I've had 3 different sleep studies done over several years and haven't been able to sleep during any of them with any good results. With the wiring harness running all over your body, I find it very hard to get to sleep in a controlled setting. Is there any way to have a sleep study done at home so that I might get to sleep and establish some good base results?

Try having a home study at least to see if you have sleep apnea. Theres just two sensors and you sleep in your own bed.

I don't think the sleep disorder center I've been using offers this at-home option. I guess I should try and call another one.

DavidK wrote:

I don't think the sleep disorder center I've been using offers this at-home option. I guess I should try and call another one.

You can try to find an office that offers the Itamar Watch PAT. To be fair, I had trouble getting to sleep with this device. It will fit on 2 of your fingers and the box will attach to your wrist area. It made me feel like Robocop for some reason. Ultimately, I did get 6 hours of sleep with it.

I agree with Ram_Sleep about the Watch Pat from Itamar.  I have used it three times during the adjustment phase of my dental device.   Not as extensive measurement of information as a over night sleep studybut it does give decent data about obstructive apneas and hyponeas.  SEE this link  http://www.centerforsoundsleep.com/blog/?page_id=150   The Watch PAT 200 has a smaller wrist module and is more comfortable than the Watch Pat 100.

Thanks to all for your replies.

I had a total of three studies.  Two at different centers and one at home.  For the home study the dme brought an auto pap to my house and I used it for two full weeks.  They took the card that records the results to my sleep doctor and my c-pap settings were determined.  They programed my own machine and that was that.  

I had a terrible time also at my first two sleep studies.  With all the wires, cameras, etc and a different bed I just was not able to sleep.  They had limited information, so it was decided to let me try it at home.  There were none of the wires etc, just the auto pap machine, my mask and my own bed and finally sleep.  During this time I was also trying to get used to a mask so even at home it took me awhile to get to sleep.  I finally used an over the counter sleep aid that did help.



Last edited by Something new on Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:28 am; edited 1 time in total
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REMstarplus, M Series with C-flex and heated humidification
C- Pap setting of 10
ResMed Mirage Quatro full face Mask
Sleep study showed 36 events per hour
Location, Nebraska

I talked with a co-worker today and he also had used an APAP that recorded data that could be downloaded. I was originally fitted with a Resmed (brand name) cpap, which the clinic set on a "nominal" setting of 7. They told me to use it and see how I did with it. I want a more exacting form of measurement instead of the "wait and see" attitude, so I'm going to inquire about a unit that can be downloaded after using it at home. Thanks again for your reply.

If you are looking for patient accessible CPAP data.

Check out DeVilbiss. I was just looking at some of their new machines. They offer the ability to access your CPAP data via a secure internet connection.

You can check it anytime you want.. just like your sleep physician

Most CPAP makers do not want you to access the data.. they want you to go through your sleep physician to see all the data.


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Just a truck driver with sleep apnea

truckerdad57 wrote:

Most CPAP makers do not want you to access the data.. they want you to go through your sleep physician to see all the data.

Possibly, but I think that the biggest fear is that some patients are too irrational and irresponsible to interpret the data correctly. This may lead to a patient prematurely changing the settings in order to manage their own therapy. Careful consideration should be be given if that is the route that a patient goes.

That is one of the biggest problems the medical profession has - the attitiude that the patient is a dumb boob and too ignorant to understand the simplest of things - unless, of course, it is more convenient - and lucrative - to teach the patient a thing or two.

That is so condescending, so insulting, so ...... IGNORANT!


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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, ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

CrohnieToo wrote:

That is one of the biggest problems the medical profession has - the attitiude that the patient is a dumb boob and too ignorant to understand the simplest of things - unless, of course, it is more convenient - and lucrative - to teach the patient a thing or two.

That is so condescending, so insulting, so ...... IGNORANT!

Maybe, but its the unfortunate truth. Want one example (out of a list of millions)?

We offer 24,72 hour ambulatory EEGs in our OH office. The patients were brought in, hooked up, and instructed that the batteries on the unit must be replaced at X hour (generally half way through a recording of a 72 hour study). We provided the batteries and clear instructions on how to replace the batteries, which was similar to replacing batteries any battery operated device since their creation. It wasnt difficult and the instructions were as simple as possible. Would you like to guess how many people inserted the batteries in backwards? Would you like to know how many patients fiddled with the machine, pulled off leads (from their head) and simply ignored every instruction that they had been given? Lots.

Just because YOU are competent, doesnt mean that everyone is. This is another situation where a certain group of people can impact the rules for the majority, but im not even close to certain that the majority of people will follow instructions. You cant assume that most people will want to manage their own therapy, so why not take the stance that it is harmful to do so and just let those who are dedicated to learn what the values mean to knock themselves out? What is the harm in advertising the risks of user operated changes? There are none other than ruffling some feathers of the oversensitive.

So what if the medical community rules are ignorant? Im sure that you change your own pressure. The machines are not locked and CAN be altered if one wants to do so. YOu may have to learn how to get to the clinical menus, but it can be done.

In terms of acting as those the patients are dumb boobs, well again I think that you have to consider the majority. You may be a bit biased because you are deeply inolved in your own care and well being. What about most people? It doesnt make it right for them to assume everyone is a dolt, but again so what? If you express your willingness to learn, then maybe they will respect you enough to clue to you in technical terms. If not, then seek out a physician that has enough sincerity to do so. Personality skills arent taught in medical school, as far as I know. They are usually busy trying to learn how to fix medical conditions, which, personally, I am greatful for.

Just my two cents about patients and their Cpack...

RAM_Sleep wrote:

CrohnieToo wrote:

That is one of the biggest problems the medical profession has - the attitiude that the patient is a dumb boob and too ignorant to understand the simplest of things - unless, of course, it is more convenient - and lucrative - to teach the patient a thing or two.

That is so condescending, so insulting, so ...... IGNORANT!

Maybe, but its the unfortunate truth. Want one example (out of a list of millions)?

We offer 24,72 hour ambulatory EEGs in our OH office. The patients were brought in, hooked up, and instructed that the batteries on the unit must be replaced at X hour (generally half way through a recording of a 72 hour study). We provided the batteries and clear instructions on how to replace the batteries, which was similar to replacing batteries any battery operated device since their creation. It wasnt difficult and the instructions were as simple as possible. Would you like to guess how many people inserted the batteries in backwards? Would you like to know how many patients fiddled with the machine, pulled off leads (from their head) and simply ignored every instruction that they had been given? Lots.

Just because YOU are competent, doesnt mean that everyone is. This is another situation where a certain group of people can impact the rules for the majority, but im not even close to certain that the majority of people will follow instructions. You cant assume that most people will want to manage their own therapy, so why not take the stance that it is harmful to do so and just let those who are dedicated to learn what the values mean to knock themselves out? What is the harm in advertising the risks of user operated changes? There are none other than ruffling some feathers of the oversensitive.

So what if the medical community rules are ignorant? Im sure that you change your own pressure. The machines are not locked and CAN be altered if one wants to do so. YOu may have to learn how to get to the clinical menus, but it can be done.

In terms of acting as those the patients are dumb boobs, well again I think that you have to consider the majority. You may be a bit biased because you are deeply inolved in your own care and well being. What about most people? It doesnt make it right for them to assume everyone is a dolt, but again so what? If you express your willingness to learn, then maybe they will respect you enough to clue to you in technical terms. If not, then seek out a physician that has enough sincerity to do so. Personality skills arent taught in medical school, as far as I know. They are usually busy trying to learn how to fix medical conditions, which, personally, I am greatful for.

Just my two cents about patients and their Cpack...

Just a p.s. on your note.    I remember my folks who were confused about using the VCR when it was new.  Often people are capable of learning to read there own data and this is fine, but I don't believe they should be changing their settings.  It isn't an issue of being incapable or capable.  It is a liability issue.  If an individual makes the final decision what his settings should be and stops breathing during the night and God forbid dies, who do you think the family is going to sue ?  These doctors are protecting themself for those who are arragnant and think they "know it all."


_________________
REMstarplus, M Series with C-flex and heated humidification
C- Pap setting of 10
ResMed Mirage Quatro full face Mask
Sleep study showed 36 events per hour
Location, Nebraska

Closed minds rarely open.


_________________
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, ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face, ResScan 3.7, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Did your Doc give you a sleep aid to take before hand?

Just went through my first study this past Friday. Followed the rules to the letter, no caffeine 12 hours before, no chocolate, no cola, no other stimulants. Hadn't slept more than a few hours in the prior 3 days. I was jittery as ever when I tried to sleep, Doc. gave me AmbienCR 6.25mg on the initial office visit to take when I went to the sleep study. It didn't knock the edge off. I was up most of the night. Tech gave up around 5:30, pulled my wires off and told me to rest until the Doc. came in which was around 8:30. He admitted he under dosed me, didn't count on me being so wound up. I get to do it all over again in a couple of weeks. In the mean time, he wrote a presc. for 12.5mg AmbienCR to get me thru the next few weeks. Took one the night following the study and slept like I hadn't slept in years.

If you've got to do it again, ask for something to help you sleep. They probably can't give you anything at the study, so your sleep doc will have to give it to you in advance.