What happens now?

[yankeeblue]

In order to be the most prepared when I go next week for my second sleep study (this time with the cpap machine), what are some of the things that are going to happen?
I know that I will be hooked up to the wires again, not as many this time, and also hooked to a cpap machine and mask. Then asked to "sleep" LOL.
Will the tech go over my data with me? so far, I don't know anything except the general Dr calling me and telling me that the test was "positive" and I needed to set up another appt with the sleep lab. I want to know my specifics, how many times I stopped breathing, the EKG results, the RLS, my O2 levels..etc. Will the tech have this info when I go next week? Can I expect him to go over it with me?
Also, at what point will I be able to say what kind of machine and mask I will want or prefer for my own? I have been doing some studying here and I basically know what kind of machine I want, and a couple masks I want to try. Will they allow me to choose? or am I stuck with what they have there at the lab, which could be just a couple samples?
The words DME were mentioned on the phone to me, does that mean that they are the supplier that will bill my insurance for the equipment?

I want to be prepared so that they don't try to snow ball me with ideas that benefit them more than me.

Thanks again for all your help!

[TerryB]

The DME is the Durable Medical Equipment provider who is contracted with your insurance company to provide long lasting hardware like the XPAP equipment.
The lab may or may not be contracted for DME supplier status with your insurance. You could contact your insurance provider now and find out who your DME provider is. Then, when you talk to your Dr. request that they write the prescription the way you have decided you want it. I had the sleep Dr. write up a fully data capable machine and she rejected the first machine provided because it would monitor compliance hours, but not full data. That got me an auto machine, with which I check my pressure now and then, while normally operating in CPAP mode with CFLEX exhalation relief.

Depending on the terms of your insurance, you may be able to get the best deal by buying exactly what you want at CPAP.com and being reimbused by the insurance.

[Slinky]

In order to be the most prepared when I go next week for my second sleep study (this time with the cpap machine), what are some of the things that are going to happen? ...

Not much will be different than your sleep evaluation study. The tech SHOULD allow you to try at least one of each style of mask until you find that one that feels fairly comfortable and fairly workable. Try as many masks as you can. If you encounter a sore spot or find the mask you selected interfering w/your being able to get to sleep or stay asleep ask to try another mask despite it is the middle of the night. I woke up w/a sore nostril interior about 1/2 way thru the night and changed from a nasal pillows style to a nasal cushion style.

... Will the tech go over my data with me? ... I want to know my specifics, how many times I stopped breathing, the EKG results, the RLS, my O2 levels..etc. Will the tech have this info when I go next week? Can I expect him to go over it with me? ...

No, your tech won't be able to answer more than just your general questions. He/she will not be free to be specific.

... Also, at what point will I be able to say what kind of machine and mask I will want or prefer for my own? ...

GOOD question and EXCELLENT time to ask it!!! At the time you fill out the paperwork before the titration study starts is the time to inform your tech that you will NOT accept any CPAP equipment UNTIL someone has gone over your data w/you AND you and the sleep doctor come to a MUTUAL agreement on what equipment you WILL accept. Then also write that on the paperwork you are filling out as well.

... I have been doing some studying here and I basically know what kind of machine I want, and a couple masks I want to try. Will they allow me to choose? or am I stuck with what they have there at the lab, which could be just a couple samples? ...

The night of your titration ask your tech specifically for the masks that interest you to see if the lab has one for you to try. When you see the doctor or whoever goes over your titration study results w/you after the titration and you are coming to a MUTUAL agreement on which equipment will be ordered for you be sure you know which mask and size you used during your titration, then INSIST that your equipment order be written as: "Full face, nasal pillows or nasal cusion mask of patient's choice".

... The words DME were mentioned on the phone to me, does that mean that they are the supplier that will bill my insurance for the equipment? ...

Yes, DME=durable medical equipment and for brevity "we" often say DME when we actually mean "durable medical equipment provider". Be sure, now BEFORE your titration study, to call your insurance company and ask them what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully, you will have the option of more than one. If you have time before your titration study shop your options and see which local DME provider you are most comfortable with, has the most lenient mask exchange policy and is most willing to provide the CPAPs that interest you or at least provide a fully data capable CPAP.

[alnhwrd]

Slinky is right on about trying as many masks as possible. Everyone's face is different, and what works great for some may not work at all for you. One of the hardest parts of successful CPAP is getting the right mask.

Different sleep labs have different rules. The morning after my sleep study, the tech took me into the monitoring room and showed me the graphs and charts on the computer screens. He showed me how broken my sleep was the first part of the night, five arousals in one two minute period, and how after I got to sleep with the CPAP (after my second mask) all the lines that had been jumping around went flat. It probably depends on how controlling the Doc in charge wants to be, so it can't hurt to ask.

I hope everything goes great for you. Keep us posted.

[Slinky]

Wow! alnhwrd! How lucky can you get?? You lucky bird! Like somone else said, some techs sing like a canary but most are CIA/FBI recruits. Maybe it is a time factor as well. How much time they have to spend w/a patient in the AM too.

Roper, I sure hope you are as lucky as Aln, but don't count on it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained tho. Ask away.