Home sleep tests.

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
bobsk8
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Home sleep tests.

Post by bobsk8 » Sun Aug 14, 2022 10:15 am

I can't get a sleep study test appointment until the end of October. My question is, are the home sleep apnea tests any good, or is it just a waste of money? I was looking at one by Lofta...

clownbell
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Re: Home sleep tests.

Post by clownbell » Sun Aug 14, 2022 6:16 pm

I had a home sleep study using the WatchPat. Kaiser (in my area) uses WP a lot, likely because (1) it is much cheaper than an in-lab sleep test and (2) you can get one asap and (3) many providers are short-staffed in sleep labs. Altough there are some patients for whom an in-lab test is a must, I believe WP results will make said need obvious to the sleep center and they will then get you into the lab.
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Janknitz
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Re: Home sleep tests.

Post by Janknitz » Sun Aug 14, 2022 6:39 pm

Yes, from their website, Lofta uses the WatchPat which is validated and FDA approved. It should be fine as long as you have simple OSA as the vast majority of people with sleep apnea do. If you suspect you have a more complex case, then you may need an in lab test, but most people don't have an apnea that can only be diagnosed in lab.
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SleepGeek
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Re: Home sleep tests.

Post by SleepGeek » Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:13 pm

bobsk8 wrote:
Sun Aug 14, 2022 10:15 am
I can't get a sleep study test appointment until the end of October. My question is, are the home sleep apnea tests any good, or is it just a waste of money? I was looking at one by Lofta...
Ask if they maintain a cancellation list. If so, keep a bag packed for short notice.
I remember there used to be people who would always cancel out on last minute.

Also, There used to be some insurances that would require an in lab if one failed a home test.
afaik - no home sleep test detects leg movements or central apneas. And certainly, none that could begin a titration which can get you started in the right direction if you are positive.
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Sheriff Buford
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Re: Home sleep tests.

Post by Sheriff Buford » Mon Aug 15, 2022 7:20 am

See if your insurance will approve a home study.... if so... what brand. I'm thinking the home sleep study won't be as accurate, but good enough to tell you if you have apnea or not.


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ChicagoGranny
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Re: Home sleep tests.

Post by ChicagoGranny » Mon Aug 15, 2022 11:06 am

bobsk8 wrote:
Sun Aug 14, 2022 10:15 am
I can't get a sleep study test appointment until the end of October. My question is, are the home sleep apnea tests any good, or is it just a waste of money? I was looking at one by Lofta...
What are the symptoms that are causing you to seek a sleep study?

If you want to eventually use insurance to help pay for machines, masks, and supplies, the home sleep study you use must be one accepted by your insurance company.

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Re: Home sleep tests.

Post by Janknitz » Tue Aug 16, 2022 8:01 pm

Home sleep studies like the Watch Pat are validated by the FDA and quite accurate. It's true they can't detect issues related to more complex apnea like restless leg syndrome, but most people don't have that. And as far as titration, it can be done at home. Kaiser does it at home because it saves them money and personnel and they have validation studies. Many of us have titrated at home in our beds and sleeping conditions quite successfully.

If, after a reasonable trial with CPAP, the data indicates there may be other issues, in lab tests will still be there.
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dataq1
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Re: Home sleep tests.

Post by dataq1 » Wed Aug 17, 2022 7:04 am

Janknitz wrote:
Tue Aug 16, 2022 8:01 pm
Home sleep studies like the Watch Pat are validated by the FDA and quite accurate.
Are those two separate thoughts? (FDA validation of Watchpat’s device and an FDA determination of Watchpat’s accuracy).

If the FDA actually conducted an accuracy study it would be interesting to view the FDA document - that should be available publically, and I would expect Watchpat to cite that FDA study in their marketing.
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ChicagoGranny
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Re: Home sleep tests.

Post by ChicagoGranny » Wed Aug 17, 2022 3:31 pm

The FDA does not do studies on DME or drug effectiveness and safety. It relies on data and studies provided by manufacturers.

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Muse-Inc
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Re: Home sleep tests.

Post by Muse-Inc » Sun Aug 21, 2022 12:01 am

Home sleep studies are basically overnight recordings of your saturated O2 levels. If your level is low ot you show other common symptoms, it's likely an in-jab study will be ordered.

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Pugsy
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Re: Home sleep tests.

Post by Pugsy » Sun Aug 21, 2022 6:09 am

Home sleep studies vary in terms of comprehensiveness of data collected.
They aren’t all equal.
A type 2 home sleep study is pretty darn comprehensive but a type 4 sleep study isn’t very comprehensive at all.

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Mel0806
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Re: Home sleep tests.

Post by Mel0806 » Sun Aug 21, 2022 8:42 am

Unless you are footing the bill all the way, and think you know what you are doing, I wouldn’t do anything without my doctor’s concurrence. He has to sign off on any test and write the prescription for the machine and the initial settings.

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