Cheap sleep study using cpap?

[Weef23]

Sorry if this has been answered before or if it's a dumb idea but I have a theoretical question.

Since a modern CPAP reports AHI and specific events as types through sleepy head, could I run a very rudimentary sleep study on someone setting the pressure to the minimal setting that definitely wouldn't treat the osa? Like 4cmh2o or whatever the lowest pressure would be?

I also have an spo2 sensor that I could also record the night.

Then if AHI > 5 or oxygen dips significantly, report to sleep specialist.

I'm suggesting because the doctor is unwilling to run a more expensive study without specific evidence of sleep issues.

Thanks for any ideas!

[DavidY]

Two night take home sleep test is too expensive?

There is a checklist for OSA....if you have enough factors for possible OSA, your family doc should be able to refer one to a sleep clinic. That is what happens here in Alberta, Canada. After a two night home sleep test were reviewed by a sleep doc at the sleep clinic, I got my APAP and the rest is history.

Dave

[Okie bipap]

I contacted the sleep clinic myself and scheduled an appointment with them. I am on Medicare and do not need to have a referral to see a specialist.

[prodigyplace]

I just told my doctor I wanted a sleep study and he made a referral to the sleep clinic & sleep doctor.

[jnk...]

. . . a very rudimentary sleep study on someone setting the pressure to the minimal setting that definitely wouldn't treat the osa? . . . also have an spo2 sensor . . . Then if AHI > 5 or oxygen dips significantly, report to sleep specialist. . . . doctor is unwilling to run a more expensive study without specific evidence of sleep issues.

It's better to run the recording pulse-ox without using CPAP at all, if diagnostics is the goal.

The 4cm of CPAP would still have some treatment value. But that doesn't make what you propose ridiculous.

Much as is the case with the majority of home sleep tests, what you speak of might prove someone DOES need PAP treatment but would NOT prove someone has NO need for PAP treatment, since it is possible to have very serious sleep disturbances but show no desats at all and show no events needing more than 4cm of pressure.

One possible issue with what you propose is that a significant number of people find 4cm very uncomfortable and need higher pressures to overcome the feeling of resistance to their breathing.

As for your doc's wanting "specific evidence of sleep issues," just say the words, "I wake up feeling unrefreshed, and I fear that my daytime sleepiness could be a danger to me and to others when I drive/work/do chores around the home."

If that doesn't earn you a referral to a sleep doc, fire him and report him.

[longwood]

Sorry if this has been answered before or if it's a dumb idea but I have a theoretical question.

Since a modern CPAP reports AHI and specific events as types through sleepy head, could I run a very rudimentary sleep study on someone setting the pressure to the minimal setting that definitely wouldn't treat the osa? Like 4cmh2o or whatever the lowest pressure would be?

I also have an spo2 sensor that I could also record the night.

Then if AHI > 5 or oxygen dips significantly, report to sleep specialist.

I'm suggesting because the doctor is unwilling to run a more expensive study without specific evidence of sleep issues.

Thanks for any ideas!

There is some home sleep test you may consider, just around 300 dollars. In lab test should be around $1000 if paid out of pocket.

And btw, what kind of spo2 sensor you are using?

[SewTired]

For my neighbor, we ran the APAP at 5-20. His pressure went as high as 17. Printed out the report using Sleepyhead and he went to his primary at the VA. They called and scheduled him for a sleep study (which he had 3 weeks later).

You don't have to deny the person the ability to breathe. If s/he has apnea, it will show up in the pressure changes. If you don't have an APAP, I guess you would have to use a lower pressure (I wouldn't torture someone at 4 though) and an Oximeter. Better would be simply to go to one of the online retailers and pay $300 for a sleep study.

[jnk...]

The pressure changes in APAPs occur from less-than-apnea events in an attempt to preemptively keep apneas from occurring. Snores and indications of narrowing in the flow signal, for example, can cause pressures to rise. And a single apnea not followed immediately by another apnea is ignored by most algorithms. Just so you know.