sleep apnea

Yes you are right. most of the sids cases are actually apnea.
Also when you stop breathing, your legs will jerk, your arms will jerk, or your body core or trunk will jump to awaken you so that you can breath, but this is not always true. Some actually do die from the apnea episodes. And snoring is a sign of it.

 

yup your brain is trying to wake you up. so when you say, wow, i snored so loud i woke myself up or you jerk awake, your brain saved you...

 

Who typically conducts the studies? I have to get one done. And do I have to pay out of pocket?

 

Is there a used market for CPAPs? They are really expensive and insurance is giving me a hard time

 

The majority of all sleep studies are done in a clinical environment either in a hospital's or a private care facility's sleep lab. Payment will depend on your insurance coverage. So long as you are referred by your primary care physician, I can't imagine there being any issue with your insurance company covering the costs.

I don't know if there is a used market for CPAP machines. My guess is that wouldn't be a very lucrative market to be in. I'd check with your regular doc or the sleep disorder specialist your doc refers you to.

 

You can NOT buy a used CPAP.... FDA regulations prohibit it.

There are a FEW sources for getting reconditioned CPAP for indigent persons meeting strict poverty guidelines that most working drivers won't meet.

If you have an old CPAP or know of someone who no longer needs it (usually when they die) contact the American Sleep Apnea Association.. they can direct you where to donate it to get reconditioned for someone who may not be able to afford one but needs it.

Whether or not sleep apnea treatment is covered by your insurance depends on the details of your policy. Lots of low cost limited benefits policies exclude lots of treatments normal insurance would cover.

 

I have bought 4 used machines on CPAPAUCTION.Com and they have my perscription on file which i faxed to them and it is like an EBAY for Cpap's and supplies(masks,hoses,humidifiers) and cheaper because if you don't have insurance this is all some can afford.Most masks and hoses are brand new and machines are mostly through medical supply place that have been gone through and cleaned.It is legal since they keep you doctor's perscription (approval) on file to let you bid.I keep them for backup,camping,in the truck so my home machine stays next to the bed.Check out the site,it's run by CPAP.com a company that also give big discounts for new Cpap's and bipaps because it's direct to customer service with no insurance company involvement.

 

My son-in-law has a CPAP and drives for Schneider. While I do not know all the details, he informed me last week that he was put OOS by DOT for not using the CPAP enough the night before. I don't know how or why they can check it. But that is his story and he's stickin' to it. LOL Anyway he now tells me that Schneider has given him a week off because of the OOS violation. We lost signal as we were talking as he runs Topeka to Denver and has very poor cell coverage. We have not talked since, so I have no more details. I think I will resist a sleep study at all costs, especially since I have never been able to sleep on my back for long periods of time.

 

there is a card or chip in it like whats in your cell phone and they can just pull it out and read it and yes you really have to wear it or it won't give a reading so there is really no cheating allowed.