I am fairly new to this forum and have another 2 weeks to get my test restults.  My EENT said I would go for one test and if that came back the way he suspected, I would go for a second test to help me write the correct prescription.   About two hours into my sleep, I was put into a mask with the comments. "you qualify for a mask and I am going to put one on, ok?"  Try to sleep more on your back as that is when you are worse...ok?  I will try but I can't sleep on my back for long".  

Many comments have been made about using an "accredited physician and facility".  However when you have an HMO for insurance..you go where you are told.  While I have two  accredited facilities in the LAS VEGAS area, my test site was not one of them.  While my doctor seems knowledgeable, he is not listed as an accredited sleep physician.  The way my insurance works, I had to see my primary care doctor, he had to refer me to an EENT doctor and the EENT had to refer me to a sleep clinic for the study.  The doctors I am sure must use whatever the insurance allows them to .    The study is than done and the results for the report come from the "sleep physician" that has read them and they are forwarded back to my EENT doctor.   Our HMO is the largest in our state.  So why would they not use an accredited facillity?  If the facility is not accredted, is the physician who is writing the report
("sleep physician" ) accreditied?   The print out with all the explanations and directions given to me just says "sleep physician" ...it never mentions accreditation.    When all is done I am sure the EENT will send a report to my primary care doctor (he doubted I had sleep apnea because I was never sleepy.  I am way beyond sleepy...I am EXHAUSTED all the time.  Sleepy to me conotates a warm relaxed feeling that lets one slide into a restfull state.  I never have that.

My EENT gave me a brochure about sleep apnea telling about the different treatments and their success rate.    The one with the highest success rate involved sleep masks.   He said he was sure I had sleep apnea but needed the results for the tests in order to proceed.  
  
My point is... should we be so concerned about accreditation?   When insured under an HMO what choices does one have?

Also since I live in a hot dry climate, what does anyone think about the machines that add warm humidity?   I get plenty of heat as it is and sleep better in cooler temperatures.
    Diane

Hi Diane,

I wouldn't worry about whether or not a sleep lab is accredited.  There are many out there doing wonderful work which simply haven't gone through the process of being accredited. As I understand it, there are many sleep labs opening up in this country because of the demand for studies.  Accredidation isn't a priority, I am guessing.  I've seen two good labs which are not accredited.

I would be sure to ask about the study first, if it is a full polysonomagraphy test, testing everything from sleep habits, body functions, restless leg syndrome, oxygen levels, etc.  I also understand they have to test you for a minimum of time, including sleeping time, in order to determine if you have sufficient apnea to warrant the second part, called a titration study, where they test you the same way but with the cpap and mask treatment to see how you respond.  

I don't know much about the doctor thing, but as long as you have one who has a good undestanding of sleep apnea, its testing and its treatment, hang on to that doctor.  Some primary care physicians refer their patients to other sleep specialists, like a pulmonary doctor.  There are doctors who work closely with the sleep labs.  Oh, and following the study, there should be a study report prepared by the sleep doctor, often given to your doctor.  You should get a copy of that report.  It gives a lot of valuable information about your condition and your treatment.  The doctors use this report to help them prescribe the right cpap treatment.

I have a heated humidifier, a must, in my opinion.  The level of heatedness can be adjusted to what suits you.  Sometimes I use it as a heated humidifier.  Sometimes I don't have the heating element on, preferring to use it as a passover, where the air passes over the water, in this case the cooler water.  Regardless of how you use it, it's important.  The air and air pressure exerted by cpap can dry out your throat.  Even unheated humidified air will help replace what the cpap air pressure might eliminate.  Be sure to get a heated humidifier.

Good luck!

Linda