Is it possible to get a Sleep Apnea study in Germany?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 00:18:48 -0400

So after many years of "chopping wood" (snoring) and always waking up tired and groggy and speaking with a friend, I've come to the realization that I may have Sleep Apnea. But, I'm stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. Does this matter? Can I head up to Rammstein to have a study completed? How will this affect my deployable status and career as a whole? I'm coming up on 12 years of active service.

Response by TSgt David L. made May 26 at 2016 1:03 AM

TSgt David L. — Thu, 26 May 2016 01:03:10 -0400

I don't know about the Army, but the Air Force would still deploy you as long as it was to a location that had reliable power and you had a battery back-up.

Response by LTC Erik Spike Thiesmeyer, Sr. made May 26 at 2016 1:12 AM

LTC Erik Spike Thiesmeyer, Sr. — Thu, 26 May 2016 01:12:39 -0400

I'm retired and am trying to get this done myself. The VA has gotten me an appointment three months and 180 miles away. I will let you know how it turns out.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 2:38 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 02:38:15 -0400

Your primary doctor can refer you to Landstuhl for further assessment/studies.
This will not change your deployable status unless you are found unfit (untreatable condition) and then you are referred for a MED, per AR 40-501. It would be a process, check out the regulation and speak with your provider.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 26 at 2016 2:59 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 26 May 2016 02:59:39 -0400

Absolutely get the sleep study done. Apnea takes a good 7 years off your life left untreated. Lots of health issues, i.e. blood pressure, and others go along with it. Typically you're deployable so you get to lug your CPAP along. Companies make camo cases for them no less. You'll be able to dream again once you start the REM sleep. The diagnosis is also important for when you get out as it typically rates 50% disability on its own. BTW, you get pretty creative with CPAPs as I go camping or whatever with one. A 12V deep cycle battery will run it for at least a week if you're not using the humidifier. There's also a study method where they send you a monitor you put on yourself, sleep a night, and send it back. It all depends on what the pulmonologist wants to do.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 3:45 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 03:45:43 -0400

I'm stationed in Kaiserslautern and had the sleep study conducted about a year ago. My advice, for what it's worth, get it done. Anytime I deploy, go TDY, take leave, my machine goes on every trip with me and my wife is thankful. There is a bit of a process to get the study conducted, but it's well worth it, and the CVR (CPAP supply company) are very accommodating.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made May 26 at 2016 7:27 AM

MSgt John McGowan — Thu, 26 May 2016 07:27:16 -0400

SSG I have that problem also. Been on a CPAP for years. Fought the mask for years. This does not answer your question. Just a recommendation. Philips came out with a new mask called the Dream and that's all I can remember of the name. However best mask I have ever had. I can connect with you and give more information to you. Google has them for $69.00 if the Army doesn't have them. I highly recommend this mask, it's hard enough to get used to.

Response by SGT Nathan Huff made May 26 at 2016 7:35 AM

SGT Nathan Huff — Thu, 26 May 2016 07:35:32 -0400

Yes. I had mine at launstuhl, have your pmc refer you

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 26 at 2016 8:47 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Thu, 26 May 2016 08:47:32 -0400

I'm just giving this as a suggestion, though my wife had me evald and we started with CPAP then moved me to BiPAP which is the next higher and more flexible variety, with, as the name describes, bidirectionallyt different pressures for inspiration vs expiration. Not everyone is suited for it, whether one is or not depends the frequency of apneic episodes observed during a plysomnography study. What is mentioned by someone else on here about REM sleep is true, that did actually happen with me when I was given an initial polysomnography, using a CPAP by a hosp pulmonology sleep clinic, that was under control by a licensed RRT or resp tech, who was under a pulmomologist, obviously. I'd been 342 lbs then, for many reasons, though I'm down now to 255-265 lbs, I fluctuate, using a NONSURGICAL WERABLE pair of lapband belts you can see on http://www.portioncontroller.com well worth looking at. I must empjasize, as I've sometimes been misunderstood in mentioning the belts on here, unintentionally, of course, that the belts are based on what seems good science I'd read on the website, a US and UK study each published. Also, the belts need to be ONLY adjusted by trained clinicians ot techs, must have an extensive study beforehand to determine suitability, are NONSURGICAL, are NOT for everyone, are NOT a panacea, need a fairly draconian modified Atkins diet to help make them function best, and take awhile to be effective. They helped me, very definitely, however, I AM NOT saying they can help you, ONLY a physician can decide that, ONLY. Also, the company ID just found out had some stuff happen, so I'm not sure when they might be able to get back to you, I referred a friend to them, he got the belts, due to weight, then we found out they were apparently reorganizing or something, we had me call them, they called back, as I'd been a patient, which was when they explained some stuff about the reorganization , that's all, honest. The belts were Medicare approved when we had gotten them for me, however, and, once again, immusr emphasize this, we DO NOT know if the VA or the svcs know of them approve of them, or how one might be able to obtain the belts outside of the nuc and long island or LI area where their offices are or were that we had me go to one of, honest. I'm ONLY mentioning them here, NOT because of any weight aspect related tomapnea , that was the problem in large measure for me, HOWEVER NOT FOR EVERYONE WITH SLEEP APNEA, we would expect, NOR are we suggesting that the devices are always a suitable alternative, honest, we were just thinking that getting the word out about them MIGHT conceivably help others MAYBE as they helped me that's all, honest, nothing more. Also, there's a dental device for moving the mandible the lwer jaw hyperextending it while sleeping advertised freq on cable TV that we've seen many times. Physicians and dentists know of it, some dentists are qualified to fit it, in conjunction with a pulmonology consult. I've never used one, I've thought about it, however I've always used a full face mask with CPAP and BiPAP and so never actually sought to get one, thougj my wife and I considered it for me. Whether it MIGHT be suited for you, we have no idea, it's an oral custom mouthpiece, similar to one for sports, however, explicitly intended for sleep apnea, and ONLY issued by clinicians ONLY. Also, I'm now totally perm VA disabled, and mist emphasize I am not, and never was, a physician. I was trained as a podiatrist, as I've mentioned on the site here before, however, due to my disability, now total perm as I'd said, we sevl yrs ago shut my license, I only mention that to explain how I know some of what I know, and NOT because I'm trying to get above myself by this explanation, which is ONLY intended to help, as I'd said, which I've explained in this fashion here solely because, as I've said, I've freq been misunderstood as to how and or why I've explained it as I have, honest. Hope the info was helpful, and any instances of misunderstanding in the past, which we of course hope explaining in this fashion will prevent here, obviously, were, of course, certainly unintentional, by all means. As I said, the belts are NONSURGICAL, may not be suitable for others, we have no idea if they're available or when though the website is or was still up and running, and the dental mouthpiece likewise might not be suited for all, can ONLY be issued by clinicians, as with the belts, and ONLY adjusted by them, IF they're deemed suitable for anyone reading this who might perhaps care to look into them at all, many thanks, would be most eager for any thogpughts, and hope this explanation was satisfactory of course as well.

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Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 26 at 2016 8:50 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Thu, 26 May 2016 08:50:25 -0400

Sorry for the misspellings I'd meant the NYC area or Long island (LI) area for the group with the belts, where my wife and I are, just wanted to explain that, the spelling wasn't great before due to the temperamental tablet I'm using, sorry for the gaffes, hope the explanation before was OK, many thanks.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 26 at 2016 10:28 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 26 May 2016 10:28:40 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member The mask takes abut of use to feel 'ok'. The humidifier is not necessary for me even when I am in the desert at Palm Springs. Pls try w/ w/o.

Response by SGT Justin Ubert made May 26 at 2016 12:14 PM

SGT Justin Ubert — Thu, 26 May 2016 12:14:08 -0400

There is a sleep apnea clinic in Landstuhl. I went to it myself a couple years ago. Shouldn't have a problem if you can get the referral from your doctor. I am uncertain of the exact mechanisms for getting a SM from other stations to Landstuhl, but I do know it exists. I treated folks from all over Europe when I was employed at Landstuhl.

Response by COL Jonathan Cohen made May 26 at 2016 1:12 PM

COL Jonathan Cohen — Thu, 26 May 2016 13:12:09 -0400

Need to see if there is a Sleep Clinic at Ramstein...if there is, getting one done should not be a problem. I am sure you need a referral from your PCM though

Response by CWO2 John Markiewicz made May 26 at 2016 4:08 PM

CWO2 John Markiewicz — Thu, 26 May 2016 16:08:55 -0400

I am sure you can. I have had 3 studies done and all three were inconclusive since they said I did not sleep enough for them to get results.

Response by MSG Lance Kelly made Jun 7 at 2016 10:15 AM

MSG Lance Kelly — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 10:15:57 -0400

In addition to the machine you might be able to get fitted for a mouth piece. I was referred to my dental clinic and they made a mold and sent it off. A few weeks later I went back to pick it up.