It's useless, isn't it? :(

[ScrappinMom]

I think your temper must be longer than mine. I would have already lost it with them.

[GumbyCT]

Dotty, if you read where a newbie should start - you will learn all about the different machines and learn to request a copy of your sleep study AND the prescription for your records. It is found at the top of the forum Home Page. Then you can stop this very common run-a-round.

You haven't said who your Insurance is or what state - that can make a difference.

I know it doesn't help you but this is an all to common run-a-round. It took 4 weeks after my PSG before I got my machine. Then most insurances won't provide a bipap right off either. So post your info.

[DottyG]

You haven't said who your Insurance is or what state - that can make a difference.

United Healthcare in Texas.

I posted the results of my study with all the data in another thread a week or so ago. I'll try to find it to see if it has any info that might help.

[timbalionguy]

When this is all over, turn these idiots in to the State health care provider review board, whatever form it takes in Texas. With this level of gross ignorance and incompetence, they need their license yanked.

If it were me, they would have long ago discovered that some lions walk on two legs

[DottyG]

Nurse just called (yes, again).

She said the doctor won't write a prescription for a BiPap. He wants me to use a CPAP.

I thought that's why I did the whole titration thing - to find out what kind of machine I need. According to what they told me at the study, I need more pressure than a CPAP can give me, so they wanted me to do the BiPap.

Is this ok?

[jules]

what does the titration report indicate

oh and "nice kitty" ----

[Cygnusia]

Sounds like it's time to make a trip and personally talk to your doctor. This nurse seems like the typical incompetent and needs to be bypassed as soon as possible. It sounds like she's trying to get you off her back so she can go back to her coffee break...

[DottyG]

what does the titration report indicate

oh and "nice kitty" ----

"I recommend the use of BiPAP at 15/11; however, we need to keep in mind that this may actually be a suboptimal pressure. She will need a nocturnal pulse oximeter for two nights after being on BiPAP for one week. If there are any residual desaturations, it may be indicative for a higher pressure."

BIPAP is mentioned twice just in the "Recommendations" section of the report.

[jules]

and what problem does your doctor have with that?

do you need a doc that can read?

[ScrappinMom]

I would want a face-to-face with the dr to see why he thinks he knows better than the dr writing the report.
I would probably be waiting when they open tomorrow morning, too. This back and forth phone business is ridiculous.

[DottyG]

Y'all are right. I'm leaving a message right now that I want to talk to the doctor.

[DottyG]

Ok, the nurse is going to highlight the portion of the test that says I need a BiPAP and make sure the doctor sees it. We'll see if this makes a difference.

[TWW]

Dotty,

I had (still have; another story) some mask difficulties, and quickly learned that nothing gets the attention of a sleep center, nurse, doctor, tech, or DME faster than getting in the car and paying a visit. (Come to think of it, that also is true of educators, pastors, lawyers, and department store managers.)

[DottyG]

Just now, I was sitting here playing on the computer. And, I dozed off in the middle of doing something.

Yet, these people can't understand that I have a medical problem.

I'm so scared it's going to happen on the road, y'all. It hasn't before, but this is just getting worse. It's just a matter of time before something really tragic happens. And, I'll be the one who's been warning everyone all along.

[GumbyCT]

Dotty, you will serve yourself well to speak directly with your Insurance - tell them about your dilema and ask if they have "any" requirements to be prescribed a Bipap. That way you will know when your doc and DME begin spouting bull.

Many times the providers do NOT know if/when you can be prescribed a top notch machine. I went for 1.5yrs before I got my bipap. Even then I had to borrow my dads and use Encore Pro printouts to show the doc this worked better for me. The VA sleep doc before this one called herself an expert but refused to even discuss a bipap (or overnite O2 test) with me. When I got the bipap my therapy has gotten sooo much better.

The bipap is a very expensive machine and if you are not going to use cpap the Insurance may not want to pay. The bipap is also the very best in exhale relief that you will find.

Do not delay - call your insurance today.

Oh, oh and start a log - to write down your questions and who said what. You do know that in your condition memory loss is what the DME will use to confuse you even more.

Good Luck