What questions to ask?

[sleepy-k]

Hi there,

I recently had my first sleep study done after falling asleep in class/meetings for many years. After my first visit, she suggested that if I did have sleep apnea it was probably mild (I don't snore much), and suggested that my study be done with a Pes tube. So, I had my study. I don't have the full results yet, but over the phone I was told that I had an AHI of 4.6, but an RDI (perhaps I misheard and this is the RAI?) of 6.6. She said the Pes was quite helpful; that normal values were -5 to -8, and mine went up to 24, and she's suggesting that I have mild sleep apnea. She said that the severity of one's apnea doesn't always (often?) correlate with how sleepy they are during the day, and that since I was so sleepy, this is worth treating with a CPAP. So, I'm going back to get a titration study.

I have an in person follow up with her in the next few weeks, and aside from getting a copy of my sleep study, what other questions should I be asking? I've had a hard time finding out exactly what the numbers for the Pes tube mean, other than that I'm working too hard to breathe at night. (I know it's esophageal pressure, but I haven't seen anything discussing normal ranges, etc.)

There are numerous people here doling out praise for this board and how it has helped them find the right machines/masks, etc. I guess I'm just a little overwhelmed at this point and would like some hints about what I should be bringing up when I go for my followup appointments and titration sleep study.

[cflame1]

Whatever machine she comes back and recommends... make sure that it's fully data capable (AHI and leak data).

Get a copy of the script that she'll write... keep it. Get a copy of your sleep study (5 or 6 pages usually)... keep that.

[sleepy-k]

data capable meaning it has a smart card and I can get software for my computer?

I do love data, and am looking forward to looking at my full sleep study.

[Pugsy]

data capable meaning it has a smart card and I can get software for my computer?

Not always. Some of the basic no data available machines will have a smart card but all you will get is hours of use.
Compliance data only to satisfy insurance requirements. So do your homework as to which machines actually offer meaningful data. Don't be mislead by just the card in the machine.

Let me go find Rested Gal's list of machines and which does what.

Here it is.

viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168