Home About Dr. Runels Physician Services 365 Health Strategies Books and Tapes Instant Solutions Health Lessons Contact Weight Loss Class Build Your Health Foundation  Charles Runels, MD

 

SleepStrip: the Home Sleep Apnea Test

Here's the problem:  Many of my patients with sleep apnea know that they might have sleep apnea but cannot afford to purchase a sleep study for $3,500 so that they might then receive the CPAP machine that treats their disorder.  Sleep apnea can cause severe problems (hypertension, weight gain, impotence, depression, even congestive heart failure and sudden death).  So, I've searched for a more affordable alternative for my patients and readers.  Here's a brochure about a small computer that attaches like a piece of tape under the nose.  The computer has sensors that detect a pause in breathing and then give a score that allows me to determine the likely hood of sleep apnea.  The test comes very close to the accuracy of a $3,500 sleep study but only costs $200.

On-going research to prove that the sleep strip is as good as a night at the sleep clinic.

 

Here's a brochure that describes the device briefly.  It's FDA approved and could not have been possible before the age of micro-computers.  I'm hoping that it allows me to obtain treatment for many people with sleep apnea that could not afford testing otherwise.

Here's a small booklet that describes in more detail how the strip works with more information about sleep apnea in general.

5 Steps to treating your sleep apnea without spending $3,500 for a sleep test (instead, you can spend $829 and get a bonus vacation at a beach resort).

  1. You order the computer SleepStrip from me. 

  2. You receive the strip and simply stick it to your upper lip when you go to bed that night (detailed instructions included).

  3. Next morning, you mail the strip and a short questionnaire back to me (Charles Runels, MD, 52 South Section St., Suite A, Fairhope, AL 36532).

  4. I interpret the strip and look over your questionnaire and give you a report (sent by email or snail mail).

  5. If you test positive for possible sleep apnea (any score over 0) and have symptoms by the questionnaire, then I will offer to you an appointment to see me in person (after which I will prescribe an APAP machine with no further testing).

  6. You then go to any of several online stores or to a medical supply store in your town and order a machine to treat sleep apnea (using the prescription I gave you). 

SleepStrip with Interpretation  

$197.00
 

Details (& How to get the bonus, tax-deductible vacation)...

The visit to me (about sleep apnea alone) costs $500 and includes all physician services relative to sleep apnea for 6 months, then there is no cost (you never give up your primary care physician) unless you need to see me or call me again (not likely) for which I charge $200 per hour.  If you live out of town, here's where to find out about travel to my office..

But, if you're just interested in getting your sleep apnea treated, then total cost for test (the SleepStrip), my services for 6 months, and one night's stay at The Grand Hotel is $200 + $500 + $129 = $829 (much less than the $3,500 for the sleep test and you get a vacation that's usually tax deductible as a bonus).

If you live within driving distance (don't spend the night here), you could receive the test and my services for a total of $700 (much less than the $3,500 sleep test plus the cost of the visits to the pulmonologist before and after the test).  I still think, if you can afford the time and money, a visit to the sleep lab gives more information.  But, I'm just tired of seeing so many people go untreated (only about 20% of people with sleep apnea get treated) that I'm offering this more affordable alternative.

So, if you're suspicious you may have sleep apnea, order the strip as the first step.  Even if you have good insurance and plenty of money, the SleepStrip offers an excellent way to predict whether you should spend time going to a sleep lab.  So, another alternative is to use the SleepStrip, then if you get a positive result, make an appointment to see a pulmonologist for a sleep study (using your insurance or paying the $3,500 fee). 

Here's a summary of the different options:

  1. Doctor's evaluation for sleep apnea  (with prescription for APAP)                                                                                                                    $500

  2. Hotel for one night $200
  3. SleepStrip                                                                                                                                                                                                                 $197
    $197

QuestionWhy does the SleepStrip require a prescription?   Answer:  Frankly, I don't know,  I think Advil should require a prescription (as it did when first released) because many people who use it will eventually need dialysis from taking too much of it.  But, you can't hurt yourself by using tape to attach a small computer under your nose and going to sleep.  But then, I'm not the FDA (and I'm not influenced by any high powered drug companies).

Question: Why are CPAP and APAP machines a prescription product?  Answer:  This one does make sense.  You may think you have only sleep apnea.  But a real doctor looking in your throat, talking to you, and looking at objective data may find other more serious problems (throat cancer, abscess, abnormal metabolism).  So, you see the doctor to make sure that you don't need something more.  The machine is very safe but using it while not knowing about other problems could be deadly.

QuestionWhat if I make an appointment with you and then you decide that you won't give me a prescription for an APAP machine?  Answer:  I'm the only doctor I know who offers a money back guarantee on my services.  But since I ask for payment when you make the appointment, and since I don't accept insurance, I offer the guarantee to make you feel safer and to protect my reputation.  It's very unlikely that you won't get a prescription if I look at your test and the questionnaire and invite you to visit me in regards to sleep apnea.  But, no matter what happens (get a prescription or not), I offer a money back guarantee on my services.

Question:  Why do you prefer APAP machines rather than CPAP machines?  Answer:  I prefer the APAP (over CPAP) because the computer in the machine allows for adjustment in pressures during the night (which might be helpful if you have a change in position of the neck or if you happen to have a little sinus congestion).  Again, the age of computers is changing treatment for the better.

If you have further questions about this process, you can call my nurse at 888-522-2043 or send email to DrRunels@Runels.com.

 

Peace & Health,

Charles Runels, MD

The doctor of the future will offer more advice than medication."  ---Thomas Edison

FREE Health & Healing Lessons 
Email:

Join Our Newsletter!

Enter Your Name:
Enter your Email:

close window