Restful sleep. WOW (Update)

I guess that the Americans with Disabilities Ace doesn't apply to Americans in the American military.

What a crock.

There was some discussion on the apneasupport.org forum about Military service and OSA. I didn't read it all nor understand all of what I did read but apparently there may be some sort of waiver that has to be applied for from someone with an acronym that I didn't know what it meant.
ARCENT or CENTCOM surgeon???

Also I spotted this from some sort of rules book. It may just affect deployment. I don't understand all the jargon. So my apologies if this isn't related to your situation. There is an entire section devoted to OSA patients and the Military.


AR 40-501, initial diagnosis wrote:

c. Sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing that causes daytime hypersomnolence or
snoring that interferes with the sleep of others and that cannot be corrected with medical therapy, nasal continuous
positive airway pressure (CPAP), surgery, or an oral appliance. The diagnosis must be based upon a nocturnal
polysomnogram and the evaluation of a pulmonologist, neurologist, or a privileged provider with expertise in sleep
medicine.
(1) A 12-month trial of therapy with nasal continuous positive air pressure may be attempted to assist with other
therapeutic interventions, during which time the individual will be issued a temporary profile. Soldiers with severe
sleep apnea and/or symptoms may be referred directly for an MEB. If nasal CPAP is required for longer than 12
months, the Soldiers should be profiled as a permanent P2.
(2) If symptoms of hypersomnolence or snoring can not be controlled with medical therapy, nasal CPAP, surgery or
an oral appliance, the individual should be referred for a MEB. If the use of nasal CPAP or other therapies for sleep
apneas result in interference with satisfactory performance



AR 40-501, >1 year sucessful CPAP wrote:

(6) Sleep apnea. See paragraph 3-41c for profile guidance and for MEB processing criteria. The Soldier can be
deployed if nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is required and can be supported in the area of
deployment. Criteria for the ability to use nasal CPAP in the area of deployment include the following: availability of a
reliable power source; absence of environmental factors that would render electrical equipment inoperable or unreliable,
and the availability of a reliable source of replacement supplies such as masks, harnesses, and filters. A Soldier
that requires nasal CPAP should not be deployed if these factors cannot be assured and the absence of nasal CPAP
would hinder the Soldier from performing his/her military duties.

I looked up MEB for all of us non-military types.

It's a Medical Evaluation Board consisting of two physicians that determine whether a soldier is physically fit for continued service.

Sometimes I wonder why the Army has PAs. Now he's telling me that I have to wait until after I get a CT Scan done, and see an Audiologist before he's going to go any further. Then when I asked for a copy of the script, he questions me as to why I'd need it. I'd love to let him spend 2 nights as me while I sleep. Sorry everyone, just venting again. I may have to find another way to get this done.

Ok, I'm gonna go and keep quiet.

Thanks for listing and putting up with my vents.

David

drj130 wrote:...have to wait until after I get a CT Scan done, and see an Audiologist before he's going to go any further. Then when I asked for a copy of the script, he questions me as to why I'd need it...

Oh David, what a mess! I'm so sorry for you. Remember to sleep on your side IF you had more events sleeping on your back (in the past 2 wks someone posted a link to a shirt that has a smallish pillow pocket on the back to encourage side sleeping...looked like it'd work).

Your issues make mine seem small..at least I have a machine, even if not data capable (at least it works even if my breathing is so much easier-better on an APAP...no word from insurance yet) and eventually I'll chase down a solution for my leaks (Hybrid mask should arrive this wk, meanwhile I'm playing with pillow size, 'small' had huge leaks when I slid down to sleep, will try 'large' tonight).

I'm sure you'd be glad to enchange your problem for mine...in a heartbeat

I've a feeling that there is going to be one PO'ed PA tomorrow. I called the Pul..Pul.. Lung doctor today and told him what was going on. He instructed me to call the front desk and inform them and to request the paperwork that I needed. I called, they faxed everything, including sleep results, script, and letter for airlines. They told me visit TriCare (the Army's insurance to pay for things like this) and get them to order my machine. And if I have any problems with them, they are to call his office and they will correct the errors of their ways. Life is good. Well, it will be once I get this machine. I'm just not sure if I can get a fully data capable machine with this script. I'll see what I can do when I talk to the person who brings it. maybe I can talk them into giving me one. lol.

If any one wants to see the info i have from this, let me know and I'll upload it or send it in a PM. Or something like that.

Thanks for the support, you all rock.

David

P.S Muse, trust me, you wouldn't want to trade with me at all. I've been going around to the local hospitals asking where I would be able to trade this one in at for one with lower miles and less problems.

GO YOU.

I want to see the info from your sleep study. Can you upload or summarize?

Great news.

Maybe you can teach that PA a thing or two about OSA.

And you want to sleep with the PA for two nights? I thought the rule was still "don't ask, don't tell". At least for now.

jdm2857 wrote:Great news.

And you want to sleep with the PA for two nights? I thought the rule was still "don't ask, don't tell". At least for now.

Ummmm, last I checked, I wasn't that kind of a person... Besides, my wife does NOT share. lol

Ok, lets see if I did this right this time. I hope that these can be seen and read.













I'd have posted my script. Thing is, don't think that would be a good idea. So I'm not sure if what (equipment wise) is good.

Doesn't look as bad as the other ones I'd posted, but they didn't do a split study. Not that I minded much. lol

David

You say it wasn't a split study, but there are results for CPAP at different pressures. Did you wear a CPAP mask for half the night?

From the results, you can see that you are much worse on your back (supine). So stay off of your back until you get a machine.

You had a few central apneas, and more as the pressure went up. So you might have complex apnea. The centrals could go away when you adjust to CPAP.

Your O2 saturation didn't get too bad, as you spent all but 10 minutes at 90% or above.

From the data, I'm guessing the script calls for a pressure of 8 or 9.

And if you know what brand of machines the military uses, we can tell you which models are fully data capable. (In english or german.)

jdm2857 wrote:You say it wasn't a split study, but there are results for CPAP at different pressures. Did you wear a CPAP mask for half the night?

I know it wasn't a split study cause i started the night with the nasal mask on, with pressure.

You had a few central apneas, and more as the pressure went up. So you might have complex apnea. The centrals could go away when you adjust to CPAP.

Now that doesn't sound good. I'm thinking that they were linked to the pressure as well. Also, when I did the first two studies, no Centrals were ever noted at all.

From the data, I'm guessing the script calls for a pressure of 8 or 9.

From my script: Pressure setting: 11cm of H2O

And if you know what brand of machines the military uses, we can tell you which models are fully data capable. (In english or german.)

What i meant by this is the doctor didn't list the machine needing to be fully data capable.

The Script lists the following: CPAP machine, Heated Humidifier for CPAP machine, Mask, Headgear, Tubing, CPAP machine filter, Chin Strap.

DX: OSA with AHI of >15 events per hour. Duration of Therapy: Lifetime Need. I also have a letter for the airlines telling them that my machine is to go onto the plane with me, so that should help fight them wanting to check my bags. lol

That last bit should be interesting for when I do retire.

David

I forgot that this was your second study. Sorry.

Your script has no pressure settinig? Strange.

And if you edit the slash out of the first quote tag of each pair, they should display properly.

More good news just came in for me. I found out what machine I am getting and I will be getting it on the 29th of this month. I think that I made things easy on the REP because she will be meeting me at the hospital in Landstuhl. Classes and all that good stuff will happen there. Please let me know what you all know and think about it. I've asked about software, and I think that I'll have to get it myself along with the cable. The one problem I might have with it is that I don't have a serial port on any of my machines so if someone knows where I might be able to get the serial to USB adaptor, that would be great to know.

From what I was able to find out, I'm getting the Fisher & Paykel HC 608.

Any thoughts on this would be great. Thanks to you all.

David

As far as I know, there is no patient software for the Fisher & Paykel HC 608 machine. I think it is a straight cpap (not auto) and that it only has compliance data.

It is probably a very good machine. Fisher & Paykel make good cpap machines.

Someone may correct me but that's what I found.