qualifying for a new sleep study

[jimbud]

delete my profile.
I will just delete all my profile information & let you delete me permanently.
signing off.

Finally!

Do not let the virtual door hit you in the ass.

JPB

[zoocrewphoto]

it amazes me how someone can decide for whatever reason they need CPAP/APAP therapy & just go out & buy the equipment without doctor intervention. I am not that daring & would want a doctor to prescribe it & would want insurance to pay for 80%. This equipment is too expensive for insurance to not be involved. After being ragged on quite a bit, I find it funny that the person who gives me the hardest time hasn't been "officially" diagnosed for apnea. interesting.... and now, let the "ragging" begin as I know it will happen!

A lot of people have crappy health insurance or none at all. Some people have a $2000, even $5000 deductible. So, they have to pay 100% of the sleep study and machine out of pocket. And cpap machines usually cost much more at DMEs than online. Sometimes, even with insurance, the machine is cheaper online than the copay via insurance. I have insurance, but I buy my supplies via craigslist and ebay. Not worth dealing with a local DME.

Sleep studies are not cheap, and some of us are easily diagnosed. I had a split night, and I was easily severe in the first 2 hours. I never even made it to REM. So, my true level of severity is probably worse than my official diagnosis anyway.


I wish I had known I could buy a used machine and do it myself. I had not met my deductible. Even with part of it covered,I still had to pay $838 for the sleep study and another $600 for my portion of the machine. It was obvious I had sleep apnea. I knew it for years, but I didn't understand what that really meant and how it was causing long term damage. My doctor had been warning me about my blood pressure for a couple years,. Still high despite 3 medications. I snored loudly. Snorted a lot. Gasped and choked a lot. All the classic symptoms.

If somebody is already diagnosed, has a machine with full data, and just needs to improve treatment; there is no reason to do a sleep study unless there is a need to use a different type machine or some mystery that needs to be observed. The vast majority of people can improve treatment by looking at their data and making adjustments based on the data.

[Dog Slobber]

it amazes me how someone can decide for whatever reason they need CPAP/APAP therapy & just go out & buy the equipment without doctor intervention. I am not that daring & would want a doctor to prescribe it & would want insurance to pay for 80%. This equipment is too expensive for insurance to not be involved. After being ragged on quite a bit, I find it funny that the person who gives me the hardest time hasn't been "officially" diagnosed for apnea. interesting.... and now, let the "ragging" begin as I know it will happen!

You are judging people based on medical standards and ability to afford that you have available to you.

As documented in this thread:
viewtopic/t176658/Sister-in-Laws-Therapy.html

My Sister-in-law had symptom of OSA, Snoring, periods where she stopped breathing, day time tiredness, insomnia.

I talked to her about OSA and we proceeded to set her up on my spare machine, for a few nights, and look at her data.
Based on her data:
the presence of Hypopneas and Apneas
the device increasing pressure to address flow limitations and events
her responding with a smaller AHI as we optimized her pressure

She set up an appointment, based solely on our DIY therapy.

It took 5 and a half months for her sleep study, another month to discuss with her sleep doctor and she's scheduled to meet with the DME in two week to get her trial machine. 8 months.

The doctor informed her she had Sever Sleep Apnea, and when she shared that she had using my machine and her AHI was under 1, he told her to thank me for doing all the hard work.


Because of our DIY therapy she has been sleeping well, symptom free and enjoying life a hell of a lot better. It's unfortunate that you believe she should have been suffering for 8 months needlessly.

Portraying us as just deciding we need CPAP therapy is incorrect and completely disregarding the data from our devices, the knowledge and experience some of us choose to apply, which doesn't require a degree.

[Okie bipap]

I relied on military doctors for twenty years. They ran from very good to very bad and everything in between. I would much rather rely on information from people who have experience using one of these machines than relying on someone who only knows what the books say works. According to most doctors and DMEs, any AHI less than 5 is adequately treated. The DME's goal is to get paid and sell you as much equipment as they can. When I do use a DME, I always make it a point to tell them not to put me on the automated notification system. When I need supplies, I will contact them. Until then, leave me alone.

[palerider]

it amazes me how someone can decide for whatever reason they need CPAP/APAP therapy & just go out & buy the equipment without doctor intervention. I am not that daring & would want a doctor to prescribe it & would want insurance to pay for 80%. This equipment is too expensive for insurance to not be involved. After being ragged on quite a bit, I find it funny that the person who gives me the hardest time hasn't been "officially" diagnosed for apnea. interesting.... and now, let the "ragging" begin as I know it will happen!

No, they're not "too expensive for insurance not to be involved".

It is often *LESS EXPENSIVE* for people to buy a machine outright, without insurance, because ... in this day and age, Insurance often *does not pay 80%*.

You get "ragged on" when you post incorrect drivel, like this.

If you want to be able to post whatever noise you want and not be challenged, you're in the wrong place.

I'm sorry that you're lacking in 'daring'.

Also, I've never made it any sort of secret that I am self diagnosed, and self treated, 100%.

[palerider]

You are supposed to have a doctor's prescription in order to purchase CPAP equipment. Self diagnosis explains why so many people on this forum are buying used equipment from members of this forum ,

Wrong again... you ARE on a roll.

Bad insurance and incompetent doctors explains why "so many" people buy used machines.

Ebay

eBay forbids sale of medical equipment such as cpaps.

or Craig's list. No prescription required if buying used from sources other than authorized suppliers who do require a prescription for purchase. I am not sure I can trust advise from someone who has "self diagnosed" themselves.

You're certainly welcome put me on the foe list and not pay attention to anything I say, or better yet, find a forum that better suits your 'attitude'.

I'm sure we'd all be happier

Have a nice day.

[palerider]

delete my profile.
I will just delete all my profile information & let you delete me permanently.
signing off.

Finally!

Do not let the virtual door hit you in the ass.

JPB

So often, they threaten to leave, but just WON'T STAY AWAY!

[babydinosnoreless]

it amazes me how someone can decide for whatever reason they need CPAP/APAP therapy & just go out & buy the equipment without doctor intervention. I am not that daring & would want a doctor to prescribe it & would want insurance to pay for 80%. This equipment is too expensive for insurance to not be involved. After being ragged on quite a bit, I find it funny that the person who gives me the hardest time hasn't been "officially" diagnosed for apnea. interesting.... and now, let the "ragging" begin as I know it will happen!

I did the sleep study /doctor prescribed thing and what a nightmare. I wound up buying a backup machine from LSAT for half of the amount of the out of pocket portion I paid using my insurance for my first machine. My pressures are not even close to what was prescribed.

I buy some of my supplies from amazon as it is cheaper than using my insurance. The only reason I am using the insurance at all is my husband had some health issues/ surgery at the start of the year and we made our out of pocket expenses early in the year. I've been stocking up on supplies so I don't need anything next year (crossing fingers) if I do need stuff I will likely buy from Amazon as my out of pocket portion is more than just buying it on Amazon.

I've spent all of 5 min with my sleep doctor he looked at my compliance said your doing great and that was it. He never even noticed I switched my pressure to something other than the pressure he prescribed. Had I not found this forum and had pugsy and paleriders help my machine would have been tossed out the window and I would still be sleep deprived. They are both far more knowledgable than my doctor and I don't have to leave the privacy of my own home to bug them with questions. They have been nothing but patient and kind. They deal with us grumpy sleep deprived people for free out of the kindness of their hearts!

[zonker]

it amazes me how someone can decide for whatever reason they need CPAP/APAP therapy & just go out & buy the equipment without doctor intervention. I am not that daring & would want a doctor to prescribe it & would want insurance to pay for 80%. This equipment is too expensive for insurance to not be involved. After being ragged on quite a bit, I find it funny that the person who gives me the hardest time hasn't been "officially" diagnosed for apnea. interesting.... and now, let the "ragging" begin as I know it will happen!

Nonsense!

Den

.

this is EXACTLY why i put her on my foe list after her first week here.

i hate "holier-than-thou" bs like this.

[zonker]

by the way, I think I will try to find a different forum. administrators, you have me permission to delete my profile. I can't seem to do it myself. I will just delete all my profile information & let you delete me permanently. If I don't find a different forum, then I guess I don't need a forum to figure this out. I actually have a doctor & DME I trust (military system) and my experience has been mostly positive with my doctor/DME. I trust them more than most on this forum. good luck to everyone. signing off.

Some people can dish it out, but they can't take it.
When you're a "know-it-all", you aren't receptive to opinions from others. Sad!


Den

.

den, sorry to keep using you, but i won't look at her original posts.

APNEABOARD.COM IS THAT WAY ==================>

i'm sure she'll fit right in.

[Jas_williams]

by the way, I think I will try to find a different forum. administrators, you have me permission to delete my profile. I can't seem to do it myself. I will just delete all my profile information & let you delete me permanently. If I don't find a different forum, then I guess I don't need a forum to figure this out. I actually have a doctor & DME I trust (military system) and my experience has been mostly positive with my doctor/DME. I trust them more than most on this forum. good luck to everyone. signing off.

Some people can dish it out, but they can't take it.
When you're a "know-it-all", you aren't receptive to opinions from others. Sad!


Den

.

den, sorry to keep using you, but i won't look at her original posts.

APNEABOARD.COM IS THAT WAY ==================>

i'm sure she'll fit right in.

I doubt it they still advise patient advocacy and self titration over there, she’d be banned by now

[zonker]

den, sorry to keep using you, but i won't look at her original posts.

APNEABOARD.COM IS THAT WAY ==================>

i'm sure she'll fit right in.

I doubt it they still advise patient advocacy and self titration over there, she’d be banned by now
[/quote]

truth to tell, i've only been there a couple of times. asked a question that was never answered. it's part of the reason that if i see something here not answered, i'll at least bump it so it has the opportunity to get some attention.

besides, i hate their page layout. way too much white space for me.

[chunkyfrog]

Aunt ducky must be in Congress. Or another one-percenter . . .
We know they have no clue how insurance works for 99% of us.
Or don't really CARE.

[palerider]

besides, i hate their page layout. way too much white space for me.

Yeah, I agree. and donate buttons in between every other post.

[TropicalDiver]

Now, before the ragging begins, I am sure that not EVERYONE who buys used is a self-diagnosed person. I am sure that some of you who buy used do have a prescription, but choose to save money by buying used as your 20% co-pay can be pricey and you decide not to use your insurance by going through a DME or you may just want to purchase a second machine to try it out. But I am afraid I am always going to think you don't have insurance, and not an official diagnosis, & not trust what you have to say.

I will take a stab as to why someone would purchased used vs insurance.
1). They don't have insurance.
2). Their insurance doesn't yet allow for a new machine -- and they would like a spare or replace a poorly functioning machine.
3). They have a high deductible plan.
4). The cost difference between a used machine and the full dme price is large enough that 30 percent (or 20 or...) of dme prices is about equal to 100 percent of used.
5). If the model is a perpetual rent, the costs of rental often exceed purchase.
6). They would like a product not offered by their dme and/or their insurer.

These are all logical choices by a consumer....