Well I completed my first sleep study last night and it was an interesting experience. I knew what to expect from reading this board, but I was not prepared for how the wires would actually feel. I ended up pulling some of the wires off after getting tangled up in it. The sleep tech was very nice and professional and made me feel at ease throughout the night. It took me a little bit longer to fall asleep because of the sensor above my mouth and below my nose.

The bad news was that 2-3 hours into the sleep study they had to change me to a CPAP because I had 40 or more episodes within 2 hours. I fouce nd it easier to sleep with the CPAP (full face mask) than with the wire by my nose. When I woke up in the morning the tech told me that I seemed to stabilize at a pressure of 14.

Next Steps??? So what can I expect next? They would not share my study info with me, but said I can request it from my MD. It is obvious that I have SA because they had to bring me a CPAP in the middle of my study, but can you tell by the pressure they had me at how bad my SA is?

No...pressure and severity are two different things.  Someone with mild apnea may have airways that are harder to keep open, hence requiring a higher pressure than someone who has severe apnea and needs only a low pressure...and visa versa.


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

Most likely a sleep tech conducted your study and an RPSGT will "score" your split night study, the scored study will then be provided to a doctor specializing in sleep medicine who will dictate his report of the results. His dictation is then provided to someone who will transcribe those results. The transcription then goes back to the sleep specialist to sign off on after reveiwing it for any mistakes.

After that is where the great variation in procedure takes place.

1] You may be called in for a consultation w/the sleep specialist where he will go over and explain the results to you and suggest that you consider CPAP therapy.
2] If you are agreeable, you are told what local DME suppliers your insurance is contracted with and asked if you have a preference or he or the sleep lab will offer a suggestion.
3] Once a local DME supplier is selected the order for your equipment and a copy of the sleep study results are sent to that DME supplier
4] That local DME supplier then contacts you about your equipment. They may want to arrange an appointment for you to go in and pick your equipment up and be fitted for your mask. They may want to arrange for one of their employees to deliver your equipment and fit your mask. They may call to advise you or you may just one day receive delivery of your equipment by UPS or USPS or other delivery service.

or

1] The results are sent to your referring doctor along w/the sleep specialist's recommendations and your referring doctor will contact you to come in for a consultation about the results and whether you want to undergo CPAP therapy or not.
2] If you are agreeable, see above.

If I were you:
 
1] I would call my insurance company and ask what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than one. I would also ask what my copay/deductable is, what percentage they pay, is the CPAP purchased outright immediately, rented for a short time before full payment is made or some type of "capped rental" (rent to own) and for what period of time. I would ask about the "accessories" the humidifier, mask, etc., full payment at time of delivery, rental, if rental for how long?
2] I would call the sleep lab and ask "what's next"? It most likely will be some variation of the above. I would request a copy of the sleep doctor's dictated results report (1-2 pages) AND the full scored data summary report w/condensed graphs (5+ pages) AND, if the sleep lab doctor will be writing the equipment order (script), I would ask that the script be given to me so that I could "shop" my various local DME supplier options.
3] I would make it clear to whoever is writing the order for your equipment, whether the sleep lab sleep specialist or your referring doctor, that I want some input on the equipment that is ordered for me and that you and he/she would come to a mutual agreement on what equipment that would be.
4] I would be researching the various CPAP machines and their capabilities. Personally, I would NOT accept anything less than a fully data capable CPAP. Data capable means it is able to report the nightly pressure, leak rate, AHI, AI, HI & hours used. I strongly suggest that you do not accept anything less than a fully data capable CPAP as well.

Be aware that most all insurance companies pay by insurance code, not brand or model. All CPAPs from bare bone compliance data only capable thru fully data capable CPAPs w/exhalation pressure relief thru some fully data capable autoPAPs are all classified as HCPCS (insurance) code E0601. Understandably the bare bone compliance data only CPAPs cost less than a fully data capable CPAP w/exhalation pressure relief which cost less than a fully data capable autoPAP. Obviously then it is beneficial to the local DME supplier's profit margin to provide you w/the most basic CPAP you will accept.

Also be aware that Resmed, Respironics and Fisher & Paykil will replace FREE to the local DME suppliers most styles of their masks that a patient has tried and been unsuccessful w/IF the local DME supplier fills out a form AND returns that mask to the manufacturer w/in 30 days.

Good luck, God bless and Happy PAPping.


_________________
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:

If I were you:
 
3] I would make it clear to whoever is writing the order for your equipment, whether the sleep lab sleep specialist or your referring doctor, that I want some input on the equipment that is ordered for me and that you and he/she would come to a mutual agreement on what equipment that would be.

Thanks for the information. You have definetly given me many things to think about between now and then.

When you say that I should have some input into what equipment is ordered, what exactly does that mean? Does the doctor write a script that says patient needs CPAP at 14 pressure? Or does the doctor specifically state the type of machine and what accessories I should have. Should I know what model, face mask and accessories I want prior to arriving to his office for the follow-up to the sleep study and to get the script?

Most times the equipment order just says CPAP, autoPAP, bi-level (the type of xPAP he feels you need); w/EPR, C-Flex or A-Flex if he determines you need some exhalation pressure relief; his recommended pressure setting or settings; w/humidifier or heated humidifier whichever he thinks you need, if he thinks you need it; and quite often will specify the mask you used during your titration.

It would be a good idea for you to have a good idea of a couple of xPAPs you are interested in and would be happy with. And the reason why should he ask. You might also ask that he write the order for your mask as: "Full face, nasal cushion, nasal pillows or "hybrid" style mask of patient's choice". He may or may not add "chin strap" to your order. Since neither of you know each other very well, I wouldn't go in adamantly set on one particular device and I would be prepared to answer why my interest in that particular xPAP device.

There are some EXCELLENT educational links from this website to help you get a good education on OSA and CPAP therapy. Read them. The LAST thing I would admit to my sleep doctor is that I want to be able to change my own therapy settings, even if that were true. He doesn't know you, you don't know him; he not going to want one of his patients going off half-$!@# fiddling w/the pressure settings, etc. when they have no idea of what they are doing. Showing an interest in your therapy and a desire to learn about OSA and CPAP therapy shouldn't be a challenge to him but rather an encouraging sign that he has a patient who wants to take an active part in their therapy as a "team member".


_________________
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.

Crohnie has said it all! no need in me adding to it except that you need to make choices just make them informed choices.


_________________
Respironics M Series BiPAP Plus with BiFlex, Heated Humidifier
Resmed Ultra Mirage II Nasal Mask with Headgear
Pressure @ 6/11