Is this normally the way a sleep lab works?

[123.Shawn T.W.]

I went in for my first sleep study (torture!) night about 2.5 weeks ago ... They called me the end of last week wanting to schedule a second study, because the Dr had ordered another one ... But they were not allowed to discuss with my the results of the first ... So I called my Dr and he told me that I had mild sleep apnea 9 "events per hr" and low O2 in my blood ...

I then called the sleep lab (torture chamber) back and had a very good a detailed 30 min talk with them where they explained that the reason they did not do the split study the first night was because the ins co has certain requirements of 120 min of sleep first, then they needed another 180 min to put the mask on ... I didn't sleep that much! Anyhow I found out that this next visit will be similar, but will delete the wires by my mouth and up my nose, and replace with a mask which they will help me fit one of the various models they have ...

While on the phone I also asked the nice lady if I could be frank and provide some constructive criticism? She said sure ... So, I explained that at night when I got up to visit the restroom, that it was nice that the tech did not turn on my light in the room, and that the hallway was dimly lit ... But when I went into the restroom there was only one light switch to operate the lights, all 10 billion candle power, bright as the sun! It would be nice to have a night light in there ... I will bring my own next time. I also mentioned that the bed was horrible! It had a big sag in the middle, and no matter where or how I laid, I ended up in there! Kinda hard to get real example of an average nights sleep when we have these avoidable problems to contend with.

Yesterday I called my ins co BCBS going over with them about equipment and stuff ... They suggested that I have the sleep lab request pre-approval again for my next visit ... Which they can send out another "patient is ins for less than one year, this maybe a pre-existing condition" letter like they did last time ... Anyways I call the torture lab (they really are very nice) and they tell me that my next visit is FREE! That there are working with my Dr, and don't want this next visit to cost me anymore (as I still have not met my deductible this year ... I say "Thank You" and hang up.

So all of the writing was to ask if it is "normal" to get the second study done free? Are they trying to work out a "deal" with my Dr? Or do you think they feel bad about the bad bed?

To back up it was me that suggested and pried and prodded to get a study in the first place, and it was myself that brought my Dr the sleep lab info of the place I wanted to go, and then he turns around and sends me to a different place that couldn't get me in before 9:30pm then hook up ... I caused a "fuss" and told my Dr I would not go! I normally go to bed by 9:00 at the latest, usually 8:00 and if I could not get to sleep right away I would not fall asleep for HOURS, I made him switch me to the lab I originally requested.

[BlackSpinner]

Complaining politely sometimes really helps especially if you put a constructive twist on things.

[123.Shawn T.W.]

Complaining politely sometimes really helps especially if you put a constructive twist on things.

Yes, I agree. I am sure the techs don't go and try out the beds every week! I even suggested that since they had six beds, and mine was soft ... That it might be good to have a couple of "firm" mattress's as some people like me prefer a firm bed over a mushy soft one ...

I'm actually sorta looking forward to my next visit to the torture chamber! As I now know what to expect and will take my "sleep" pill when I arrive (250mg Valerain root, 75mg Hops Strobiles, 50mg skullcap, 50mg passion flower, 25mg CA poppy, 3mg melatonin) they suggested also that I get my Dr (reg GP) to give me something stronger to sleep, so he wants me to take 2mg of Ativan just before lights out.

Talking about lights out, I mentioned to them that this next test I would like them to do there little test to make sure all the sensors are hooked up and recording with the light ON, as once lights out, I need to be asleep in a couple of minutes or I can't get to sleep! They said no problem.

Hopefully they will get a better sample of me sleeping ...

It just sounded strange to me that they would offer me this test for free, when last time they had me pay $650.00 up front ... Maybe they are trying to get my Dr to send future patients to them instead of the other place he has sent them too ...

They also told me that they are a DME ... http://aretesleep.com/index.aspx

Has anybody else gotten a second test for free? This is basically a titration study/test

[Sloop]

So I need to ask -- did you have the hookup where they pass the wire(s) down through your nose and you have to swallow it to get it down the airway?

I had that my first visit 20 years ago. The next night they wanted to do it again and I said forgetaboutit. So they said -- Ok, we have this other way -- which was a wired belt that went around my stomach. I said "why didn't you let me use this last night?" and then said "you didn't ask"

I have forever since referred to that lab as "the little shop of horrors".

[Sir NoddinOff]

As I now know what to expect and will take my "sleep" pill when I arrive (250mg Valerain root, 75mg Hops Strobiles, 50mg skullcap, 50mg passion flower, 25mg CA poppy, 3mg melatonin) they suggested also that I get my Dr (reg GP) to give me something stronger to sleep, so he wants me to take 2mg of Ativan just before lights out.

I personally don't think Valerian or Skullcap etc has enough potency for this purpose... I'd go for the Ativan or better still Ambien (ie. generic Zolpidem 10mg) with a 0.5mg Xanax kicker held in reserve if you don't get to sleep within the lab's time constraints (I had to be out the door by 6.00AM!).

Sleep labs are notoriously bad places to sleep, what with all the wires, the in and out techs, plus the unfamiliar machines and masks. Moreover, I suspect they love it if you have to come back again and again to get your compliance satisfied. Cha-ching, sez the cash register. Most good sleep doctors can look thru the veneer of sedatives to see the real results of your test. However, I am not a doctor so get medical advice from the professionals, you'll need it anyway for the prescriptions.

[Sloop]

I personally don't think Valerian or Skullcap etc has enough potency for this purpose... I'd go for the Ativan or better still Ambien (ie. generic Zolpidem 10mg) with a 0.5mg Xanax kicker held in reserve if you don't get to sleep within the lab's time constraints (I had to be out the door by 6.00AM!).

I seriously doubt if an Ambien induced sleep is going to give a true picture of what your sleep issues are. It is the next thing to putting you comatose. Not to mention --dangerous as hell.

[Sir NoddinOff]

My GP, my cardiologist, my sleep doctor and the resident sleep technician all agreed that the usage of Ambien was the way to go. I bow to the superior knowledge of the medical profession. I do weight 185lbs, so that might be a factor to consider regarding your level of dosage. Less body mass = less dosage.

Let me repeat for those not paying attention: Don't trust me or the other members of this site - get your doctor's recommendations (however, I'm sure they'll say the same thing I just told you)

[Julie]

Ambien's used all the time for studies... so far I think most patients are still alive.

[clickbryant]

I wish you the best of luck. My titration study was billed and there was no mask selection. The technician claimed that they only had one mask( like a shoe store with only one style) I felt so cheated and unhappy after finally getting answers to my medical issues,i was looking forward to the long road back to wellness. I'm going to my pulmonologist this week for my prescription and I hoping my doctor will be understand and listen. I don't want to get stuck with the norm. I'm glad though that you spoke your mind and got satisfaction.

[archangle]

1) Be sure to politely tell your doctor when the sleep clinic is bad (or good). The doctor may refer them a lot of business. He may be affiliated some way, and not interested, but he might be able to get something done better than you can.

2) I really wish more of these dumb doctors would send their patient to sleep labs with a sleeping pill to take in case he doesn't fall asleep in xx minutes. Lots of people suffer because they didn't get a good sleep study because they didn't sleep much. Yes, the pill may affect the results, but not as much as not sleeping.

3) I really wish more patients would "interview" the sleep lab and find out whether they have good beds, etc. I really should have hunted for a lab with a recliner to sleep in because I rarely sleep in a bed. The clinics would also have more incentive to get it right if they new people would check first and shop around if things aren't right.

4) I couldn't sleep in my first study because it was in a bed, I had to lie on my back, and it was too darn early. They started at 7 or 8 and I rarely can get to sleep before midnight even at home. They brought me back in a second time for free with a prescription for ambien from the doctor.

[123.Shawn T.W.]

The wires in my nose just came down the side of my face and had two little probes that went up each nostril about 1/8" - 1/4", then there was a third probe that hung down over my upper lip ...

The night of my first study, ended up taking my "sleep" pill after a few hours of just laying there, then fell asleep in 30 - 45 minutes ... These work for me to take the edge off, some times I also add St Johns Wort 325mg ... I prefer natural, but am actually considering taking "something" extra for the first few weeks to help me get use to the treatments ... I don't do well to changes in the sleep dept well

I'm gonna use Ativan because:
A. I have some left from before when I went to Mexico and saw a Dr
B. I'm a long distance truck driver, and not sure when I'll get home next weekend, and my testing is for Sunday night, kinda hard to see my GP MD ...
C. Sleep center recommend I take "something"

This place has recliners, but I prefer a firm bed.

I chose this place over the place the Dr wanted to send me as they were flexible in meeting MY needs, ie they usually take appointments for 8, 9, and 10 pm, but let me come in at 7:30 so after the 45+ minute setup I could go to sleep at my "normal" time.

[Tino2You]

Wow I guess my experience with the sleep center I saw is the exception! My only complaint is that like you, Shawn, I go to bed early and the center wanted me there at 9 ( I am usually asleep before 10). That's it, my complaint.

The tech was friendly and joked while she trussed me up like a thanksgiving turkey. The rooms was clean and the bed was nice. The TV was a nice flat panel (and the Phillies were playing). Pleasant!

I had a split study (I kind of knew that going in as my wife is a nurse and repeatedly told me of my apnea). I did not get a selection of masks. I was asked which I wanted, a nasal or full face. I mumbled full face. What did I know? Plus I was asleep up to that point and it was the middle of the night.

Hope all works out for you.

[Sloop]

My GP, my cardiologist, my sleep doctor and the resident sleep technician all agreed that the usage of Ambien was the way to go. I bow to the superior knowledge of the medical profession. I do weight 185lbs, so that might be a factor to consider regarding your level of dosage. Less body mass = less dosage.

Let me repeat for those not paying attention: Don't trust me or the other members of this site - get your doctor's recommendations (however, I'm sure they'll say the same thing I just told you)

If the Ambien is subscribed only for the one night in the sleep lab, the chances of any terrible side-effects are greatly minimized plus if the patient DOES happen to have problems, they are being watched and monitored. However, I speak with some experience as my wife was taking the lowest dose for an extended period (all under doctors care) and she had multiple episodes of bizarre behavior -- the last one almost killed her.

I'll quickly mention 3 of these events:
Found her one night in the kitchen cooking bacon with a frying pan on fire. To this day, she denies this ever happened.
Found her one night in the bedroom stuffing and unstuffing her purse with all of her jewelry. I could not wake her from her stupor.
The third and last -- she got violently sick in the middle of the night, but was so drugged by the Ambien that she did not wake. The result was that she vomited and aspirated the vomit into her lungs. This also caused Septic Shock and her BP was 60/30 when we got her into the emergency room. It was touch and go for 5 days as she was in a coma as she was fighting what is known as Aspiration Pneumonia. Total of 10 days in the hospital and 3 months before she got anywhere close back to normal. I blame myself for allowing these episodes to continue for a long time without making her get off the stuff. Ever since the last event (almost exactly one year ago), she has never used Ambien (or any other prescription sleep aid) again. She uses what I use -- sublingual Melatonin, and sleeps just fine.

So -- at a minimum, I would advise everyone to rethink any long-term use of this dangerous drug.

[zoocrewphoto]

My GP, my cardiologist, my sleep doctor and the resident sleep technician all agreed that the usage of Ambien was the way to go. I bow to the superior knowledge of the medical profession. I do weight 185lbs, so that might be a factor to consider regarding your level of dosage. Less body mass = less dosage.

Let me repeat for those not paying attention: Don't trust me or the other members of this site - get your doctor's recommendations (however, I'm sure they'll say the same thing I just told you)

If the Ambien is subscribed only for the one night in the sleep lab, the chances of any terrible side-effects are greatly minimized plus if the patient DOES happen to have problems, they are being watched and monitored. However, I speak with some experience as my wife was taking the lowest dose for an extended period (all under doctors care) and she had multiple episodes of bizarre behavior -- the last one almost killed her.

I'll quickly mention 3 of these events:
Found her one night in the kitchen cooking bacon with a frying pan on fire. To this day, she denies this ever happened.
Found her one night in the bedroom stuffing and unstuffing her purse with all of her jewelry. I could not wake her from her stupor.
The third and last -- she got violently sick in the middle of the night, but was so drugged by the Ambien that she did not wake. The result was that she vomited and aspirated the vomit into her lungs. This also caused Septic Shock and her BP was 60/30 when we got her into the emergency room. It was touch and go for 5 days as she was in a coma as she was fighting what is known as Aspiration Pneumonia. Total of 10 days in the hospital and 3 months before she got anywhere close back to normal. I blame myself for allowing these episodes to continue for a long time without making her get off the stuff. Ever since the last event (almost exactly one year ago), she has never used Ambien (or any other prescription sleep aid) again. She uses what I use -- sublingual Melatonin, and sleeps just fine.

So -- at a minimum, I would advise everyone to rethink any long-term use of this dangerous drug.

I did the single night ambien for the sleep study. My doctor had actually prescribed it for use in hotel rooms since I have trouble sleeping while traveling. But I didn't feel comfortable taking it in a strange situation. I actually had vertigo very badly while traveling last September, so the idea of another ambulance trip scared me. So, I opted for the one night at the sleep study. I knew I would need help sleeping before midnight, and it was critical to make the sleep study work. The lady at the sleep lab said they need 6 hours of data, or the insurance company won't pay for it. And I knew I needed treatment and coverage. I figured if there were any problems with the ambien, I would be monitored, and the ER was in the next building. So, somebody could rescue me in a hurry.

It worked for the study, so I am grateful. I have not been interested in trying it again. I did learn a couple years ago that my muscle relaxers for back pain (generic flexeril) do help me sleep better, with no side effects for me. So, I do use them sometimes if I expect it to be difficult a particular night. I will use a whole or half pill based on how much help I think I need. I did admit to the doctor in April that I do this, and she seemed okay with it. I don't use it a lot. 30 pills lasts me about a year. I did use a couple the first week with the apap as I was having a hard time with it.

[123.Shawn T.W.]

Interesting ... I was told I needed 6.5 hrs. But they did not all have to be sleeping ... Just hooked up to the machine.

This place does have variety of masks to try, as they are also a DME