Newly Diagnosed: Before Acquiring Any CPAP Equipment

[roster]

Here is a document I give to all my friends when they will be visiting the sleep doctor to discuss the results of their sleep study.

Things To Ask About Your Polysomnogram (PSG) and Titration Study

1. Did I have any central apneas? How many?

2. Were there any comorbidities? What were they?

3. Did I breathe or leak through my mouth? How often? What do you recommend to prevent it?

3. Did I exhibit Positional Sleep Apnea (PSA)? Was my apnea more severe in one sleeping position as compared to others? Is my pressure requirement higher in one position as compared to others? (Often sleep apnea is more severe when sleeping on the back.)

4. Is there anything else unusual about the results?

5. What pressure settings will be prescribed?

6. How will I know my therapy is preventing breathing events?

7. I am determined to own a data-capable machine and software to monitor apneas, hypopneas and mask leak. This will allow me to call your office with specific questions if I have problems with the therapy. Will you help me with the appropriate prescription?

In addition to the questions:

1. Get a copy of your PSG. It is your legal right to have one.

2. Get a copy of your CPAP prescription.

3. Make sure the prescription calls for a heated humidifier with the machine.

You are going to want to get the correct machine on the first try. Answer the questions and the experienced members of cpaptalk.com can help you with machine recommendations.

[johnnygoodman]

Howdy Rooster,

Thanks for making this! Can you add it to the wiki?

Johnny

[harry33]

sounds good to me, subject perhaps to a warning of not becoming obsessed about the data