This is killing me...

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea a few weeks ago (I have more than 75 sleep events an hour). I've been sleeping upwards of 20 hours a day some days and almost always more than 12.

DME wants me to wait until next wednesday for an appointment with the respiratory therapist so i can pick up my new bipap machine. I just don't know how much longer I can hang in there, it's interfering with my job, my personal life, my marriage, etc. Thinking about driving down there tomorrow and pleading with them to give me the equipment. It may sound like just a week to you guys, but it's an eternity to me.

Call the DME and ask what is holding up your appointment. You may be able to speed things up if there is an issue with insurance or if you are willing to come to the office to meet with an RT. Insurance often seems to require DMEs to send a form to the prescribing dr. that my dr. says asks a few questions the prescription already answers, but is required by either the DME or insurance. If your machine is one that is not in stock, the DME may have to order it. I agree, a week can seem like forever once you are diagnosed with sleep apnea.

If the DME can't or won't speed up the process, you are not stuck using the DME your dr. may have recommended. You can go to any DME that your insurance covers in network (assuming you are using insurance or Medicare). You may find one that has the machine you need in stock and ready to meet with you sooner. You will need a copy of your sleep study and CPAP prescription, which you should keep a copy of FOREVER, as you may need the initial sleep study and prescription if you switch DMEs or want to order online, and sleep study labs sometimes go out of business, such as the one that did my original sleep study.

I hope you get your equipment and start getting better sleep very soon!!

MarylandCPAPer wrote:Call the DME and ask what is holding up your appointment. You may be able to speed things up if there is an issue with insurance or if you are willing to come to the office to meet with an RT. Insurance often seems to require DMEs to send a form to the prescribing dr. that my dr. says asks a few questions the prescription already answers, but is required by either the DME or insurance. If you machine is one that is not in stock, the DME may have to order it. I agree, a week can seem like forever once you are diagnosed with sleep apnea.

If the DME can't or won't speed up the process, you are not stuck using the DME your dr. may have recommended. You can go to any DME that your insurance covers in network (assuming you are using insurance or Medicare). You may find one that has the machine you need in stock and ready to meet with you sooner. You will need a copy of your sleep study and CPAP prescription, which you should keep a copy of FOREVER, as you may need the initial sleep study and prescription if you switch DMEs or want to order online, and sleep study labs sometimes go out of business, such as the one that did my original sleep study.

I hope you get your equipment and start getting better sleep very soon!!

Thanks!

Wish I could say it were any of those. They already have insurance approval and I'm meeting them at their location. I try not to fault them too much...it's 'just a week'...but I've been dealing with this for years, and the last 6 months or so it's gone down hill FAST (we moved from NJ to TN...and the climate change caused my nose, with it's deviated septum, to cease to exist for all intents and purposes! ). It's hard not to be grouchy when I'm so close...I'm hoping to resolve it tomorrow (today, since it's 2:22am here). If they can't help me today or promise me something by friday I'm going to find another who can...or maybe even buy something off an online website (and ship it overnight). My wife has sleep apnea (married 6 years, together for over 10...genetic for her...don't know where it came from for me...not all that overweight and I've had this problem since before I was overweight. Does not run in the family) so we both know the drill. If i had the machine and supplies, we could program it ourselves and I'd get able to start treatment and hopefully get better.

Yes, the waiting is hard. Do what you can to expedite things. In the meantime, keep in mind that side or stomach sleeping often produces fewer events than back sleeping. Some find elevating the head of the bed a few inches helpful. Others wear a cervical collar that can be picked up at the drug store. None of these will cure you, but maybe you can get some degree of relief by trying these tips while you're waiting.

My sleep doc is the only one for miles around and he's also the only brick-and-mortar DME for CPAPs. When they told me it was going to take 2 weeks to get me a machine, I flipped out on them. Then I had them send my Rx to cpap.com. Got my machine 24 hours later. Had to pay cash & submit a paper claim to insurance. WORTH. IT.

Okay...here's another thought.
Do you know your prescribed pressure? Would this DME at least sell you a mask?
Is the machine in stock or have they had to order it? If they have it and are waiting for RT free time to show you how to use it...that's easily found on the internet.
If they had to order it and don't...not much you can do.

Where do you live? Check your local craigslist for a cheap machine to get you by and at least get you started.
You are eventually going to want a backup anyway. Get it now instead of later.

You can buy online if you have a copy of your RX to submit but be sure to check with your insurance as to whether they would reimburse you if your purchased online. Cpap.com will send you via email a universal insurance form but not all insurance plans will cover purchases made like that. Some will and consider it an out of network service...some won't cover it at all and won't reimburse anything.

What machine are you getting? Do you know brand and model?

I have a mask I could overnight or priority mail to you...I need to check to see what it is...someone donated some masks and mask parts and I need to see what is in the box.
It's a donated item...all I ask is reimbursement for postage costs.

betam4x wrote:pick up my new bipap machine

Obstructive sleep apnea is generally more severe when backsleeping. Gravity is directly pulling the tongue and soft palate into the airway.

Until you get your machine, make sure you do not sleep on your back. Sleep on your sides or stomach. Some tricks people have used - arrange pillows against the back; put a tennis ball in the pocket of a T-shirt and wear the shirt backwards; wear a backpack that has some items stuffed in it.

Good luck.

I totally missed the bipap part...which bipap are you supposed to be getting?
I got one that needs to go to a new home that I might could be willing to part with at a fair price.
It's a Respironics Bipap Auto 60 series...includes humidifier...no heated hose though but easily upgraded.
Contact me privately for more details if you are interested. I normally use Priority mail but would be willing to do the overnight thing for additional postage costs.

betam4x wrote: the last 6 months or so it's gone down hill FAST (we moved from NJ to TN...and the climate change caused my nose, with it's deviated septum, to cease to exist for all intents and purposes! ).

For a deviated septum I use a product called Snorepins sold on Amazon. I have to secure them with a bit of tape to my nares, but it's easy to do. I also had to cut off the last most part with a razor knife cuz they are too big/long for my nose as sold. The red line is where I cut them off. Mine have lasted a couple of years with gentle handling. Send me a PM if you or anyone else needs a writeup and tips on this product.

Many customers want an RT to give them a machine, but the DME can also have what is called an "exemptee" give the machine (at least in my state)- see if they have one and let them know that would be fine with you.

I got my machine the same day, after hours-the RT said it was listed as an emergency. I had called my insurance and told them what my concerns were and that the DME was taking a week to get me my machine, They called the DME and bingo I had my appointment. Elicit help from anyone and everyone connected to your health, GP, sleep doc, insurance. You are doing great to not get angry with them already, I have never found that to work either. Actually most people you find in the industry do want to help people if you give them a chance and ask for their help. If they can't, is there someone they could talk with that can-manager, supervisor

If you happen to have ever had heart problems, make sure they know about it, they don't want the liability.

Thanks for the posts everyone and sorry for the delayed response. The delay is due to their respiratory therapist. This company makes you book an appointment with their respiratory therapist for some reason (checked with 3 other providers, none of them do, but all would have to order the machine since they don't have it in stock and would have to order it.) My wife got their CEO on the phone, and they did move the appointment to this monday which is good. So I will have my equipment monday...

It turns out I have both severe obstructive as well as severe central sleep apnea.