Hi,

If I never tried the CPAP mask on when I did my sleep study then how do I know what pressure to set it at?  Is that a dumb question?  My doc is having a company call to come around and fit me with a mask.  Does this company get any information from my doc about the sleep study etc., or do they just find a mask that fits me right and that it, I have to figure out the rest myself.  Sounds scary!

Wendy

the sleep study people will give you a pressure setting

I have already done my sleep study and received no pressure setting because I never had a mask on.  How can they know what pressure setting?  I doubt the people fitting the mask will know either because it sounds like they don't get the results from my sleep study.  All of this is too confusing.  I guess I'll just get the mask first then have to figure the rest out  

Wendy

When I had my sleep study they did 2 tests.  The first they determined i had sleep apnea.  The second they did "trials" to get me the right pressure.



Last edited by cmolnar on Wed Oct 26, 2005 8:57 pm; edited 1 time in total

I'm beginning to think I should change doctors.  Thanks cmolnar!

Wendy

Wendy,

It is confusing because you are getting jerked around by people who are incompetent and make me really wonder what they are doing practicing medicine.  They didn't put a mask on you?  You will need another study to determine the pressure you need.  There is no way to know your pressure without you being attached to a CPAP/APAP and the pressure required to overcome your apnea monitored.  BTW, the pressure has nothing to do with the mask, it is set within the CPAP.  Find a certified sleep lab and doctor.   You can have your results transferred there.

Doctor and Sleep Lab Certification

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

I do have a certified doctor and sleep lab.  Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) is one of the best hospitals around here.  I had my sleep study done there and my specialist is one of the best, Dr. Bohner, Medical Director of the Central MD Sleep Center at GBMC.  How can this guy not be qualified and not know what he is doing?  I don't get it.  He seems very informative and has been helping me and answering all of my questions.  I had to wait a month before I could get an app. with him because he is so busy.  Hmmm, I don't know what to do.  He works at most of the hospitals around here.

Wendy

He is on the list on the website you gave me and so is the sleep study center.  I wouldn't be dumb enough to go to a place with unqualified people.  I'm wondering if it is because my sleep apnea is so mild and that's why the technician never put the mask on.  There must be some answers.  Maybe I should call the doc back.  

Wendy

Perhaps the doctor has ordered an auto-titrating machine (autopap) for a trial period at home to find the pressure needed.   I hope that's the case for you, Wendy.

Wendy,

I never assume anyone is dumb, but many people are uninformed about making sure their doctor is a diplomat of the ABSM.  I'm glad you knew better and I'm just surprised the quality of your care has been so poor.  You are completely correct to call the doctor.

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Wendy,

Hi, I'm new at this too.  My first sleep study (and who really sleeps?) I was diagnosed with moderate to severe apnea with an average of 51 episodes per hour.  In the morning the sleep tech said I'll be back.  Yuck, had to go thru this again.  My physician wanted me to be scheduled for a second sleep study for "titration" they call it.  I guess I made the tech work all night long adjusting my mask and changing masks.  In the morning I asked what the pressure was and she said that it ranged from low to full pressure.  Now I'm waiting for my appointment with my physician.  This forum has been invaluable from the things to expect in sleep studies and what equipment and masks seem to work best - I agree everyone is different and there is no one best mask for all.

Anyway, a frend of mine also had a sleep study and was diagnosed with mild apnea.  Her sleep doctor did not require her to go for a titration sleep study but wrote her a perscription for a machine and a certain pressure.  I guess that sleep docs can sometimes tell from one study what pressure should be best (I like to believe, as one post mentioned, maybe it is a Auto PAP machine).  For more severe levels of apena, perhaps a second sleep study with the fitting of a mask and determination of the best pressure is required.

See what your physician has to say and don't be afraid to ask the difficult questions such as "how is the best pressure setting determined for me without a titration sleep study?"

Best of luck and please let us know how things turn out - this is so helpful to many of us.

Thanks for your upfront post,

George