My split study story and questions about DME

[TimeToSleep]

Updated with results of my sleep study -- skip ahead to 7th post.

Hey all,

Well I want to share my story but I'll also keep it short. My father has been a "hose head" for as long as I can remember...10 years or better. I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. My doctor referred me to a sleep doctor, who sent me in for a split study. For what it's worth -- I'm not sure if I have apnea or not. I might snore a little, quietly, a few times during the night, but not loud or constant, etc.

Well my split study was yesterday and I'm not sure if it went well or not. I felt fine about the study (Nice sleep center, hotel-like environment, great techs, etc.) but I guess I have some anxiety about the possibility/changes of being diagnosed with apnea, so my brain wouldn't calm down and didn't feel like I slept well at ALL. I felt like when I would start falling asleep my heart rate would go up -- like my brain was trying to keep my body from sleeping.

I used the restroom about 3 hours in and I felt like I had not slept at all. There were also a few wire problems in the middle of the night, so I was interrupted by the tech probably 2-3 times in addition to my own struggles getting to sleep. Perhaps unsurprising (perhaps not?) -- the "split" part of my split test never arrived. They put a nasal mask on me during the initial "setup" but I did not wear one during the night.

So who knows what that means. I do wear a fitbit (Charge HR) so looking at it later I was surprised to see that it thinks I slept about 5.5 hours out of the 8 hr sleep study. Hopefully they got enough data out of that!

That's my story. Now my question.

As part of the intake paperwork the sleep center made me pick a DME supplier. There were a list of local DMEs or the option for me to write my own in. They did tell me I could call and change my DME at any time, but they insisted that I pick a DME during intake. Also...surprise surprise...the sleep center IS ALSO a DME! It looks like they carry exactly one line of equipment -- Philips System One.


Anyway -- how does the sequence of events typically work between the sleep doctor, the Rx, and receiving equipment? I am fortunate enough to have outstanding insurance so I honestly don't anticipate running into any issues from that side, getting whatever the doc prescribes. It seems putting the cart-before-horse to call and change my DME (After all I'm not even diagnosed yet!) but is it pretty typical that I'll have plenty of time and options to intervene or will the doctor write the Rx and that's that?

Of course part of me hopes there won't even be a CPAP to concern myself with -- but certainly if that's what I need, I want to make sure I "get the best," so to speak.


Thanks for your expertise!

[palerider]

perhaps the most important thing at this point is to make sure they don't saddle you with a piece of crap no-data machine.

for respironics, avoid anything that says "plus".

for resmed, anything that says "escape" or on the new ones CPAP (confusing, yes) elite and autoset are both good.

here's a nice information source for looking up machines, avoid anything that has "NO" in the data field.

https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment/cpapmachines

[Sheriff Buford]

Hey Time! Welcome to the forum. I don't know a person in this forum that got a good night's sleep during their sleep study and everyone thinks they didn't sleep enough... so don't worry about that. Lets all hope you don't have this disease. Wouldn't wish it on anybody! You may call your insurance to make sure they do or do not deal with certain DME's. Call the sleep center and ask for a copy of your sleep report. It's yours and they are required to give you a copy. Make sure, as the Palerider says, you don't get a bad machine. DME's are always trying to sponge off bad machines to unsuspecting (and uneducated) customers. Educate yourself on this forum. There are tabs at the top of the forum's homepage for new members. Philips Respironics and Resmed make the top machines. Go to their web page(s) and read up on their machines. Write down the model number you decide on and make sure the DME doesn't try to pawn off a cheaper model on you. Finding a mask that doesn't leak and is comfortable is the key to successful therapy. I went thru 6 or 7 masks until I found the one I use today. Work all your issues here. We'll help you thru all this.

Sheriff

[Julie]

Agree with everything except calling OSA a 'disease'. It isn't one, but it is a condition, like many other chronic ones that need ongoing management. A disease is something usually more acute that also usually gets worse fairly quickly, but while OSA can get slightly worse over the years, if properly treated, you're not likely to die from it (alone), and related e.g. cardiac problems are less likely to affect you.

[TimeToSleep]

Thanks.

So we'll see what the results are. I am a believer of "expect the best / prepare for the worst," or the shorter Boy Scout version: "Be Prepared."

So after reading some other people's experiences, my understanding of the "sequence of events" that may follow if I am diagnosed with apnea is this:

• Doctor would call and let me know, possibly want me to come in for another appointment.
• Doctor's office sends Rx over to sleep center (Or "sleep center" writes the Rx -- doctor is affiliated with sleep center).
• Sleep center sends Rx to the DME that I picked while I was there BUT...
• I am still in control. I can work with that DME. If I am not impressed or not getting what I want, I can "fire" them and take my Rx to a different DME of my choosing.

In the mean time, while waiting for results, is a good time to:
• Confirm with my insurance company that they pay by code / have 1 set cost for machine.
• Find out who some "in-network" DMEs are, since my benefits are much much better.

[OkyDoky]

You have a good start there. If you had enough events to diagnosis, the next step will probably be one of 2 since you did not sleep with the mask .
1. They will set up a second appt.
2. They will give you a wide open autoset to treat you. (If so you probably will need the therapy fine tuned to make it work best for you.)

Even though they fax the DME your Rx also get a written copy of it and your sleep study. It will be needed if you change doctors, change DMEs, want to order something online and pay for it yourself, or if you travel and something happens to your mask and machine.
And like others have said make sure that your insurance has that DME in network.

[TimeToSleep]

Well the results are in. My doctors office mails me reminders of upcoming appointments. I ripped one of those open tonight and lo and behold -- it was actually the results of my sleep study.

I scored 8 events / hr with an Oxy low of 87%. I don't know how that "compares" but it seems quite mild compared to some of the numbers I've seen on here.

Anyway it looks like the sequence this Doc prefers is go get an Autoset from the DME that the sleep center runs, and schedule a follow-up with the Doc.

So I guess the fun begins now. I'll call the DME and see if they're wanting to actually "sell" me a CPAP or if I'm just borrowing one to auto-titrate at home and go from there.

In the few weeks waiting for my results, I went from "denial" to "acceptance." It will be interesting to see how/if this changes my quality of life, with the apnea being so mild.

Wish me luck.

[Cardsfan]

Call your ins. co. and ask them what your ins. covers for your equipment. (don't trust the DME to know the details of your plan). Your ins. will tell you if you rent or buy it.
Also, get a copy of your prescription. In case you want to order online supplies, or have an emergency out of town and need supplies. I keep a pic. of my prescription on my cell phone in the photos.

You are definitely going to feel a difference being treated. Waking up 8 times every hour is not good.

[TimeToSleep]

Thanks again, everyone, for the info.

The DME (slash sleep center) finally called me today but I didn't return their call in time, I'll call them tomorrow.

I was able to get my Rx from the doctor as well as the summary that he diagnosed from. It's just a 2-pager but it has a lot more info and makes me feel a lot more...well instead of saying pessimistic about my sleep, let's say optimistic about the chances of CPAP improving it. He indeed wrote a script for an Auto PAP with a wide range of pressure, wrote for Respironics (or other brand of patient prefers) -- so that should make that part a little easier too.

I'll call the sleep center tomorrow and see if they want my business or if they are an all Respironics shop (I want the ResMed), and ask about getting more data.

Thanks again! I think I'll sign off this thread now and see what happens next.

[Thatgirl]

Having a script for an Autoset is great. They can't strap you with a brick that way, unless you somehow end up with the S9 Escape Auto, which I'm almost positive isn't being sold any more. Make sure you save a copy of that script- even if you want to order a new mask to try from online, you'll be glad you have it instead of needing to pester the office again. The office you ended up with sounds like a good one- they're not trying to force you into a specific DME or brand- particularly theirs, they're not forcing you to have a second expensive study for titration, and they're game for treating your mild apnea.