CPAP Newbie with questions.

Hello all!

First post!

I was diagnosed with OSA a few weeks ago and was setup with a titration study for May 29. Just out of no where, I got a call at about 9p last night saying they had an opening. I went in and did my thing. According to the guy I did manage to get 4 hours of sleep on the machine. My questions (so far) are:
1. When I try to get the results of my first and now second study, they act like they don't want to give that info out. Is there like a 'secret password' to getting that information?
2. Once the doctor reviews my results from last night's study (which according to the tech I was at 12cm on C-Flex). What happens next? Does the doc just give me a script and send me on my way or do they usually refer you to one of their DMEs?
3. Also, dos and don'ts for buying my first machine and equipment. I slept with a full face mask (with an adjuster knob on my forhead) and it didn't leak hardly at all. It was a respironics with humidifier (not sure if heated) with C-Flex. Do I need to get one like they had at the center?

Thanks,

Kevin

Insist on a machine that can record detailed data like the respironics M series Pro. The doc can write this into his prescription and the DME MUST honor it. Otherwise you will be back here in a few weeks asking 'how do I know if I am doing well?".

The sleep shop won't tell you your data. The doc has to. Insist on a FULL COPY of your report. You are entitled to it. Its yours. You can take it to another doc if you need to. Also, get a copy of your prescription - in case you want to buy something online, you might need it.

If your DME isn't willing to let you try a bunch of masks for one that fits you well, you are going to the wrong DME. See who your insurance lets you use - that's probably who you have to use anyway.

The cM of pressure isnt really an indication of severity. The number of events, the 02 levels during them is the measure of severity.

Thanks for the info!

I just got a call from them saying they had sufficient data to make a determination and that they will contact the DME on my behalf and I should be a hosehead by Friday. I just can't wait to get a good night's sleep.

I am hoping they put all that in the script. If they don't, is it in poor taste to go back to the sleep center and ask them to amend the perscription?

Your doc is the one that should be issuing the prescription, not the Sleep Center (unless your doc is there). Unless he's getting some kick-back from the DME, he should have no problem writing the script for the machine you want. I'm with Elader; you need a machine that is capable of capturing all the data of your therapy and you being able to access it with the appropriate software and card reader. In fact, if your doc will go along with it, you need him to specify that you get the software and the card reader on the script.

I don't know your financial/insurance situation, but you may want to check and see what they will pay for and what they won't. By getting a copy of your prescription, you can purchase from https://www.cpap.com and save a lot of money. BUT...your insurance may not reimburse you unless you buy from their approved DME.

Most likely, the DME is going to want to give you the cheapest, non-data capable machine they have. He or she makes a bigger profit that way. That's why you want the prescription to specify the precise machine and equipment you want.

Good luck!

Kevin,

Welcome to the forum! Glad to hear you got moved up and will be getting your equipment soon. The "secret password" to get medical people to give you your medical records is "HIPPA". This is the federal law that says that your are entitled to your medical records. So if you continue to encounter resistance when you ask for your records, ask them, "Isn't that a violation of my HIPPA rights?". If they play dumb or continue to stonewall you, ask to speak with a supervisor. Keep going up the food chain until you reach someone who knows the law and you will get what you want. Stay polite, but be firm.

Use the same tactics to get the machine you want. You are well within your rights to ask your doctor to right you a RX for a machine that records data. Some have gotten their docs to write them an RX for specific machines. Here is a post that deals with machines that do and do not provide data:

viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168

Make sure that you do NOT get a Respironics PLUS, or a Resmed Compact or Escape. These are basic machines that record only compliance data (if and for how long you use the machine for insurance purposes).

Good luck and keep us posted how you are doing!

Alan

I will definitely do that. It seems as if they are trying to streamline the process "for my convenience" but I am afraid I will get left out of the decision making process if I do. I am just trying to get this done as soon as I can, without dropping a huge amount of money for something that may not work as well or being kept in the dark.