Cease CPAP Use Two Weeks before Sleep Study?

[lazarus]

A message to doc's staff might be in order if you have concerns.

Frankly I had no concerns about a retest until I read this thread and the other one (about a two? day suspension).

Well, then, that's what you get for reading informative threads on the Internet!

Don't let us geeking out over the details in threads throw you. I mean, home sleep tests aren't usually something one has to study for--they grade them on a curve, and they don't usually make up much of the final grade for the semester.

As the saying goes:

For the best sleep at the Oz Sleep Center, pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. Just follow the instructions from the great and powerful Dr. Wizard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWyCCJ6B2WE

[lazarus]

. . . carried a study out . . .

I'm glad they do it. Interesting stuff!

But I'm still too opinionated to have a personal opinion on how to formulate an effective washout-retest protocol with real-world application for safety vs. accuracy of diagnosis and treatment, beyond perhaps the establishment of accepted interval timings for further research studies. Just too many blasted complicated variables that can't be screened for/out in the actual user population.

[chunkyfrog]

. . .
pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. Just follow the instructions from the great and powerful Dr. Wizard.
. . .

That is why most of us wind up HERE.

[lazarus]

. . .
pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. Just follow the instructions from the great and powerful Dr. Wizard.
. . .

That is why most of us wind up HERE.

True that. But we're among the ones who made it back alive. So at least we have THAT going for us.

I don't mean to make light of it. My heart goes out to any making the decision. But with the lack of data, sometimes a doc's eye-balling it and our trusting it is just plain the best any of us have got. Blind trust, bad; but verified trust, good. Nod to Rumsfeld and his "known unknowns."

[SleepGeek]

Actually traditional Medicare and G supplement

afaik - if you have a copy of your last test and it is at least 120 min diagnostic I do believe Medicare will accept that.

If someone is telling you diff call Medicare and speak to the horse.

[Tec5]

@ sleep geek. If you are addressing me, I have no idea what you or Chunkyfrog are talking about. Does insurance have anything to do with a Cpap washout period?

[lazarus]

@ sleep geek. If you are addressing me, I have no idea what you or Chunkyfrog are talking about. Does insurance have anything to do with a Cpap washout period?

They may be trying to wrap their heads around why anyone using PAP would do a diagnostic retest, assuming insurance must be demanding it. The less info that is given (which is fine), the more that will be assumed, deduced, and inferred by other posters in an attempt to cover all bases in trying to be helpful to you or to others in a similar circumstance. At least, I know I'm often guilty of that.

Maybe you posted more info in other threads that has been missed.

[SleepGeek]

@ sleep geek. If you are addressing me, I have no idea what you or Chunkyfrog are talking about. Does insurance have anything to do with a Cpap washout period?

I am addressing you.
I have never heard of a washout period so I'm gonna say that Insurance will have something to say about anything you expect them to cover.

You never said why you need this sleep study?

IF your doc told you it is needed for Medicare to cover cpap supplies I would call Medicare - as I said if you have a copy of a study that meets their requirements then you are just wasting your time.

IF your doc told you this and it turns out its not needed that is a signal its time to find another doc.
btw - is this a sleep doc, a primary, or something else?

But I'm sure Medicare (or your Advantage Plan if thats what it is) can guide you.
Is this the good 'ol fashioned Medicare or is there some special things it covers that the Original Medicare doesn't?
Let put it this way - who are you paying?

[SleepGeek]

They may be trying to wrap their heads around why anyone using PAP would do a diagnostic retest, assuming insurance must be demanding it. The less info that is given (which is fine), the more that will be assumed, deduced, and inferred by other posters in an attempt to cover all bases in trying to be helpful to you or to others in a similar circumstance. At least, I know I'm often guilty of that.

Maybe you posted more info in other threads that has been missed.

Yes exactly.
fwiw - Rubicon is a respected RPSGT and asked some questions I didn't see answered.
IF all else fails here - follow his advise.

[Tec5]

@ sleep geek. If you are addressing me, I have no idea what you or Chunkyfrog are talking about. Does insurance have anything to do with a Cpap washout period?

I am addressing you.
I have never heard of a washout period so I'm gonna say that Insurance will have something to say about anything you expect them to cover.

I've kept to one thread and first posted on this subject here on Monday at 5:34. https://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t184 ... 5#p1410442 There I explained that we (my doctor and I decided to schedule a reassessment study. For some reason Chunkyfrog https://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t184 ... 0#p1410502 started an insurance (conspiracy?) angle on the subject of ceasing cpap use two weeks before a new sleep study and seemed to suggest that HMO's might be trying to do something. (I still don't understand what his contention is- but let it pass) Regrettably I replied that my insurance was not a "low premium - "get what you pay for", but was traditional Medicare with a G supplement).

[Tec5]

Rubicon is a respected RPSGT and asked some questions I didn't see answered.

The only question Rubicon asked of me was "What was the AHI on the home study?" https://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t184 ... 0#p1410497

I don't know how that is pertinent, as the decision to schedule a lab study has already been made. It seemed like Rubicon is looking to evaluate our decision, or a least express an opinion on that action. My only interest was in understanding the issue that Chicago Grandma was so incensed about, as that issue (pre-test cessation) was pertinent to me.

So. just to satisfy anyone's curiosity, the AHI was just barely over the threshold required by Medicare for coverage.

Sorry to sound so abrupt, but sometimes these threads can really get off track and lose focus.

[SleepGeek]

I've kept to one thread and first posted on this subject here on Monday at 5:34. https://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t184 ... 5#p1410442 There I explained that we (my doctor and I decided to schedule a reassessment study. For some reason Chunkyfrog https://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t184 ... 0#p1410502 started an insurance (conspiracy?) angle on the subject of ceasing cpap use two weeks before a new sleep study and seemed to suggest that HMO's might be trying to do something. (I still don't understand what his contention is- but let it pass) Regrettably I replied that my insurance was not a "low premium - "get what you pay for", but was traditional Medicare with a G supplement).

Welcome to the zoo.

I don't know how long you've been on cpap or how successful you've been. But there is a chance if you forget to wear the cpap after you've used it for a period of time that you might have a heart attack or a stroke.
I guess the question is - do you feel lucky?

Repeating... I would contact Medicare to see if your last sleep study meets their requirements.

In case your not aware - the sleep business is all about making money.
Meaning doctors will lie - DME's (equipment suppliers) & Sleep Labs will also lie - the info they will steer you to is so they can make the most profit for your problem.

[Rubicon]

The only question Rubicon asked of me was "What was the AHI on the home study?" https://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic/t184 ... 0#p1410497

I don't know how that is pertinent, as the decision to schedule a lab study has already been made. It seemed like Rubicon is looking to evaluate our decision, or a least express an opinion on that action. My only interest was in understanding the issue that Chicago Grandma was so incensed about, as that issue (pre-test cessation) was pertinent to me.

So. just to satisfy anyone's curiosity, the AHI was just barely over the threshold required by Medicare for coverage.

Frankly, I don't know how you don't see how this is pertinent.

If you want to remain on CPAP; and

You want Medicare to cover it; and

You believe that the hysteresis effect exists; and

Testing without a "washout" period of a day or 2 will (may) result in an AHI lower than your "actual" AHI; and

AHI was just barely over the threshold required by Medicare for coverage; then

There's a chance your AHI would now be just barely below the threshold required by Medicare for coverage.

[Rubicon]

So. just to satisfy anyone's curiosity, the AHI was just barely over the threshold required by Medicare for coverage.

And thank you SFM for satisfying my curiosity!

[Rubicon]

Actually traditional Medicare and G supplement

Oh damn.

I'm curious again.

What scoring criteria was used in the home study?