Is my OSA/sleep apnea diagnosis a scam?

dlchance · Post by **dlchance** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:42 pm

Only being on CPAP therapy for about a month now, I was wondering the same thing - was this all a big scam. But let me tell you, if you spend enough time at this forum you will find that it is not a scam. It is very important that you get all the info you can, including the data from your machine. The only scam part that I have seen (actually - perceived) from all this is that it appears to me that the doctors try to control you in such a manner that you may not get the results you need.

I am by far an expert on this subject - but in the last couple of weeks I have spent hundreds of hours going through the different posts here and let me tell you - it is WELL worth your time. Since picking up my machine, I have been able to download and see what is exactly going on with my treatment. My first follow-up appointment is 7-5-12 (delayed from 6-21-12) and I am loaded for "bear" when I see my doctor.

Experience is THE best teacher - and the experience you read about here is INVALUABLE! Stick with it and, in my humble and newly formed opinion, you will not have any regrets.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:42 pm

Sarah Kennedy wrote:
DreamStalker wrote:
Sarah Kennedy wrote:...

I was trying to make a point that you suddenly have thousands of people with something that 15 years ago, no one was even discussing. Thank you.
Fifteen years ago there were no iPhones ... I guess they are a scam too.
What type of convaluted thinking is this? Comparing what the medical community is deeming a disease to cell phones? I guess the height of ridiculousness knows no bounds on this site.

Let me make an observation here. If I had been diagnosed with sleep apnea or a related sleep disorder, had been receiving treatment for it, and had improved greatly, and I read the original post that I posted here this morning . . . I would be thinking to myself, "Well, she isn't referring to me - I have this, take treatment, and it really helped. I'm confident in my diagnosis and treatment and have results to prove it."

INSTEAD, suddenly, like a cult of some type, people come out of the woodwork, sly, sarcastic remarks, unable to make a valid argument apparently. The fact is, outside of this type of web site for, a support group, there are THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE SERIOUSLY QUESTIONING THEIR DIAGNOSIS, THIS TREATMENT, AND OTHER THINGS RELATED TO THIS. But, apparently, this "following" of people cannot entertain that everyone is not as happy as they are with this diagnosis. If you are diagnosed, receiving treatment, and doing so much better, I guess I would question why these responses are like this. Obviously, my post hit a nerve.

Oh c'mon ... it is your convoluted logic that is ridiculously absurd. Just because this condition was not diagnosed 15 years ago makes it a scam? 15 years ago more than 2/3s of the American population wasn't overweight/obese so is that a scam?

Out of the woodwork? ... Hello! .... Welcome to a sleep apnea forum ... the nerve you hit was your own, the only one in your brain obviously

dlchance · Post by **dlchance** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:47 pm

dlchance wrote:Only being on CPAP therapy for about a month now, I was wondering the same thing - was this all a big scam. But let me tell you, if you spend enough time at this forum you will find that it is not a scam. It is very important that you get all the info you can, including the data from your machine. The only scam part that I have seen (actually - perceived) from all this is that it appears to me that the doctors try to control you in such a manner that you may not get the results you need.

I am by far an expert on this subject - but in the last couple of weeks I have spent hundreds of hours going through the different posts here and let me tell you - it is WELL worth your time. Since picking up my machine, I have been able to download and see what is exactly going on with my treatment. My first follow-up appointment is 7-5-12 (delayed from 6-21-12) and I am loaded for "bear" when I see my doctor.

Experience is THE best teacher - and the experience you read about here is INVALUABLE! Stick with it and, in my humble and newly formed opinion, you will not have any regrets.

Correction: "I am by far NO expert....."

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:53 pm

Sarah Kennedy wrote:
I suspect that you don't have sleep apnea ... good for you.
But until you do have sleep apnea and get successful treatment, you won't know if it is a scam or not.

I would not disclose my medical condition[s] on a web site and honestly, it's none of you or any else's business. I'm also not disclosing my profession or horoscope sign. These reactions are curious, to say the least.

Well about the only thing you have disclosed so far is your ignorance and stupidity. The rest seems pointless.

jen4700 · Post by **jen4700** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:01 pm

Sarah Kennedy wrote: No offense, but can we be realistic here? Everyone has an OPINION. If people are determining their medical course of action because of opinions that people post on a web site - that is absurd. I am not "controlling" people nor am I able to physically make them do or not do anything. The fact is, this over-reaching effect of doctors prescribing sleep studies is now being investigated by the AMA and Congress.

Please post links to the congressional record and subcommittee reports about investigating sleep studies / OSA as a scam.

zoocrewphoto · Post by **zoocrewphoto** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 2:14 pm

Oh c'mon ... it is your convoluted logic that is ridiculously absurd. Just because this condition was not diagnosed 15 years ago makes it a scam? 15 years ago more than 2/3s of the American population wasn't overweight/obese so is that a scam?

Actually, it was diagnosed at least 15 years ago, as my mom has had it for over 15 years. It wasn't as commonly known, but it was out there. In fact, before cpap, they were doing the hole in the neck treatment. Sounds horrible.

Personally, I think the real scams are those commercials claiming to cure snoring with a spray or dental device. Even the devices from the dentists have a low success rate, and that is based on a 50% reduction of ahi, not actually getting down to less than 5. But the worst part is that those commercials make it sound like you get it cheap $10 or $20 bucks, but that is the price of the TRIAL. Not the actual cost of the product (which is not mentioned in the commercial).

Those are the scams, preying on people, claiming a cure without ever testing the cause of the problem. They actually encourage people to avoid medical treatment rather then solving a real health problem.

I have been on apap for 7 weeks now, and my high blood pressure is consistently lower than it used to be, even though I was taking 3 medications before my sleep study. I used to be in the 160s over 100-106. Now, I am usually in the 120s or 130s over 80s or 90s. Still working on consistent improvement, but my doctor is happy with how it is going. She even said that we may be able to start reducing medication at the end of July. She is waiting to see consistent numbers once I have more consistent sleep. My numbers aren't normal yet, but I rarely get anything in the 160s anymore, and those were very consistent before I started apap.

Suzjohnson · Post by **Suzjohnson** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:15 pm

robysue wrote:Don't feed the troll, people. Don't feed the troll.

I was just thinking that!

Suz

jen4700 · Post by **jen4700** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:33 pm

But they are so fun to poke sticks at.

jtmarten · Post by **jtmarten** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:44 pm

adrianbos wrote:Hi all! This is my very first post on this forum (or any support forum). I joined over a year ago but haven't joined the conversation until now. I’m really hoping to get some insights from others who have a similar OSA experience.

My question is – is my sleep apnea diagnosis a scam? Let me give you some context.

Thanks,
Adrian

Hey Adrian
I agree with it being a "money maker" to a certain degree. If you let yourself get into that situation, or if your insurance provider dictates it, it is less than favorable. When I found out the DME my Dr was sending me to wouldn't sell machines, they only leased them, and the 1st month's billing to my ins co was $850, I told them to pound sand. I would have paid $170 of that (20%) plus 20% of their monthly fee; but found a standard CPAP on craigslist for $180 new. When I called to cancel my appt, the RT was rather haughty when she explained I would need to bring it in to have her program it. She was very silent when I told her in less than 2min I did a google search and found a video showing how to access the clinician's menu and set my pressure, etc.
I'd suggest, if you do stick with it, get as informed as you can, and get a machine that logs data. At least you'll know if apnea events are present or not.

Suzjohnson · Post by **Suzjohnson** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:22 pm

jen4700 wrote:But they are so fun to poke sticks at.

Good point!

Suz

andersgeorgsson · Post by **andersgeorgsson** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 6:11 pm

I had my first sleep study done a month ago - AHI untreated was about 35 and the longest I stopped breathing was 97 seconds resuling in 81%spO2.. I went back for a second study with titration two weeks later and woke up feeling GREAT. I was told they had "dialed me in" at around 9-10cmH2O , and to expect a call after the doctor reviewed the study.

Last friday - a DME called me to setup for a monday delivery of equipment. I have now slept like I haven't for 30 years!!! I would wake up after about 2.5-4 hours and assume that "that was it".

I am an insulin dependant type 2 diabetic with hypertension. My type 2 diabetes developed about 6 years after I started sleeping less.. I was 18.. My grand father as well as my father was both
diabetics - so I thought "that was it"... When I turned 30 - I went to my doctor one day and was told that I had hypertension..

Now - at age 43, I have found that my insulin sensitivity has increased and that my bloodpressure is about 30 points lower in the morning, than when I went to bed!

ALL OF THIS in less than a weeks time!?!?!? I can't wait to see what next week will bring.. Maybe I'll become tall, dark and handsome?

I have had to decrease my insulin night time - which I had to increase due to "dawn phenomenon" by 15% and now I wake up with blood glucose in the low 90's!

For me this experience has been great so far - except I have developed a nasal bridge sore.. I've slept one night with a "gecko skin" , and will put it on again tomorrow.

I'm curious to see how long I can sleep tonight - with no alarm clock to wake me up

I hope that y'all will have a good night.. And good luck!

archangle · Post by **archangle** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 9:14 pm

Q. How did they treat sleep apnea before CPAP?

A. Burial.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 23, 2012 6:31 am

archangle wrote:Q. How did they treat sleep apnea before CPAP?

A. Burial.

Exactly right. When I think of the millions of people who needlessly died from this; unreal. Even babies have this; it's just unbelievable. For those who disagree, then I hope they die in their sleep because that is what should happen and means there is justice in the world for those who don't believe.

49er · Post by **49er** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 3:22 am

As one who feels that psych meds destroyed 15 years of my life, I am one of the biggest cynics of the medical profession. I also feel that there are alot of BS practices in the sleep medicine industry.

But there is no doubt in my mind that this diagnosis is legitimate. That is why even though I have had the nightmare experience from hell in trying to adjust to cpap treatment, I continue to stick with it.

Regarding people who weren't diagnosed with apnea, I feel my mother definitely had all the signs. You might think she did fine since she lived until 93.

But she had various health issues that I feel greatly destroyed the quality of her life. It might have been totally different if she had been treated and diagnosed.

49er

insylem · Post by **insylem** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 1:49 pm

I know my Sleep Apnea is real. I feel much better on the hose too! I'm not sleeping away my saturdays anymore catching up from missing sleep during the week.

When I got out of the military, I stayed with my parents for a couple of years while I went to school full time to get my Aircraft Mechanic's licence. So my parents
told me that when id nap on the couch that I'd stop breatching in my sleep alot. I also noticd it conciously too. Wake up gasping for air, ect. I have a good relationship
with my parents so I know they woudln't lie to me about something like that.

Is my OSA/sleep apnea diagnosis a scam?

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