Daytime Sleep Study?? MLST

I took it upon myself to see a sleep MD here in Tampa, FL (Dr. S. Kreitzer for anyone in the area); my PCP QUACK refused to refer me to anyone.

After an initial consultation, he said he would order a sleep study for me. He talked briefly about what it involves, including the fact that they wake you up in the morning, put on the tv, give you OJ, and come back in 10 min to see if you are fully awake yet.

His office faxed the order to a sleep lab, who then called to set up a time. The day of the study, however, the lab called to say oops, my insurance wouldn't pay for it at that location; I have to have it done at a different lab. They would fax the info back to the MD office and then I'd hear from the other lab. It's been over a week and I'm still waiting to hear from them. Next week I'll try calling the MD office.

Anyway, my question is this. On the phone, the sleep lab tech mentioned that it was just as well, since she had "accidentally" set me up to come in at 8pm for an overnight study, but that it was wrong since the MD had ordered an MLST, or day study, as she put it. When I asked her, she said that in that case, I would come to the lab during the day, stay for 5-6 hours, and take several 15-20 min naps. I panicked, in a way, because I feel that this is totally pointless. It takes me at least an hour to fall asleep, no matter how tired I am; 15-20min naps are out of the question. Now, if I was sleeping, and you woke me up, I could go back to sleep right away - but if I have to get dressed, drive to the lab, and then go to sleep.... forget it!! And I certainly don't need a "sleep study" to tell me this.

I looked up an MLST online, and everything I read said that these are done AFTER an overnight study; they just keep you longer through the next day. I really can't see why the MD wouldn't have set up the night study, based on what we discussed, and why he wouldn't have mentioned a day study specifically to me. And yet the tech told me I would actually come in the morning.

I'm very curious about this. After the holiday I'll try talking to someone at the MD's office, but they didn't seem very friendly to begin with. I was hoping someone here might know something about this and could offer some advice. Thanks!!!

You have come to a place of support for all the issues regarding diagnosis and treatment of Sleep Apnea.
It is true, unfortunately that there are mix ups and confusion around the studies, the equipment the appointments and the follow up help.

Sleep apnea seems to have more than its share of this going on. I think it is because we have too many players involved.
The patient, the original primary care physician, the sleep doctor specialist, the sleep lab, the Durable Medical Equipment suppliers, and let's not forget the insurance company's part in this.
When you have that many different players, it is bound to be much more difficult *(Read that Frustrating) to get the kind of care you need to take care of your sleep apnea.
We are here to help you through this phase of your treatment. And it can be trial and error until you get the best treatment and begin to feel much better. But believe me, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and the trials are worth the outcome.
I am awake again, where I was so droopy before I was not functioning very well at all. It takes time, but I am awake and doing great now.

The CPAP treatment makes a huge difference, but it is a journey begun by the first step.
Good luck with all of your future challenges. We are here to help. There are many very helpful and supportive people here, you have come to the right place.

Karen

girl920:

you should take up these issues with your sleep doc. could be a simple misunderstanding of orders not being communicated correctly. never heard of an MSLT done without an overnight sleep study, but I guess it could be done. maybe doc wants to first see how in your life you are overly sleepy. True, you may not fall asleep once you are dressed and ready to go, but that does replicate how it would be in your life, more or less. Plus, you can't have caffeine before the test, so if you are used to caffeine in the morning, you'd be surprised how easy it is to fall asleep on command at an MSLT. But it does sound weird. However, silly to start conjecturing until we know whether this is a mistake and what the sleep doc's thinking is.

Easy to get yourself bent out of shape on a holiday weekend when a phone call on Tuesday can clarify things.

caroline