Very Upset

Newsgrouper · Post by **Newsgrouper** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:47 am

I am waiting to be treated for severe OSA by a Veterans Affairs sleep clinic. I have waited over 6 weeks for my CPAP equipment and was scheduled to receive a Respironics Pro2 with heated humidifier today at 10:00 a.m. I received a call from the clinic at 8:00 a.m. telling me that the therapist was "out sick" and the earliest they could re-schedule me was May 24th (4 weeks from now). I cannot wait 4 weeks as I feel worse that I have ever felt in my life.

A week ago I consulted with private practice ENT who is also a certified sleep specialist (for a 2nd opinion). He was outraged that they were keeping me waiting so long and told me that if he had been treating me he would have had the equipment to my house the same day he received my sleep study report. He explained how this is a serious medical treatment and should be treated IMMEDIATELY. I'm so glad I had this consultation a week ago.

When I got off the phone with the VA this morning I didn't know what to do. I then decided to call the ENT I had seen last week. To make a long story short he is having a DME deliver the equipment today. They are sending me a Res-Med machine that they explained is a better machine than the Respironics. I guess "best" is subjective" but I'll take what I can get. Are the Res-Med machines good?

I asked for heated humidification but they said that I had to first jump through some insurance hoops. They will give me a non-heated humidifier today and I should call back in 2 weeks saying "it's not working" and that I need heated humidication. We will do this type of thing until I have the proper system in place.

It is unfortunate that we have to play these games but luckily I have medical insurance and can seek treatment outside of VA. I've never before had such an appreciation for the dilemma of folks without insurance.

NeurosurgeryNP · Post by **NeurosurgeryNP** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:55 am

From what I understand, Resmed makes good machines. Their masks are great too! As for a HH, I highly reccommend one. The passover, or cold humidifier, should sufice until your 2 week deadline is up.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 10:08 am

This is Christine (Illinois RRT)...

I don't know anything about the ResMed machines, but I have heard similar horror stories about dealings with the VA. A lot of my patients use them for financial reasons, but some do bite the bullet and come to us to not have to deal with all of the red tape involved. Their clinical knowledge can be questionable too (as are some DMEs as I understand). We visited a patient who had nebs through the VA and he was given a CPAP mask to take the treatments with. What the heck?!?

I'm a little curious about the two week waiting period for heated humidity though. I have all of my new orders come with heated humidity from the get-go, and haven't had any trouble. I wonder why that is?

Vicki · Post by **Vicki** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 10:13 am

I'm sorry you have had such trouble getting treated. Unfortunately, it is not a rare situation and why many of us are trying to increase public awareness and educate medical staff. I've known of people who inform ignorant medical staff that apnea is very serious and if they have a car accident, or any serious repercussions from untreated sleep apnea, the care providers would be sorry that they withheld treatment. That may fall on VA deaf ears however.

ResMed is a good company. All of my equipment is ResMed. But I've never heard anyone complain loudly about any manufacturer. The mask, nasal pillows, etc. or whatever interface (literally) works for you is purely individual however. For every person who swears by a type of mask, there will be an equal number who hate it. Just be a strong advocate for yourself and keep at it until you find something that works for you. Who knows, you may be perfectly fine and comfortable the first night you get your equipment!! Here's wishing you restful ZZZzzzs!

VickiZsPlease

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 8:45 pm

You need to email my future husband Tom on the VA. He can tell you how to get around the red tape and get seen ASAP.

He has no problems with this, He also has private insurance but he is using full VA.

There · Post by **There** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 10:11 pm

I'm appalled that the VA would treat you this way - it's double the insult to you compared to those of us who have not made sacrifices for our country.

Tina

Mask