View Full Version : VA "doesn't do" sleep studies?
quadvet
03-15-2009, 05:46 PM
That's what I was told. Anybody ever have a sleep study at the VA?
Thanks much.
That's what I was told. Anybody ever have a sleep study at the VA?
Thanks much.
Hey Matt,
That is not true ! I've had sleep studies at the following VA's :
Albany, New York Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania & James A. Haley VA Hospital in Tampa Florida.
I'm sure there must be many other VA's in the US that do sleep studies.
If the VA you go to doesn't do them it seems to me that you would be sent to one on consult that does sleep studies. If not possible then you sent should be sent to a VA contract sleep lab that does them for the VA.
See your service officer or patient advocate if you have to to get a sleep study done at the VA's expense. Good luck !
quadvet
03-16-2009, 04:28 PM
Maybe it's just my VA. Got it both from my doctors and NSO.
Thanks RAFS.
Maybe it's just my VA. Got it both from my doctors and NSO.
Thanks RAFS.
Matt,
Your very welcome. I was glad to provide the info to you.
Yes, may be it's just your VA. Then they should send you to a contract sleep lab to get your sleep study done so you can get your machine adjusted right. Press for getting sent to a contract sleep lab.
Good luck with every thing. PM or e-mail some time & let me know how your making or made out in your persuit getting sent to a VA contract sleep lab or to a VA that does sleep studies.
Regards,
RAFS
quadvet
03-16-2009, 07:41 PM
Will do bud, thanks. :thumb:
wazabiker
03-20-2009, 08:23 PM
My VA, Charles George, Asheville, N.C. does not do sleep studies in house. A local hospital does them on contract with the VA.
quadvet
03-21-2009, 08:57 AM
Thanks, Wazabiker. Do you know if that contracted hospital is able to accommodate us with SCI?
SCI-Nurse
03-22-2009, 01:30 AM
Have you talked to anyone at your VA SCI Center? We do them at ours. The sleep study center is not very accessible. We can accommodate the studies in a private room on the SCI unit when it is needed (their tech comes down with essential equipment). If the study is being done for sleep apnea (the most common reason) it does not require the full lab set-up.
And yes, if your physician orders it, but it is not provided in-house at your VA, and they put in the proper justification for fee-basis at a community institution, the VA should pay for it. Your NSO needs to talk to someone at the PVA headquarters about this.
(KLD)
fishin'guy
03-22-2009, 01:31 AM
quad Vet I had my original study done at Providence in Seattle, since then I beleive most Dr's have their own sites. My Dr was Pasquale, and I beleive he's very close to Swedish In Seattle. I live No of Seattle, and there's 2 S/Study within a mile of me. There should be some near Portland. But check w/ the VA they should have some sort of agreement w/ a study site. Good luck buddy.
quadvet
03-22-2009, 08:56 AM
Have you talked to anyone at your VA SCI Center? Yes of course. Was told, as stated in OP, that VA does not do sleep studies, by my PCP. NSO said same.
We do them at ours. The sleep study center is not very accessible. We can accommodate the studies in a private room on the SCI unit when it is needed (their tech comes down with essential equipment). If the study is being done for sleep apnea (the most common reason) it does not require the full lab set-up.I had something like that done at my VA SCI center. It was limited to pulse oximeter, breath sensor and snore sensor, in a 4-man room, TVs blaring, loud talking and nurses running around till after midnight - most assuredly, not a polysomnogram. As my accredited sleep doctor said regarding the results: "That is not an adequate report on which to base anything.". My VA doctor agrees, here (http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/sleep-disorders/archives/Snoring_apnea_spinalcord.htm):
TalkAboutSleep.com: If our readers suspect undiagnosed sleep apnea in someone with SCI, what should they do?
Dr. Stephen Burns: They should ask for a referral to a specialist in sleep medicine... sleep apnea should be confirmed with a sleep study (polysomnography).
Does that not also apply to veterans? The only way to be properly diagnosed and treated is through polysomnography.
And yes, if your physician orders it, but it is not provided in-house at your VA, and they put in the proper justification for fee-basis at a community institution, the VA should pay for it. Your NSO needs to talk to someone at the PVA headquarters about this. Tried, no dice.
ETA: I meant to add a thank you for your response, it's helpful to myself, and hopefully others too.
quadvet
03-22-2009, 09:06 AM
quad Vet I had my original study done at Providence in Seattle, since then I beleive most Dr's have their own sites. My Dr was Pasquale, and I beleive he's very close to Swedish In Seattle. I live No of Seattle, and there's 2 S/Study within a mile of me. There should be some near Portland. But check w/ the VA they should have some sort of agreement w/ a study site. Good luck buddy.Thanks Fishin'Guy, I'll get 'r done one way or another. Fortunately I'm 100%service-connected, which also means retired, so Medicare will pick up 80% of the bill at a civilian sleep doctor. Don't know what less fortunate veterans do.
quadvet
03-29-2009, 08:54 AM
Have you talked to anyone at your VA SCI Center?
(KLD)Yes, I spoke about this with:
- My PCP, several times
- A backup PCP covering for my PCP, who was out of the office for weeks
- The RT who did my "sleep study" on the SCI Ward and worked with me throughout my admission, and is in charge of home CPAP supplies
- Another RT covering for the primary, who was out of the office for weeks
- Tried to reach my Attending Physician; the desk clerk wouldn't or couldn't transfer me to his phone.
- Twice with Chief of Spinal Cord, through her aid
- My state PVA National Service Officer
- Twice to the Northwest Chapter PVA National Service Officer on the SCI Ward
Any other suggestions greatly appreciated.
That's what I was told. Anybody ever have a sleep study at the VA?
Thanks much.
Matt,
So sorry your having such a hard time trying to get thru to some one about your sleep study. If you don't get any satisfaction locally maybe the service here on Care Cure Veterans Forum can go to bat for you or how about asking to be flown down here to the James A. Haley VA SCI Center at VA expense? There is a sleep lab on the first floor of the Pulmonary Dept in the hospital building then maybe you could get an SCI Nurse to spend the night with you in the sleep lab room should you need anything during the night. Let me know if you need me to go to bat for you at the Tampa VA getting things lined up so you can come down here & get a proper sleep study done. Hope to hear back from you soon.
Take Care !
Regards,
Bob
Fellow CC Member, Veteran & wheelchair user
quadvet
03-31-2009, 08:10 AM
Bob-
Your generous offer greatly appreciated. Since my original post in this thread, I went outside the VA system and had a sleep study done. So, I'm taken care of for now.
Bob-
Your generous offer greatly appreciated. Since my original post in this thread, I went outside the VA system and had a sleep study done. So, I'm taken care of for now.
Thanks for the info. That's a bummer you had to go outside the VA to get what you needed. Glad your set for now. Hope your sleeping better.
What did the private sleep doctor pick up on? Do also have central sleep apnea as well as obstructive sleep apnea? Are you under the VA's home oxygen program? I am. A respiratory therapist comes to my house every month & checks the ventilator settings, checks the internal & external batteries to make sure they have the right power in them if the house power should fail at least I have battery back up & a huge tank of oxygen to bleed 2litres per min thru the ventitlator tubing. It's so nice not having any private home oxygen service bills to pay.
When are you going to call me? I'm still waiting. It's your turn to call as I called you when you were in the hospital in Seattle several months ago.
Take care Matt !
BOB
quadvet
04-05-2009, 08:11 PM
My sleep study results show an approx. 60:40 ratio of Central versus Obstructive apneas, with an Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) of 13.7, no oxygen. I have an appointment with my sleep doctor tomorrow to address it.
Do you have central sleep apnea? What CPAP machine do you use, and what pressures? Bummer you have to use oxygen, sounds like you sleep good though.
Sorry for not calling yet, all kinds of excuses. :o Soon, I promise, looking forward to it. :thumb:
quadvet
04-18-2009, 07:06 AM
The silence is DEAFENING!, but the message is LOUD and CLEAR:Secretary Shinseki has demanded that all veterans enrolled with VA get the best health care available anywhere (* (http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1661)) This ain't happening; never been, and don't plan on it ever being.
And don't come around here looking for help, even with such a blatant case of neglect and abuse...
cheesecake
04-18-2009, 10:44 AM
Quadvet~
I am glad you got your procedure completed but very frustrated to see the difficulty you had. If you would PM me, there is a program that I believe you are eligible for where someone else fights for you. So far, I have had good results while helping others this way.
Drop me a PM and I will see what I can get in place.