Good morning all!
After a frustrating start to beginning therapy again, I am on my way.
I decided to see my original sleep doctor from approximately 20 years ago, Dr. Whaba Whaba. It had been so long since I had seen him, his daughter now practices with him! His kids and my daughter even went to school together.
The office made my appointment with her because her father is trying to retire and he only does pulmonary and OSA together. (Made appointment for my hubby with the dad. I suspect he has OSA and he definitely has RLS.)
I took many of my notes gathered from this support group and prior test reports, and advocated for the STA. She told me that I might get push back from the insurance company because I would have to show need for STA. One of the things she said was something to do with carbon monoxide? So she was ordering a titration test that would also measure this factor. I had to wait an unbearable month for the test but the results are in.
It seems my apnea is not quite as severe as it had been the last time I was tested because Dr.W said my test results showed high moderate apnea. Up to 50 second of no breathing, stopping about 24 times an hour. My oxygen levels only dropped to about 86% this time instead of in the 70s. Would explain the less number of headaches in the morning I suppose. I don't know what the monoxide bit was all about. I have lost weight since my last go around with this, but it is strange because I have always had OSA, even when not overweight.
Of course there was confusion when I showed up for my follow up appointment. Apparently who ever did my intake at my consultation did not do it correctly and the woman taking my vitals and getting me set up to meet with the doctor couldn't figure out why I was there. She kept asking me if I was currently on CPAP and a bunch of other stuff that made no sense considering I was just there and had been seen. Then it turned out the daughter, with whom I was scheduled to be seen had supposedly already left for the day. I was about to lose it when they told be the dad would see me. That worked out fine, we even caught up about old history.
As for my titration test, I was specifically told that the test would include therapy on STA. I even received a paper before the test with CPAP crossed out and STA written in. The doctor said I had been approved for regular ole Bi-pap (which I have tried in the past and it didn't work), I had to explain everything all over again. He said just a sec, went to confer with some one, I suspect his daughter who I don't think had actually left yet, came back and said he had conferred with his "boss" and yes, I was re-written for STA!
The medical supplier had already been sent the prescription for the regular Bi-pap so they had to re-send the new prescription. I got a copy for myself because I am buying the unit on my own. The insurance company stated I have to pay 45%. It would be $250 to do set up and the $134 per month. (The monthly is much lower than I had thought from in the past, but I researched my old bills and saw it had actually gone up.). With all the price deals Resmed equipment has at a particular supplier it is a no brainer to buy outright. The prescription is for the BILEVEL S/T AUTO - IVAPS: MIN PS 5, MAX PS 15. AUTO BPM.
We shall see how it all goes, keeping my fingers crossed! AND MANY THANKS AGAIN FOR ALLOWING ME TO POST MY NOVELS.
PS. He did say I have weird breathing.
WARNING: It may take a while to sink in...I tend to get befuddled at times.
Having difficulty sizing images.
