First, call the sleep clinic back and ask for your sleep study report. They may tell you it is a bunch of data you'd not understand. That's fine. You want it anyway. And if they were the same ones to do the other studies, you want those results, too. These are YOUR medical records and it never hurts to have that information on file.
(09-07-2012, 03:40 AM)cardinalgirl Wrote: Then they called and said they wanted me to come in for another study, for " CPAP titrations". They used the nasal mask; said the pressure setting was 14. Made no difference in the RLS sypmtoms- have to start meds for that. SO finally- my questions-
What does that pressure setting mean?
The pressure number does not reflect the severity of the condition. What it means is that's the amount of air pressure needed to either maintain your throat opening or to re-open it once it closes. the 14 is actually 14cmH2O. This means if you take a clear water hose, put it in a U shape, put water in it, and apply enough air pressure that the water moves up 14 centimeters, that's the air pressure they say you need.
Quote:When I go in for my followup- what should I ask for the prescription to say so that I can have the widest choices? They said my copay for the machine would be $269.00 ( if I purchase my setup from them. )
You want a fully data capable machine that records more than just compliance data. This means a Respironics that does not have the word Plus in the name and a Resmed S9 that does not have Escape in the name. It would be even better if you got a auto-PAP (aka APAP) that adjusts the pressure to what you need.
Quote: Is it better to purchase from the sleep clinic or from an online company?
Personally, I am very much against a sleep doctor or sleep clinic that also sells machines. To me, that is a huge conflict of interest. If it were my situation, I would ask them for the prescription then go shopping elsewhere. Call other suppliers (referred to as DME) and ask them about their mask policy. The mask is by far the hardest yet most important piece of equipment. You want a supplier that will allow you to try different masks at home. Typically, they let you take a mask home to try for anywhere from 2 weeks to 30 days. Sometimes it takes that long to decide if you really like it. Other times, you know the first night. Just take it back at any point and ask for another. If you find one that has such a policy, tell them the insurance you have and ask what your co-pay would be. Or, better yet, call your insurance company and ask if they follow Medicare guidelines concerning CPAPs. This means they pay the same amount no matter what the machine is (excluding the higher costs of variable PAPs and some bilevel PAPs). This is why DMEs like to push the 'brick' machines because they have a bigger profit margin.
Quote: Thank you for this forum- I can already tell how helpful it will be.
You are welcome! We're crazy, of course, but we're sincere about wanting to help each other.
As to the RLS, there is a condition at night called Periodic Leg Movement Disorder (PLMD) and that is probably what they were looking for. Sometimes, but not always, a person can have both. Sometimes, but not always, treating the cause of one helps the other. PLMD is a condition many persons with sleep apnea have. It is because our bodies and brains are screaming for oxygen and are struggling to wake us up. The legs are typically the ones most involved. There may be another underlying condition that causes PLMD.
I am one of the lucky ones to have both. In my sleep, I have kicked my 85 lb Rottweiler up and over the 6" foot board of my bed. She was NOT amused. Using a CPAP has cut that down a lot but not completely. My RLS has been found to be connected to my potassium levels which has a tendency to go a little wonky. When it goes low, I cannot keep my legs still for nothing. It is like a trillion ants are under my skin, demanding that I either move my legs or they will explode outwards. We keep potassium high fruits on hand (bananananas, usually) for when that happens. I take a multi-vitamin but not specifically potassium. I have in the past, however. Some medications cause the body to dump out potassium (such as HCTZ, a blood pressure medication).