Sleep Apnea and Oxygen Rating

0 Kudo

Author	Comment
Gunsmith65	Sleep Apnea and Oxygen Rating		Lead	[-]
Posts: 122 06/27/08 20:34:11	I had a sleep study done in Jan 08. From it I received a 50% rating. I showed my private doctor the sleep study paperwork and he commented that my oxygen desaturation levels were "pretty darn low" and asked if they had given me oxygen with a machine at night. The VA provided a CPAP but has not given me oxygen and did not address the low oxygen percentages noted during my sleep study. My private doctor prescribed oxygen but cannot prescribe the machine that goes with it. Here is my question. Will the VA raters accept the prescription and opinion of my private doctor based on his reading of my sleep study paperwork? If so, then I should be able to resubmit my ratings for an increase to 100% correct? I am trying to talk with the VA sleep lab personnel but they have not called me back once. I have contacted them 7 times. Each time left a voice message. I got a person twice in two months and he said they would review my smart card (I sent it in becasue I was having Central apnea problems while using the CPAP) and get back with me. Two months later and nothing. Yes, I am still trying to get answers. Now I am going to ask about the Oxygen but I wanted to see if anyone has any insight on the oxygen matter and my question above. Thanks
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
71infantry		#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 545 06/27/08 21:03:21	The va will not accept the oxygen prescription from your doctor... I went through this in Augusta georgia and San Antonio. You need to call the Oxygen clinic at your Vet hospital tell them the situtation and they will have you come in with a copy of the records that show you need oxygen. Or they will copy your doctors prescription and then arrange for a oxygen condensor to be delivered to your home. Then once you have the oxygen put paper work in for 100% because that is what your going to be rated at....... If you have medicare and tricare you can also just get the machine delivered and let your insurance pay for it that Is what I ended doing because I use the home fill system and va wont pay for homefill
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Gunsmith65		#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 124 06/27/08 23:17:43	71Infantry, Thanks. I had a feeling it wouldn't be as easy as having my doctors prescription. I told him the VA didn't even discuss it with me and he got a little angry. He said to have them contact him or he would write a letter if needed. Now if I could just get the sleep lab folks to call me back it would be nice. I guess I am going to have to drive out there and do a face to face. When you say the Oxygen clinic at the VA hospital, are you talking about the sleep lab clinic or is there an actual Oxygen clinic?
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
71infantry		#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 546 06/27/08 23:59:29	Gunsmith65 wrote: 71Infantry, Thanks. I had a feeling it wouldn't be as easy as having my doctors prescription. I told him the VA didn't even discuss it with me and he got a little angry. He said to have them contact him or he would write a letter if needed. Now if I could just get the sleep lab folks to call me back it would be nice. I guess I am going to have to drive out there and do a face to face. When you say the Oxygen clinic at the VA hospital, are you talking about the sleep lab clinic or is there an actual Oxygen clinic? Actual oxygen clinic but they are likely located in the same area/floor/ward
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
heloteshippie		#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 357 06/28/08 00:57:49	Pulmanary clinic sp?
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
AFWenie		#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 29 06/28/08 08:16:21	what were your oxygen desaturation levels?
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Gunsmith65		#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 126 06/28/08 16:03:50	The lowest levels noted were 78% for just a few seconds, most of the lower levels were between 84 and 89%. I have not been able to find out what is really considered low enough though. I know I wake up with head aches. Not everyday but several times throughout the week. The go away after a half hour to an hour but then I get headache later on in the day that start raging. I was told the morning head aches are due to the low oxygen levels. Does anyone know what the cut off % is for what is considered low oxygen?
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
71infantry		#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 553 06/28/08 18:12:44	Gunsmith65 wrote: The lowest levels noted were 78% for just a few seconds, most of the lower levels were between 84 and 89%. I have not been able to find out what is really considered low enough though. I know I wake up with head aches. Not everyday but several times throughout the week. The go away after a half hour to an hour but then I get headache later on in the day that start raging. I was told the morning head aches are due to the low oxygen levels. Does anyone know what the cut off % is for what is considered low oxygen? 88% and below is considered low oxygen level some doctors will place you on oxygen at 89%... but from what I have learned 88 is the magic number
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Jim1960	Central Apnea	#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 52 06/28/08 18:42:41	I have central apnea with ox levels at 70% I was put on a VPAP (it is a computerized ventilator) It keeps my ox levels in the low 90%. I have not had oxygen except after I had my nose fixed and could not were the VPAP.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Gunsmith65		#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 127 06/29/08 13:29:23	Jim, Did they give you the VPAP for the 70% drop or for other reasons? Did they ever try to use the oxygen with the VPAP? My CPAP machine is causing my Central's to get worse. 71, Did they use the oxygen with the VPAP wth you or do you even use a machine any longer?
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Jim1960	gun	#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 53 06/29/08 16:23:40	I have the VPAP due to the CPAP not fixing my apnea problems, I had an AHI of 129 with 602 central apneas with no machine. With CPAP I still had a very high AHI and central apneas. With my first VPAP I still had AHI of 20, I now have the improved VPAP and have an AHI of 1, but still have some problems. Even with the VPAP my ox levels are between 95% and 90%. I have not used ox with the VPAP and I use the VPAP every night. I have read that a CPAP at high pressure can cause an increase in central apneas, not sure why it does that.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
71infantry		#11	[url]	[-]
Posts: 565 06/29/08 18:09:30	I never used a Cpap machine, I am on oxygen 24/7. I have been scheduled 3 times to take a apnea test but I just keep putting it off, becasue I really don't want to know the results of an apnea test.....
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Jim1960	71infantry	#12	[url]	[-]
Posts: 54 06/29/08 20:39:52	ox does not fix apnea. An apnea is when the air/ox coming in your nose/mouth does not reach your lungs either because your airway is obstructed (obstructive sleep apnea) or your lungs do not pull the air in because they do not receive a signal from your brain (central sleep apnea. Both types of SA are bad for your health, and a XPAP can make a huge difference your life.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
71infantry		#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 569 06/29/08 21:38:58	Jim1960 wrote: ox does not fix apnea. An apnea is when the air/ox coming in your nose/mouth does not reach your lungs either because your airway is obstructed (obstructive sleep apnea) or your lungs do not pull the air in because they do not receive a signal from your brain (central sleep apnea. Both types of SA are bad for your health, and a XPAP can make a huge difference your life. Yes I know this, didn't think I implied oxygen fixed apnea... only said I have not taken any test for sleep apnea....
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Jim1960	71infantry	#14	[url]	[-]
Posts: 55 06/29/08 21:47:04	No I guess you did not, I just find it hard to believe that a person on ox that has been told to have a sleep study would put it off. Even more so if you know that the ox will not help when you sleep. Good luck to you
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Gunsmith65		#15	[url]	[-]
Posts: 128 06/30/08 14:02:00	Thanks for the insight guys. The CPAP did make my centrals worse. I am not sure what they will do now. VPAP maybe? It is hard to pin these sleep lab guys down. I don't expect the oxygen to fix the apneas, but it should help with the lowering of oxygen in my system when I sleep. Hopefully it will help with the morning disorientation and headaches. The information was exactly what I was looking for. More for what I am to expect. You never know what is good to ask for or what their answers my be. My docs didn't discuss this with my they just gave me the CPAP, some instructions, and sent me on my way. Nobody ever went over the results with me. I would think it would help the patient to explain a bit. They will now at some point. I just have to get one of them cornered and get some answeres.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
71infantry		#16	[url]	[-]
Posts: 570 06/30/08 14:19:22	Jim1960 wrote: No I guess you did not, I just find it hard to believe that a person on ox that has been told to have a sleep study would put it off. Even more so if you know that the ox will not help when you sleep. Good luck to you Jim, I take oxygen for asthma/COPD, not apnea. Because of the lung disease I tend to sleep sitting so the oxygen does still help me....I have been told that I might have apnea because I tend to nap in the daytime... With all my other medical problems I am in no hurry to find out if I have another problem.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Gunsmith65		#17	[url]	[-]
Posts: 129 07/01/08 00:15:15	71, It is hard to even think about adding another med, machine, problem to the list. It sucks. However, if it improves your sleep then chances are it will improve some of your pain or other problems. There are never any guarantees but why not give it a shot? When I got may machine it didn't really do any miracles for me. After some time though I did start to notice I had a bit more energy and I was sleeping longer. Of course, about a month or two into it I started having very pronounced Central apneas when wearing the machine. I was worse on the machine then off of it. That is why I sent in my smartcard out of the machine and told them to fix the problem. Or at least make it better. Now I would love a smooth ride through the oxygen claim. That would be so nice. I don't have my hopes up though. The prescription my doctors said the oxygen was for ... Hypoximia? Something like that. I am to lazy to go get the paperwork right now. I would suggest giving the sleep study a shot though. While it is uncomfortable, it is only two days out of your sleeping life.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
71infantry		#18	[url]	[-]
Posts: 580 07/01/08 00:24:23	Gunsmith65 wrote: 71, ItI would suggest giving the sleep study a shot though. While it is uncomfortable, it is only two days out of your sleeping life. now u souind like my wife and son.....
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
Gunsmith65		#19	[url]	[-]
Posts: 131 07/04/08 14:19:19	LOL. Hmmmm. That's three people. Looks like you are outnumbered. Give it a shot.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote
pilot		#20	[url]	[-]
Posts: 35 07/15/08 07:46:10	71infantry wrote: Then once you have the oxygen put paper work in for 100% because that is what your going to be rated at....... Does anyone have a CFR or Title 38 reference for this? I have searched till I am blue in the face and all I can find is the Title 38 listing for 100%" "6847 Sleep Apnea Syndromes (Obstructive, Central, Mixed): Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or; requires tracheostomy............. 100" I have seen this statement in several places, but can not find the reference. Maybe it is stated under some other disability--I do not know. I would hope that is the case because I have CPAP with supplemental oxygen concentrator. Thanks a million in advance.
Interact My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Invite Blocking Ignore User's Posts Report Post	Reply Quote

Yuku free message boards

Click here for ways to help spread the word about VBN.

Sleep Apnea and Oxygen Rating

Sleep Apnea and Oxygen Rating

Quick Reply