Snoring Hubby: the saga continues to shocking results

[Catlizg]

I had posted about my husband's issues with REM Behavior Disorder and ear shattering levels of snoring. His physiatrist sent him for a sleep study with a very large neurology group with the report simply stating "mild apnea, treat if clinically indicated." While we were at my sleep disorder neurologist (not connected to prior large group), I mentioned to staff about hubby's findings and referral to them. Long story shirt, my husband went for a titration study that very night. Three days later, they called and asked him to come back for further titration as they weren't happy with results and that episodes continued. My Husband took the call and never asked about episodes or any details. Since they were able to book him within 4 days, I let it go and figured we'd get results after second study.

Three days after the second titration, there was a message on our machine to call the office. This time, hubby asked me to call. They wanted a THIRD TITRATION! At a pressure of 18, my hubby was still having over 60 episodes of mixed central and obstructive per hour and they wanted to try a BiPAP/ASV. So how the he;$ could the first neurology group have found his apnea to be mild? Because of medications my husband takes due to traumatic brain injury, not sure exactly what us behind the centrals. I'm just vastly relieved I followed my gut on this one and didn't buy the "mild" diagnosis. I sleep next to this man every night and have witnesses the gasping, the breath holding, the ability to sleep up to 16-18 hours a day, the forgetfulness and fog we've assumed was secondary to his TBI. This man's brain is virtually starved for oxygen. He doesn't sleep, he strangles. We are still waiting for results from the third study, but all I can tell you is the relief I feel that he is finally getting help for a very large piece of the puzzle.

And a huge hug of gratitude to this forum. Through knowledge gained here I was able to help my hubby regarding masks, (FFM), the BiPAP, etc. He's seen me being 100% compliant because of info here so is quite encouraged that he'll do well himself. He admitted that his last titration was a great night of sleep. So, thank you, all of you.

[ChicagoGranny]

So how the he;$ could the first neurology group have found his apnea to be mild?

No one can answer this as far as your husband's specific test.

Honest and open sleep doctors will tell you that false negatives are a problem.

The lab only gets one night and the patient may sleep very differently in the strange environment as compared to his own bed at home.

[palerider]

So how the he;$ could the first neurology group have found his apnea to be mild?

my personal theory of why they call it the "practice" of medicine is because they haven't gotten it right yet.

one doesn't 'practice' engineering when one builds bridges, or designs buildings...

one doesn't 'practice' accounting...

[justme again]

Catlizg...How lucky is this man to have you looking out for him !

[Catlizg]

Catlizg...How lucky is this man to have you looking out for him !

Well, I would say he's damn lucky to have gem such as I. Lol. Seriously, it cuts both ways. I have rheumatoid arthritis and fibro. So, we compensate for each other. I'm the "rememberer and detail person" and he's the "do'er and fixer." Thank you for the lovely compliment.

[Suzannaor]

You are indeed a gem of a wife! Sometimes we have to be our own (and husband's) advocate in health issues and you perservered and won the battle for your husband. Hope he does well from now on!

[The Latinist]

Well, the report you say the first group gave is entirely inadequate. If that's a reflection of their practices, I would have very little confidence in the reliability of their test. It sounds like you've got a good group now that's going to make sure they get it right. Good for them. Keep at it, and hopefully you'll get what you need.

[jnk]

. . . one doesn't 'practice' engineering . . . one doesn't 'practice' accounting...

I see the wink.

But in fact, for the record, one does "practice" engineering and accounting if one actively pursues either endeavor professionally (especially if done with a degree of autonomy).

PRACTICE

transitive verb
1 a : CARRY OUT, APPLY . . . c : to be professionally engaged in

intransitive verb
2 : to pursue a profession actively

Medicine should be practiced humbly, with full knowledge of its limitations and ambiguities and variations of application.

A good doc is never sure. He only plays the odds based on knowledge, training, and experience.

Some docs are more conscientious than others. Some are less trained. Some have less experience. Some know less. Some don't know their butts from a hole in the ground. Just like some engineers and some accountants.

But treating the sleep disorder(s) of any man with injury and on medication can be a tricky business for any doc who does not specialize in treating sleep disorders of those on meds with injury. Often, the trick is knowing how to get insurance to support the search for and discovery of the best (or one of the better) approach(es).

In my opinion.

[palerider]

. . . one doesn't 'practice' engineering . . . one doesn't 'practice' accounting...

I see the wink.

But in fact, for the record, one does "practice" engineering and accounting if one actively pursues either endeavor professionally (especially if done with a degree of autonomy).

[jnk]