what questions should I ask for at the sleep clinic

tansey · Post by **tansey** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:31 am

I finally have my night at the sleep clinic a week from today. What should I ask for besides the correct pressure for my machine? I want to have a written list that I may get the most out of this rare occasion. Will they be able to discover central obstructions on their PC I will be connected to? Sorry if this has already been discussed, is there a link to standard questions?
Thanks, Tansey

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:42 am

Sorry but most of the time the sleep techs are not allowed to give you any information from your night. That is not saying they won't but usually you have to wait for the actual reading to be done by the doc. I would say if your problems are big enough issues that process may be different.

I asked my tech after the study was complete and she did show me on her computer a couple of apneas, but as far as any real usuable information I had to wait about 2 weeks to get the full report.

Good luck!

Lilluanu · Post by **Lilluanu** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:12 am

My clinic techs had the same limitation, though they did call me back to have me in for the titration study less than a week later, the night before my appointment with the doc to go over the results from the first study. If your clinic is competent and your case warrants it they can have you back before your appointment to do the titration even though the techs can't tell you anything about the results.

On the other hand, my best friend (whose apnea is FAR worse than mine) went to a different clinic and was left waiting almost 3 weeks after his initial study while the doctor was out of town on vacation with no back-up before he could have the appointment to interpret results and schedule a titration study

I very much hope your sleep study experience is a good one!

tansey · Post by **tansey** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:27 am

Thanks for the quick replies, sounds like frustrating "business as usual" in the medical world. I had so hoped for more Oh well.

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:58 am

Who sent you for the sleep study. My PCP sent me for the sleep study. He called the sleep clinic doctor the morning after the study and had her hand written notes faxed to him and he faxed the script to a DME. He then called me to go pick up the equipment. Wanted me on it before I went to bed that night and that included oxygen. I had all my equipment before noon the morning after the study. They did a split night study on me so they knew the pressure that same night. I can be done if the right strings are pulled. Good luck!!!!!!!!!

Jerry

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 10:23 am

think if I went back for another PSG I'd ask:

Do you guys use them masks over and over again?
Are you going to video tape me? do I get a copy? I want to show my friends
what is that wire for?
this stuff won't make my hair fall out will it?
you expect me to sleep in all this?
I just took 3 melatonins, 2 TylenolPM's, Ambien and Benedryl in the parking
lot in case I sneeze, will that impact my test?
Are you going to give me a copy of my PSG?
I heard I can do this test myself at home?
Are the rooms really decorated in early poverty?

and lastly,
are you going to give me a Autopap set 4 cm to 20??

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 10:39 am

And.......following Snoredog's lead.......

If you select a nasal mask to do your sleep study.......ask them if you can tape your lips shut.......(and then watch their facial reactions)

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 10:50 am

Wulfman wrote:And.......following Snoredog's lead.......

If you select a nasal mask to do your sleep study.......ask them if you can tape your lips shut.......(and then watch their facial reactions)

Oh that would be a good one!!,

just take your roll of 3/4" blue painter's tape and set it on the night stand, let them ask what that's for, if they don't ask, wait until they leave the room and have you on video and grab the tape and put it on, I bet that would make for a good video!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:43 pm

You "boys" are so full of mischief!!!

What would I do knowing what I know now?

1] I'd call my insurance company and ask them what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with and what my DME benefits are. CoPay? Deducatable? Rental? If rental, for how long?

2] I'd tell the tech and write right on the paperwork I had to fill out that IF Dx'd w/OSA I would NOT accept any equipment until I had a chance to talk to the doctor and have my PSG results explained to me.

3] I'd also hand the tech a written request to be included w/the paperwork they have me fill out before my PSG for a copy of the full scored data summary report w/condensed graphs as well as the doctor's dictated results ASAP.

4] I'd ask the tech to let me try AT LEAST one of every mask style: full face, nasal cushion, nasal pillows and "hybrid" type (combination of nasal pillows and mouth "cushion").

4] As the tech attached the leads, wires, etc. I'd ask all the questions about them that occurred to me. Curiosity killed the cat. Now's the time to satisfy any curiosity you might have.

5] I'd ask the tech if the doctor usually consults w/the patient about their results of the PSG, how long it usually takes before you are notified of whether you have OSA or not, how long it usually takes to be scheduled for a titration study if you are Dx'd w/OSA, whether you are given ANY say in what device and equipment you will be scripted or if the doctor decides that w/o consulting you about your preferences.

Billy6 · Post by **Billy6** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:44 pm

Ask: How fast can i get myself out of here

GuyK · Post by **GuyK** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:45 pm

I think Slinky's list is great...

I went in for my titration study about two weeks ago (and I have a week left over until my doctor visit -- I'm dying for the followup!).

The sleep tech wouldn't really discuss anything with me ("you have to take that up with the doctor").

When she started to explain about masks, I said "I've read about four mask types" and she responded "well, we only have two types." That was disappointing. The nasal mask didn't work well (I think maybe it didn't fit right, judging from the pain I had in the bridge of my nose) and the full face mask worked better, I think. But I don't know for sure, because she couldn't tell me anything.

When I was done, I wrote down a bunch of observations and questions about my test. I imagine that I am going to have a hard time getting the doctor answering all of them.

I'm also thinking about a P.I.T.A. question -- "do you receive any financial consideration for using particular DME suppliers?", especially if he seems to be steering me towards one. On the other hand, he could be steering me towards one because of a particularly good RT. So, I'm not sure exactly how to ask the question.

I also plan on asking/insisting for a fully data capable machine. I fully expect to get resistance on that.

tansey · Post by **tansey** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:09 pm

will their Pc tell if I have a central obstruction?

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:54 pm

Well, maybe you will be pleasantly surprised, Guy! It happens. If the doctor seems to prefer one manufacturer's brand over another, ask WHY.

Be sure to call your insurance company and ask what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than one so you can shop your options to get the best equipment and the most lenient mask exchange policy plus an RT you will feel comfortable working with. The DME's RT "can" be a big help w/any problems, including problems w/the sleep doctor, IF you find a food supplier w/a good RT.

Remember: YOU are the one paying for this equipment whether thru insurance or self-pay, YOU are the one who is going to have to sleep w/it for at least the next 5 years. Those are good enough reasons to have some say in what equipment is ordered for you. Just be DIPLOMATIC, but FIRM! YOU are the one who will benefit from or have to endure the consequences of any decisions made relative to YOUR OSA therapy.

looking4zzzz · Post by **looking4zzzz** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:45 pm

I don't know if this will apply for you or not. I don't really understand it myself. But my sleep doctor's office said I could use any DME my insurance company allowed, but if I went through a DME, I'd have to pay my deductible and copay. They said if the doctor's office ordered the CPAP equipment directly for me, the whole thing would be covered. Not having a load of extra cash sitting around, I said, let's go with the free to me option. I don't know how this is allowed, but so far, it seems to be true that I am not being billed by the doctor or my insurance company for the machine. I have BCBS of NC. If you are going to need a machine, you might ask if there is any kind of option like that for you. Good luck!

slackmack · Post by **slackmack** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:05 pm

I had a very different experiance. The sleep lab told me a bunch about my night and how it went. They told me how much I moved and how many apneas I had. I also asked a lot of questions about the wires they attached to me, such as why they put this one here etc. I even asked if they can tell during the night if I get aroused (we all do) and they said yes thee wires tell all. They even knew when I was awake and when I was asleep even if I just woke up a bit to turn over.Some techs are more open than others but I insist on info when it comes to my health.

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