Very Upset Over Most Recent Sleep Study

[RyanMW]

If you guys recall, I posted about an initial sleep study I had about a month ago where my AHI was 5.7 and I was diagnosed with mild OSA.
I just had another study last night which was supposed to be a split study, but I never got that far.
The tech explained to me that I had to sleep on my back all night, and that if I had 10 or more instances of breathing interruption, they would put the mask on.
I didn't.
I slept maybe two hours at most, since I never sleep on my back.
When the tech came to "wake me up" he told me I slept enough hours for the test to be valid, which I really doubt.
I should get my results in 10 business days.
I am really upset about this because I didn't even get to wear the CPAP mask during the study and I'm worried that I will not be approved for one.
I don't want to continue living my life with this constant fatigue, soreness and lack of mental clarity.
I am going to my GP on Friday to get blood work done to rule out thyroid and testosterone issues, and scarier possibilities.
Also, I have a friend who has an old CPAP machine that he no longer uses. He said I could have it. Would it be unsafe to use this machine?
I just want to feel normal again and I will do absolutely anything to have my energy back.

[palerider]

Also, I have a friend who has an old CPAP machine that he no longer uses. He said I could have it. Would it be unsafe to use this machine?

generally, I feel that self medicating with a cpap is safer than taking tylenol (a mild overdose of which can kill you)

if the old machine offers data, then you're good, if not... it's a crap shoot as to whether you'll be able to make it effective.

best would be an autosetting machine in the prs1 or resmed s9 line, then you can let the machine set itself for your needs, and monitor your reactions to it.

[sc0ttt]

If 5.7 is your actual normal untreated AHI (and not just a bad result from the test), then you really do have very mild apnea and I would expect you to have very minor symptoms... ie maybe just a light morning headache or daytime sleepiness; not constant fatigue, soreness, and lack of mental clarity.

So please don't opt out of your doctor's testing for scarier stuff - but assuming it all comes up negative, I think using your friend's CPAP (or buying a new one yourself) is a fine idea so long as you read up on how to do it right. And it could be that your real AHI during normal sleeping is a lot higher than the test showed and this is exactly what you need - do you have a way of videotaping yourself overnight?

[Wulfman...]

If you guys recall, I posted about an initial sleep study I had about a month ago where my AHI was 5.7 and I was diagnosed with mild OSA.
I just had another study last night which was supposed to be a split study, but I never got that far.
The tech explained to me that I had to sleep on my back all night, and that if I had 10 or more instances of breathing interruption, they would put the mask on.
I didn't.
I slept maybe two hours at most, since I never sleep on my back.
When the tech came to "wake me up" he told me I slept enough hours for the test to be valid, which I really doubt.
I should get my results in 10 business days.
I am really upset about this because I didn't even get to wear the CPAP mask during the study and I'm worried that I will not be approved for one.
I don't want to continue living my life with this constant fatigue, soreness and lack of mental clarity.
I am going to my GP on Friday to get blood work done to rule out thyroid and testosterone issues, and scarier possibilities.
Also, I have a friend who has an old CPAP machine that he no longer uses. He said I could have it. Would it be unsafe to use this machine?
I just want to feel normal again and I will do absolutely anything to have my energy back.

To me, it's "malpractice" to force someone to sleep in a position they wouldn't normally or never do.
When I had my sleep study, I had already read some stories on the forum, so I asked the tech if I would be required to sleep on my back......as I NEVER DO and CANNOT sleep in that position. She told me that I would not be required to sleep on my back, nor would they require someone to sleep in a position they typically don't.

I support your inclination to "self treat" (so to speak). It's only air and if done in a logical manner, could be very beneficial to your health.


Den

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[bwexler]

+1 to what everyone else said.

Can you ask your friend exactly which machine he has and let us know the model number and name.

[RyanMW]

+1 to what everyone else said.

Can you ask your friend exactly which machine he has and let us know the model number and name.

Yeah, I just texted him about it and he told me he'd let me know when he got home from work. He's had it for like 7 years so it's almost definitely not a "full data" type machine if it has any data at all. But I definitely can't afford a new machine right now. I have medicaid and I doubt they'll pay for it, if I'm even approved.

As for what Wolfman said about sleeping on my back-- I tried to explain that to the tech. He was pretty adamant that I need sleep on my back for the duration of the study, even after I told him that I absolutely never sleep on my back. He told me that my ENT specifically requested it, so whatever, I complied. It wasn't too terrible but It was almost impossible for me to sleep for more than an hour and a half or so at a time.

Also, my ENT is definitely not a sleep specialist. He barely went over my sleep study results, aside from telling me I had an AHI of 5.7 and that it was mild, but that I probably don't have sleep apnea because I'm "not fat" and my airway isn't obstructed. I have my doubts about my airway as well considering it's often hard for me to breathe during the day, and I feel like I almost never get adequate breaths through my nose despite doing hard interval training cardio 3-4x/week. My ENT didn't even give me my sleep study results. I had to call the sleep lab and request them myself.

[englandsf]

Have you considered reporting the tech's behavior to your ENT and demanding a new test? You need it done right.

[Wulfman...]

+1 to what everyone else said.

Can you ask your friend exactly which machine he has and let us know the model number and name.

Yeah, I just texted him about it and he told me he'd let me know when he got home from work. He's had it for like 7 years so it's almost definitely not a "full data" type machine if it has any data at all. But I definitely can't afford a new machine right now. I have medicaid and I doubt they'll pay for it, if I'm even approved.

As for what Wolfman said about sleeping on my back-- I tried to explain that to the tech. He was pretty adamant that I need sleep on my back for the duration of the study, even after I told him that I absolutely never sleep on my back. He told me that my ENT specifically requested it, so whatever, I complied. It wasn't too terrible but It was almost impossible for me to sleep for more than an hour and a half or so at a time.

Also, my ENT is definitely not a sleep specialist. He barely went over my sleep study results, aside from telling me I had an AHI of 5.7 and that it was mild, but that I probably don't have sleep apnea because I'm "not fat" and my airway isn't obstructed. I have my doubts about my airway as well considering it's often hard for me to breathe during the day, and I feel like I almost never get adequate breaths through my nose despite doing hard interval training cardio 3-4x/week. My ENT didn't even give me my sleep study results. I had to call the sleep lab and request them myself.

Ryan,

All the machines in my profile are fully data capable......and all were made between 2005 and 2007......so, about 7 - 10 years old. So, don't let "age" determine whether they're data-capable or not. It's the "model" of machine that determines it.


Den

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[DozingOff]

I had a similar study completed about a month ago and have mixed reviews about the results. I got an apt with a sleep specialist and he ordered another sleep study that I will be doing next week. I understand your frustration. Be persistent and talk to your Dr. about it. Also contact your insurance provider and talk to them about a second opinion and if they would pay for another study. Remember, It's your well being here. I am using an autoset cpap and have not slept better in as long as I can remember. Not happy about self medicating... Just trying to get a good night sleep.

[Demerit]

Split night study protocol will only put you on a cpap if you reach a certain number of events per hour. If you don't reach the criteria for a split, then the study continues on as a psg. With an ahi of 5.7 on your initial psg, with a secondary diagnosis such as eds, hypertension, impaired cognition, history of stroke; then you would have qualified for a titration study or an auto-cpap. The tech was encouraging you to stay on your back as this is the position that most apneas occur in. It sounds like a titration study should have been ordered for you and not a split-night study.

[RyanMW]

My friend texted me the details of his cpap that he no longer uses.
it's a REMstar pro2 with C-flex CPAP system.
Would it be safe/beneficial for me to start "self medicating" treatment with this machine?

[Wulfman...]

My friend texted me the details of his cpap that he no longer uses.
it's a REMstar pro2 with C-flex CPAP system.
Would it be safe/beneficial for me to start "self medicating" treatment with this machine?

That's a fully-data-capable machine. I've been using them since May of 2005 and it is my favorite. (some of what I have listed in my profile)

So, "Yes", go for it!
You will need a Mako/Infineer DT-3500 card reader (still available from various sources), one or more "Smart cards" and some form of Encore software. Some of the above will also depend on the computer operating system you use, too. But, for all intents and purposes, it's "doable".


Den

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[RyanMW]

My friend texted me the details of his cpap that he no longer uses.
it's a REMstar pro2 with C-flex CPAP system.
Would it be safe/beneficial for me to start "self medicating" treatment with this machine?

That's a fully-data-capable machine. I've been using them since May of 2005 and it is my favorite. (some of what I have listed in my profile)

So, "Yes", go for it!
You will need a Mako/Infineer DT-3500 card reader (still available from various sources), one or more "Smart cards" and some form of Encore software. Some of the above will also depend on the computer operating system you use, too. But, for all intents and purposes, it's "doable".


Den

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Cool. He said it only has a hookup for your nose, though. i was assuming it would be a mask that went over my mouth as well?

[Wulfman...]

My friend texted me the details of his cpap that he no longer uses.
it's a REMstar pro2 with C-flex CPAP system.
Would it be safe/beneficial for me to start "self medicating" treatment with this machine?

That's a fully-data-capable machine. I've been using them since May of 2005 and it is my favorite. (some of what I have listed in my profile)

So, "Yes", go for it!
You will need a Mako/Infineer DT-3500 card reader (still available from various sources), one or more "Smart cards" and some form of Encore software. Some of the above will also depend on the computer operating system you use, too. But, for all intents and purposes, it's "doable".


Den

.

Cool. He said it only has a hookup for your nose, though. i was assuming it would be a mask that went over my mouth as well?

Masks are a pretty individual thing. If the one he has isn't what you want to use, there are many available through various sources.......with and without prescriptions. Go to CPAP.COM and look at their selections. Some are also offered as "kits" and sold without a prescription requirement......you assemble it yourself. (only complete masks require a prescription and parts and kits do not)

Or, you might be able to make the one he has work for the time being (or longer).


Den

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