Machine or Strap

[Guest]

I am new here and was wondering what determines whether a person uses the cpap machine or one of those head straps that keeps the mouth closed while sleeping.
Is it just personal prefrence?
Thanks.

[El Pap]

Using a chin strap without a cpap machine is primarily a treatment for snoring, not apnea. Repositioning the jaw during sleep, usually done with a dental device rather than a chin strap, is only effective in a small number of mild OSA cases. Cpap, on the other hand, is highly effective in treating almost all cases of obstructive apnea, from mild to severe.

Many people here use a chin strap WITH a nasal cpap mask, to prevent air from leaking from their mouth.

[tmgrood]

Thanks ElPap for setting me straight on that.
After taking the sleep study a few weeks ago I still have yet to hear from the sleep doctor on my results.

[kteague]

Hello and welcome. Have you called to see if the results of your study are available? Sometimes everyone thinks someone else followed up. One time my PCP sent me to a specialist for a consult who ordered tests. The consulting doc sent the results to my PCP expecting him to follow up. The PCP thought the doc who ordered the tests followed up with me on the results. If I hadn't inquired, nobody was going to contact me.

Not sure if your PCP is in private practice or part of an HMO, but any outside tests you have done, the results are generally sent to the PCP and becomes part of your medical record there. Not wanting to wait weeks to get in to be told results, once I went to the medical records dept. of the HMO and requested a copy of my recent files.

Hopefully you will soon have answers and can move forward, either way.

Kathy

[Babette]

I had the same experience. No one called me to chat about results. I just got a call one day to come pick up my machine.

I came here, got edjimicated, and started calling folks and making appointments to review my results.

Call your PCP first, then the sleep lab. Be sure to ask for a printout of your test results, as well as a copy of your prescription for a machine and mask. Once you have those in hand, we can help you more.

Cheers,
Barbara