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Friends,
I have a terrible snoring/sleep problem. My doctor suspects sleep apnea, but the sleep test to diagnose it is several thousand dollars out-of-pocket for me.
I've found several sites that will allow online diagnosis (they send you the testing kit) for about $400.
Anyone ever tried this? What was your experience?
Thanks for any advice you may have.
SR
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At the end of my test the doctor said they could diagnose me as having sleep apnea (duh) and wanted me to return for a second (boat payment) night of testing equipment. I refused. So they sent me home with a machine for a few nights. After this short trial run I brought in the chip. They reviewed it to see if I improved, tweeked the settings, and sent me home. I'm sure they can send you a kit (machine) that tests you the first night, makes changes, and tests again. I think the whole $3,000 per night test is a waste of time for someone willing to act on their own.
Btw, good luck. I know how rough it can be suffering the effects of sleep apnea. I hope you are able to get a machine and some relief.
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I had an at home test. It was not a CPAP machine, just a portable machine that measured everything. The test was inconclusive. I had the sleep over test and it showed I needed I needed one. That was a number of years ago and I use it religiously. Good luck on finding and fixing your sleep problem.
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If you really have sleep apnea, it's import to get a valid test at a testing center. If you have health insurance or Medicare, it should be covered. I don't think the take-home machines can do as thorough evaluation as a sleep study can. I remember when I took mine, they attached about two dozen leads to my head and body.
It's important to take this seriously because a severe case of sleep apnea can kill you if you're not careful.
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What davemchine said. First time I was diagnosed, I went to a sleep center. Worst experience ever. The machine they gave me after that sucked a$$ and I stopped using it after a few months. I took another test after changing insurance providers (years later). Met with a sleep specialist and he walked me through the process of hooking myself up for the weekend along with their machines. One was an oximeter with a breathing meter tube combo, and the other was a diagnostic Auto CPAP machine with an SD recording card. After the in home multi night test I was ordered a CPAP machine non auto. I couldn't handle it (constant air flow) and I requested an auto CPAP machine. Enjoy sleeping now and don't wake up with head aches anymore. The lose weight advice doesn't work for everyone, I've been snoring since I was in middle school.
If the testing place sends the right machines, you should be good to go. You can always adjust the machine yourself after you get it. I needed to increase the starting pressure on mine because I felt that I wasn't getting enough air when I put it on.
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How much does mrs. cbelt3 charge?