How long between studies

[Bruceandamyl]

I have had a cpap for 13 years but I don't feel like it is doing enough can't keep it on thru out the night anymore I am going back for a new study. Has anybody else had to and what was the outcome?

[TheDuke]

My original machine was A trusty Healthdyne with absolutely no readouts . I don't think there were any electronic features even available in those years (Late 1980's). And I don't believe there were such things as BiPaps or humidifiers, etc. Back then I went for about 12 years without a retest. When I went back my new doctor prescribed a BiLevel and a substantially higher upper pressure. Frankly, I really didn't notice any real difference in how I felt, but that was fine because I was doing fine with my primitive old Healthdyne. Then another 8 years or so later another new doctor prescribed a humidifier for my still rather basic BiPAP, though it did have exhale pressure relief.

Anyway, I do think that retesting is a good idea, just to be assured that ones condition hasn't changed drastically.

TheDuke

[Wulfman...]

I'm coming up on nine years since I started therapy. I've used fully data-capable machines since I started therapy. I know my OSA is well treated so I haven't had the inclination to have another sleep study.


Den

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[jencat824]

My first several studies were in 2000, then again in 2004 during a 6 day seizure study. Then insurance required one in 2009. Unless there is a darned good reason, I don't plan to have any more. I've learned so much from this forum, I now feel like an 'educated consumer' and as such can keep up with my own data then bring any serious issues to my drs attention. I would probably ask for help here first, this forum has so many great people who pay more attention than most drs.

Jen

[Bill44133]

My first several studies were in 2000, then again in 2004 during a 6 day seizure study. Then insurance required one in 2009. Unless there is a darned good reason, I don't plan to have any more. I've learned so much from this forum, I now feel like an 'educated consumer' and as such can keep up with my own data then bring any serious issues to my drs attention. I would probably ask for help here first, this forum has so many great people who pay more attention than most drs.

Jen

+1 I totally agree..

[SuddenlyWornOut45]

As little as possible, after you are firmly diagnosed with OSA and issued your CPAP gear. The reason I say as little as possible after you are firmly diagnosed is if you have more sleep studies afterwards, every sleep study you have gives your insurance company a chance to meddle and interfere with your doctor's reconfirmation that you still have OSA. Some of these doctors will go along with what insurance bureaucrats want and IMO, insurance is untrustworthy and worthless except to pay for stuff. They just get in the way, in my experiences.

I pay for some of my CPAP gear out of pocket, some of it my insurance pays for. Ive privately bought three APAPs. Insurance has issued two APAPs and two Bipaps, although both Bipaps were firmly laid out as rentals and I ended up having to return the first Bipap after having it for about eight months.

Because I just flat out do not trust my health insurance company and their goals are different than my goals, I give them as little info as possible to influence my sleep doctor's decisions. With high end machines and regular detailed downloads, I feel my sleep doc gets MOST of the info they need.

Now, if you can afford to pay for your own periodic sleep study out of pocket and keep your insurance out of it entirely, I think a sleep study every few years is a good idea.

Eric

[Leadhead]

My study was in 1999. Since then I have been through 4 machines and many masks. Since I learned how to adjust my own pressure, I have gotten my average AHI to below .5 and therefore I don't plan on getting any more studies...why would I?

[SuddenlyWornOut45]

To give your health insurance company a bs excuse and line of bullshit that "you dont have OSA anymore? And to cut you off from paying for CPAP treatment. Its happened before.

Eric

[quote="Leadhead" and therefore I don't plan on getting any more studies...why would I?[/quote]