Going for my sleep study in a week

Idget · Post by **Idget** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:42 pm

I am new to all of this and need help getting started with what type of machine and mask I will need. I had a sleep study about four years ago (still have the results), and was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. I couldn't finish the second test to fit for mask. I lasted about five minutes before I ripped the mask off and walked out. However over the last few years it got worse and worse and now I am determined to make it through both tests. Need help on:

1. Suggestions just to make it through the tests (Anxiety issues)?
2. Not that money is no issue, but what suggestion does anyone have for a very good machine and travel version if you didn't mind spending for something very good. More concerned with what works best than going cheap.
3. I have a beard, any suggestion on best mask for fit?

I'm sure I will have many more questions

Thanks for any help!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 4:09 pm

Since you've had a sleep evaluation study that you did make it thru and were Dx'd w/severe sleep apnea why the need for a new sleep evaluation? Why not go straight for the titration study and save the cost of the sleep evaluation? Only makes sense to me to do it that way than going thru two more nights at a sleep lab when one will do.

In my case, I slept so poorly the first titration study (42 minutes out of 6 hours) I had to go thru a second titration study at which I also slept poorly (98 minutes out of 6 hours). Luckily my insurance did pay for all 3 nights. I sure wouldn't have been happy if I had had to pay out of pocket for one of them!!

Why not ask your doctor for just 3-4 tablets of something for anxiety or sleep? Try them out a few times before you go for the titration to make sure they work and don't leave you w/any unpleasant side effects.

Be sure that you and the sleep tech try out several masks to ensure you get the most comfortable one for you they have at the lab. IF you do get a good and comfortable fit with a mask that works for you make sure you know the name of it and size before leaving the morning after the study.

Call your insurance and find out what local DME suppliers they are contracted with. You can usually work a better deal if you have at least two choices, play one against the other if you have to to get the best deal and what you want. Also find out just how much they will pay for what and what any co-pays or deductables might be out of your pocket.

You are definitely going to want a fully data capable xPAP. Make sure you are right up front from the get go w/the sleep lab and sleep doctor that you will not accept anything less. Do that right away your first night at the sleep lab. I put it in writing right on the paperwork I had to fill out before each of my titrations that I would not accept any equipment w/o the opportunity to discuss the choices w/the ordering doctor. I also notified them I would want the summary report of the data from the study and the titrations, including graphs (about 5-6 pages) as well as the dictated report. I didn't think at the time to insist on a copy of the order as well.

I'm only familiar w/the two major manufacturers' xPAPs. At a minimum you will want either the Resmed S8 Elite, the Respironics RemStar Pro II w/C-Flex or the Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex.

IF you do not sleep well and struggle well thru the titration study, getting a very limited amount of time asleep you have a good argument for requesting an autoPAP as you may well need further pressure tweaking as you adjust to CPAP therapy. That being the case you would want a Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage, a Respironics Auto w/C-Flex, a Respironics M Series Auto w/C-Flex, a Respironics M Series Auto w/A-Flex or a Puritan Bennett GoodKnight 420E autoPAP.

If you have good insurance coverage I would go for the most expensive xPAP thru the local DME you choose and then self-purchase a second as a backup from a reputable online DME supplier like cpap.com and for travel. Nothing like grabbing a bottle of distilled water and your CPAP carrying case and walking out the door. And nothing like coming home tired from a long trip and just falling into bed w/your stay at home CPAP all ready to sleep the night w/you. No need to unpack and set up before hitting the hay.

Masks are a VERY individual matter and I wouldn't even begin to suggest a mask as last I looked I didn't have a beard. Beards aren't something my gender usually encounters.

Good luck!

Idget · Post by **Idget** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:55 pm

Slinky

Thanks for the reply. I still need to do much homework on the different machines and masks. I was hoping not to have to take the sleep study test over again and go right to the titration, but my doctor explained that my insurance will not pay for the titration test unless I take the sleep evaluation test over again, since the first test was four years ago. I wil just have to bear it and go through with the tests. Everyone I have talked to who wear the mask swear by how much it changed their lives. Tired of waking up in the night out of breath.

Idget

Daddysaur · Post by **Daddysaur** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:05 pm

Idget

Some things to look forward to:
Driving without being asleep half the time. I just drove from the Oregon/California border to SF. without feeling sleepy. It would have been a nightmare before cpap.
Replacing water damaged panels in the garage after 5 years of putting off the task. I will finish the hardwood desk started in 1981 as my next project. I have more energy and focus than I have had for years.
Not falling asleep every time things get a little quiet.
Sleeping better in bed than on a couch or sitting up.

Try to accept the process and machine to get to the results. The sleep study sucks, the wires are a pain. Take the drugs to get the time in deep sleep they require to finish the study. Good luck and let this group know how you are doing. They can help with the process and the adjustment.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:27 am

Daddysaur

Thanks for reply. I already contacted my doctor to ask for some meds to get through the tests. I am not big on drugs, but I have to get through these tests to get a machine.

Been through the website. This is great, so much info right now pretty overwhelming, but once I get a hang of cpap it will be a great help.

Idget

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:40 pm

In addition to the good machines that Slinky recommended, you should also check out the Respironics M-Series AutoPap with A-Flex (not C-Flex). If you have severe apnea and need a high pressure, this machine can help in two ways. The A-Flex (reportedly the best pressure relief around) will help with the breathing part and make the breathing easier. The AutoPap will vary the pressure throughout the night so that the high pressure is only there when you need it.

I don't have that machine, but then my pressure isn't very high at 8.5. You might want to do a search of the various machines to get more opinions on them.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:45 pm

Duh! Didn't realize I hadn't included the Respironics M Series Auto w/A-Flex. Obviously didn't have all my oars in the water when I posted the first time! Thanks, RosemaryB!!!!

Also, Idget, click on the Yellow Light Bulb at the top of the page to get some GOOD info to bring you up to snuff.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:33 pm

My sleep study seemed to coincided with a night in which my wife said I showed none of the usual symptoms... but recording devices are pretty smart, and the sleep doc had no problem diagnosing me from the data.

Good luck!