Finally another sleep study.....

KarenAZ · Post by **KarenAZ** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:42 pm

Hi everyone - I've not been back since March - that's how long it's taken me to get another sleep study set up, taken, and the results in. I can't believe it's taken me that long.

I have not used my CPAP since mid-March. Now it's going to be like starting all over again. I told my PCP that I felt as though I was smothering and could not use it. When I called the place who did my initial sleep study, they asked if I had a weight fluctuation of greater or less than 25 pounds. At that point I was at 40 pounds lost so they said oh yes, you need to come in. So my doctor said okay I'll tell the girls to schedule it.

Well it took me SIX weeks to get them to move on that. The girl was out of the office, she was busy, etc. Finally I got in to see my doctor again (I go every 6 weeks for other issues) and he said what? It's not been scheduled yet?

Finally the insurance approved it, yadda yadda yadda, and I had another sleep study set up a few weeks ago. This one was so much better than my other study. Insurance ordered a split study. They came in at 1 and said yes I qualified again for CPAP. This time I had requested that I try the nasal pillow mask. I LOVED it! What a difference it made for me. They said I have a very small nose area and even though my mask was a small, they felt perhaps it was not sealing correctly which is one reason I was having problems. (I used the gel mask that just went over my nose and mouth).

The tech said I fell back asleep within 15 minutes after they rehooked me using the nasal pillow and I hit REM within 1/2 hour and STAYED in REM for over 3 hours. He said he's not seen such a positive sleep study in a long time. That nasal pillow was soooo comfortable for me. I had to keep adjusting the other mask every time I moved or else I had to wear it so tight it was not comfortable.

So I go back in on Thursday to have the pressure readjusted and to pick up my new mask. My pressure dropped from 12 to 8!!!! I'd say that's one reason I was feeling like I was smoothering.

I can't wait to get it and try it again. I am expecting this time to be a whole lot better and I liked it before!
hugs
Karen

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:40 pm

Congratulation, Karen.
Your post has so many important lesson in it!

It was so wise of you to insist on getting good therapy.
And on trying a pillows mask.

And then we see how weight loss can change your pressure

And how utterly crucial it is to have a fitting mask,

And this too:

So I go back in on Thursday to have the pressure readjusted and to pick up my new mask. My pressure dropped from 12 to 8!!!! I'd say that's one reason I was feeling like I was smoothering.

No wonder you felt so bad under that totally unfitting therapy.

O.

KarenAZ · Post by **KarenAZ** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:05 am

Thank you Ozij for taking the time to answer.
Karen

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:49 am

Congratulations, Karen! I'm sure sorry it took so long to get things underway and taken care of. That is soooooo frustrating!

But - glad to hear how well things went during the split study!!!! Such a wonderful, but drastic difference for you. ENJOY!