Hello All,
I just had my first sleep study, but the technologist wouldn't tell me anything of the results. I had a split study, and they did put the breathing mask on me half way through the night. Does this mean I do have sleep apnea? I don't have my follow up appointment for another 3 weeks and I'm dying to know If i actually have it. Does anyone know if they do put the mask on you during the study if that means I definitly have it? Thanks!

EnergyIWant wrote:

Hello All,
I just had my first sleep study, but the technologist wouldn't tell me anything of the results. I had a split study, and they did put the breathing mask on me half way through the night. Does this mean I do have sleep apnea? I don't have my follow up appointment for another 3 weeks and I'm dying to know If i actually have it. Does anyone know if they do put the mask on you during the study if that means I definitly have it? Thanks!

Well, they wouldn't have put you on CPAP if you weren't having apneas, so the answer is most likely yes.  As for the results, call the sleep lap and request a copy of your study.  They must give it to you, it's the law.

Another item of interest is that not only do you have to exhibit apneas, but you have to exceed a certain number of respiratory events to get the split study. Twelve years ago, for me, that number was 30 apneas.  (We were putting the mask on at 1 1/2 hours into the study).


_________________
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Sleep Apnea is a Killer! Get it Tested!
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EnergyIWant wrote:

Hello All,
I just had my first sleep study, but the technologist wouldn't tell me anything of the results. I had a split study, and they did put the breathing mask on me half way through the night. Does this mean I do have sleep apnea? I don't have my follow up appointment for another 3 weeks and I'm dying to know If i actually have it. Does anyone know if they do put the mask on you during the study if that means I definitly have it? Thanks!

Maybe not sleep apnea, although that is the most likely culprit.  But perhaps some other type of respiratory distress that could benefit from CPAP therapy.  

You'll have a definitive answer when you see your doc.  Be sure to ask for copies of the full sleep study report -- 5-6 pages or more plus graphs, not just the summary letter of 1-2 pages that your doc will write.  Not only are you entitled to the full report (if you're in the US, anyway) but it contains detailed information such as whether you have more respiratory events on your back than on your sides (or vice-versa), whether you attained dream or REM sleep with (or without) the CPAP and whether you had more (or less) events in one stage of sleep than another, any limb movement that disrupted your sleep cycle, and so on.  Besides being interesting reading   it's a good basis for dialog with your doctor, so be sure to get a copy.

Blessings,
--pseudonym

First, thank you all for your replies, I greatly appreciate it!
I will be sure to attain a copy of the report, but I'm going to meet with the doctor/specialist first (in a couple weeks). What I want to make sure I'm deducing from your responses is that although I don't know for sure what it is that is causing it, I do definitely have some kind of sleep problem that would show itself enough to put a mask on me during the sleep study? and if that is the case, the signs that were needed to exhibit themselves in order to put the mask on is absolutely enough to have a noticeable effect on my daily life?
The reason I ask this is because i have a horrible problem with day time sleepiness and lack of motivation (and depression), and I am desperate to know if my sleep problems are at the least, somewhat to blame. - thank you again to all that replied! Your input is extremely valuable!