your get a machine with full data capabilities. If your DME favors Respironics, you want the Pro or the Auto, not the Plus, and not the no-name machine usually referred to as the DS150. Pro or Auto will be part of the name printed on the top of the machine.

For ResMed, you want either the Elite or AutoSet, not the Escape.

In addition to the regular CPAP functions, the machines with "Auto" in their names are capable of adjusting your pressure according to your data. This feature can be very helpful, but, of course, costs more.

[Geddy]

I didn't know I had any actual say in the machine that I get. If insurance is covering it at 100%, sadly, don't they dictate that, to some extent?

[jdm2857]

Most insurance pay suppliers by HCPCS code. The code for all straight CPAPs and automatic CPAPs (APAPs) is the same (E0601), so the insurance company pays the DME the same amount, no matter which machine you get. Since the insurance company only cares about money, they don't care which machine you get.

The DME is another story. Since they get the same amount for any machine, and they, too, only care about money, they want to supply you with the cheapest machine possible. So you may have to wrangle a bit. One way is to imply that you will go to another DME (if your insurance company give you a choice) if they don't fulfill your request. Another is to have your doctor specify what you want on the prescription. The DME is legally bound to follow the prescription.

Most people just accept whatever the DME provides. Don't be one of them. If the DME gives you a hassle, come back here for more advice. Just don't take home a non-data-capable machine.