Home Sleep Test in the UK

[ktan49]

Hi all

Picked up my oximetry home test yesterday.. I must say I've never had such a rough night before... I lay in bed from 11pm until 3.30am...eventually fell asleep at 03:30 until 0600 ! I usually sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. Maybe it was just knowing I had the finger thing on etc.

My question...is 2.5 hrs enough to show sleep apnea?

I'm in the UK, what would happen if its not enough info would they just retest me ?

Waited 3 months for test and so angry I couldn't sleep with it for long.

Thanks

[rick blaine]

Hi ktan49,

Yes, usually that's enough.

Here's the background: sleep apnea medical professionals divide us into four categories – 0 to 5 interruptions per hour is 'normal', 5 to 15 is 'mild-to-moderate'; 15 to 30 is 'moderate-to-severe'; and above 30 is 'severe'.

The NHS only provides treatment if you score 15 and above. If you have that level of interruptions, it's usually quite clear in two hours of sleep.

And ... if there wuz any doubt – say you were close to 15, but not quite there – they might send you home to do the sleep study again. It depends on the 'other evidence'.

Meaning, the people at the sleep medicine clinic – or your own GP – should also ask you (or have already asked you) to fill in the Epworth Sleep Questionnaire. It adds to what's called 'the clinical picture'. As does the way you look and sound and move about.

Ie, if you look like you're not sleeping.

The staff at the SM clinics, they see it all they time. They know what that looks like.

While I'm writing, let me add that: if you feel you haven't had an investigation that's accurate, there are a couple of places in the UK which are outside the NHS, and which will do you an at-home sleep-study that you pay for. And then if that were to show 'above 15', you could ask to be 'seen' by the clinic again. Cost £150 to £210, but no VAT.

If you go to the search box top left, and type in my forum name, you will find details and phone numbers I've given to previous posters from the UK.

[ktan49]

Thank you very much for the detailed reply! I had to fill out Epworth questionnaire at gp for the referral.. plus they gave me another one when I picked up sleep test from hospital.. I scored 18 out of a max of 24 which I think is pretty high.. I fall asleep all the time but luckily not whilst driving... if I'm sat reading on my phone I'll nod off but ill still be scrolling through Facebook.. weird stuff.. im absolutely exhausted. I feel drunk 247 its really not nice

[rick blaine]

By the way, ktan49,

Didn't I reply to you before? In November.

My records show I did – that is, I replied to somebody with the same forum name as you.

If you need a reminder of what I wrote, then in the search box type in your own forum name or handle ....

Everything I said before is still true.

[Pugsy]

By the way, ktan49,

Didn't I reply to you before? In November.

My records show I did – that is, I replied to somebody with the same forum name as you.

If you need a reminder of what I wrote, then in the search box type in your own forum name or handle ....

Everything I said before is still true.

You did.

Here's a link to OP's prior post and your reply in case he can't figure out how to find it.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=180747&p=1370178#p1370178

[ktan49]

By the way, ktan49,

Didn't I reply to you before? In November.

My records show I did – that is, I replied to somebody with the same forum name as you.

If you need a reminder of what I wrote, then in the search box type in your own forum name or handle ....

Everything I said before is still true.

So you did.. my bad. I feel like i have dementia at 32.. so I am very sorry for double post.. I forget everything and remember very little from the last few years!

Thank you again for your replies, they're much appreciated.

[Hidunc]

I too have recently had my NHS overnight sleep test. V lucky - given first appointment within a month, the follow-up video appointment 1 week later took me through my whole medical history of last 40 years. Yikes! Was told I am showing average 10 apnoeas an hour - like you I managed much less sleep than normal, even though I am used to wearing my own oximeter fairly often to check I don't go too low on exercising. [For some reason I have had poor oxygenation since 'recovering' from an undiagnosed hospital-acquired-respiratory-infection 2 years ago]. Apparently an hour or two of sleep is enough on the test, anyway.
One week later my Philips BIPAP a40 machine is delivered and I have to work out what it is and how to use it - I get the feeling it is pre-programmed via SD card as I can't adjust any settings.
Found this forum to try to find out more about it while everywhere is off for a Covid Christmas!

[rick blaine]

Hello again Hidunc,

For the moment, it would help people here if you stick to one thread. Much less chance that we will miss something crucial.

Tx.