What should I know before I go?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 2:23 pm

I can only speak from my experience on this.
When I had my split-night study done (March '05), the tech asked me to pick what kind of mask I wanted to use.....when we got to the titration part.....I picked a full face mask.

I had no problem getting information out of my tech. When she woke me up to put the mask on me, I asked "Did I pass?" She replied "Yes, you passed."

After the whole thing was over, she backed up the computer/video recording and showed me some of my data and events from the night. So, it wasn't a "We won't tell you anything!" type of situation with me. She also knew that I worked in the Information Technology field and was interested in the technology they used to do the sleep studies. She was very helpful and accomodating. Too bad my doctor was such a bonehead.

Den

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 4:44 pm

During the sleep evaluation study that really isn't an 02 cannula, it is there to measure your breathing.

allisonandrews · Post by **allisonandrews** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 7:31 am

Yeah, maybe they said a pressure transducer?

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 9:26 am

That was my experience too, Den, my first sleep evaluation back in 1996 or so. I was scheduled to stay over that day for the MSLT too and the RPSGT who was doing the scoring let me watch and explained some things too. LOVED it, even tho most all of it was WAY OVER my head. It was fascinating.

Unfortunately, my DME experience was ..... lets just say not good and after 2 1/2 months I dumped it all on the DME's counter and walked out. So dumb me went another 10 years w/o CPAP therapy. Duh!

BUT!! That very same RPSGT is now the sleep lab manager of the sleep lab I went to last year and got started on CPAP therapy!!! I still think she is terrific!

Unfortunately, I started w/the same DME supplier - guess what? They haven't improved one iota in all these years!!!

Surprise, surprise.

allisonandrews · Post by **allisonandrews** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 10:31 am

Well, just in case it does come back that I have sleep apnea, I have been trying to decide on what I would need to ask for from the doctor. I like to know my options before going in because I tend to fluster when given options I am not familiar with and just go with it.

So, assuming I have apnea and would need an average pressure setting, say of 9 or so, would this be a good maching to ask her to write the script for?

Respironics M Series Auto CPAP with A-Flex and the M Series Heated Humidifier.

Also, as far as masks go... I am a side sleeper and normally sleep on the edge of my pillow. I cannot stand anything touching the outside of my nose such as the bridge or outer nostrils. Even my night time driving glasses which just barely rest on my bridge drive me nuts after a few minutes. However, havimg something up my nose or on my upper lip doesn't phase me a bit. Based on that and some desciptions and posts I have read, I think this would like to be the mask that I tried first:

Mirage Swift II

So, how does this all sound? Perhaps it will be for nothing if I do not have apnea. However, if I do and I know what I want going in, I will have a better time becoming compliant.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 10:37 am

allisonandrews wrote:Well, just in case it does come back that I have sleep apnea, I have been trying to decide on what I would need to ask for from the doctor. I like to know my options before going in because I tend to fluster when given options I am not familiar with and just go with it.

So, assuming I have apnea and would need an average pressure setting, say of 9 or so, would this be a good maching to ask her to write the script for?

Respironics M Series Auto CPAP with A-Flex and the M Series Heated Humidifier.

Also, as far as masks go... I am a side sleeper and normally sleep on the edge of my pillow. I cannot stand anything touching the outside of my nose such as the bridge or outer nostrils. Even my night time driving glasses which just barely rest on my bridge drive me nuts after a few minutes. However, havimg something up my nose or on my upper lip doesn't phase me a bit. Based on that and some desciptions and posts I have read, I think this would like to be the mask that I tried first:

Mirage Swift II

So, how does this all sound? Perhaps it will be for nothing if I do not have apnea. However, if I do and I know what I want going in, I will have a better time becoming compliant.

If they haven't done the "titration" portion of your sleep test, it would be somewhat premature to speculate on some of this stuff. However, the machine you mentioned is one of the best Autos available.

Den

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:07 pm

Just as my own insurance, altho it doesn't really sound like it may be necessary, I would write on the consent papers you sign tonight, that you prefer that you have the opportunity to discuss the equipment you will be provided with and have some input BEFORE your equipment order is written. Also that you would like a copy of your script/equipment order for your own records.

I'd also spend some time today on the phone with your insurance company finding out what local DME suppliers they are contracted with and just what your DME benefits benefits are: any co-pays, deductables, rental, outright purchase, if rental how long is the rental period .....

allisonandrews · Post by **allisonandrews** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 2:48 pm

[quote="Slinky"]Just as my own insurance, altho it doesn't really sound like it may be necessary, I would write on the consent papers you sign tonight, that you prefer that you have the opportunity to discuss the equipment you will be provided with and have some input BEFORE your equipment order is written. Also that you would like a copy of your script/equipment order for your own records.

I'd also spend some time today on the phone with your insurance company finding out what local DME suppliers they are contracted with and just what your DME benefits benefits are: any co-pays, deductables, rental, outright purchase, if rental how long is the rental period .....

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:22 pm

Why do you think they are having you come back in for a titration study then?

Certainly letting them know you want some say in what equipment is ordered for you

AND

knowing your insurance benefits are prudent first steps to considering what particular xPAP model you would want.

Isn't it the Boy Scout motto to "Be Prepared"??

Good luck. I hope you sleep well.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:32 pm

Ooops. My mistake. I thought you were scheduled for the titration study since you were already deciding on a mask and xPAP that interested you.

allisonandrews · Post by **allisonandrews** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:14 am

Nope, just trying to be proactive while I am playing the waiting game until the results from my first study come back. Learning terminology and seeing where others have "gotten bitten" is pretty much all I can do at this point. The info is free, but if I do have OSA, I think parts of it might prove priceless.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:24 am

Most definitely the information that can be found here is priceless. So few sleep doctors/professionals or DME RTs can provide the knowledge gained from the actual experience of using an xPAP as those who have wrestled w/them and succeeded!!!

Rusty! · Post by **Rusty!** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:45 pm

This is a terrific thread and appreciate the honesty and frankness of those involved. I like your choices for mask and xPAP, as they are the same I made in August. A card reader and software will make your package complete, along with some Pur-Sleep scented oil.

I believe you will notice a difference right away.

shippy · Post by **shippy** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:17 pm

I had one heck of a time falling asleep (the first night of two studies) with all those wires attached, and there was a red light up there on the cieling where i knew the video camera was which reminded me i was being taped all night, plus because untreated sleep apnea causes excess urination, i had to holler for the tech several times to make a run to the bathroom. They said i slept six hours or so but it seemed like two hours, in the morning the tech said something to me that i would be back for another test because i was pretty bad (said he was not allowed to tell me much). Went back a week later to sleep with a machine and because i knew more what to expect i slept better. They asked me how i felt the next morning if i felt refreshed or not and i said yes i felt o.k. After both tests in the morning they had me fill out a questionnaire about the quality of sleep the night before etc.

Dale

What should I know before I go?

Great posting with good advice....