After my first sleep study I was told by the tech that he was sure I'd be back to be fitted for the machine. Since they'd had me make a follow-up study appt. "in case it's needed," I already had the appt.   I never got any official notice until someone called to be sure I'd be there for the follow up.  

At that point I called my internist's office and they said they'd just received the reports, and that yes I should go get fitted.  They said I also had "restless leg syndrome" and when I was surprised and hesitant to take anything for it, the nurse said, "Well it's waking you up all night, sweetie," so she was clearly reading from a report.

When I showed up for the second sleep study, the new sleep tech told me that she'd looked at my results and that I hadn't had any REM sleep at all.  She was surprised when I mentioned the "restless leg" because she hadn't noticed that from looking at my chart, but she came back after looking more closely and confirmed that it was waking me up.

So I know a report exists.  But I've now had two sleep studies, and today received a "report" from the sleep doctor that merely tells me that he determined that my test was "positive for obstructive sleep apnea" and to return for the second study.  No report, just a short letter.

I was told I'd be receiving my prescription in a couple of weeks.

At what point do people usually get a copy of their reports?  Should I already have seen it?  Is it time to request one?

Hi p-louise,

And welcome!

Call your doctor and tell them you want a copy of the sleep study report, for both parts of the study.  They should give it to you.  If you can do it, you might go to the doctor's office and pick it up yourself (after calling to let them know you're coming).  You are entitled to a copy of those reports, and you should have them.  They give a lot of important information about your condition, and this way you don't have to wonder if people are being straight with you.  They shouldn't balk at giving you a copy, but if they do, insist on it, even contact the sleep study center if you need to.  It can take several days, even over a week, before the report is ready, but you know it exists, the doctor read from it.  Don't assume they're just going to give you a copy without you asking, you usually have to ask for it.

If it were me, I wouldn't start medication for restless leg syndrome without knowing for sure I had it.  Sleep studies measure periodic leg movements, and they may or may not be Restless Leg Syndrome (from what little I know).  If it's periodic leg movements from some other reason (like erratic sleep patterns stemming from untreated sleep apnea), then maybe cpap therapy will help.  I think it's wise to be cautious, at any rate.

Keep in touch.


Linda

Well, my doc gave me samples immediately so I've already taken five of them.  Hmmm.  

Thanks for that info.  I'll ask for the reports.

p-louise, I had PLM when I took my first sleep study. The doctor I had for the studies wanted to see what happened on the second study before she would say I had RLS. On the second study my PLM disappeared so I did not have RLS and CPAP was all that I would need to control my leg movements. Really need to talk with your doctor about the studies and see if medication is really need or not. I hope yours is controllable with CPAP only.