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hey everyone....I am new to this and found this site via twitter. My dentist said I was having episodes of sleep apnea ( stopped breathing with blood pressure and pulse spikes when I would finally gasp for air) while I was mildly sedated from a procedure. I read up on sleep apnea, and seem to be a mirror copy of all the symptoms. So, I am going to see a pulmonologist who specializes in sleep medicine for my first appointment on Tuesday.....what do I need to know?? ask about??
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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as a first step, you should insist on getting a full overnight polysomnography. that will diagnose for sure whether you have sleep apnea, and pave the way for your insurance to pay for treatment, whatever you choose that to be.
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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You have already taken the biggest step. The next one will be to educate your self on apnea as much as possible so that an educated conversation can take place at your consultation.
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Permalink Reply by Laura Hand on
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Yeah, I was expecting the sleep study after the eval. Already checked with the insurance, they cover the appointment, sleep study, and DME if I need it. I just really have no idea what to expect...
Mike said:as a first step, you should insist on getting a full overnight polysomnography. that will diagnose for sure whether you have sleep apnea, and pave the way for your insurance to pay for treatment, whatever you choose that to be.
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it's HUGE that your insurance will pay for the sleep study and Durable Medical Equipment (DME). that means you really have access to the finest diagnostic and treatment options available for people with sleep apnea. you might take a look at this article on the ABCD's of Sleep Apnea. Also, I would watch these videos that will orient you on the whole process, then ask us more questions here:
http://www.sleepguide.com/video/part-1-of-3-tired-all-the-time
http://www.sleepguide.com/video/part-2-of-3-diagnosis-of-sleep
http://www.sleepguide.com/video/part-3-of-3-getting-treatment
Laura Hand said:Yeah, I was expecting the sleep study after the eval. Already checked with the insurance, they cover the appointment, sleep study, and DME if I need it. I just really have no idea what to expect...
Mike said:as a first step, you should insist on getting a full overnight polysomnography. that will diagnose for sure whether you have sleep apnea, and pave the way for your insurance to pay for treatment, whatever you choose that to be.
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Permalink Reply by Daniel on
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Bravo to your dentist for his awareness of the signs and symptoms, without pushing you to get a dental device.
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I have horrible dental anxiety. I live in a larger city in MS, but drive an hour and a half to see my little home town guy. He is really good.
Daniel said:Bravo to your dentist for his awareness of the signs and symptoms, without pushing you to get a dental device.
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Start by calling your insurance company and asking them what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than one as that will give you more bargaining/negotiating room to get the equipment you want (w/in reason, of course).
Most of your contact w/the sleep profession is going to be with or thru the local DME supplier so you want one whose RT you are comfortable working with. One that is truthful and knows the equipment they are providing or is willing to read the Clinicians Guide and LEARN the device they are providing. A lenient mask exchange policy is important too. Get an idea of which brand and model xPAP they prefer to provide.
As you talk to this sleep pulmonlogist let him know that you like to be fully informed and to take part in the decision making for your health care and like to work w/your doctors as a team. Tell him you are going to be interested in your sleep study results and understanding them as best you can and that you will want a copy not only of his dictated results but also the full scored data summary report w/condensed graphs. Ask if you will be scheduled for a consultation w/him when the PSG data has been scored before any decisions are made as to whether you need further testing or what the next step will be. Ask him what kind of time frame between study and the consultation.
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The more I read the more I realize I am lucky. My mother in law is an RT.
Judy said:Start by calling your insurance company and asking them what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than one as that will give you more bargaining/negotiating room to get the equipment you want (w/in reason, of course).
Most of your contact w/the sleep profession is going to be with or thru the local DME supplier so you want one whose RT you are comfortable working with. One that is truthful and knows the equipment they are providing or is willing to read the Clinicians Guide and LEARN the device they are providing. A lenient mask exchange policy is important too. Get an idea of which brand and model xPAP they prefer to provide.
As you talk to this sleep pulmonlogist let him know that you like to be fully informed and to take part in the decision making for your health care and like to work w/your doctors as a team. Tell him you are going to be interested in your sleep study results and understanding them as best you can and that you will want a copy not only of his dictated results but also the full scored data summary report w/condensed graphs. Ask if you will be scheduled for a consultation w/him when the PSG data has been scored before any decisions are made as to whether you need further testing or what the next step will be. Ask him what kind of time frame between study and the consultation.
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