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Sleep Test Avoidance

I am a 50 year old male who has used tobacco for 30 years. I have suffered through all of the key symptoms of sleep apnea for 2 years. I have brain fog, constant headaches, snore loudly, apparently stop breathing during sleep, get up nearly hourly all night long, have developed chronic erectile dysfunction, legs ache excessively, severe depression, weight gain, inability to make decisions, etc.

My problem is, it seems likely to my family and my general practitioner that I suffer from sleep apnea, and have been scheduled for 2 sleep test, which I have canceled. I refuse to participate in my local hospitals money racket of requiring the test prior to diagnosis. The test are a cash cow for the facility, with cost approaching $2500. I know that the local hospital administrator who also controls my doctors practice orders these and other mandates to boaster his bottom line.

Does it seem likely that sleep apnea is my problem? If so, are there any sleep specialist who would posibly treat my condition without me having to participate in and contribute to the health care fiasco that we held hostage to.
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Avatar universal
Hi JP55, how are you doing? You need to think from your health perspective, how well you would like to be diagnosed and then treated for? Not always a physician orders a diagnostic test unless required absolutely to treat specific disease or to rule out the probable diagnoses. Also not all the medical facilities are into money making by false way. You can always consult the sleep specialist before getting the sleep test done and get evaluated first, if he feels it is required then he may discuss the benefits of the test with you and how to plan the care thereafter. No one can ever force you to undergo a test if you are not willing to go-ahead to get it done. So relax and meet your sleep doctor for an evaluation first. Take care and post your thoughts.  
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13167 tn?1327194124
You need this test prior to diagnosis.  Is  there is another reason besides money that is keeping you from doing this - are you embarrassed to sleep around people,  or afraid you'll say something in your sleep,  etc?

I did pregraduate work in a sleep lab,  and it's amazing what you can learn that you don't know.  

You sound like you are suffering terribly.  Go have the test done.  it will be the best 2500 you ever spent.

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Avatar universal
Hi
KatEyes gave you some good advice.
You have a choice maybe to get better.
Probably cheaper the all the Doctor Appointments in the last 2 years.
Do you realize your lack of sleep may injure someone while your driving?

pattir727
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Avatar universal
It is not unheard of to buy a machine online and treat oneself for obstructive sleep apnea. With the data capable and auto titrating machines, generally speaking, one can tell if the treatment is effective. (With a basic machine, you are shooting in the dark.)

Here's the downside to self treatment. If one has central sleep apnea or complex sleep apnea, you wouldn't know that and your treatment may not be effective. Granted, that is not the majority of those with sleep apnea, but if you're in that minority, it would matter to you. Aside from identifying more complicated apneas, in a sleep lab, your oxygen levels, heart rythyms, brain waves, and muscle activity are all reported for the duration of the night. Any need for oxygen to accompany the cpap treatment would be identifed (although for several hundred dollars you can buy a recording 02 monitor). Sometimes accompanying sleep disorders are identified. You mentioned your legs aching - you could have Periodic Limb Movement Disorder. If you do reschedule the tests, make sure the doc knows of this symptom and ask that they also wire you to check for any limb movement disorder.

So, it depends on how big a gambler you are. Chances are, you'd do fine. If money is not an issue (having it, not the principle of it), if it were me I'd let them make their money at least at this phase. You can always make machine decisions independently after gathering your facts. If having the money is the issue, my opinion is that self treatment is better than none if you avail yourself to the knowledge that's out there on the subject.

Sometimes a GP will order a machine without a test, but it's not the norm. If you want insurance to pay anything, they'll probably require a test. As you already know, your symptoms are practically textbook for sleep apnea.

Oh, I am not affiliated in any way with the sleep industry other than as a long time consumer.



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