Hello from a "pre-newbie"

morphy · Post by **morphy** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 8:53 am

(sorry about the caps - can't figure out how to change them )

Family Doc said go to ENT to get sleep study. Did so on May 20. Sleep study done on May 31. Got results about 3-4 weeks later. Went to see ENT, told I have OSA (AHI 85.6) go for Titration study -done 7/1/05, got results about the 15th - CPAP to be set at 12. . ENT basically said he is clueless about the machines etc.(when I asked him how big he pointed to some machine that was about 3 times the size of the machine used in the test!) He told me someone(!) will contact me and my ins. co. to bring machine to my house to set me up. Still waiting.
About 10 days ago I found this site and can only echo all the good things said about you hoseheads and the wealth of experiential knowledge available - thank you all.
Am I correct in thinking that a "sleep doctor"is usually a pulmonologist? Just in case, how does one find a competent sleep doc who is willing to listen to patients requests for the more sophisticated APAP machines? I'm in Suffolk County, LI, NY and would appreciate suggestions either here, or by email or PM. (more later - don't want to be too long)

TIA,
Frank

Nitro Dan · Post by **Nitro Dan** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 10:32 am

Apparently things have changed, I can't believe there is all the "waiting" after you have been diagnosed. When I went in for my sleep study, (about 20 years ago) the second night I was sleeping with the machine that I took home with me the following morning!! There was no waiting for anything!

Therese · Post by **Therese** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 12:48 pm

Hi Nitro Dan:

I was with Kaiser for over 16+ years and they sold me a machine that had a set pressure when I really wanted a machine that was adjustable. I now have an adjustable machine which is great. It gives me more pressure if I need it and less if I don't need it. It also computerize sleep which I can take to my doctor for him to download it.

I bought this machine from https://www.cpap.com they are wonderful. The machine was around $850.00 it also came with a humidifier already installed in the machine. CPAP.com would mail my machine US ground, Federal Express and etc. I asked for Federal Express 2nd day delivery which they did. I had my machine in a couple of days. The machine was already setup you did not have to set anything up. Just use the machine. You can contact Becky, Claudia or Adam at 1-800-356-5221 and they can tell you about the machines

I love my CPAP machine because I feel so much better the following day. Not knowing that I had sleep apnea I am certain it cost me jobs. I only wished I had known sooner!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:05 pm

I would like to know if any of you think it's important to be under the care of a sleep specialist. I'm currently going to my regular doctor and am wondering if that's the best I can do.
Thanks

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:12 pm

Frank,

Did the doctor/pulmonologist give you the prescription for your equipment? To me that's just a little too "cozy" for the doctor to be sending the DME supplier to you. It also could be why it's taking so long.....maybe he dropped the ball. You should at least be able to have the prescription. You should also be able to get the equipment from whomever you like. Just be sure to stay in contact with your insurance provider and find out what they will or won't do. As you've probably gathered from reading this website, the phrase "competent sleep doctor" has contradictions.....but I'm sure there are some out there......somewhere...... Many of us just haven't found them. I believe there are others from LI in this forum who may be able to steer you to one.

Good luck,

Den

Nitro Dan · Post by **Nitro Dan** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:24 pm

[quote="Therese"]Hi Nitro Dan:

I was with Kaiser for over 16+ years and they sold me a machine that had a set pressure when I really wanted a machine that was adjustable. I now have an adjustable machine which is great. It gives me more pressure if I need it and less if I don't need it. It also computerize sleep which I can take to my doctor for him to download it.

I bought this machine from https://www.cpap.com they are wonderful. The machine was around $850.00 it also came with a humidifier already installed in the machine. CPAP.com would mail my machine US ground, Federal Express and etc. I asked for Federal Express 2nd day delivery which they did. I had my machine in a couple of days. The machine was already setup you did not have to set anything up. Just use the machine. You can contact Becky, Claudia or Adam at 1-800-356-5221 and they can tell you about the machines

I love my CPAP machine because I feel so much better the following day. Not knowing that I had sleep apnea I am certain it cost me jobs. I only wished I had known sooner!!

morphy · Post by **morphy** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 3:17 pm

Thanks for your replies....
ENT's office - Sorry, we wrote the Rx and gave it to sleep lab. It's up to them.

Sleep lab - sorry, we faxed Rx to Cigna 7/19.. That's all we can do. We have confirmation that fax was received.

CIGNA - sorry, we have no record. Must have gone to Gentiva (sp?)(Supplier who works thru the mail?). But then, faxes take two weeks to work thru our system.

Gentiva (per CIGNA)- sorry, we have no record. We will contact provider (ENT)
and get back to you.

Waiting......

Frank

Nitro Dan · Post by **Nitro Dan** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 3:22 pm

WOW, that's ridiculous!!

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 6:25 pm

MORPHY,
Sent you a PM. I think you'll find it helpful.
Lori

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:35 am

Frank,

I'd be willing to bet money that both the ENT's office and the sleep lab have copies (or the original) in your files....and you should be entitled to the original or at least a copy of it. After all, they used SOMETHING to create the fax with.

Den

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 11:02 am

Guest wrote:

I would like to know if any of you think it's important to be under the care of a sleep specialist. I'm currently going to my regular doctor and am wondering if that's the best I can do.

I think a lot depends on the nature of your sleep disorder(s), other underlying health issues you might have, if any; and finally your ability to research things for yourself, as well as how much confidence you have in making your own treatment/equipment decisions.

I not only don't have a sleep doctor, I never even consulted with a "regular" doctor about treating myself with an autopap - other than a phone call to a good old family doctor to get him to write the prescription for the machine.

However, I've always been otherwise healthy and my OSA symptoms were mild. I functioned fine throughout the day - didn't have the extreme fatigue and exhaustion that many others report. So, I felt comfortable treating myself.

If you've been diagnosed with OSA and are on cpap treatment but are having persisting sleep problems or are still not well rested, I'd suggest two things:

First - wear out the Search button at the top of this page, looking for answers to make your treatment more effective. Might be something as simple as stopping mouth air leaks, stopping rainout, finding a comfortable mask, hanging the hose up out of your way, switching to an autopap to find the pressure you actually need.

Second - if you don't find advice on this message board to help make your treatment work better, then yes, do seek out a "sleep doctor". It will be a throw of the dice as to whether you find a good one who can really help you, or one who just goes through the motions.

Good luck!

Hello from a "pre-newbie"

Hello from a "pre-newbie"

Machines

Re: Machines

still waiting