Hi,
 I was wondering how often you should have a sleep study. I had mine about 5 years ago. I wondered if you need rechecked.

Thanks,
Daddysgirl

My sleep physician recommends every two years if all is going well.  If you notice a return of symptoms like daytime sleepiness, have major health changes, weight loss, gain, etc. it is good to repeat more often.  If it has been five years, I would think it would be worthwhile to discuss with your sleep physician.

Thank you okie

Hi,

This may change in the future as more doctors become familiar with SleepStrips. For SA patients, it is far less costly to to do a two night SleepStrip test than a study. However, if there are other factors involved like RLS, that may not be the case.

For straight diagnosed OSA, the SleepStrips and perhaps future home screening devices (not pulse oximetry) will probably be used as follow-ups unless drastic changes are noted by the patient.

I might add that if one uses a SleepStrip and is a CPAP user, they should wait a few days to test since there is a residual effect from CPAP use. For most patients, missing a night with CPAP is not a big deal because of this effect.

Regards,

GP

panama_gringo wrote:

Hi,

This may change in the future as more doctors become familiar with SleepStrips. For SA patients, it is far less costly to to do a two night SleepStrip test than a study. However, if there are other factors involved like RLS, that may not be the case.

For straight diagnosed OSA, the SleepStrips and perhaps future home screening devices (not pulse oximetry) will probably be used as follow-ups unless drastic changes are noted by the patient.

I might add that if one uses a SleepStrip and is a CPAP user, they should wait a few days to test since there is a residual effect from CPAP use. For most patients, missing a night with CPAP is not a big deal because of this effect.

Regards,

GP

I have never heard of "residual effect"  As the cpap is keeping the airway open, how could that have an effect when it is not present?

I've never heard of a sleep strip. What is that? This forum has such great information. I'm trying to digest as much as I can. My head is swimming, lol. But it's good!


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diagnoses with osa in 1997.

Hello KathlynMarie!
Interestingly, we happen to be having a discussion about sleep strips:
http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?p=2850&highlight=strips#2850
This certainly has no use in a patient already diagnosed with OSA and on CPAP, and as I understand it, you just recently had a study and retitration, right?  And overall, the use of these devices is not recommended by the the professional organizations, period.
sleepydave

Yes, I just had a retritration study done recently. I was glad to hear about the frequency of sleep studies. I had that very same question. And, thank you for the link!


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diagnoses with osa in 1997.