Re: CPAP Titration Appt.???????
Nette wrote:
Well, Im sort of nervous and excited all at the same time. My Appt. is this Monday for the titration. Im putting alot of hope on this machine. Can anyone tell me what exactly is different from the sleep study? Will they hook up all those electrodes again? And how long after this will it be before I get my CPAP machine? Im getting my actual results this time so I can get more information on the severity. Im looking forward to improving every aspect of my life, but I have to be awake to do it......Thanks
Hi Nette,
I'm excited for you! Hope it all goes smoothly for you.
Yes, they do hook you up again. They need to, to see how your statistics compare with cpap. And they will test by increasing the pressure to see which pressure stops your apneas. They fit you with a mask attached to a cpap machine, then tell you to sleep. Ha! Easier said than done! If you have any real problems with it, they will try different types of masks. They want to make sure you're breathing correctly with it so the test results are accurate. And of course they need you to be able to sleep with it, long enough to run the test.
Gosh, I don't know what to tell you about how long it will take to get your machine. A lot of it has to do with the type of insurance you have, I think. Your doctor will likely get the results of your test, and he will have to write a prescription for the machine (a real prescription, just like for drugs). I didn't actually see my prescription, for the doctors office worked directly with my insurance and set me up with my equipment ordered directly from a supplier. But however it's done, it would be good to have a copy of that prescription for your files. You may need that again. He will likely tell you what type of machine you will need (cpap vs bipap). If you discuss machines with your doctor or whoever sets it up, you might ask about the different types, such as the auto cpap vs straight cpap, also bipap. You may want to ask them how the process works. In my case, because of my !@#! insurance, I was limited in where I could get my machine and get full insurance coverage. You may have the choice of locating a local supplier, or consider buying online. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. You might want to check with your insurance to see what they cover. Some don't cover the extra costs of a more advance machine, the kind that monitor statistics of your breathing and apneas, info that can be printed out on a computer. But the costs might be offset by buying online. But local suppliers can be good, for they give you a hands-on experience of trying different masks. You might want to ask what are the return policies or costs if you get another mask.
After my sleep study, it was about a week for me to meet with my doctor to go over the results and start the process of ordering a machine. After that, it took maybe two weeks to get my machiine. But everybody's experience is a little differerent, some may be sooner.
Good luck, and keep us posted!
Linda
