Central sleep apnea

Hi. I'm new here. I'm desperately looking for information to help with primary central sleep apnea. I was diagnosed about 18 months ago. Was tested for everything you could imagine before doing a sleep study. Suffered from headache, brain fog, severe memory loss, got lost while driving to familiar places, unable to concentrate, repeated stroke like symptoms. Did a PET scan looking for early onset of alzheimers. It was clear so they did the sleep study. There it was. Primary Central Sleep Apnea. AHI 50-70. I have tried CPAP, BiPAP, and ASV. The ASV did take the AHI to 35-40, but it blew up my stomach unbelievably. I was scheduled for admission to the hospital tomorrow, for the implanting of the Avery Diaphragm Pacing System. The doctors believe this will be a tremendous step toward having my life back. The procedure has been postponed now, because Blue Cross/Blue Shield wants proof that it is medically necessary. The surgeon and the manufacturer of the device are sending in supporting documents. Has anyone out there had the pacer implanted? I am so upset and depressed. I was daydreaming about how wonderful it would be to actually get some sleep....

Keep us posted on your battle with your managed health care. It can be a struggle and very frustrating. My wife and I were covered under a managed health care policy (HMO) for years and never had much of a problem until I needed insurance coverage in the last year or two. Their automatic answer was take two aspirins and a nap. EVERY bit of medical treatment had to be fought for and luckily, I started Medicare and don't have to rely on the HMO. I do have to double pay for insurance right now and until my wife turns 65 and then we will be dumping the HMO as she is still covered by that insurance exclusively. As far as your apnea issues, they are not something I could hazard a guess at so I will not try and offer advice only stick with your goal of effective treatment and a good night's sleep as the insurance company doesn't like to spend money if they can get away with it.