Is it time for a new sleep study?

[Liz H]

My first study was 15 or 20 years ago. The second a few years later gave the same results. My current pressure seems to handle my apnea just fine. The machine has gotten a bit noisy, but that's just the machine, not air leaks, etc.

Has the information gained from sleep studies changed a lot? I really don't want to take time out for another study. I have some severe health issues that I have to deal with, and they take up too much of my time as is.

[So Well]

1. What are the health issues? I am asking because sleep labs claim to check for 88 different health problems. Your health problems could have sleep as an underlying cause.

2. Do you have a data-capable CPAP machine with software?

[Paper_Nanny]

1. What are the health issues? I am asking because sleep labs claim to check for 88 different health problems. Your health problems could have sleep as an underlying cause.

And, even if sleep isn't an underlying cause of the other health issues, having less than optimal sleep could have an effect on the course of the other health issues.

Do you have reason to think you should get another sleep study done at this point? Is it something that you think would be useful to you now, while you are dealing with other health problems?

I have multiple sclerosis and sometimes when I have been experiencing some disease progression, something I can't control, it helps me to take care of health issues that I can control. I could see myself wanting to have another sleep study done at a time like that. Even though so much of my time would be spent dealing with the ms, it would help me feel less powerless to do something good for my health.

But, I could also see myself at a time like that being way too overwhelmed with one set of problems and would be inclined to wait until later to check out other things.

Deborah

[Liz H]

Hi Deborah and So Well,

My main health issue is ME, which means that at good times I have about 20% of the energy and stamina of a normal person my age. Other times I'm a lot worse. I know that sleep problems are very common with ME, even without apnea. My own sleep quality varies, though the apnea is controlled. I remember that at one of my studies, the technician told me he'd never seen readings like mine, but all the doctor would discuss with me was apnea.

I do need a new machine, as mine is on its last legs. It doesn't have any data-collecting features that I'm aware of. I had planned to just get a new machine, and skip the study. Since my current pressure controls any apnea, I wasn't (and still am not) sure there would be any benefit to another study. I also realize that I know very little about this whole area.

I have multiple sclerosis and sometimes when I have been experiencing some disease progression, something I can't control, it helps me to take care of health issues that I can control. I could see myself wanting to have another sleep study done at a time like that. Even though so much of my time would be spent dealing with the ms, it would help me feel less powerless to do something good for my health.

Boy, I know what that's like! Years ago, an accident resulted in broken bones and 2 non-functioning knees. The rehab was long and difficult, but it was almost thrilling to be able to DO something to heal my body. Very few people understand how rewarding that was!

[archangle]

Please enter your machine info into your profile.

You'll need to see what your insurance requires for a new machine. Sometimes, they require a new sleep study.

You'll need a prescription to get a new machine. Do you have your original prescription or a doctor who'll write one?

If you don't have a particular reason for a new study, it may be cheaper to get a new auto machine from our sponsor, cpap.com or another online seller and manage your own pressure.

However, a well done sleep study will check a whole lot more things than any CPAP machine will tell you. It's not a bad idea, especially after all those years. Especially since "M.E" is hard to diagnose conclusively. It does cost money, though.

[So Well]

Since my current pressure controls any apnea,

I learned about this the hard way. You cannot be sure your apneas are being prevented unless you have a data-capable machine preferably with the software.

I started out with a simple machine and the doctors repeatedly assured me my apnea was under control. Then after a year I borrowed a data-capable machine from the DME for two weeks. After two weeks they read the card and printed out reports for me. I was very surprised to see that I was having many long apneas every night.

I got my own data-capable machine and software and tweaked the pressure until the apneas were under control. My advice is to for you to make this your first priority - a new machine. Make sure to get help from the forum in selecting a model. DMEs will lie to you claiming the model they are giving you is data-capable when it is not. You need to make sure you get the right machine.

After you have the new machine and reports of how it is working, you should reconsider the sleep study.

Good luck,