A few questions about adjusting a Dreamstation & my specific situation

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
breathe_easier
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2023 10:47 am

A few questions about adjusting a Dreamstation & my specific situation

Post by breathe_easier » Tue Jan 24, 2023 11:16 am

Hey all,

Sorry in advance for the comment length. I’m in my mid 40’s. Sleep apnea runs in my family. My mom and my uncle on my dads side both snore loud enough to wake people on other floors of the house, for context. My mom was officially diagnosed a few years ago in her 70’s. It’s late but has been a game changer. The family used to joke about how she’s never stayed awake for a full movie, not knowing that she had a health condition.

I have struggled with adhd for quite some time and even though my recent blood work shows that I’m mostly in great shape for my age, my blood pressure sits pretty high. My doc said it didn’t make sense as my other #’s don’t tell the same story. She then asked if slee apnea runs in my family. I also snore, have challenges breathing in my sleep, and can’t stay up for movie nights. I’m now positive that I have untreated sleep apnea and it’s probably impacting my both blood pressure and adhd. Looking forward to doing something about it.

I’m waiting until I’m insured again (April) to get a sleep study done but I’m going to move forward with exploring using an older model Drramstation that was donated to me. I have questions:

- This is my moms original unit. She’s since upgraded. What do I need to check out to make sure it’s working properly?

- Aside from the unit, what other parts will I need to buy new?

- It’s originally set (to maybe to an 8?) for her. How would I go about figuring out how to make adjustments?

- Is there anything else I should be doing/ asking to take this approach? Are there any big pros/ cons to self diagnosis?

Again, in the spring I’ll be able to get my official diagnosis and newer equipment. This current situation is just to help me out for the next few months.

Sorry for the long first post! Thanks for any support and I apologize if any of my questions can be answered in old threads. I didn’t want to piggyback on anyone else’s conversation. I’ll be reading stuff all day though. Glad this forum exists.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation CPAP Machine

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Miss Emerita
Posts: 3416
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 8:07 pm

Re: A few questions about adjusting a Dreamstation & my specific situation

Post by Miss Emerita » Tue Jan 24, 2023 11:49 am

Welcome! I wonder whether you can schedule the sleep study now, even if it won't occur until April. Anything to ensure the earliest possible test would be a good thing.

It looks to me as though your mother's machine is on the Philips recall list:

https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/ ... src-update

My inclination in your place would be not to use it, but others may have different advice.
Oscar software is available at https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/

Janknitz
Posts: 8410
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:05 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: A few questions about adjusting a Dreamstation & my specific situation

Post by Janknitz » Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:31 pm

I agree with Miss Emerita about not using your Mom's old Dreamstation if it's on the list for recall.

There is a member here who posts used machines in good condition for decent prices if you can afford it. His user name is LSAT and you might try PM'ing him. You will need a new mask, too. Your mom may have some lightly used masks that didn't work for her that she can clean up for you. Or you can buy them online from eBay or Amazon in parts until you have a prescription that will be honored by our hosts at cpap.com

Our hosts at cpap.com partner with another company for an inexpensive home sleep test (see their home page) for $175 which includes a telemed consult and a prescription if you do turn out to have OSA. That would give you more options for putting together your own equipment.

When you seek insurance, be sure to confirm IN WRITING what they will cover as far as CPAP and supplies, and understand if the deductible is going to really be affordable for you to get a more formal sleep test. You can ask for the "Evidence of Coverage" (EOC) which is the actual contract you will have with any insurer. People never see it unless they know to ask for it. Go to the table of contents and look up "Durable Medical Equipment" to understand what they will and won't pay for and what the requirements are for them to pay. For example: My EOC says it pays for "medically necessary durable medical equipment such as crutches and canes"--and guess what? It doesn't pay for ANY CPAP equipment or supplies, and my deductible is $5000, so I'm out of pocket for a sleep apnea test. So research carefully. Not trying to discourage you from getting insurance, but just warning you that you may find it's not all that helpful for sleep apnea evaluation and treatment. Fortunately, I had my sleep apnea test when I had better coverage, and I had a machine from that time too. Biding my time for Medicare . . ., a little less than 2 more years.
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breathe_easier
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2023 10:47 am

Re: A few questions about adjusting a Dreamstation & my specific situation

Post by breathe_easier » Tue Jan 24, 2023 4:44 pm

Miss Emerita wrote:
Tue Jan 24, 2023 11:49 am
Welcome! I wonder whether you can schedule the sleep study now, even if it won't occur until April. Anything to ensure the earliest possible test would be a good thing.

It looks to me as though your mother's machine is on the Philips recall list:

https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/ ... src-update

My inclination in your place would be not to use it, but others may have different advice.
Thank you. Gonna make a call and see if I can get myself in the queue.

I’ll also check on that specific model and see if it’s recalled.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation CPAP Machine

breathe_easier
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2023 10:47 am

Re: A few questions about adjusting a Dreamstation & my specific situation

Post by breathe_easier » Tue Jan 24, 2023 4:47 pm

Janknitz wrote:
Tue Jan 24, 2023 2:31 pm
I agree with Miss Emerita about not using your Mom's old Dreamstation if it's on the list for recall.

There is a member here who posts used machines in good condition for decent prices if you can afford it. His user name is LSAT and you might try PM'ing him. You will need a new mask, too. Your mom may have some lightly used masks that didn't work for her that she can clean up for you. Or you can buy them online from eBay or Amazon in parts until you have a prescription that will be honored by our hosts at cpap.com

Our hosts at cpap.com partner with another company for an inexpensive home sleep test (see their home page) for $175 which includes a telemed consult and a prescription if you do turn out to have OSA. That would give you more options for putting together your own equipment.

When you seek insurance, be sure to confirm IN WRITING what they will cover as far as CPAP and supplies, and understand if the deductible is going to really be affordable for you to get a more formal sleep test. You can ask for the "Evidence of Coverage" (EOC) which is the actual contract you will have with any insurer. People never see it unless they know to ask for it. Go to the table of contents and look up "Durable Medical Equipment" to understand what they will and won't pay for and what the requirements are for them to pay. For example: My EOC says it pays for "medically necessary durable medical equipment such as crutches and canes"--and guess what? It doesn't pay for ANY CPAP equipment or supplies, and my deductible is $5000, so I'm out of pocket for a sleep apnea test. So research carefully. Not trying to discourage you from getting insurance, but just warning you that you may find it's not all that helpful for sleep apnea evaluation and treatment. Fortunately, I had my sleep apnea test when I had better coverage, and I had a machine from that time too. Biding my time for Medicare . . ., a little less than 2 more years.
Thanks so much for this.

Gonna look into that telemed consult, reach out to LSAT once I get more info on the unit I have access to and I’ll keep your advice in mind once I’m back under insurance through the job.

I really appreciate you guys pointing me in the right direction.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation CPAP Machine