sleep lab results,this forum and the Canadian health system

[cortez356]

bons: Fortunately I do not need the CPAP therapy. My oximetry test showed a possibility of apnea.
Bspinner needs to take anger management classes. But maybe his first language is not English thus he has to use 4 letter words. I would suggest some ESL classes.

Bob

[BlackSpinner]

bons: Fortunately I do not need the CPAP therapy. My oximetry test showed a possibility of apnea.
Bspinner needs to take anger management classes. But maybe his first language is not English thus he has to use 4 letter words. I would suggest some ESL classes.

Bob

Hah I have been easy on you. You need to take responsibility for your thin skin. You started the rant to begin with and then you can't take it when someone disagrees you.

[kteague]

Cortez,
Just a mention about sleep study results... How did you sleep during the study? Did you get a copy of the report? Just suggesting you make sure your report shows plenty of sleep even deep sleep and REM. Ideally they would capture some time in REM while on your back. Otherwise, the study may not have captured your "worst case scenario". The term my doctor used in my reports was "technically suboptimal". I just know some sleep very little and so poorly in the clinic settings. Hopefully that doesn't apply to you and you are just fine.

One thing that history has shown on this board is that health care is right up there with politics in things people are passionate about. But have a cpap problem and the same people will be right there trying to help.
Kathy

[cortez356]

kteague: Thanks for that post. Yes they did have me on my back and there was rem. I have the report and the neurologist explained his reasons for not recommending cpap. The sleep clinic is part of a health clinic in a smaller city in MN. But they are very progressive and serve a large rural area sa well. All the personell were not just accredited and capable they were efficient and caring. I have full confidence in their findings.

Bob

[torontoCPAPguy]

First I want to thank the members of this forum that answered my few questions on Sleep Apnea and CPAP machines. One expects help from friends and family but I received mine from perfect strangers!! This is an unusual experience when it comes to something as personal as health. After an Oximetry test showed some apnea I went to a Sleep Clinic in Minnesota. They were so kind and caring. Turns out my apnea does not meet the standard for insurance companies nor does it meet the standard set by the therapists. I had 4 events per hour. The Dr. said he would not recommend CPAP therapy as often in borderline cases the therapy provides little value . I was thrilled. The Dr. did state that I should continue with my weight loss and recommended some things to help with a good sleep.

I am Canadian and not a big fan of our Socialized health care. It works great when you are healthy and only need a check up or the odd prescription. But G-d forbid you have a serious illness the system will likely fail you. I have had prior experiences with our children who needed a Gastro Dr. and told it would take 6 months or more. When the first child got ill he started to lose so much weight that at 6 ft 4 inches he was down to 160 lbs. My wife and I finally took him to the emergency and told the nurse that if they were not going to examine him we were just leaving Him in the ER room. I made enough noise that he finally was admitted and diagnosed. No one should go through that kind of stress. When our other child had similar problems it was almost a repeat. I told her Dr. I want the medical records right now as we are going to the USA for help. Within 4 hours she saw a gastro Dr. and the diagnosis was the same . That is a poor excuse for health care

After my oximetry test I contacted my Dr. about a sleep test. Here is how it works: There is only one clinic in my Province. The Dr. faxes over a request ( computers do not exist!!). If it is non emergency you might get an initial consult in 6 weeks. 10 would probably be more accurate. If you need the sleep test that will be another 3 or more weeks. Another 2 to 3 Weeks to meet with them and see the results. If you need a CPAP machine the only approved provider requires 2 to 3 weeks for an appointment. You get a trial machine for 3 months and then your own CPAP. Only one model available :FischerPaykal 234. So it would take up to 20 weeks to get a cheap POS machine. Part of that time before your sleep test would be full of worry. I am glad I chose the self pay option and for any Canadians that cannot afford to go that route do not bother with the slow Canadian system. Socialized medicine can work but Canada's system is horrible.

Bob

A horrific story to be sure.... but this was not my experience with the exception of the slimey equipment provider (Medigas) who provided me with a ResMed S8 Escape with a POS mask and walked me to the door with a bill for $1500 on top of what the government paid for the machine ($800 I think). Two weeks later after finding this forum and learning a bit... I went out and bought two S8 Autoset II's out of my own pocket for $550 each. And have upgraded to S9 Auto's for about the same online. I was in to see the local sleep clinic (there are several around Toronto) in a matter of a week or two and had my appointment to pick up my blower in a couple of days. I have since been seen by a respirologist and a top notch pulmonologist, both within a few weeks... the pulmonologist in a matter of two weeks and she ordered three pages of tests. I have an appointment to go to Toronto Western for the tests and they will take place about two weeks after the referal order was sent to them.

So, as previously stated, although we have certainly experienced what you have from time to time we generally get rapid care in emergencies. You understand that with health care being short dollars in Ontario, they triage everything and it comes on a priority basis. I can tell you that when I arrived at hospital last summer in acute respiratory distress I was seen to in 15 seconds and on a respirator within a minute or two. Triaged.

The medical system is not perfect, it still costs out of pocket for a lot and it could be improved. But it sure beats a lot of other systems.