Twin Cities, Minnesota Sleep Study Recommendations?

[JohnO]

My wife requested that I get a sleep study due to her observations of my stopping breathing at night, in addition to years of snoring very loudly. I also recently (thanks to this forum) bought a recording pulse oximeter that seems to support the fact that I might have OSA. I don't have any fatigue, and feel that I sleep soundly, although I DO need at least 8 hours in bed to feel refreshed.

While I want to get this situation dealt with in the best way possible for my health, I do have some other concerns.

First, as a pilot, I have some steps to follow to keep the FAA happy. I'm working some someone on that front already.

Second, I'd just as soon have a sleep study at a place that does a good job, understands sleeping doesn't come natural in an unnatural environment, and that is covered by my insurance (BCBS PPO) (as much as possible).

Third, based on reading here, I really want to have some influence on the hardware I may be required to use. I'd really want data recording, etc.

Fourth, my records are in the Allina Clinics system, so some clinic that meets the above criteria, plus is associated with Allina would be a benefit.

A co-worker has used the Aspen Medical Sleep Center. http://www.aspenmed.org/specialties/Sle ... shx?p=1211
He described the rooms and the process as very comfortable. In his case, when he woke up, they presented him with his own CPAP and equipment. Good news, that was a simple, easy process. Bad news, he had no choice in equipment and ended up with a Philips Respironics System One (250P) that does not seem to have good data capability.

Perhaps when I call them, I could discuss different equipment before I go in for a study.

Any other Twin Cities folks with recommendations?

Thanks,

[chunkyfrog]

Have you logged on to the BCBS provider finder?
There you can see who is in network; and go from there.
It looks like you are well on the way to handling this quite well.
The holiday may -or may not- interfere with quick responses from forum members in your area.
Welcome, And good health.

[MaxDarkside]

I went to Park Nicollet's Meadowbrook facility at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, 3rd floor. I've only had one sleep study, so I can't compare, but the people were nice. My sleep doctor is at the same place, 5th floor. I use their sleep store, also on 3rd floor. I have been to Abbott's DME for my wife, it was in no way as nice as Meadowbrook's sleep store. At Abbott, it was in the basement in a little storage room kind of place. Meadowbrook's sleep store has a nice waiting room, lots of stuff on display, knowledgeable RT's helping with mask fitting, machine instructions, etc.

Oh, and Meadowbrook gave me an S9 AutoSet, data capable, no questions asked, no issues. My prescription was for an "APAP" with humidifier.

[JohnO]

Have you logged on to the BCBS provider finder?

Yes, that is where I started. Unfortunately, I feel the data there is suspect -- they list three locations in the Twin Cities, but don't list Aspen, which I know is also covered. I guess I need to phone them to get up current data.

Also - I need to confirm I don't need a referral (which is what I've heard so far).

Thanks!

[JohnO]

My sleep doctor is at the same place, 5th floor.

Oh, and Meadowbrook gave me an S9 AutoSet, data capable, no questions asked, no issues. My prescription was for an "APAP" with humidifier.

Sounds excellent - I don't have a sleep doctor either, so I imagine that is really the first step.

John

[greatunclebill]

if you know of places, the easiest way to find out if they are in network is to call them. they know which insurance networks they are in. born in duluth, mn. now live in lower alabama. it's been so long, i don't think i could handle snow and ice these days.

[jweeks]

Hi,

I have had 3 studies done at Fairview Southdale Hospital. I was self-pay at the time, and they offered an excellent discount. They have private rooms with private bathrooms and very modern equipment. The place was quiet and much like a hotel room. I also had one study at the MN Lung Center. That didn't go so well. It was older equipment and far less comfortable. I have an excellent doctor at the MN Lung Center, but they are expensive compared to other options. When I need to get my prescription renewed, I might move over to the Fairview Sleep Clinic since BCBS offers better coverage for them, and they are part of the "MYCHART" system (so I can see my data on-line, and so my doctors can share test results and not have to repeat tests).

-john-

[Zzzzzzzzzzz...]

My wife requested that I get a sleep study due to her observations of my stopping breathing at night, in addition to years of snoring very loudly. I also recently (thanks to this forum) bought a recording pulse oximeter that seems to support the fact that I might have OSA. I don't have any fatigue, and feel that I sleep soundly, although I DO need at least 8 hours in bed to feel refreshed.

While I want to get this situation dealt with in the best way possible for my health, I do have some other concerns.

First, as a pilot, I have some steps to follow to keep the FAA happy. I'm working some someone on that front already.

Second, I'd just as soon have a sleep study at a place that does a good job, understands sleeping doesn't come natural in an unnatural environment, and that is covered by my insurance (BCBS PPO) (as much as possible).

Third, based on reading here, I really want to have some influence on the hardware I may be required to use. I'd really want data recording, etc.

Fourth, my records are in the Allina Clinics system, so some clinic that meets the above criteria, plus is associated with Allina would be a benefit.

A co-worker has used the Aspen Medical Sleep Center. http://www.aspenmed.org/specialties/Sle ... shx?p=1211
He described the rooms and the process as very comfortable. In his case, when he woke up, they presented him with his own CPAP and equipment. Good news, that was a simple, easy process. Bad news, he had no choice in equipment and ended up with a Philips Respironics System One (250P) that does not seem to have good data capability.

Perhaps when I call them, I could discuss different equipment before I go in for a study.

Any other Twin Cities folks with recommendations?

Thanks,

I had my first study at Allina Hospital... it felt like I was in a hospital room... in a hospital bed... while the tech was pretty nice and knowledgable, I just didn't like the vibe there and couldn't sleep a wink. Never got titrated, but was diagnosed with mild/moderate apnea. I had a few subsequent studies at the MN Sleep Center in Edina. Much more comfortable and I'd recommend them. My doctor works out of both clinics. PM me if you'd like and I'll give you a doctor and tech reco if you go that route.

Best of luck,

Z

[MaxDarkside]

I don't have a sleep doctor either, so I imagine that is really the first step.

I'll send you a private message with a link to my sleep doctor's profile. He's a pretty good guy and in at least my case, he had little issue with me self-managing, changing settings and such, after I showed him my data and explained the nature of work I'm in (data analytics).

[MaxDarkside]

I have had 3 studies done at Fairview Southdale Hospital. I was self-pay at the time, and they offered an excellent discount. They have private rooms with private bathrooms and very modern equipment. The place was quiet and much like a hotel room

That may sound better than Meadowbrook, where there wasn't a bath "on suite", it was private (one seater lockable) but down the hall. The room was private, but more like a dorm than a hotel. I had a 90 min sleep latency, most of which I chalk up to being wired up like Frankenstein I should have brought my own pillow (duh!).

[JohnO]

I had a few subsequent studies at the MN Sleep Center in Edina. Much more comfortable and I'd recommend them. My doctor works out of both clinics. PM me if you'd like and I'll give you a doctor and tech reco if you go that route.

Best of luck,

Z

Sounds like a good experience. Convenient for me too. I'd love to have their names if you'd pass them along via PM.

Thanks,

John

[KrisasMan]

I used the HealthPartners Sleep Health Center in Maplewood thru the HealthPartners Specialty Center - Lung & Sleep Health in St Paul and was quite happy. I woke up with a prescription for a CPAP and their Arden Hills Home Medical Equipment got me setup the next day with a F&P Icon Auto. They also carry the ResMed S9 series at the HME so had I known more I might have pushed for it instead but I am happy with my Icon Auto and the data it provides. The building was built for sleep studies and is like a small hotel, much better than a hospital. Let me know if you are interested.

[JohnO]

I used the HealthPartners Sleep Health Center in Maplewood thru the HealthPartners Specialty Center - Lung & Sleep Health in St Paul and was quite happy.

Thanks for the info KrisasMan. I'll let you know if I need more info for HealthPartners Sleep Center.

[JohnO]

Just a follow-up on my note, in case it is useful to others in the future.

I had a "consultation" with the sleep doctor at the Allina Clinic that is located right next to the Sleep Center listed in the base note. The appointment went very well, in that the Doc, (actually a PA, which I had to look up) was -very- well versed in Sleep Apnea, remedies, impact on DOT and FAA folks, etc.

I've been using the CMS-50E for most nights over the last 6 weeks. I brought in four nights that seemed fairly representative of my O2 situation. Lots of little de-sats, and some really big ones (209 total, 17 events below 88%, with the lowest at 73% for about 34 seconds). That was probably the worst night. The Doc was thrilled to have a patient that was interested enough in their therapy that they would purchase their own oximeter and do regular studies. On her quick examination, she mentioned that I had a very narrow opening at the back of my throat. She said if most people had an opening like "O" mine was more "()"

My biggest fear was that I would have a lame CPAP machine with no efficacy data pushed on me, since one of the benefits of this sleep study location is that they do split studies, then, if you need CPAP, they give you your permanent machine when you wake up. She was thrilled to let me know that starting a few months ago, their lowest level machine is a full efficacy data machine. She personally pushed for that policy, and mentioned that it took quite a bit of convincing. Based on my level of personal interest, she said she would prescribe an auto-PAP machine for me, as it was clear I would benefit from it. This even before I had to ask! She did say that occasionally they ran out of auto-CPAP machines but if that happened, to call her directly and she would make sure I get the correct machine. Hopefully it won't come to that, but at least I am comforted in knowing I am not breaking the mold, and that she truly seems the value in full data auto-PAP machines for therapy.

She then had me head next-door to the sleep clinic. The clinic is housed in 5 rooms of a hotel! One room is the office/Sleep Tech room. It was full of LCD screened computers used for watching the sleep data. The other four are the study rooms. They showed me the rooms and the wiring harness so as to help me be less anxious at the time of the study.

The Sleep Doc also prescribed an Ambien for the night of the sleep study. She said it was up to me whether to take it or not. I've never taken a sleep aid, so on the one hand, that concerns me. On the other, if I'm anxious/excited I may have a hard time falling asleep. Generally speaking, I fall asleep within 10 minutes of turning out the lights when sleeping at home or at hotels. How close to bedtime would I have to take that pill? Could I wait until I'm wired up to see if I get nervous, or do I have to take it a few hours in advance?

The study is scheduled two weeks from last night.

Thanks SO MUCH to all who post on this forum. I have learned so very much over the last seven weeks since I created my account here. We shall see where the journey takes me.

[MaxDarkside]

Nice. Thanks for the update. Here's wishing for sweet dreams I didn't take a sleep aid and I was sorta anxious during my study, though not significantly, as to be expected, but it took me an hour and a half to fall asleep, all the wires and such and knowing the tech was watching me . Out of the entire study I was monitored for 8 hrs, but technically slept only just over 4, sleep efficiency of only 51%. Part of that was the latency, the time to fall asleep, but a lot was literally waking up 10 times per hour due to sleep disordered breathing and having about 100 RERAs in 4 hrs, I think they arouse but not necessarily fully cause an awakening (don't know, others do).

Ambien I have no experience with, but I probably should have taken 50 mg Benadryl (with which I am familiar) and brought my own pillow ! Theirs was a bit unfamiliar, harder, like plasticized fabric inside the pillow case and uncomfortable to me.