Titration Appointment tomorrow wondering what to expect

[mark190]

Can someone tell me what I should expect at my first titration sleep study

Many thanks
Mark

[Lizistired]

Did you already have a diagnostic sleep study?

[mark190]

yes I did. Could not really sleep well that nite. Hoping tomorrow is better. Just getting a bit nervous however my friends that are using cpap swear by it

Any advise for tomorrow nite

Many thanks
Mark

[Lizistired]

It will be the same except you will wear a mask hooked to a cpap machine. They should show you different mask styles and let you try them on first. At mine the tech showed me 3 styles and I wanted to try 2 of them so she fitted them before lights out. I tried the full face first and never got to sleep with it. She switched me to the Swift FX and I went right to sleep for the rest of the night.
Try the nasal pillows first, since most people find it the most comfortable, if they can use it.
Remember that they can hear you so talk to them if something is uncomfortable. The more time you spend sleeping, the more accurate your titration will be.

[Sheriff Buford]

My sleep study folks kept asking me about alchohol intake that night. Be sure not to consume any adult beverages. It will mess up your readings. On my second visit, I asked why they kept pestering about it, and alchohol is SUCH a serious issue most folks cannot imagine. Also tell the sleep folks you want a copy of both the complete report, and the summary report. I haven't been able to get it the complete report (i may need to bring my night stick as a persuader) . Make sure you tell them you want it (they work for you). To me the study was not fun, but necessary.

Best Wishes, Sheriff

[pap4life]

Relax, Mark..things are about to get better in your life. You are soon to be on the road to feeling better, more alert and better sleep. That is, as soon as you get your tritation accomplished and receive your equipment.

ref tritation. same hookups as with you sleep study deal. You may even sleep better this time as the fear of the unknown has already passed. They will put a mask on you and start up the pressure at a minimum level and then they will increase the pressure until it is at the minimum of what it take to reduce your apneas to zero or as close to that number as is possible. They may even try different styles of masks to see what works best ..GOod Luck

[apneawho]

Mark,
I was anxious about how the pressure from the machine was going to feel. I heard stories about pressure being uncomfortable to breath against etc. I did not have discomfort from breathing against the pressure, but I didn't sleep well during titration because the nasal mask they put on me was not fitting comfortably. I had leak thru the top of the mask into my eyes and it bugged me. Just make sure you get fitted for as many masks as it takes to get a good fit for you.
I was not given the option of nasal pillow and that is what I have used from day one in my home and have had good results.
I did not sleep well in new environments. They try to make these bedrooms as homey as possible but it is not the same as home. My husband was given an Ambien to take with him. I didn't have any sleep aid and wish I had. See if you can take an Ambien with you.

[teknomom]

I also had poor sleep during my first study so I asked my sleep NP for some Ambien to help me sleep during the titration. When that wore off I took an OTC sleep aid in the middle of the night. Without them they couldn't have finished the titration. I still didn't get any REM sleep but they felt the study was adequate. I didn't want to have to go back for a third study! If you really have trouble sleeping in that situation, I'd ask your doctor for a sleep aid.

[Lizistired]

Don't worry about the titration. Spend our time reading Janknitz's blogs about DME's and machines.
It's rare but some labs have an in-house DME and will want to set you up with a machine right after your titration and you could wind up with a substandard machine.
If not, they may also ask you where you want your prescription faxed. If you can do it, tell them you would like to pick it up. Then you will have it and can make a copy for yourself and shop for a DME. A couple of days will not make that much difference.

[dtsm]

Click the "New Users" icon
Click the "Learn" tab
Read the sections re sleep study: our-collective-cpap-wisdom/3/Visiting-T ... p-Lab.html

[Meowser]

I actually had a split study.... before my 1st and only sleep study, i got fitted for a Mirage FX For Her.... i dunno if they already knew i was at a high risk for SA or not.... but 3-4 hours into my study, i got masked. Good thing too.... bad bad numbers....

My best advice, try on different masks before going to sleep.... I was only given the nasal mask.... i now use pillows. I prefer them sooo much more than the one I was fitted with at the study.

Best of luck and just relax, it'll be fine!

[DoriC]

I also had poor sleep during my first study so I asked my sleep NP for some Ambien to help me sleep during the titration. When that wore off I took an OTC sleep aid in the middle of the night. Without them they couldn't have finished the titration. I still didn't get any REM sleep but they felt the study was adequate. I didn't want to have to go back for a third study! If you really have trouble sleeping in that situation, I'd ask your doctor for a sleep aid.

That would be my recommendation too. My husband needed Ambien for the titration and slept until they woke him. He used it on and off for the first 3months of therapy. Now he just takes an occasional Tylenol for hip pain.

[letchworth]

My advice, "Go with the flow". You are paying them, either out of pocket or through your insurance company [or through your work benefits- which is part of your pay package--- in either case, you are paying them] to give you the best prescription to help in a life threatening situation. Go with the flow.

The process is very similar, the wires are identical- the major addition is the mask. In my case only one was offered, and the technician apologized, "It will smell like your mother-in-law's bad breath" [it was a disposable Respironics Comfort Gel- worked the same but smelled not so nice]. No big deal.

My biggest fear going in was that they told me I had to spend a certain amount of time sleeping on my back (to set a titration level that accounted for that position); I had suffered panic attacks sleeping on my back while trying to vomit from an undiagnosed migraine condition years earlier-- and taught myself never to sleep on my back, but seeing my numbers I was willing to give it a try and I'm so glad I did.

One last wrinkle- one of my wires was defective so the poor guy had to wake me up and change a wire or wires-- It was the deepest sleep I had in years, he ended up lifting me up [no small trick I'm afraid] and changing wire/s on a half comatose log.

I tell people- "It was worth it all"-- and I mean that sincerely. "Go with the flow" and get the help you deserve and the help you are paying for. You'll be glad you did. There is a life you have been missing and deserve to enjoy.
letchworth

[MDALE]

I think that the "go with the flow" advice from the poster above is excellent. Expect good things to happen - maybe not right away but soon. Some people immediately feel better and some have to work to overcome a problem or two. Expect good results and be positive. Seek advice here if you encounter problems. Persist and you will reap big benefits.

You should be given a choice of masks. I think I looked fearful when they showed me the nasal masks so they gave me a nasal pillow mask. It was a good choice and one which I recommend trying. They let me sit alone and get used to it for 45 minutes or so. I still find this is a good thing to do before trying to go to sleep. Your breathing is reversed - Relax and let the machine do the work of filling your lungs. Your effort is to exhale. Put the first 1/3 or so of your tongue on the roof of you mouth just behind your teeth and keep your mouth closed. This prevents air flow out of your mouth. Tongue position and keeping your mouth closed is important. For some it comes naturally but others have to keep trying.

My initial sleep study night was fitful but my titration sleep study night was great. I won't say that I felt wonderfully rested but I felt good all the next day. What jumped out at me was how poorly I felt after sleeping the following night at home without CPAP - I had a light headache all day and realized that was my normal day. I couldn't wait to get my machine. I still find it a bit of a hassle to get adjusted and go to sleep but it is blissful waking up a little in the morning, feeling good and having the option of going back to sleep if I wish.

[mark190]

I would really like to thank everyone who responded to my post. I have to be there at the sleep center at 7:30pm this evening. Looking forward to getting this thing going for sure. You people are awesome and the replies very helpful. One further question, why is it that after the titration appointment you have to wait 3 weeks before you get the machine. Didnt get that one

Again much thanks
Mark