Can anyone recommend treatments of sleep apnea?
I live in Seattle. My sleep doctor has prescribed a Bi-PAP and I use it, but he will not do his job. He knows it isn’t producing good results. He mentions no "out-of-network" providers or alternatives. He doesn’t address all the problems I’m having. I have increased the pressure settings, with his knowledge, and am getting a second opinion from Virginia Mason Sleep Clinic. Apria, as a DME, is unacceptable. Numerous machines they provided, all Respironics, have broken. I dug up Lincare, on my own and went to their Seattle office last week. They fixed my mask, told me of other products I had learned of in the past few weeks on my own -without my asking. The bulk of my info on apnea and its treatment has come from newsgroups and sites dedicated to sleep disorders.
I use a saline solution daily.
Does ANYONE have ANY ideas or know of any other providers, DMEs, etc who can help? Please excuse the shouting & please help.
Lincare is one of the only national based DME’s but you can really use anyone. In my opinion the best DME’s are sleep labs that do both. Technicians are much more educated and helpful with the units and the mask fittings than business’ that just provide the equipment. Mostly because we actually use the equipment and we see how the masks and units work on a nightly basis. No other DME’s that are not sleep lab based are going to be as knowledgable. Respironics have been great units in my lab but we also use Resmed units that are just as great. You may have gotten units that are refurbished or used. There is another unit out there now called Adaptive Servo Ventilation but you have to fail bipap and have complex or central sleep apnea to qualify for one. But they are spectacular units and not all sleep labs are using them yet. Most sleep labs are great at working with insurances and you when it comes to equipment. I would seek a better lab and possibly a different Board certified sleep physician. We have two wonderful ones here in Montana and a great sleep lab. We have many patients from all over. But Seattle is a ways away and it may not be as convenient for you. Sorry and good luck
Posted in Sleep Apnea Treatment
March 6th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
you need to get a new doctor, keep looking until you find one who knows more than the internet and is actively helping you
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March 6th, 2010 at 10:09 pm
If it’s only apnea, I don’t understand why you aren’t on a C-PAP. I’ve only heard of the Bi-PAP being used with other medical conditions of which apnea is a symptom.
Myself, I’ve used a C-PAP for almost 4 years now, a Respironics RemStar, and the only problem I’ve had is a broken head cushion about 3 months ago.
It does sound like you need a different doctor; I know first hand how devastating apnea can be.
My only suggestion is to go to the ombudsman for your HMO or PPO and see if they can grease the skids for you.
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March 6th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
I also use a Bi-Pap are you connected to a O2 concentor, are u asthmatic,. Also have they suggested you try one with distilled water, warm air I really feel for you because no one understands how hard it is to sleep when you can’t really breath. My sleep clinic tried full mask half mask one with heated water.. My machines comes from Apria, try finding a referral company who might be able to connect u with other resources. I hope this helps.Let me know email Luvsmusiz@yahoo
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March 6th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Hi, I’m glad to have read this. Just because your insurance has no out of network providers does not mean squat. Your dr office could above there call of duty and request an in net work authorization to get you where you need to go. Respironics is a great manufacturer, Apria like to hand out used DME equipment. I work at a sleep lab/DME company. We have a sleep lab as well as DME and all that we need is a dr rx to sell you a machine or heated humidifier. The only thing with us being internet sold all over the world, we dont bill insurances. You must pay for it up front and then we can send you a form to bill your own insurance, we fill it out. We don’t bill Kaiser as they usually don’t cover DME or medicare, as we are not providers. Feel free to contact me for more info. We are not a company that sells you stuff and you’re on your way. Our tech is happy to speak with anyone of our customers. It’s all about customer service. Check out CPAPWORLD.COM
P.S., dont keep changing your pressure, suggest an automatic CPAP, its a little pricier but it will sence the amount of air you need while sleeping.
Also, use distilled water only, if you are using a heated humidifier. What type of mask do you use? Do you breathe through your mouth or nose? MAking sure you have the right mask is important too.
Keep in mind, Dr are Drs, not many specialize in sleep. I also use a CPAP!!!
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March 6th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Lincare is one of the only national based DME’s but you can really use anyone. In my opinion the best DME’s are sleep labs that do both. Technicians are much more educated and helpful with the units and the mask fittings than business’ that just provide the equipment. Mostly because we actually use the equipment and we see how the masks and units work on a nightly basis. No other DME’s that are not sleep lab based are going to be as knowledgable. Respironics have been great units in my lab but we also use Resmed units that are just as great. You may have gotten units that are refurbished or used. There is another unit out there now called Adaptive Servo Ventilation but you have to fail bipap and have complex or central sleep apnea to qualify for one. But they are spectacular units and not all sleep labs are using them yet. Most sleep labs are great at working with insurances and you when it comes to equipment. I would seek a better lab and possibly a different Board certified sleep physician. We have two wonderful ones here in Montana and a great sleep lab. We have many patients from all over. But Seattle is a ways away and it may not be as convenient for you. Sorry and good luck
References :
Sleep Technician