At Home Sleep Apnea Test

[G'night Gracie]

Newbie here. Has anyone tried this: Home Sleep Testing For Sleep Apnea: Test Kits Only $349. Here at 1800CPAP.COM we are proud to offer a free home sleep test evaluation. Saw it suggested in a reply to dos coyotes, whose situation is very similar to mine. Even when I had insurance, the thought of being observed while sleeping in a lab environment, put me off from seeking diagnosis/treatment. Now, after extensive reading here and on other apnea sites, the possibility that I may be able to pursue treatment in a less invasive/expensive way has me feeling very hopeful! Any replies, feedback are appreciated. Thank you so much for all that I have learned so far on this forum!

[cosmo]

This looks to be a result sample.

[G'night Gracie]

Thank you, Cosmo. Are you saying that someone on this forum used the at-home test and posted these results? Also, will I actually receive a prescription that I can use to shop suppliers for equipment? From what I've read, the ResMed S9 Auto-Set CPAP and the ResMed S9 VPAP Auto are good candidates, but the names and terms are so similar, I may be confused. Bottom line is, I hope to start by buying a great machine, then do the work to get great results. If having a prescription will facilitate that, looks like the at-home testing might be the way for me to go. Thanks again for your reply!

[BlackSpinner]

Thank you, Cosmo. Are you saying that someone on this forum used the at-home test and posted these results? Also, will I actually receive a prescription that I can use to shop suppliers for equipment? From what I've read, the ResMed S9 Auto-Set CPAP and the ResMed S9 VPAP Auto are good candidates, but the names and terms are so similar, I may be confused. Bottom line is, I hope to start by buying a great machine, then do the work to get great results. If having a prescription will facilitate that, looks like the at-home testing might be the way for me to go. Thanks again for your reply!

You would have to take it to someone who writes prescriptions - like your doctor, dentist or anyone like that.

ETA: I had a home sleep test but through the hospital where the doctor practised. i was also glad to do it in my own bed as I have a hard time sleeping in a strange bed the first night.

[Pugsy]

Per the website 1800cpap.com....they will get a doctor to interpret and recommend and provide a RX

1. You simply order our test kit the ApneaLink™ Plus Home Sleep Apnea Test Device

2. We send you the test kit with detailed instructions and a return label. We also send you a medical history form to fill out.
3. We get the device back and manually score the results by one of our Registered sleep technicians
4. We give the results of the test to a Board Certified Sleep Physician who interprets the results and makes the necessary recommendations
5. We will call you with the recommendations and send you a copy of the report.
6. If you have a positive test for sleep apnea and a CPAP machine is recommended we will send the prescription along with the interpreted report.

[cosmo]

From that $350 home test, you will be given a prescription if cpap is needed.

3. We get the device back and manually score the results by one of our Registered sleep technicians
4. We give the results of the test to a Board Certified Sleep Physician who interprets the results and makes the necessary recommendations
5. We will call you with the recommendations and send you a copy of the report.
6. If you have a positive test for sleep apnea and a CPAP machine is recommended we will send the prescription along with the interpreted report.
7. All of our patients that use our Home Sleep Testing Program qualify for 15% off all approved CPAP equipment and supplies

[GordieK]

The following is my experience with the 1800cpap home test last year. The unit included a belt around the chest for respiration and a finger sensor, presumably for pulse and oxygen saturation. A couple of weeks after I sent it back, I received a one page report and a prescription for an autobpap set wide open at 8 and 20. Both the report and the prescription were nearly illegible. The prescription did not include the name, address or any contact information for the physician. I called 1800cpap and requested contact information for the physician and a legible copy of both the report and the prescription. I was assured that they would send it promptly, but I have never received it.

I subsequently had a conventional sleep study at a local lab and followed their recommendations.

[Otter]

Too bad the kit is a rental. At that price I'd get one if I could keep the equipment.

I think home testing has huge advantages over lab testing. You're not going to sleep every night in the lab, after all. Many people don't sleep deeply enough in a strange bed with strangers watching them for their apnea to even manifest the first night. And moving to the lab changes many other variables that may skew the results.

With that kit, there is no way they could titrate your pressure, hence the wide open settings the prescribed for Gordie. I titrated myself, though, and think most people would be able to do it pretty easily with an APAP machine. If it turns out you have CompSAS or other problems that make titration more challenging, you can still go to a lab for titration or PSG if that's what it takes.

One caveat: When your sleep study comes from a DME, there is a conflict of interest if you don't actually need any of their equipment. They'll have an incentive to make things seem more severe than they really are. I'm not saying 1800CPAP would do that. I've bought parts from them a few times and would recommend them for that. And the conflict of interest problem is common with sleep labs and doctors too. Just keep your eyes open and don't necessarily believe everything they tell you just because they told you. You can bring your results to the forum for a reality check if you have any doubts.

[Otter]

The following is my experience with the 1800cpap home test last year. The unit included a belt around the chest for respiration and a finger sensor, presumably for pulse and oxygen saturation.

Were there any EEG sensors? If so, how many and how did they attach?

A couple of weeks after I sent it back, I received a one page report and a prescription for an autobpap set wide open at 8 and 20.

Is that "autopap" or "autobipap"?

Both the report and the prescription were nearly illegible.

Why was the report difficult to read? Was their printer out of toner or something?

The prescription did not include the name, address or any contact information for the physician

I didn't even know that was possible. Without a physician's name, how would anyone know that piece of paper is a valid prescription? Is it signed?

[G'night Gracie]

Thank you so very much, cosmo, BlackSpinner, Pugsy, GordieK, and Otter, for your replies! I'll be pursuing the at-home sleep test, and will PM some of this forum's trusted sellers for leads on equipment.

Gracie

[Otter]

Thank you so very much, cosmo, BlackSpinner, Pugsy, GordieK, and Otter, for your replies! I'll be pursuing the at-home sleep test, and will PM some of this forum's trusted sellers for leads on equipment.

They're not on the forum, but give http://SecondWindCPAP.com a try. Their customer service is at a level that I doubt you'll find anywhere else. It's a small bricks and mortar shop in MN, and they treat all their customers like small-town neighbors. And you can talk to an experienced RT who uses CPAP himself and strongly supports people managing their own therapy. That is something you won't get from any other online DME I know of.

Also, you can save some money buying a nearly new machine. They sell machines that have been used less than 500 hours and then cleaned and treated with ozone as they would be in a hospital. They also usually have a few unused, "open box" machines and a limited selection of new equipment.

[G'night Gracie]

Thank you so very much, cosmo, BlackSpinner, Pugsy, GordieK, and Otter, for your replies! I'll be pursuing the at-home sleep test, and will PM some of this forum's trusted sellers for leads on equipment.

They're not on the forum, but give http://SecondWindCPAP.com a try. Their customer service is at a level that I doubt you'll find anywhere else. It's a small bricks and mortar shop in MN, and they treat all their customers like small-town neighbors. And you can talk to an experienced RT who uses CPAP himself and strongly supports people managing their own therapy. That is something you won't get from any other online DME I know of.

Also, you can save some money buying a nearly new machine. They sell machines that have been used less than 500 hours and then cleaned and treated with ozone as they would be in a hospital. They also usually have a few unused, "open box" machines and a limited selection of new equipment.

Thank you, Otter! SecondWind is now on my radar. Also, I've contacted equipment sellers on this forum. And, drum roll please!! I purchased the At-Home Sleep Study today! Will let y'all know how it goes, as maybe a small way to pay forward the support I'm so grateful for here.

[johnthomasmacdonald]

yes, they are the ones that gave me my diagnosis of moderate apnea with an ahi of 21 which has been confirmed with the machine they then sold me. Their prices are good, roughly equivalent of cpap.com - more on some items, less on others. If you have apnea you'll get a prescription that you can then use anywhere.

[G'night Gracie]

Have received the at-home test kit, and will give it a go tonight. Any idea how tight the chest strap needs to be? I think it measures respiratory effort during sleep, and it's elastic with a Velcro fastener. I just left a message on the 1800cpap.com site, but don't know if I'll hear back before bedtime. You input appreciated!

[Sir NoddinOff]

A few months ago I had a long conversation, via the telephone, with the main sleep tech at 1800CPAP. The home testing process does include a prescription if you exhibit apnea symptoms, however he was very upfront about the fact that Medicare, Medicaid and many insurance companies generally will not accept their prescriptions. My feeling was that if a self-treating patient wanted to buy new equipment from 1800CPAP, that they would be happy to sell you a new machine if you are willing to put up the cash for it. That being said I've bought masks and minor stuff from them in the past and they do have good prices and fast free shipping with no tax - no complaints there. However that being said, our website host also has very good discount pricing also. Something to consider.