Question:
Sleep Study--Was told by sleep tech, when I asked his opinion, that I did not stop

I did not stop breathing but I did have a couple of episodes where I had shallow breathing but my oxygen level did not drop. Now I just received a call from the hospital saying they wanted me to come in to be fitted for the Cpap. Now, I feel like they are just doing that to sell the machines. The other 3 in my sleep study were there for the Cpap. Does anyone else feel the same way?    — Kathy Thomas (posted on November 12, 2008)

November 12, 2008
I would call your doctor and also your insurance co and ask them to have the hospital send your results to them to see if you require a cpap machine, they are very expensive. Also if you have the surgery, you shouldnt need it after a couple months of weight loss. Just my opinion. Best of Luck. God Bless.
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 12, 2008
Your insurance company has criteria that must be met with regards to the severity of your breathing problems during sleep before they will pay for a CPAP machine to be bought or rented for you. The hospital itself is not selling you a CPAP machine. The results of your Sleep Study were sent to the interpreting physician, and he/she obviously feels you need it and recommended it. The interpreting physician gets paid to interpret your Sleep Study, but does not get paid extra when he/she recommends CPAP - so my point is, the physician is going to recommend it if you need it, not to make money, etc.. I am not sure what the sleep tech meant by shallow breathing without a drop in oxygen saturations, but they could be referring to your volume of breathing during sleep, or to RERAS which are respiratory effort-related arousals, as opposed to frank hypopneas or obstructive apneas. CPAP would potentially benefit any of those problems. If they feel you need CPAP, you should comply and use it, for your own health benefit. Good luck Gina A., CEEGT, RPSGT
   — Gina S.

November 12, 2008
You should be able to borrow a machine to test out before you have to buy it. I was tested for sleep apnea and the results were unclear. The respirologist suggested that I try a machine, which I did for a couple of weeks. I wasn't able to tolerate the CPAP which indicated I didn't really have sleep apnea.
   — Daichan

November 12, 2008
The final answer does not come from the tech. Once the paper work is submitted a pulmonologist reviews the case. He/She looks over all the information and makes the decision. If you have any questions you can contact your primary doctor or the pulmonologist that read your file. In the end I am sure that the sleep study tech will be talked to. He or she should not be giving such information. Good luck.
   — mary_rn

November 12, 2008
Sleep apnea can be very dangerous...so don't take a diagnosis too lightly...You can buy a used Cpap machine and then just get a new mask and tubing for hygienic/germy stuff reasons! If your hospital has a support group meeting, you might try there first. So many get the machines and only use it for a short time...You might check the docs office for a bulletin board for stuff like that...I know they have clothes exchanges too and all kinds of medical equiptment no longer needed after WL surgery...Just an idea
   — .Anita R.

November 13, 2008
I was required for the sleep study before my surgery and just like you I thought it was something else to make money on. My report was sent to the ordering doctor and the insurance company and I requested a copy of it and what it showed was that the report was done three days before I had the sleep study. My insurance wouldn't pay for the machine, but they insisted that I take it home and here it is still here after 9 months and they still will not come and get it and I haven't been billed for it anymore. I have called them so many times and still nothing! Good Luck! I just think it was a scam..Diane
   — dyates2948