I got some exciting and shocking news all in one day.
I talk to my patient advocate today and found out that I should know early next week if I am approved or not. She is almost positive I will be b/c of my wonderful insurance and my BMI. So I am very excited.
But, I also met with my neurologist today for my sleep study results. I didn't think I had it. I was just going along with my PCP b/c he thought it would help my case. Well, I do indeed have sleep apnea in fact it is severe. I stopped breathing 61 times in 1 hour. My o2 sat went down to 78% and the longest I stopped breathing was 37.5 seconds. They great thing about this is I have been telling any doctor that would listen that I am exhausted, hardly able to function tired. They would all say it was b/c I had 3 kids under 2, I am just a tired mom or I need to exercise more. I kept telling them there was more to it, I just KNEW it. So my neurologist is wonderful, he said that all of the symptoms I am experiencing...Depression, fatigue, mood swings, irritability and exhaustion are all due to sleep apnea. So I may not be crazy after all! LOL I have to go have another sleep study done to get fitted for my c-pap. I am not happy that I have it but I am happy that I finally have an answer and a dr. that will finally listen to me. YAY!!
So if I do end up getting denied. I know have this additional info.
But, I also met with my neurologist today for my sleep study results. I didn't think I had it. I was just going along with my PCP b/c he thought it would help my case. Well, I do indeed have sleep apnea in fact it is severe. I stopped breathing 61 times in 1 hour. My o2 sat went down to 78% and the longest I stopped breathing was 37.5 seconds. They great thing about this is I have been telling any doctor that would listen that I am exhausted, hardly able to function tired. They would all say it was b/c I had 3 kids under 2, I am just a tired mom or I need to exercise more. I kept telling them there was more to it, I just KNEW it. So my neurologist is wonderful, he said that all of the symptoms I am experiencing...Depression, fatigue, mood swings, irritability and exhaustion are all due to sleep apnea. So I may not be crazy after all! LOL I have to go have another sleep study done to get fitted for my c-pap. I am not happy that I have it but I am happy that I finally have an answer and a dr. that will finally listen to me. YAY!!
So if I do end up getting denied. I know have this additional info.
The sleep apnea diagnosis will do nothing but help with the insurance. keep in mind the surgeon may want you to start wearing the c pap machine and get used to it before surgery. Especially if your apnea was that bad.
Before being diagnosed with sleep apnea I was waking myself up gasping and all the drs said I shouldn't be doing this. They were not sure I had apnea. Low and behold my apnea was pretty severe. I originally had my machine on 11 and now it is down to 9 and I need it turned down again and another test done.
Mine is so bad I can't sleep without it. In the operating room I told them the problems with the apnea so they watched it closely.
Tamara
Before being diagnosed with sleep apnea I was waking myself up gasping and all the drs said I shouldn't be doing this. They were not sure I had apnea. Low and behold my apnea was pretty severe. I originally had my machine on 11 and now it is down to 9 and I need it turned down again and another test done.
Mine is so bad I can't sleep without it. In the operating room I told them the problems with the apnea so they watched it closely.
Tamara
I've used cPap for about 4 years. It makes such a difference. I'm 2 years post RNY and will have another sleep study this summer to see if maybe mine is resolved. I will do what I need to do but really don't think I need it any more but will wait for sleep study to find out results.
When I first started using mine, I couldn't believe how much better I felt.
When I first started using mine, I couldn't believe how much better I felt.
A tip here: If you can, see if they will give you an "auto-set" machine, instead of a regular one. This was helpful as I was losing weight, as it would automatically calibrate how much air I needed as I lost the weight. The machine was set for me based on my readings, between a window of 5 to 15, which could have also been altered, if needed. I think it saved me from having to get multiple sleep studies over the years, as it wasn't programed for just one setting. I just had a sleep study done last week and am waiting for the results to see if I still need the machine, now at goal weight. I'm told there are plenty of thin people out there that use one, so it may or may not be something I can ditch. Over the years, I've used the full mask and the "nasal pillow" style, preferring the latter ("Swift" brand) as it is less obstructive on my face being a stomach sleeper and the tubing is flexible to accommodate tossing and turning.
Definitely, I noticed a big difference in daytime tiredness when I first started using the machine, whereas now, I don't think I'm getting much help from it. I have fibro with the chronic fatigue, so it's fair to say the cpap and weightloss did all it could do.
Good luck! 3 kids under 2? Makes me tired to think about that, along with dealing with the apnea.
Definitely, I noticed a big difference in daytime tiredness when I first started using the machine, whereas now, I don't think I'm getting much help from it. I have fibro with the chronic fatigue, so it's fair to say the cpap and weightloss did all it could do.
Good luck! 3 kids under 2? Makes me tired to think about that, along with dealing with the apnea.