Hi, I have already my CPAP, but I recently got a call from the sleep clinic saying I had to come in for more tests. However, the last time I attended the sleep clinic, I was told that was it, and I was done. Also the last time I was told that if I didn't make it through that night with the CPAP mask on, that they have the right to take away my drivers license. Now they tell me the same thing. How can this be?

I'm kinda afraid of going in again, because even though it's been over a month, I still haven't gotten used to the CPAP and I think I remove it quickly after falling asleep. I don't know if it's because I just can't handle it, or if it's because it's so bulky. (I use a full face mask, I can't stand the one that covers my nose or plugs into my nostrisl  

Is it really a test, or is it just a follow up?  I don't know what sort of test it would be.  If it is a follow up, that is a Good Thing, you will have a chance to ask the doctor questions and if you need to change mask or something he can prescribe it for you (so that insurance might cover it).  If you have a data capable CPAP, he/she may want to evaluate the data.

I guess it's a follow up....but WHY would they tell me the first time that I went in for the initial study that I was done? Also, the part about being able to having my drivers license away I find a bit strange...

I have no idea about either question; although I have a guess, and an opinion.

Whoever told you that you were done may have meant that you were done with tests, or they may have been wrong - perhaps they weren't aware of the follow ups.

I believe that if somebody is aware that they have sleep apnea and they are not treated for it, that they should have their drivers license taken away until they are properly treated.  I believe that CDL truck drivers are operating under that rule, or will be.

I agree with you...I don't drive unless I absolutely need to. And when I do drive, I make sure that I am well rested and alert. I make sure that the windows are rolled down, the music is on, and that I move my head noticing everything around me. Still, I prefer not to drive at all, especially with all the accidents and uninsured drivers on the road.

Be glad that you have a sleep lab and sleep doctor interested enough in how you are adapting to CPAP therapy. Way too many don't. They write the script, push you out the door and hope they never see you again - unless they can con you into coming in for another titration study in a year when they can get some more money out of your insurance company.

From the sound of what you are telling us about your problems w/the mask they most likely aren't going to be any too happy at all w/what sounds like a lack of compliance on your part. If you are having that much problem w/your mask it was your responsibility to contact the DME supplier or the sleep lab for assistance. You've just set yourself back a couple of weeks by not doing so.

Why would you think it strange that NO ONE wants you on the road when you are sleep deprived? You ARE NOT wanted on the road any more than a drunk or a druggie when you are sleep deprived!

Why did you even agree to and go in for a sleep study if you didn't intend to follow thru if a CPAP was scripted? If you fully intended to follow thru by using the CPAP why haven't you tried to get help when you couldn't adjust to and sleep well w/it? The sleep professionals can't help you with a problem if they don't know you are having a problem. You need to take a more active part in your CPAP therapy if you want it to work for you.

Good luck!


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

CrohnieToo wrote:

Be glad that you have a sleep lab and sleep doctor interested enough in how you are adapting to CPAP therapy. Way too many don't. They write the script, push you out the door and hope they never see you again - unless they can con you into coming in for another titration study in a year when they can get some more money out of your insurance company.

From the sound of what you are telling us about your problems w/the mask they most likely aren't going to be any too happy at all w/what sounds like a lack of compliance on your part. If you are having that much problem w/your mask it was your responsibility to contact the DME supplier or the sleep lab for assistance. You've just set yourself back a couple of weeks by not doing so.

Why would you think it strange that NO ONE wants you on the road when you are sleep deprived? You ARE NOT wanted on the road any more than a drunk or a druggie when you are sleep deprived!

Why did you even agree to and go in for a sleep study if you didn't intend to follow thru if a CPAP was scripted? If you fully intended to follow thru by using the CPAP why haven't you tried to get help when you couldn't adjust to and sleep well w/it? The sleep professionals can't help you with a problem if they don't know you are having a problem. You need to take a more active part in your CPAP therapy if you want it to work for you.

Good luck!

CrohnieToo, All I was really saying was that I found it strange that someone tells me one thing, and then another person tells me another...coming from a medical clinic, this is very strange. That's like two doctors, who are associates not being able to agree that I am missing a right arm...

 I'm not really too happy about the whole situation with the mask myself. It's not like I don't want to adjust to the mask, I'd rather adjust to a simple mask than to get my drivers license taken away. I realize that some people on here are like..."WELL STOP WHINING AND GET USED TO IT".

I agreed to go in for a sleep study in order to find out that either I do, or don't, have sleep apnea. The results show I do. Most people I have spoken with tell me that they only went in once, were prescribed the CPAP, and that was it.

That's why I'm saying be glad you have a sleep lab and sleep doctor conscientious enough to schedule you in a month after starting CPAP therapy. It sounds like you have a better than average sleep lab and sleep doctor. I doubt that this appointment coming up is for another "test".

You've given your current mask enough time - take it back to your local DME supplier. They SHOULD be willing to exchange it for a different mask since you've had it less than 30 days. This time ask to try several before deciding on one to take home. Hopefully you can try several masks on laying down w/a CPAP set your pressure turned on to get the best fit before making your final selection and taking it home.

The tech who told you you were done was most likely referring to no need for another overnight at the lab. By the way the sleep lab does NOT have the right or the power to take your driver's license away from you BUT they DO have the power, right and possibly (in some states) the legal obligation to notify your state's driver's license bureua which DOES have the legal right to suspend your driver's license.

Get in and get that mask exchanged. Good luck!!!


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

CrohnieToo wrote:

"The tech who told you you were done was most likely referring to no need for another overnight at the lab."

And yet, according to the person who recently called me, that's exactly what they want from me...another overnight at the lab.

So either way, it looks like that's the direction I'm headed.  

Are you "professional" driver? If so, that would explain a LOT of this. The sleep lab wants PROOF of adequate therapy results before clearing you for the road.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

We can guess and conjecture all we want, but there is a very simple way to clear this up:  Call the sleep clinic and ask them why they set you up with an appointment.  It is possible that there was a screw up and you really shouldn't be going for this appointment.

I am one of those "quit whining, find a mask that fits, and get over it" people.

edamas can you be a little more specific on what your having problems with? Is it the mask itself or the machine, some people have trouble exhaling with the CPAP and do better on the BiPAP, if it is the mask that is bothering you, then go to your DME, I know when I first started with XPAP, I was at my DME just about every 2 or 3 days, I was having one heck of a time finding a mask that worked, I was fortunate in that my DME was so helpful, I bet I tried close to a dozen different mask before I found one that was comfortabe and worked at least half way right, and even then I had to modify it a bit. Anyway everyone in my DME knows me, and they know me rather well! But it takes effort, my DME is over 35 miles away, but you do what you have to do to make it work!  Talk to the people at your sleep center and DME if your noncompliant tell them and explain why and ask for help. Attitude is just about everything if you show them you are genuinely interested and want to make this work, you have half the battle won, providers will usually go  way out of their way to help a person if that person just shows that they are really trying  and want the help and want to make it work. And there can be some  real perks, and advantages by getting to know your DME and people involved in your Sleep Apnea care. Especially if you really want a particular machine, or what ever. But they are not going to help you if they don't feel you are doing your part. Get involved ask ask them why they want you to come back in, talk with them about your problems your having with CPAP  and above all be honest with them. Good  Luck to You and Keep us posted

Re: sleep lab. They are probably going to re-titrate you. It "may" well be that changing pressures could help you to tolerate the therapy better. If your RT is monitoring your CPAP (downloading info from the CPAP) he may be able to better explain what they are looking at. Look at the bright side...you will get to experiment with alt masks.
Ask questions! Write them down so you don't forget. Your DME should help if they are any good. Ask the RT for info, pamphlets, etc. He/she probably has stacks of education materials in the back of his desk drawer. Get familiar with your machine...for instance ramping may help if your machine has the capability. Not all DME co.'s are the same. Find a good RT you can be comfortable with and one your doctor respects.
Re: Mask. There are now more options, models, head/chin straps than ever before.  Get with your DME! Remember your insurance will probably cover a new mask every 3 mo. So you could always try a new one then.
Re: Drivers license. Yes, your doctor could report you if you are non-compliant. But as you said, you really didnt want to come back in and this is probably the sleep labs way for you to keep your appointment.
Also, talk with your RT. It "may" be possible for him /her to titrate (assuming this is the issue) you at home with a auto-bilevel PAP. However, he may not want to step on the toes of his referral source.
Keep it up you will feel better!

Thanks guys! I did call and set an appointment for the second sleep study, or re-titrate, whichever one it is. I do have my machine set to ramp after 20 minutes. I will try setting it to maybe 30 and see if that works out better for me.

That may be the problem, I'm not sure. It's either that, or the hose isn't long enough, or interfering with my sleep posture.
Also, it could be something that is maybe in my subconscious. Perhaps I am thinking that the mask is kinda like the face hugger from the Alien movies....I don't know.

My daughter, who is in her 40's,  would probably have her driver's license taken away if she quit using her CPAP machine.  She had a terrible problem falling asleep at the wheel (while driving long distances with 4 daughters in the van), falling asleep at her desk at work, falling asleep watching TV and once she even fell asleep while we were talking on the phone.  So, you need to keep on with your CPAP.  Good things don't always come easy and, if you really want to succeed, you will.  That seems to be the consensus of opinion to be applied to all of us "hoseheads."  It took me 6 months and 3 masks before I found the right one, a nasal mask.  I tried the nasal pillow mask; hated it; however, my son now uses it and loves it.  You just have to find what works for you ... there are some economical suppliers online if you need to order a different mask.  I'd give you the website(s) but that's not allowed in these postings.  GOOD LUCK!