Nope. I'm assuming the quote is referring to an autoPAP. Or at the very least a fully data capable CPAP. The fully data capable xPAPS record the number of apneas and hypopneas you experience during the night, the amount of leak, the pressure, how many hours you used your xPAP each night, how many nights you used the xPAP. xPAPs do not and cannot monitor your 02 saturation. However, some do accept attachments that allow for a finger sensor and recording of your 02 saturation all night long.


_________________
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.

Suubplot,

I'm guessing from the discussion here that you had the auto titration as a sleep study and you didn't have a sleep study at an over night sleep study center, right?  And the data from the machine, do you know what your AHI was when you were first diagnosed?  If they did test for blood oxygen levels, do you know what the levels were?  Does your insurance not permit sleep studies at a sleep study center?

What I'm getting at is that the full polysommography from a sleep study center provides more information.  People here are always asking for copies of their sleep study reports to understand their condition better.  There are issues of severity, and not just AHI.... things like how bad was the condition on your back vs sleeping on your side; or during REM vs non-REM, and more.  Also, a good physical evaluation of the area of the obstruction would be needed; for example, do you have overly-enlarged tonsils, etc.  The more you know about your condition, the better informed decisions you can make about alternatives.  


Linda


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Linda wrote:

Suubplot, I'm guessing from the discussion here that you had the auto titration as a sleep study and you didn't have a sleep study at an over night sleep study center, right?  Linda

Linda you hit the nail on the head. How is it possible to get some one to use a cpap without sleep study ? I am now having my doubt if his doctors is a true sleep specialist ?

Not only oxygen levels, they test all blood gases and lung capacity and endurance to CO2 etc etc from what I remember before prescribing a cpap treatment.


_________________
Cheers
Ram
http://www.vadclub.com

I don't think they ever checked my blood gasses....but then...my first Dr was a whahoo.

WOW...thank you everyone for your responses.  I am sure you can tel, I am very frustrated and every day that goes by I seem to get more frustrated with my CPAP.

When I was tested, they did NOT do it at a sleep center.  They cent me home with several devises that I had to sleep with.  One did monitor my O2 levels (it was a thing clipped onto my finger tip).  Unfortunatley, I don't have any of my results from that test as I don't recall them actually givng me anything to take home.  I do remember that the "results sheet" they had said something about the number of "incidents" I had per hour.  I don't remember the number it had, but it basically equated to something like 3 or 4 per minute ( > than 180 per hour).

My main frustration was the lack of education they gave me (or didn't give me).  It was more like "you have it, you must wear this think, now give me a co-pay).

It is my fault for not pressing it more...but I was 26 and didn't know any better.

I know several responses to my post have been very critical.  I am under no illusion that if there was a simple solution...everyone would be doing it.  I'm just looking for experience from others and options for me.  I want to maximize my ability to enter into an educated dialog with my docto when I go in again.

I have even considered seeing a specialist outside of Kaiser and just paying the premium price to do it...not sure though.

Does anyone have any recomendations in Colorado (Denver metro) as to specialists?

Mrs Rip Van Winkle wrote:

I don't think they ever checked my blood gasses....but then...my first Dr was a whahoo.

Even last December when I had my sleep test, they took arterial blood and tested it for gases. I was afraid the process would be painful but was not.


_________________
Cheers
Ram
http://www.vadclub.com

I'm surprised any of you had arterial blood gases drawn for a sleep study!! That is rather way and above .... "just" a regular phlebotomist can't even do an arterial blood gas. It takes special training due to the location of the nerves so close to the artery in the wrist. They are NOT done frequently.

My first sleep evaluation test back in 1996 done at a hospital sleep lab they did draw blood and took a urine sample as well which I had found surprising at the time. I've never had that done again prior to a sleep test, not even for a sleep test done at the same facility 2 years later.

SuubPlot, does the local university have a hospital sleep lab? It might be worth checking out. Given your current experience and that fact that going out of Kaiser's network would cost you considerable I wouldn't be bashful about asking for a tour of the sleep lab facility, looking for comfortable sleep rooms, beds, etc., a chance to talk to the personnel and to ask them to explain just exactly what the study would entail, if you ever see the sleep doctor, the sleep doctor's specialty, what information you are provided with regarding your results, whether you are allowed any say in the equipment you would be provided with, who you receive the equipment from, whether they routinely see to it that their patients receive ONLY fully data capable xPAPs, how much of a selection of masks you are given to try, how much support they provide if you run into difficulties w/the local DME supplier providing your equipment, whether any discount is given to self-paying patients, etc.

Ask about the experience, training and certification of their sleep techs, their doctor(s), the RPSGTs who score the studies, how many patients per tech during their studies and titrations, etc. Who provides your patient education about your condition and use of xPAP and mask fitting.


_________________
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.

I haven't ever had an arterial blood gas test, and my first sleep specialist was very thorough.  I had office drawn blood tests to rule out various conditions, but never anything more than that.  My last sleep study was done at a McSleep Center, which I guess is fine for somebody who has had sleep studies before, has simple sleep apnea, and just needs the paperwork to get a new CPAP machine.

Linda wrote:

Suubplot,

I'm guessing from the discussion here that you had the auto titration as a sleep study and you didn't have a sleep study at an over night sleep study center, right?  And the data from the machine, do you know what your AHI was when you were first diagnosed?  If they did test for blood oxygen levels, do you know what the levels were?  Does your insurance not permit sleep studies at a sleep study center?

What I'm getting at is that the full polysommography from a sleep study center provides more information.  People here are always asking for copies of their sleep study reports to understand their condition better.  There are issues of severity, and not just AHI.... things like how bad was the condition on your back vs sleeping on your side; or during REM vs non-REM, and more.  Also, a good physical evaluation of the area of the obstruction would be needed; for example, do you have overly-enlarged tonsils, etc.  The more you know about your condition, the better informed decisions you can make about alternatives.  


Linda

No...they did not do anything in their facility...other than give me the equipment to hook myself up to and send me on my way.  Granted, 8 years ago I just may have gotten a "bad apple"...so I think I am going to call them again and see if I can get signed up for a new one.

Well, at least ask them the same questions I suggested for another, out of network sleep clinic and for a tour of the facility, staff credentials, etc. 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.

Many many people start off very naive to all of this...that is why there is such a high *drop out* rate.  The Dr's etc need to fully go over everything...if a patient is receiving new info, they most likely will not ask a lot of questions because they do not know what to ask.  

Everything I learned about SA was because of this board....think of all the people out there who do not know how to use a computer...or think that the Dr is the Almighty.

I wish I had found this forum BEFORE I got my machine.  Like Mrs. Rip Van Winkle said, I had no idea what to ask and wound up with a basic CPAP.  I would love to had a data capable one.  I have gone through 3 masks thus far trying to find the "one" for me.  I have read on here where people have gone through 9 or more...How do you afford it?

SOME of us are fortunate enough to have a good local DME supplier who is willing to admit that the mask is the KEY to CPAP compliance. And are willing to work w/the patient to find THE right mask, and have an RT on staff who knows how to PROPERLY fit a  mask.

Some local DME suppliers won't own up to the fact that Respironics, Resmed and Fisher & Paykel will ALL replace FREE to the local DME supplier most any of their masks that patients have tried and been unsuccessful w/IF the local DME supplier will fill out a form and return them to the manufacturer W/IN 30 days.


_________________
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.

AHHHHH....I see.  Hadn't heard that before.  I live in a small town so am limited on suppliers and doctors.  I'll keep plugging away.  I am feeling better most days so I am nowhere near ready to throw in the towel, well maybe a day here and there.

I believe that at first Kaiser Permanente would only allow home sleep studies using one of the home study kits.  That is probably what Suublot had, since it was some years ago.