Hi everyone,

I did a sleep study last week and they called and said I have severe sleep apnea (don't know how severe it is, but that's the word she used). This Monday I go to the sleep center again, I guess to sleep with the mask and figure out what pressure I should be at?

Anyway, she told me my oxygen level got down to 67% and that I'd stopped breathing 147 times per hour. This information doesn't seem to be enough- she didn't tell me what kind of apnea or give me any other information. Should I call them back or will this be reviewed during the second study?

Sorry to be such a newbie  

The doctor's dictated results report (1-2 pages) should answer some of your questions. Request a copy of it.

Was this sleep study a referral from your family doctor or one of your other doctors? Some sleep labs have a sleep specialist who consults w/the patients, other sleep labs do not provide consultations w/the sleep specialist. You would have to ask your sleep lab whether a consultation w/the sleep specialist is available or not.

In all likelihood the sleep tech (RPSGT) who will be doing your titration PSG won't be able to answer your questions regarding your sleep evaluation PSG. It is quite possible you won't even have the same sleep tech for this titration PSG.

Since you are an interested and informed patient (the best kind) you should consider:

1] Call your insurance company and ask what local DME CPAP providers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than one as that gives you more bargaining/negotiating room to get the equipment you want (w/in reasons, of course.)
2] Requesting a consult w/the sleep specialist for a thorough explanation of your studies
3] Request a copy of the doctor's dictated results (1-2 pages) for your sleep evaluation PSG
4] Request a copy of the full scored data summary report w/condensed graphs (5+ pages each - also sometimes called the "full disclosure report") from your sleep evaluation PSG
5] Request a copy of the doctor's dictated results (1-2 pages) for your titration PSG
6] Request a copy of the full scored data summary report w/condensed graphs (5+ pages each - also sometimes called the "full disclosure report") from your titration PSG
7] Request that you be given your equipment order (prescription) as you prefer to shop your local DME provider options to get the equipment that you want (w/in reason, of course).
8] Request that your equipment order (prescription) specify that your device be "capable of providing efficacy and compliance data"

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 mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

IF yours is one of those sleep labs that does not provide consultations w/the sleep doctor and the sleep doctor just provides his recommendations to your referring doctor to write your equipment order that is almost so much the better as you can quite likely have more input into what equipment is scripted if your family doctor is writing it.

A suggested script for a CPAP:
CPAP w/integrated, heated humidifier; Pressure ---- cms (whatever your pressure is); C-flex or EPR setting 3 (or whatever your doctor suggests); Ramp off (unless you prefer it on); Efficacy data, Show AHI/Leak feature On; Nasal mask, Full Face mask, or Nasal Pillows mask of patient's choice.

A suggested script for an APAP:
Auto titrating PAP device w/integrated, heated humidifier; minimum pressure (whatever your doctor has determined; maximum pressure (whatever your doctor has determined; EPR or C-/A-Flex setting 3; Ramp off (unless you prefer it on); Efficacy data, Show AHI/Leak feature On; Nasal mask, Full Face mask, or Nasal Pillows mask of patient's choice.
 
EPR, C- or A-Flex are manufacturers' proprietary names for amount of lower pressure at exhalation
The Ramp feature usually starts at 4 cms of pressure and ramps up to your set pressure after you get to sleep and is set for the amount of time it usually take you to fall asleep.
The Efficacy data, show AHI/Leak feature On allows you to access your nightly data via the LCD screen
The last ensures that you can try several masks, including a Full Face mask (sometimes they insist on a script specifying full face if the script just says mask, or they will only provide the exact mask mentioned in the equipment order or used during your PSG).

You will most likely have to ask, if necessary INSIST, that your equipment order include: Efficacy data, Show AHI/Leak feature On; Nasal mask, Full Face mask, or Nasal Pillows mask of patient's choice. Don't be bashful, INSIST that these two items be included; if necessary tactfully remind whoever is writing the script that it is YOUR health, YOUR therapy, YOU are the one to endure the benefits - or consequences - of this therapy AND YOU are the one paying for the testing, advice and equipment. Whether you are paying for it out of pocket or thru insurance is of no consequence, YOU are the one paying.

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 mask, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Wow, thank you so much for the information!!! My cardiologist sent me for the study and they have their own sleep center. I don't know that they'll be able to give me the information then, but I'll definitely make sure I print out what you've said and take it with me. I'm going to do some more research in the next few days too. Thanks again!