Help in Australia
Question:
> It seems like it is going to be a wait to get in. I have private health > insurance, so that is a plus. > I did an online snoring survey and got a score of 90, when the test said 35 > or over is not good for your health. I know online surveys are not too > accurate, but I have been struggling for years with snoring and sleep > problems, and now have decided (with my partner’s prompting) to do something > about it.
Good on you for doing something about it. It’s important and could make a huge difference to your quaility of life. > I will chat to my GP and see what we can do. > Is surgery the best thing? I have done a little research and it seems to be > the best way to go. I have had these hassles since I was young (5 or 6). I > am now 28.
Surgery should be a LAST resort… (excepting i believe some types of nasal surgery) The most effective and by far the safest treatment is the use of a CPAP machine, which may sound scary or offputting but as you’ll gather from reading these posts, it’s really not so bad and changes most people’s lives for the best! Please keep us updated and let us know what questions you have or any advice you need. Beth in Oz
Response:
CPAP is the best and normally most afective, surgery usually only for the few people that can not use CPAP http://cwpp.slq.qld.gov.au/sleepqld/factsheets/CPAP.pdf > I will chat to my GP and see what we can do. > Is surgery the best thing? I have done a little research and it seems to be > the best way to go. I have had these hassles since I was young (5 or 6). I > am now 28.
You are Lucky to be able to do something while you are still young. I knew I had problems but they only invented CPAP in 1985 and then hard to get it, took untill 1996 ( I was 40 then)for me to get into a sleep centre, was not many in Australia at that time none in Mackay had to go to Brisbane(1100 klms ) waiting list was 12 months. Now there is one here in Mackay. The Labour Federal Govt. of the time put it sleep centres on the medicare list therefore made it cheaper and more sleep centres starts getting build around the country. Just as well was not left to present govt., I am not on private medical, and asked if i could get re tested and they told me 3 years waiting list at moment, but if i was private or paid $800 can get in in a few months. Warren p/s wish you luck and hope you get tested soon and if needed get CPAP it will change your life.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -"Tal" <ta…@tpg.com.au> wrote in message news:3c739ebd@dnews.tpgi.com.au… > > It seems like it is going to be a wait to get in. I have private health > > insurance, so that is a plus. > > I did an online snoring survey and got a score of 90, when the test said > 35 > > or over is not good for your health. I know online surveys are not too > > accurate, but I have been struggling for years with snoring and sleep > > problems, and now have decided (with my partner’s prompting) to do > something > > about it. > Good on you for doing something about it. It’s important and could make a > huge difference to your quaility of life. > > I will chat to my GP and see what we can do. > > Is surgery the best thing? I have done a little research and it seems to > be > > the best way to go. I have had these hassles since I was young (5 or 6). I > > am now 28. > Surgery should be a LAST resort… (excepting i believe some types of nasal > surgery) The most effective and by far the safest treatment is the use of > a CPAP machine, which may sound scary or offputting but as you’ll gather > from reading these posts, it’s really not so bad and changes most people’s > lives for the best! > Please keep us updated and let us know what questions you have or any advice > you need. > Beth in Oz
I must admit, I don’t want to be attached to a machine during the night. I would rather have surgery first to try and maintain a normal as possible life. Machines attached to you do not seem to fit this expectation. I don’t want to have to drag this around if I start backpacking in Europe at the end of the year. Pain and discomfort (for a short time) is something I can put up with. I am also looking at laser surgery for my eyes 
Sounds like I am defective, as I will be having knee surgery soon too…
Response:
> Besides, some of the new CPAP machines are quite > small and light, which won’t be too inconvenient to carry as hand luggage > (and you must do this). Get power adapters and transformers for various > countries, and you’re set.
According to ResMed, modern switch mode power supplies adapt to different voltages automatically, so you don’t need transformers, only one of those sets of travellers plugs. Make it a requirement of the model CPAP you buy(if you need to).
Response:
"Home" <h…@nohomespam.com> wrote: >I must admit, I don’t want to be attached to a machine during the night.
Few, if any, of us do. >I would rather have surgery first to try and maintain a normal as possible >life.
So would I, if I thought surgery was likely to treat the problem. But the best odds I see are that one person in six may get successful treatment via ENT-type surgery, that’s not good enough. >Machines attached to you do not seem to fit this expectation. I don’t >want to have to drag this around if I start backpacking in Europe at the end >of the year.
We’ve had many campers and backpackers here. Small, lightweight, machines exist, many people have used solar power in remote locations. >Pain and discomfort (for a short time) is something I can put up with.
Your life, your choice. But wouldn’t it be horrible to go through all the pain and inconvenience, only to find out that it didn’t help? And that you still need CPAP? Please give CPAP a try, the end of the year is a long ways off… Tom
Response:
In article <J3Vc8.2$i7….@nasal.pacific.net.au>, h…@nohomespam.com says… > I must admit, I don’t want to be attached to a machine during the night. I > would rather have surgery first to try and maintain a normal as possible > life. Machines attached to you do not seem to fit this expectation. I don’t > want to have to drag this around if I start backpacking in Europe at the end > of the year. > Pain and discomfort (for a short time) is something I can put up with.
Have a very close look at the success rates of surgery published by various sleep organisations, and you might be persuaded otherwise. Some of them: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/slpaprsk.pdf http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/sleepapn.txt http://www.silentpartners.org/ENT/patients/snoringandapnea.htm http://www.medhost.at/health/sleep-web/docs/9805select.htm Success of surgery depends specifically on your particular condition and form of apnea manifestation, so be very careful when you look at claims of success rates. Get opinions from three different specialists at least, before deciding on surgery. CPAP, on the other hand, is a reversible treatment, that is, you can get off it, while loss of tissue to surgery is irreversible. If you’re worried about lugging around a CPAP machine while backpacking, think about some of the things that I’ve seen people take with them in their backpacks overseas: hair dryer, electric shaver, blender, mini-tv. All frivolous stuff compared to your life-saver, yet they had no qualms in lugging them around. Besides, some of the new CPAP machines are quite small and light, which won’t be too inconvenient to carry as hand luggage (and you must do this). Get power adapters and transformers for various countries, and you’re set.
Response:
> The Austin Hospital has a very good sleep lab. It’s the only one in > Melbourne. After seeing a specialist, be prepared to wait for around 3 > months for an appointment at the lab (if you need one, that is). > However, if you put yourself on the standby list (where you get slotted > in at short notice when people cancel their appointments), you might get > lucky and have a much shorter waiting period.
Unless you mean the Alfred you’re mistaken in that there is only one in Melbourne. My sleep study at the Alfred had a waiting list of 12 months (i got in early due to cancellation) I do believe also that Monash is now doing sleep studies, but i think they focus on children.
Response:
In article <3c731…@dnews.tpgi.com.au>, ta…@tpg.com.au says… > > The Austin Hospital has a very good sleep lab. It’s the only one in > > Melbourne. After seeing a specialist, be prepared to wait for around 3 > > months for an appointment at the lab (if you need one, that is). > > However, if you put yourself on the standby list (where you get slotted > > in at short notice when people cancel their appointments), you might get > > lucky and have a much shorter waiting period. > Unless you mean the Alfred you’re mistaken in that there is only one in > Melbourne. My sleep study at the Alfred had a waiting list of 12 months (i > got in early due to cancellation) > I do believe also that Monash is now doing sleep studies, but i think they > focus on children.
No, I meant the Austin which used to be called Austin Repatriation Hospital before it amalgamated with Heidelberg Hospital. I wasn’t aware that the Alfred also has a sleep unit; 12 months seems an excessive waiting period. I’ve had about half a dozen sleep studies at the Austin and the longest I had to wait was 3 months.
Response:
"ARP1153" <-…@-.-> wrote in message
news:MPG.16dde1a1a3af225698972c@news-vic… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> In article <3c731…@dnews.tpgi.com.au>, ta…@tpg.com.au says… > > > The Austin Hospital has a very good sleep lab. It’s the only one in > > > Melbourne. After seeing a specialist, be prepared to wait for around 3 > > > months for an appointment at the lab (if you need one, that is). > > > However, if you put yourself on the standby list (where you get slotted > > > in at short notice when people cancel their appointments), you might get > > > lucky and have a much shorter waiting period. > > Unless you mean the Alfred you’re mistaken in that there is only one in > > Melbourne. My sleep study at the Alfred had a waiting list of 12 months (i > > got in early due to cancellation) > > I do believe also that Monash is now doing sleep studies, but i think they > > focus on children. > No, I meant the Austin which used to be called Austin Repatriation > Hospital before it amalgamated with Heidelberg Hospital. I wasn’t aware > that the Alfred also has a sleep unit; 12 months seems an excessive > waiting period. I’ve had about half a dozen sleep studies at the Austin > and the longest I had to wait was 3 months.
It seems like it is going to be a wait to get in. I have private health insurance, so that is a plus. I did an online snoring survey and got a score of 90, when the test said 35 or over is not good for your health. I know online surveys are not too accurate, but I have been struggling for years with snoring and sleep problems, and now have decided (with my partner’s prompting) to do something about it. I will chat to my GP and see what we can do. Is surgery the best thing? I have done a little research and it seems to be the best way to go. I have had these hassles since I was young (5 or 6). I am now 28.
Response:
In article <yXCc8.230$j7.17…@nasal.pacific.net.au>, h…@nohomespam.com says… > I am a snorer in Melbourne Australia. I am looking for a clinic to help > treat my problems. > Does anyone know of someone they would recommend for treatment? > Thanks > Home.
Go to your GP for a referral to a sleep specialist. You need this referral before you can see the latter. The Austin Hospital has a very good sleep lab. It’s the only one in Melbourne. After seeing a specialist, be prepared to wait for around 3 months for an appointment at the lab (if you need one, that is). However, if you put yourself on the standby list (where you get slotted in at short notice when people cancel their appointments), you might get lucky and have a much shorter waiting period.
Response:
G’day, As others have said, see your GP and get a referral to a sleep specialist. That way, Medicare and your health insurance will cover (some of) the costs. However, there are several sleep clinics here in Melbourne. I went to the one at Mitcham Private Hospital, which was very good. I am sure your specialist will recommend one to use. And I didnt wait three months to get a study done – closer to 2-3 weeks when you exclude the Christmas break. Regards, Geoff
Response:
I am a snorer in Melbourne Australia. I am looking for a clinic to help treat my problems. Does anyone know of someone they would recommend for treatment? Thanks Home.
Response:
First in Australia you have to get a referral from your doctor and they narmall have a list of sleep specialist . these links may help Useful Links For more information regarding sleep disorders: 1.. Australasian Sleep Association Inc. Address: GPO Box 295 Sydney, NSW, 1043 Australia Ph: 0500-500-701 Fax: 0500-500-702 Email: sleep…@ozemail.com.au 2.. Sleep Disorders Australia Address: 288 Springfield Road, Nunawading, VIC, 3131 Australia. Phone: (+613) 9878-7145 Email: slee…@hcn.net.au 3.. The Australian Lung Foundation Address: Level 3, 454 Upper Edward Street, Spring Hill, QLD, 4000 Australia. 4.. For information on patient support groups, please contact LungNet Phone: (+61) 1800-654-3015 FOR MORE INFO The Alfred Sleep Disorders & Ventilatory Failure Service Home Snoring Sleep Disorders Child Sleep Disorders Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Glossary Staff Links Contact "Home" <h…@nohomespam.com> wrote in message
news:yXCc8.230$j7.17925@nasal.pacific.net.au… > I am a snorer in Melbourne Australia. I am looking for a clinic to help > treat my problems. > Does anyone know of someone they would recommend for treatment? > Thanks > Home.
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