Question:
CPAP machine is being required by my surgeon but sleep study doctor is telling me I

am not bad enough for the machine. Can't get the surgery without the machine and my PCP can't write the prescription. Has anyone had this problem and is this normal? What can I do?    — rpurdon (posted on December 30, 2002)

December 30, 2002
You need to have the resluts of your sleep study and the Dr's recommendations faxed to the surgeon. If the surgeon still thinks you need the machine than he can write the perscription for it. But it sounds crazy he would want you to have something that is not medically necessary.
   — Rebecca B.

December 30, 2002
I'm somewhat in a similar boat. I had my sleep study in early Dec. and the technician that did it told me I had mild sleep apnea but wasn't sure if the pulmonologist would require another study to fit me with a mask and machine. Well I just found out today that I do need another study and the mask and machine. Most of me feels it's a waste as my surgery is only a little over a month away and probably within a few months of dropping weight the mild apnea will be gone. My thought was why spend the money.<p>The reality is if the sleep doctor didn't require this I bet you the surgeon would and him I won't see untill 1 week before surgery - not enough time to fit in a sleep study. So my date would end up being cancelled. In my case the sleep doctor is sending me for the 2nd study and mask fitting etc. Ultimately the surgeon is responsible for keeping you alive and getting you through the surgery and after care. My guess is that even mild sleep apnea can cause lots of problems after surgery. The heavy pain medications I believe inhibit your breathing even if you do not have apnea. So while I am not thrilled about it, I will comply and after I'm home and back on my feet I'll get rid of the darn thing. Good quality, restoritive sleep is critical after a major surgery as this. It will help your healing.<p>Verify with your insurance that your PCP can't order the machine. If not, then verify that the surgeon can. If he can't then tell the insurance what the situation is and they can either tell the sleep doctor to do it or authorize one of the other doctors to order it. They certainly do not want any liability of someone having problems from untreated sleep apnea.<p>Another option is to see if another sleep specialist can review the study and see who he/she agrees with. If they agree with your sleep doctor then you'll have to tell the surgeon to tell the insurance why he feels you need this. If he or she agrees with the surgeon then most likely they will be willing to give you the prescription. It's ridiculous that you should even have this kind of hassle. Good Luck and I'll keep my fingers crossed everyone gets together and figures this out. Chris
   — zoedogcbr

December 30, 2002
Rhonda, I agree with the poster below. I sent you a private e-mail because I had some questions myself. Best of Luck.
   — Hackett

December 30, 2002
I had exactly the sames situation. My sleep doctor said that my apnea was mild enough and the weight loss would take care of it while my surgeon required that I be on a CPAP for 6 weeks prior to surgery. I was able to convince the sleep doctor to fit me for a mask and machine and I used if for the 6 weeks prior to surgery and in the hospital after. Let me just warn you, it was the worst 6 weeks of sleep I have ever had. Some people say they've never slept better after getting their machine. I no longer use my CPAP since surgery (by my own decision - NOT the dr's.) I have a CPAP machine if anyone wants to buy it from me. You'd probably have to get your own mask and stuff, but for anyone who has to pay for it because insurance doesn't, just give me a holler!
   — JLP9805