Sleep study - profanities soon to follow!!!!

[VT_very_tired]

Hello All,

Did a sleep study a week ago thursday night. The sleep tech said that it took about a week to get the resluts. Call the lab on Friday. Lady says the MD will call me back. About 4:30 (after the switchboard is closed) I get a message "We've reviewed your results, but they're inconclusive because you only slept 136 minutes" and then leaves a number to call. Is there anybody out there that can tell me if 136 minutes over 7 and a half hours is normal?!?!?!? I mean, I don't, in fact, have a medical degree, but if I'm awake for 5 hours, doesn't that say SOMETHING'S WRONG!?!?!?!?!?

He babbled something about doing another test, and I'm like, are you expecting different results? I'm barely operating on sleep deprivation as it is and this guy can't figure it out? My only upside is that the lab the MD is affiliated with is different from the MD that ordered it.

The only reason this email isn't laced with vitriolic profanity is I think the moderator wouldn't like it (but I made you look....didn't I )

Any feedback, ideas, suggested course of action (legal mind you - sleepless in jail would really suck), is more than welcome.

Thanks,

VT

[LadyPikaPika]

I sure don't consider 136 minutes sleep over 7 1/2 hours normal. I had 2 sleep studies last year, & ran into some of the same problems. Sometimes, I wonder if they really know what they are doing; don't you agree? I agree, that really sucks--to be waiting for results of these studies, & getting the "runaround". I hope you are able to find out what is going on, & that things work out well for you. Have a good day! Lady PikaPika

[Babette]

Oh my dear... Call your GP. Get that person to SCREAM at the Sleep MD and get you at least a loaner APAP to do home titration. Maybe they will.

I'm so sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It took from January to late April for me to get through all the rigamarol and finally get a machine. Don't get me started on the six weeks of HELL between April 20 and finally meeting a forum member who gave me the mask of my dreams.

Hang in there! We'll help all we can! I say, get all the MD's on your side and let them battle with the techs. They have more powerful weapons.

Hugs,
B.

[Stefernie]

Unfortunately, some sleep labs and insurance companies require a certain amount of sleep before they'll do anything definitive. It's usually 2 hours. You slept 2 hours though, so that doesn't make sense.

Babette didn't have a bad idea at all. Getting a loaner APAP..basically a CPAP that can find your best pressure while you sleep...might be a good option for you. Although they may not wanna do that if they don't have a definitive apnea diagnosis. Are we noticing a pattern here?

STAY ON that insurance company and sleep lab. Don't let up unitl you get answers.

[Slinky]

... "We've reviewed your results, but they're inconclusive because you only slept 136 minutes" and then leaves a number to call. Is there anybody out there that can tell me if 136 minutes over 7 and a half hours is normal?!?!?!? I mean, I don't, in fact, have a medical degree, but if I'm awake for 5 hours, doesn't that say SOMETHING'S WRONG!?!?!?!?!? ...

Is that fairly normal for you? That little amount of sleep? Other than the fact that you weren't home sleeping in your own bed would you say that was pretty much a typical night of sleep for you? Or do you usually sleep somewhat better than that?

... He babbled something about doing another test, and I'm like, are you expecting different results? I'm barely operating on sleep deprivation as it is and this guy can't figure it out? ...

Hey, if you aren't sleeping any better than that at home you are in a real world of hurt, my friend!!! On the other hand, other than not being at home and being all hooked up to wires, etc. you didn't really expect to sleep BETTER than you do at home, did you?

One option is to go for a full 24 hour sleep evaluation, night time sleep and multiple sleep latency during the day.

Another option is to seek out a sleep lab that specializes in more than just obstructive sleep apnea, one w/a neurologist and a pulmonologist certified and experienced in sleep deprivation problems and insomnia. Maybe a university hospital near you?

Yet another option is an overnight oximetry to determine if you do have 0xygen desaturations during sleep. And based on the overnight oximetry, then if warranted, a loaner autoPAP w/humidifier and good fitting mask.

The thing is: obstructive sleep apnea may or may not be the underlying sleep problem for you. You may have one or more other sleep problems: idiopathic insomnia, restless leg syndrome, central apnea ..... a neurological or cardiac conditon, a chronic pain condition ....

I can understand your frustration - BUT - 136 minutes of sleep isn't a whole lot of time to adequately address what your sleep problem might be. There are 4 stages of sleep we go thru in cycles thru out the night. Generally, the longer we sleep the shorter the cycles and the more intense we sleep and the more information that can be gathered.

I would guess that the lack of adequate information is the biggest contributor to your frustration w/this sleep lab and doctor. An appointment to talk to him in person, to see the data printout yourself to go over w/him, an explanation of WHY there isn't adequate information to Dx your sleep problem and suggestion of a therapy program or the next logical step in finding and treating the root cause of your sleep problem is in order.

At the very least ask for a copy of your sleep study data including graphs as well as the sleep doctor's dictated report.

Good luck and God bless!

[VT_very_tired]

I want to thank all of you for your advice and suggestions. I will be following up with all of the MD's come Monday and am prepared to fire with both barrels. Actually I felt my father channel right through me "Are you out of your F*%#ing mind?." As I said, I don't have a medical degree, but that little sleep over that time has to mean something.

Thanks again to all for your advice and support.

Thanks,

VT

[Snoredog]

you cannot tell squat from the information you got, they won't deliver the results unless it is a licensed doctor.

1. Make an appointment to see your doctor to go over the results.
2. Obtain a copy of the complete PSG Report that came from the lab.
3. If the results indicate CPAP, make sure you get a copy of the script and KEEP it, you want that script in your hand along with any PSG report should you decide to seek out 2nd opinions. You will always need those items, once the results have been delivered to you by a doctor you are entitled to a copy.

[goose]

Hey VT,
Hang in there man -- it's worth the hassle!!!
Like Babs, it took me from late Jan thru 5th of June to get my tests in and the results out that got me a CPAP.....I've had that since the 5th and still don't have it wired. AHI is still averaging 11.7 (not good!!!)

Between insurance, docs and DME's you're starting on a bumpy road -- best advice from me is just strap in, hold on and try to enjoy the ride.
That said, keep an eye on this forum for information (I went to all my tests well armed with info, so I had questions, questions, questions!!!). Hopefully you have a good doc like I do that will listen to well thought out arguments that are backed by data. The doc is a neurologist.

I'm having a down day today, so don't expect instant results!! It's a process....I didn't get here overnight!!! I don't expect miracles!!

Snoredogs suggestions are excellent!!!!!!!
But My best advice -- Hang in there!!!!!

Good luck!!!
cheers
gg

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP, DME, AHI

[NeedinZs]

Hi V-T,
I also was told 3 yrs. ago my results were inconclusive because I didn't sleep long enough. But who has actually ever really got their normal nights sleep in a lab or hospital??

I did nothing for 3 years, because I knew I couldn't do another sleep study. It was like being in a nightmare for me. (I never have any trouble falling asleep at home.)

So, eventually after years of exhaustion, I mentioned it to a new MD, I had started going to. She told me about a home sleep study company.
I decided to give it another shot. It was not without it's problems either....

It was to be a 3 night study, in the middle of the second night, the machine just totally stopped working. So they sent me another, and it lasted all three nights. Then they sent me an auto-CPAP for my titration (to figure out what pressure I needed). They had to send me 3 of those, because the first 2 smelled terribly of cigarette smoke. They were finally good enough to send me a brand new one.

Finally made it through that.. Those 4 nights on that auto-CPAP convinced me how badly I needed to be on CPAP. I felt like a new person.

Then my Dr. set me up with APRIA, (without any say from me) and then the fun really begins!
Finally after 2 weeks of mis-information from them, and never being able to get a person on the actual phone, I decided to buy my CPAP online, after getting my RX and reports from the Dr. (who's office could never return my phone calls for a follow-up appt.)
And what good is a DME co. if they can't even help you, BEFORE you sign up for life.?

It took less than 24 hours to receive my wonderful top of the line REMStar auto w' a-flex, after I placed the order on line. The process before I made that call lasted for about 4 months of the most aggravation I've ever encountered in my life.

So I know exactly what you're dealing with. I'm sure I am not done, as I am just now submitting my bill to the insurance company, (who say that it's covered) but we'll see. I don't have a money tree in my yard, but at this point, I don't even care.. it is worth it to finally sleep, and have enough energy to walk to the mailbox!

So keep on with it, don't give up. I am sorry for all your aggravation.
Best of luck! (I have also opted to leave out those "choice" words....
I have even invented a few of my own, that you might enjoy!)

It's a crime what we have to go through. How can there be so much incompetence??