I have a problem. I am 68 years old. I have been using CPAP for about 25 years. When I was first diagnosed I was falling asleep on a dangerous job and nodding off while driving. A sleep study was a lifesaver, after going on CPAP I was a new man. With adequate sleep I was alert and the bonus was my Late Wife quit nagging me about snoring LOL.
Anyway to make a long story short, After a long time use I needed new equipment. It seems that Medicare required a new Sleep study since it was over 10 years since my original one.
Well, it turns out that I didn't have enough "episodes" on the new study to qualify in medicare's guidelines. I can't afford to buy new equipment outright and couldn't anyway without a new RX. The problem is I still can't sleep without my cpap, and when I do get SOME sleep I awake with a sore throat from snoring severely all night. No snoring complaints, my Wife passed away in 1994.
I don't think it's fair that I can't get needed new equipment simply because one test didn't show enough "incidents" . I really NEED the cpap therapy to get a good nights sleep. Any suggestions?
Karl  

Yep, I would request a copy of the full scored data summary report w/condensed graphs from that sleep evaluation. And I would pour over it w/a fine tooth comb myself. What you don't understand, if anything, someone here can most likely explain.

Something isn't kosher about this sleep study - or the interpretation of it if you've been on CPAP therapy this long. Get a copy of the scored data and get back to us and we'll sett what suggestions we can come up with. I'm sure if we put our heads together we can find a way around the problem.


_________________
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kalight wrote:

I have a problem. I am 68 years old. I have been using CPAP for about 25 years. When I was first diagnosed I was falling asleep on a dangerous job and nodding off while driving. A sleep study was a lifesaver, after going on CPAP I was a new man. With adequate sleep I was alert and the bonus was my Late Wife quit nagging me about snoring LOL.
Anyway to make a long story short, After a long time use I needed new equipment. It seems that Medicare required a new Sleep study since it was over 10 years since my original one.
Well, it turns out that I didn't have enough "episodes" on the new study to qualify in medicare's guidelines. I can't afford to buy new equipment outright and couldn't anyway without a new RX. The problem is I still can't sleep without my cpap, and when I do get SOME sleep I awake with a sore throat from snoring severely all night. No snoring complaints, my Wife passed away in 1994.
I don't think it's fair that I can't get needed new equipment simply because one test didn't show enough "incidents" . I really NEED the cpap therapy to get a good nights sleep. Any suggestions?
Karl  

How much sleep time did you have? If you can't seep without CPAP and your baseline study was without CPAP, then is it possible that you were awake most of the night? If so, then you may be in line for a second test.

Like it was suggested, get a copy of the test. There isnt any raw data to go over with a fine tooth comb (IE you wont be able to add events or justify an order for CPAP), but you may be able to find something in there to get you another test. If you do have another test, make sure to lay on your back the entire night (if you didnt last time) and try anything possible to force yourself into events, if you want the machine that badly. There are ways to get yourself a Cpap machine. I shouldnt even mention this, but I did. I wont go any further...