Posted on 07/12/2013 8:09:44 PM PDT by Toespi
My husband got a new CPAP machine today, "latest technology". Here's the thing and it is stunning. His doctor warned him he MUST use it nightly as it has a chip in it that communicates with insurance/Medicare. If he doesn't use it regularly, his driver's license can be revoked. Anyone familiar with this?
Read the list. Number 19.
19. Sleep disorders, for example, narcolepsy or sleep apnea; or
Its on the list.
Narcolepsy is one thing, apnea quite another. The first would be a problem for driving, the second not.
I can not see sleep apnea as a reason to revoke a DL.
The original poster mentioned nothing about commercial driving.
"But that's a priceless Steinway!"
"Not anymore."
So, you say this guy is a "highly respected doctor"?
Not Anymore.
the noise was not a problem for me,nor the air pressure.i gradually got used to it.
i switched to a “full” mask later on, as it was more comfortable for me. (full covers nose and mouth)
i couldn’t tell you if the newer model is quieter,as i never changed the model after i got it to be able to make a comparison.
Continuous Pressure Air Pump. It is the device they use to treat obstructive sleep apnea. When some people fall asleep, their throat and nasal passages relax and "collapse" to the point that air can' flow through. They choke, wake up, the body reopens the passages, then starts the cycle again. Some people wake hundreds of times a night, and may no even know it. As a result, very little sleep and very poor quality, which affects the heart, blood sugar, and of course alertness.
The CPAP has a mask that (in most cases) fits over your mouth and nose and the pump pressurizes the air you are breathing slightly. This basically inflates the passages so that when you fall asleep and the muscles relax, they will stay open.
It is a very common diagnosis, and an almost homeopathic approach to treatment, but the pumps cost a few thousand dollars and insurers (rightly so I believe) want to make sure they are being used. The onboard computer is designed to report back to the doctor (when I take the card in) how many nights I use it, for how long, and how many "episodes" I had. They can even tell if the mask fits poorly and allows leaks. That tells the doctor (1) if the treatment/settings ar correct, and (2) if I am using it properly.
I would be surprised if the device automatically reported, but you do have to bring the card to the doctor periodically and he reads it. If your sleep was so poor that you were a risk to the public (like a bus driver who didn't sleep), maybe he would be under some requirement to report it. But there is no reason to think it would transmit. Doc gets the information.
If you need it, it is a life-changing device.
Obstructive should be pretty understandable while the Central Stem is a bit harder to get ones hands on. It is also rarer than the obstructive type.
I suffer from Both and I do use a CPAP machine with the ‘CFLEX’ feature.
In Essence Central stem occurs when the brain fails to send the signal to breathe to the lungs and one stops breathing completely. This failure to breathe can be caused by injury to the Brain Stem or even by prescription Meds that One takes such as Morphine and other narcotic and even some non-narcotic medications.
In my own case things are somewhat more complicated in that while I do have Narcotic pain prescriptions I also suffer due to breath control training I received while in the Army attending the U.S.Navy School of Music at Littlecreek VA.
I had enlisted specifically for the Fifth Army Band at Ft Sheridan IL and upon completion of my basic training I was sent to the Navy School of Music to complete my Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in Music Theory, Harming, Composition, private lessons, etc. Part of that training included ‘Breath Control’ which allowed one to be able to play LONG note without running out of breath.
That training included avoiding breathing until absolutely necessary to do so. In my own case, I was able to play some notes for almost four minutes without breathing by developing such a high degree of breath control I could still slowly expel air without needing to breathe in again for longer and longer periods of time until It became automatic for me and I wouldn't breathe in until my body became short on Oxygen.
My primary instrument was a Tuba with secondaries on French Horn and Euphonium.
Anyway when the Docs at Florida Hospital first gave me a sleep test they found out that during a six hour sleep test I had actually had over Four hundred occurrences of not breathing correctly with the longest incident lasting over three minutes.
As a result I currently do use a Respironics CFLEX unit with a Fisher & Paykey Opus 360 Pillows mask. I highly recommend the mask since it has solved all of my ‘leakage’ and loss of pressure problems and is very comfortable.
You need a new doctor. Any doctor that will lie to you is worth having. Medicare guidelines require something like 50% compliance or they won’t pay the rent. He won’t love it’s license.
Interesting. The possibility certainly exists that the Dr. is required by Medicare policies to issue a drivers license revocation letter if it is not used properly. He might certainly blame this on Medicare, rather than do it voluntarily.
I picked up a new CPAP machine this week. It has a memory chip which I’m supposed to send back in one week. The doctor will read the chip, which records my usage over the week. From the data she will determine the appropriate pressure which will be programmed into the chip and used to regulate the machine. After several months I’ll send the chip in again so my doctor can ensure the machine is calibrated correctly for my personal experience and so the insurance company can verify I’m actually using the machine it is paying $58.00 per month to rent. I was advised that if I’m not using the machine, the insurance company will pull it.
In my opinion both uses of this chip are appropriate. If somewhat in the Obama administration decides to take the sleep data from my insurance company or my doctor I really don’t care. I very much doubt there is much risk and the treatment benefits from the technology seem to outweigh risk that someone at HHS will find anything meaningful about be from this data.
The DOT did a long term study of truck drivers with sleep apnea. They were much more likely to get into an accident than those without the condition.
I know my state does not consider sleep apnea when issuing a DL but the DOT does consider it for CDL. In fact, if you have risk factors for sleep apnea, they require testing prior to issuing a medical card. If the test is positive, they require proof of ongoing successful treatment of the condition.
I have a mild case myself and treat with a dental appliance. Before treatment, I would fall asleep at stop lights. I bumped into another car when I dreamed the light turned green. I makes sense when you consider sleep apnea as being similar to someone choking you awake every 10 minutes all night long.
If you don’t hold a CDL, talk to your dentist about a dental appliance to keep your jaw forward while you sleep. It takes about a week to get used to but there is no noise or other distractions.
I have used one for about 8 years now, it made a big difference for me.
I think you are confusing narcolepsy with sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is not perfectly understood. There are mechanical and neurological factors involved. Although for each person, the two factors may vary in importance, I don’t think you can neatly divide them into two clearly separate groups.
Almost all new CPAP machines have a slot for a memory card. This is required for DOT card holders.
It’s not a lie. I have a friend who is on one of the auto-reporting cpap machines. When he goes in to his sleep doctor they already have the info...he doesn’t have to take his machine to be read. I have the one with the sd card...and there are programs available so that I can insert it into my own computer and read the data.
If it takes both of you to make decisions regarding his health care, and you become livid that the private company insuring him has picked up on their risk management, there might be a very good reason for them to want more information as to whether they wish to have him as a client.
Put yourself in their shoes. Would you buy a pig in a poke without seeing it? Give them a break. This is not invading privacy. He (not you) can decide what he chooses to disclose. If it takes you to make the decision, that will be an obvious reason to want more information.
You’re mixing oranges and apples, aren’t you?
Mine has an SD card that records how often it is used and for how long, but it also contains my prescription. It is for the doctor’s use only. It does not have any capabilities of communicating with anyone and the doctor only accesses it when I have my annual appointment. I am not required to use it when I am sick. Actually, I am not supposed to use it at all when I’m sick.
Post # 67 here was what I was thinking of .... My bad !
Stay safe !
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