Hi All,

I had my initial sleep study completed two weeks ago and while the Sleep Tech couldn't provide me with any "results"  he told me (under his breath) that it was a GOOD THING that I had come in for the study due to "ALOT of Apneas and very poor oxegen levels" during the night...  Really just confirming what my wife had already told me.....

I have been reading the posts on the form (A Big Thanks to you all who have shared!) and have been able to form some opinions on what equipment I think that I would like to try, but was looking for advise from all you as to what specific questions I should ask at my follow up appointment with the sleep Doc this Friday.  So the questions I have is..........

"If you could have a re-do of your consult immediatly following your intial sleep study where you learned your results, what questions would you ask now, that you didn't then?"

ScottAB wrote:

Hi All,

I had my initial sleep study completed two weeks ago and while the Sleep Tech couldn't provide me with any "results"  he told me (under his breath) that it was a GOOD THING that I had come in for the study due to "ALOT of Apneas and very poor oxegen levels" during the night...  Really just confirming what my wife had already told me.....

I have been reading the posts on the form (A Big Thanks to you all who have shared!) and have been able to form some opinions on what equipment I think that I would like to try, but was looking for advise from all you as to what specific questions I should ask at my follow up appointment with the sleep Doc this Friday.  So the questions I have is..........

"If you could have a re-do of your consult immediatly following your intial sleep study where you learned your results, what questions would you ask now, that you didn't then?"

This is a great question you have posed.  So here are some things I would have discussed with the doctor if I knew then what I know now ....

1 -  I would have insisted on an xPAP machine that was data capable and provided me with some information on a daily basis so I could assess the effect/progress of the therapy.  

2 - I would insist on the right amount of time/attention to get the right mask.  I really believe the biggest problem with patient compliance with xPAP is due to mask problems.  So I would let the doctor know that you want to work with someone who will take time to get you the right mask.

3 - I would ask the doctor to explain all the differences between straight CPAP, APAP, Bi-PAP and then to explain why the doctor is prescribing one versus the others.  I started on straight CPAP and had very good results for the first 6 months.  Then I had more problems.  My original doctor did not respond to them.  I switched doctors; had another sleep study; now I am on BiPap.

4 - I'd check my spider sense to be sure that the doctor is in it for patient wellness ..... not for selling xPAP hardware.  OSA has become a big business.  There's a lot of hype about it.  My first doctor's practice was more interested in selling hardware than helping patients get well.

Good luck!