Need Advice on Doing An At Home Titration?

Hello everyone.

Three months after getting a referral to see a sleep medicine doctor I finally have a diagnosis of moderate sleep apnea. Since a split study wasn't ordered I have to do an at home titration for a month and then bring the card to the doctor so he can read it. He wants me to get an APAP. The prescription sets the study for 5-20 for the titration. I don't have the machine yet because the paperwork has to be processed. I had a choice between Norco or Lincare so I chose Lincare. I know that Lincare is hated but they have the Airsense 10 Autoset. I would prefer the "for Her" model but the DME only has two of those and it's first come, first serve. If it has to be ordered it takes two months to get one. Norco won't give that model at all unless the script says to and the doctor won't order a specific make or model. I know people who use Norco and they hate it too.

So, any advice on doing this titration? Any words of wisdom? Thank you for your help.

Before you get your machine, get a copy of Rescan software so you can watch your own data.
Others can chime in as to whether SleepyHead supports the new systems or not.
If so, then SleepyHead is a good alternative choice.

These days, apparently, it is common practice to use an auto cpap to do the initial titration study rather than the more expensive in lab sleep titration study.

The main reason for the software, is that during this period, it is possible that the pressures the machine selects may, in addition to controlling the obstructive and hypopnea events, trigger central apneic events and your doctor would be better served to learn of that earlier rather than later. It is not common but it does happen.

Of course, arriving at the doctor's office with a better understanding of how well the titration worked will be a big plus for most doctors.

Yes...SleepyHead (the latest version) will work with the new AirSense machines.

Is this machine going to be a permanent machine? Not a try it to find the pressure and change to different machine later? Since you know the brand you prefer...Lincare might be the best choice of the 2. At least they are up front about what they dispense.
If your doctor won't help you out with a very specific RX ....

You know you can have a RX sent to one DME and simply refuse to accept the machine if it isn't what you want and go with the other DME.
I did that myself. My first choice was a DME close to where I lived but they wouldn't get me what I wanted and in fact called me up to tell me "your machine is here" without even telling me it was ordered...and when I found out what it was and refused it and then they also refused to get me what I want I said "thank you very much but I won't be using your services"...."so, you are refusing treatment"...... "ah, no, but I am refusing to do business with you"

I don't know if the difference between the "for Her" Autoset and the regular Autoset is worth a 2 month wait or not should it end up taking too long to get the insurance thing sorted out and they go to someone else.
Maybe call up insurance and see how long it is going to take...it really shouldn't take much time once the insurance gets the request and documented OSA diagnosis.
Often people find out that the DME hasn't even submitted the request and all the time telling the patient "we are waiting on your insurance".
The hold up most of the time is the DME getting the needed paperwork to the insurance company.

Call up your insurance company and see if they have the paperwork about how long will it be before the okay is given..that way you know for sure what is going on and have some sort of time frame to look at.

My insurance is Medicare. I also have a supplement which pays the remaining 20%. Lincare has to send the paperwork to their billing office. If I don't hear from them by Weds. pm I will call them. The local office seemed very helpful so I am hopeful.

How do I get a copy of the Resmed software? I would like to try it and then have the doctor see that I am trying to be involved.

This is the doctor who said I didn't "look the type" to have sleep apnea. (Barely overweight, not a big neck etc.) My theory is that I developed sleep apnea after losing 25 lbs. The result was loose structures in the throat as well as the skin. I had breast cancer last year and couldn't tolerate the side effects of hormonal meds so lost weight to lower the risk of recurrence. Didn't think I'd be tied to a machine for the rest of my life. But it beats having cancer!

For the software, send a PM to pugsy.

JDS74 wrote:Before you get your machine, get a copy of Rescan software so you can watch your own data.
Others can chime in as to whether SleepyHead supports the new systems or not.

haven't you been paying attention?

Thanks, everyone!