Just got first sleep study results: CPAP, here I come!

[teachergurrl]

Well, I just met with my doctor to get the results from my sleep study last Friday night.

Here's how I felt Friday night went:
Felt compelled to sleep on my back for fear of unplugging one of the bajillion wires, but DESPERATELY wanted to roll onto my side. Because I didn't, my back was killing me by the early morning. Also, I felt like I got NO sleep. Lights out at about 10:15...I was wide awake at 4:45. How did I know the time? Because I held my glowing red finger monitor up to my watch and squinted really hard! *L* within about 30 seconds, the door opened up and the guy was like, "Are you looking at your watch with your finger?" *L* Yes... "Are you awake?" Yes... "Are you ready to get up?" YES! Also, the rubber mattress pad crinkled every time I moved during the night...aauugghh! No rest, no comfort--totally exhausted the next morning.
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Here's what the results said:

Total time in sleep: 323 minutes (6 hours 20 min)

Sleep latency: 29 minutes to fall asleep

Time awake after onset of sleep: 20 minutes

Sleep efficiency: 87%

Sleep architecture: decreased amount of Slow Wave Sleep (3.5%) and a reduced amount of REM sleep (9.7%)

Respiratory evaluation documented an overall respitatory disturbance index of 88 events per hour consisting of a mixture of obstructive apneas and obstructive hypopneas (473) with oxygen desaturation to 70%.

Patient had periods of moderate snoring with associated arousals.

Continuous oximetric monitoring revealed a mean oxygen saturation of 93%.

Continuous recording of the anterior tibialis EMG revealed a total of 5 periodic leg movements at a rate of 1 per hour, many associated with respiratory events.

Patient's heart and rhythm was noted to have no malignant abnormalities.

DIAGNOSIS: Severe obstructive sleep apnea.

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Well, duh! *L* So now I'm scheduled for my second night to get fitted for the full treatment on the 19th, and follow up with my doctor on the 25th.

I'm having to pay for all of this out of pocket, as my school district's new insurance just kicked in on Aug 1 and I have a $2000 deductible. *sigh* Who knew, last May, that I'd be having all this done? I just wanted the lowest payments per month, and now I can't change it... But once $2000 is met, everything's paid 100%.

So far, I'm out $70 for two office visits, about $250 for a nasal CT-Scan (at which, surprisingly, they didn't collect any money from me--go figure--I guess the insurance will bill me), $500 for the first sleep study, and I think I have to pay again when I go back for the fitting/titration, but I don't know how much. I probably won't hit $2000, even buying the CPAP machine and all of the associated stuff, but since I"m paying for it out of pocket, I should be able to get the equipment that I want, right?

After reading through some of the recent posts about masks, I definitely want a comfortable one. (Remember, as of now, I've never had one on at all, so I don't know how it will go.) The lady at the sleep place said that they only have 7 or 8 masks there, but there's a catalog to order from.

I also don't know at this point if I'll need just a nasal mask or one that covers my mouth and nose. The guy who monitored my sleep said the next morning that I breathe out of my mouth a lot. BUT, 99% of the time, when I wake up, my tongue is literally STUCK to the roof of my mouth, and I have to kind of PEEL it off! *LOL* Wouldn't this mean that I've got a pretty darn tight seal with my mouth when I'm "sleeping," and could just go with a nasal mask??

I just don't know...so many questions, but not really sure what to ask...or what to buy...

Will keep y'all updated. I'm still sitting here pondering the fact that although I "slept" for approximately 274 minutes, I stopped breathing 473 times...that's more than once a minute...

Hmmmm...

[kathleen]

Welcome to the club!

I'm a teacher myself and have been on CPAP for about 10 years.

Too bad they didn't diagnose and prescribe the same night. I have had two sleep studies now, and they did it that way both times, on the initial and on the recheck about 7 years later.

(We knew I had sleep apnea the first time, they just needed to double check the pressures). We also wanted to know if the restless leg medication helped (it didn't).

I use a full face mask, but it's mostly because I have allergies and get really stuff.

DEFINATELY get a heated humidifer. I had a passover when I started and they don't do much. The insurance should pay.

Try several styles of headgear. You won't get much other chances to try it.

[rested gal]

Hi TG,

but since I"m paying for it out of pocket, I should be able to get the equipment that I want, right?

Maybe...maybe not unless you fight for what you want.

The guy who monitored my sleep said the next morning that I breathe out of my mouth a lot. BUT, 99% of the time, when I wake up, my tongue is literally STUCK to the roof of my mouth, and I have to kind of PEEL it off! *LOL* Wouldn't this mean that I've got a pretty darn tight seal with my mouth when I'm "sleeping," and could just go with a nasal mask??

Nope....believe the guy. It doesn't mean your tongue is forming an airtight seal. It could mean only that you're mouth breathing so much and drying your tongue/mouth out so much that the tongue gets stuck. I don't mean to laugh at'cha... I felt safe in giggling a bit since you seem to have a good sense of humor. A GREAT trait to have in this kind of crazy treatment! heheh. It's just that your post reminded me of another poster's desperation tactic once of taping the tip of her tongue to her upper lip on the outside, to try to stop mouth air leaking. Talk about "ouch" and "PEEL".

As ITeach said, I think it's unfortunate they didn't do a split night study/titration on you that night. Oh well. Different labs have different protocols. The good thing is that you've found out you have OSA and are on your way to treatment.

Good luck and welcome to the message board!

Oh, by the way, if they decide you should have a full face mask, don't let them give you a Respironics Comfort Full. Hold out for a ResMed Ultra Mirage FF. Just my opinion, having used both.

[dsm]

Aha another one - members are rolling in

Glad you found this place to share the news. It makes such a difference.

Sleep study nights are actually a plot by someone (not sure who, but they are eeevil) to study how much torture the average person will put up with

Cheers

DSM