Am I ok in the meantime?

[heyimjason]

I just did a sleep study a few days ago and was told that I have sleep apnea. The technician said that it wasn't bad enough to come in and wake me to apply treatment (CPAP) but that they'll want to schedule another study in which I sleep with a CPAP all night.

Well, that probably won't happen for a week or so - and now I'm pretty worried about sleeping in the meantime. The idea of going to sleep and not waking up isn't exactly pleasant. So... is it pretty common to just die from apnea? I feel a little comfort in that my apnea wasn't severe enough to immediately apply treatment, but the fact that I stop breathing still bugs me.

So - should I or should I not be paranoid about sleep while I'm waiting for my next sleep study???

[heyimjason]

By the way, for what it's worth, I had to try to sleep on my back for the study, and when I'm at home, I ALWAYS sleep on my stomach - which I hear is a lot better.

[kteague]

Hi Jason. Many find the severity of their apnea changes based on sleeping position. I've read on here that tummy sleeping is better, don't have 1st hand experience with that. The nights you spend between getting your diagnosis and getting your titration study won't be any different than they were before you knew. But just the knowing does give us an awareness that can be unsettling. It may make you feel better about it if you take some extra precautions while you wait, like avoiding alcohol and meds that sedate. You could also roll up a blanket or comforter and lay it across the length of the head of your bed between the mattress and box springs, A bit of an incline theoretically puts gravity in your favor. Also, spend this time reading a lot on here so you'll be prepared when it's time to order a machine and get a mask.

[Julie]

Being on your back for the study was only to get baseline readings (for the future, or the upcoming titration study) but is actually the worst position for encouraging more apneas, so don't try to do it. Here's my stomach sleeping 'blog' - "I use a firm, 4" hi-density foam slab (no egg crate stuff) on top of my mattress, ordered from a dedicated foam store. At the top (head) in the middle - to leave room for a cat on either side - I used an electric carving knife (but probably really good scissors would work too) to cut out a 2-3" wide trench (and angled the top edges more outward) about 10 inches long (towards the foot of the bed). You have to fuss with it according to what configuration will work for you... just be careful about cutting too much at first because it's easier to cut again than be stuck with a too wide/large hole that will crush a bit anyhow. The 3-4' hose swivels up thru the trench (or hangs over an edge - my machine's on a shelf parallel to the top of the bed where I can just reach up to it) and my Ultra Mirage full face mask dips into the 'trench' - that mask works because the CO2 vent is NOT on the right angle of the mask/hose join up like so many masks are, and is therefore not blocked by bedding. I got a shorter than usual hose from Cpapplus.com who have all sizes." The point of this is because sleeping with a mask on but nowhere for it to go on a mattress will either dislodge the mask often, and/or give you a very sore neck.

[LinkC]

To address your question: No, it is as rare for an OSA patient to "die in their sleep" as it is anyone else.

The problem is long-term damage leading to strokes, heart disease and effects of O2 deprivation. The two weeks until your titration study won't kill you. But sleeping on your side is a good recommendation to minimize apneas, if you are comfortable that way.

[roster]

So - should I or should I not be paranoid about sleep while I'm waiting for my next sleep study???

Be thrilled that you have been diagnosed and are going to get treatment.

Take the energy you would spend on paranoia and instead spend it on studying machines and selecting a couple of good ones. The first machine you own is critical to your therapy. Make sure you select a couple of machines that have excellent efficacy data capability.

It is very common for the equipment suppliers to try to push off a bottom of the line machine on patients. They will even tell the patient that the bottom-of-the-line machine has a card for collecting data, when all the card does is collect hours of usage - worthless information.

Questions to ask about your PSG and Titration Study
by CPAPtalk member rooster

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. How will I know my therapy is preventing apneas?

6. 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 humidifier with the machine.

[roster]

On this page, https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machines/apap-machine.php , machines 1, 3 and 5 are excellent choices. Click on the page and read all the information about each of these machines. Then come back here, read some more and ask questions.

You can also go to that website and start studying masks, but first you are need to know which type of mask, nasal or full face, is appropriate for you. This information should be garnered from your sleep study.

[djr1215]

I'm not saying I recommend this - but my sleep study was in January and I just got my CPAP machine last week. And because of mask issues I didn't use it over the weekend.

[heyimjason]

Thanks for all of the input. I'm looking forward to getting my CPAP and some decent sleep. Hopefully, after dropping some weight and quitting smoking, I won't need one any longer (I never snored or woke up often when I was in shape and a non-smoker) - but if I do, then I guess I'll have to get used to it.

[fisamo]

Thanks for all of the input. I'm looking forward to getting my CPAP and some decent sleep. Hopefully, after dropping some weight and quitting smoking, I won't need one any longer (I never snored or woke up often when I was in shape and a non-smoker) - but if I do, then I guess I'll have to get used to it.

Just a few more comments from my perspective... I just started on therapy last Thurs after having my initial PSG (no titration) on 4/21. I'm still here to write about it. Since you pretty much know you're going to be getting a machine, do spend some time checking out the various models. As Rooooooster said, you do want a true data-capable machine so you can monitor your therapy. (I have the ResMed S9 - have not yet downloaded data into software but hope to do so soon.) Cpap.com gives a pretty good overview of the different machines and has a decent 'compare models' feature-by-feature.

The other thing to really think about now is your insurance benefits. Will you have any deductible left after two PSGs? (sleep studies) How about co-insurance or co-pay? Do you have to purchase the machine from an in-network durable medical equipment (DME) provider? If so, who's in your network and local to you? It may even be worthwhile calling the local in-network DMEs before you have your titration results to see what machines they typically provide and get an idea of how they'll be to work with. You should be able to get a list of in-network DMEs from your insurance carrier. If you know which DME you'll want to work with, you can ask your MD to refer you there when you go to get your PSG results.

Another thing to do while you're in between PSGs is to read the New Users and CPAP Wiki links at the top of the page. There's a ton of information linked up there that will help you to be proactive in your therapy.

Best wishes.

[heyimjason]

Yes, I'm definitely going to ask about a machine that can give me some data about my sleep. I've been told that I may have to use a CPAP permanently, but I'm still holding out a little hope that once I get in shape and stop smoking, I may not need one anymore. I never had breathing issues before I let myself go.
My insurance seems pretty decent. I think I have a $600 yearly deductible, and I'm sure I'll hit that fairly quickly (if I haven't yet with the first sleep study - I hear those range between $1,000 and $2,000 here).

The research isn't as daunting as I thought it would be. I think the hardest part (other than finances) will be the first few days of getting used to breathing through my nose. The technician said I would probably automatically start doing that - but I think I might have to scrunch the pillow under my chin or something to keep my mouth closed.
I was fit for one before the study, in case he needed to come in and apply it. It wasn't that uncomfortable - just a weird tiny tube thing with what he called "nasal pillows." I could barely feel it on me after a minute. The weird part was when I yawned, swallowed, and opened my mouth - each of those had some amusing sensations.