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In desperate need of a Sleep Study
#1
In desperate need of a Sleep Study
I am a 34 year old female who has gained an excessive amount of weight in the past 5 years. I now weigh 300 lb. and am having a lot of problems because of it. As far as overall health, right now everything is fine across the board. My blood work all comes back great, my blood pressure is always almost perfect, my hormones are in check, no thyroid problems, no diabetes. So with the way I've changed my diet, there is no reason I shouldn't be losing weight, however nothing is helping.

I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I have sleep apnea. Not only am I constantly waking up throughout the night gasping for air, but it is starting to do it even while I'm awake. No one can sleep if they're in the same room as me because of how loud I snore when I AM sleeping. I wake up every morning with a pounding headache and I am so tired I can barely function most of the time, even if I've had 10 hours of sleep. It's put me into a state of major depression.

My main problem is getting a sleep study done. I have Florida Medicaid, but cannot find a study that takes it. Right now I'm unemployed and am a single mother, so there is absolutely no way I can pay for a study out-of-pocket. I'm at a loss as to what to do... my doctor keeps telling me how life threatening it is and that I need to do something quickly. And without a test I can't get a prescription for a machine.

Is there ANYTHING I can do to help in the meantime or does anyone know of any alternatives?

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#2
RE: In desperate need of a Sleep Study
Hello Breezybealle and welcome

Sound like OSA to me, you need a sleep study, in US a prescription required by law to purchase CPAP machines and whole masks

There are other ways such as craiglists or privately but one must know exactly what they're doing and the type of machine they're after to treat their type of sleep apnea otherwise get ripped off, getting a lemon, or/and waste money on the wrong machine

Let your fingers do the walking, get your local telephone directory and call the sleep centers, I would not be surprised if some accept Medicaid or have a reduced rated for people on Medicaid

here some, I've found but there is more ... http://www.medicaid.gov

1- http://fcmu.phhp.ufl.edu/

2- [Image: logo.png]
We found 19 specialists near South Pasadena, FL with an interest in sleep disorders and who accept Medicaid

3- [Image: logo.png]
Navigating the System: When You're Uninsured
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#3
RE: In desperate need of a Sleep Study
(12-12-2014, 03:15 PM)Breezybealle Wrote: I am a 34 year old female who has gained an excessive amount of weight in the past 5 years. I now weigh 300 lb. and am having a lot of problems because of it. As far as overall health, right now everything is fine across the board. My blood work all comes back great, my blood pressure is always almost perfect, my hormones are in check, no thyroid problems, no diabetes. So with the way I've changed my diet, there is no reason I shouldn't be losing weight, however nothing is helping.

I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I have sleep apnea. Not only am I constantly waking up throughout the night gasping for air, but it is starting to do it even while I'm awake. No one can sleep if they're in the same room as me because of how loud I snore when I AM sleeping. I wake up every morning with a pounding headache and I am so tired I can barely function most of the time, even if I've had 10 hours of sleep. It's put me into a state of major depression.

My main problem is getting a sleep study done. I have Florida Medicaid, but cannot find a study that takes it. Right now I'm unemployed and am a single mother, so there is absolutely no way I can pay for a study out-of-pocket. I'm at a loss as to what to do... my doctor keeps telling me how life threatening it is and that I need to do something quickly. And without a test I can't get a prescription for a machine.

Is there ANYTHING I can do to help in the meantime or does anyone know of any alternatives?
Hi Breezybealle,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Hopefully you can get a sleep study done to find out for sure if you have sleep apnea.
Hang in there for more responses to your quiry and good luck to you.
trish6hundred
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#4
RE: In desperate need of a Sleep Study
(12-12-2014, 03:15 PM)Breezybealle Wrote: .. my doctor keeps telling me how life threatening it is and that I need to do something quickly. And without a test I can't get a prescription for a machine.

Is there ANYTHING I can do to help in the meantime or does anyone know of any alternatives?

Well Breezy, it sounds like doc believes you have sleep apnea. So if he was willing to write a script for an auto-titrating machine, such as the Resmed S9 Auto, then you could shop for good used/refurbished one with our on-line suppliers (links at top of this page). I don't think your medicaid will pay for a machine without a sleep study, but with an autoset and help from the providers and from here you could get started.

You'll be out of pocket for the machine and the mask. Hopefully you can find the resources to do that. Check the prices, check with your doc, and see what you can do.
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#5
RE: In desperate need of a Sleep Study
American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA) have "CPAP Assistance Program" http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/cpap...ogram.html for people like yourself but first, you need to be diagnosed, give them a call
There is an application form, you can print out and take it to your doctor http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/cpap...chine.html

Recently they got huge CPAP donations from ResMed
Talk to them, they might put in touch with a center near you that accept Medicaid

Also they have support group (A.W.A.K.E)
Florida
Gainesville
AWAKE of North Florida
City: Gainesville

Affiliation: North Florida Sleep Disorder Center
Contact Name: Peter B. McCullagh
Phone: 352-336-4685

* Three are options but you need to go out there and knock on few doors ... doctors, sleep clinics, legal centers ...

Home tests are cheaper than sleep lab, talk to your doctor
There is more to effective treatment than getting a machine, right mask is important and above all heaps of patience/determination/attitude
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#6
RE: In desperate need of a Sleep Study
Florida SHIP Website:
http://www.floridashine.org
Phone: 800-963-5337
Program Name: SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders)
About: SHINE is Florida’s state health insurance assistance program for elder Floridians. SHINE provides educational materials and free unbiased insurance counseling to Florida elders, caregivers and family members. The goal is to help elders understand and receive the health insurance coverage they need through Medicare, Medicaid, Prescription Assistance, Long-Term Care Planning & Insurance, and other health care issues. Contact SHINE if you have questions by dialing the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337.
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#7
RE: In desperate need of a Sleep Study
Sounds like your doctor is on your side, so hit him up for a script on a self-titrating auto PAP. As you know, these machines record data and can help you and your doctor work as a team to optimize your treatment. Most importantly, it gets you help fast!

It's clear you need therapy, and if you doctor accepts you have OSA, and understands that there are machines that can self-titrate and record the efficacy of treatment, then you can get started with a minimum out-of-pocket expense. This stuff isn't rocket science, and while the specialists are protective of their turf, you own physician is your best bet. Go have a heart to heart talk.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

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#8
RE: In desperate need of a Sleep Study
Get you GP your Nurse practioner or even you Dentist to write you a prescription. If insurance wont be involved go around em.

Good machines are out there to be had for not a lot of money. You wont be the first person to have self treat your apnea the way the medical mafia is set up with the DMEs and you wont be the last.
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