Sleep Apnea

Hi everyone..I think I might have sleep apnea. I wake up a few times in the middle of the night and litterally gasp for air then I fall back asleep. I've only noticed this within the last week or so. Does it cost extra to have a sleep test? I need the extra cost like I need three nostrils. Does a person have to wait longer to have the surgery if that's the case? Your comments would be appreciated. Thanx, Anne

Hey Anne. I have severe sleep apnea and my symptoms where the exact same as you are experiencing. My CPAP machine was set at 17 so that will tell you how bad a case of it I have. If your insurance covers Bariatric surgery.... it most likely will cover the overnight sleep study AND the CPAP therapy. And not it does NOT mean you will have to wait longer to have the surgery. It does mean though that you must get on the therapy prior to your surgery because it can be VERY dangerous for you to have the surgery if you don't have the machine. Even if you don't have the surgery... sleep apnea can be deadly. It can also result in early dementia! The great news is that MOST people are cured after weight loss surgery and you won't need the cpap machine shortly after surgery. I strongly suggest you go find a GOOD sleep center. It is really important to see a doctor who is is a Diplomat of the American Board of Sleep Medicine. While that does not guarantee their competency in treating you, at least they will be more informed in the area of sleep disorders. By the same token, many good sleep labs do not have their accreditations , but having it lets you know they have a certain level of expertise. Here are the links to the associations which provide accreditations for doctors and sleep labs. These sites describe the requirements for accreditation and lists those doctors and sleep labs which are accredited (or a Diplomat). The organization which accredits sleep labs: http://www.aasmnet.org/ American Board of Sleep Medicine http://www.absm.org/ If you have ANY questions at all or would like to chat, please don't hesitate to private message me. I am going in for my WL surgery on Tuesday but PLAN to be home on Friday raring to go. HEHE... ok I may be a LITTLE optimisitc but I always like to shoot high. Hope this helps. Marianne C.

Hi Marianne, Thanx so much for your response to my questions...it was greatly appreciated and I decided to see my doc tomorrow to ask him about it. Anne