Procedure for a 2nd Sleep Study

Hi All,

My primary doc is referring me for a second sleep study, but this one will be done in a sleep lab. My first study was last year, and was an at home test. What is the protocol or procedure for a second test since they already know I need CPAP?

Thank you!

Why is he asking for a second study ... are you having trouble, not sleeping well.
Or it just for a titration study, to get the proper settings for the machine?

SleepyEyes21 wrote:Hi All,

My primary doc is referring me for a second sleep study, but this one will be done in a sleep lab. My first study was last year, and was an at home test. What is the protocol or procedure for a second test since they already know I need CPAP?

Thank you!

Hi SleepyEyes21,

There is isn't a specific protocol. If it is just a diagnostic test, they hook you with the necessary wires and then you sleep as much as you can. You might want to have a sleeping pill on hand because even non sensitive sleepers find they need it.

What is the reason for the testing?

When I had mine, I wanted to see how it compared to the home study I had. When I was one this year, it was to see the results post septoplasty.

Fire away if you have more questions.

49er

49er wrote:

SleepyEyes21 wrote:Hi All,

My primary doc is referring me for a second sleep study, but this one will be done in a sleep lab. My first study was last year, and was an at home test. What is the protocol or procedure for a second test since they already know I need CPAP?

Thank you!

Hi SleepyEyes21,

There is isn't a specific protocol. If it is just a diagnostic test, they hook you with the necessary wires and then you sleep as much as you can. You might want to have a sleeping pill on hand because even non sensitive sleepers find they need it.

What is the reason for the testing?

When I had mine, I wanted to see how it compared to the home study I had. When I was one this year, it was to see the results post septoplasty.

Fire away if you have more questions.

49er

Hi 49'er and Grayghost - thanks for your questions and feedback. Multiple reasons for re-testing: 1) AHI has been creeping up slowly (still below 5- averaging about 3-3.5); have checked mask leaks/ parts, fit, etc.; 2) have been more tired than usual in past several months; 3) have chronic migraines & take daily Topomax; am having frequent memory issues, and being sent for memory testing; want to make sure CPAP treatment is adequate, as home tests are not as accurate as in-lab; (trying to rule this out as adding to memory problems); 4) want to rule out possibility of central apneas.

For the sleep study, I was wondering if they first let you sleep without CPAP for a couple of hours, then wake you up and put CPAP on you? Am wondering how they get the number of apnea events you are having per hour or how they can tell if you are having centrals if they allow you to start the test with cpap on?

Thanks for the tip about the sleeping pill, 49'er! I will do that

HI SE,

See this document:

http://www.aastweb.org/Resources/Guidel ... tNight.pdf

""1.1 INDICATIONS FOR A SPLIT-NIGHT PAP TITRATION
A split-night PAP titration is indicated for patients who are diagnosed with severe OSA, which is defined as an
AHI of at least 40 documented during a minimum of two (2) hours of diagnostic PSG. A split-night study may
be considered in a patient with an AHI of 20 to 40, based on clinical judgment (3)""

If you think you are going to have trouble sleeping during the study even with a sleep aid, you might ask your doctor about separating the diagnostic from the titration study and coming back to lab two times. Hopefully, that would be ok insurance wise.

If you think you would be fine with the med, then obviously disregard the above advice.

49er

49er wrote:HI SE,

See this document:

http://www.aastweb.org/Resources/Guidel ... tNight.pdf

""1.1 INDICATIONS FOR A SPLIT-NIGHT PAP TITRATION
A split-night PAP titration is indicated for patients who are diagnosed with severe OSA, which is defined as an
AHI of at least 40 documented during a minimum of two (2) hours of diagnostic PSG. A split-night study may
be considered in a patient with an AHI of 20 to 40, based on clinical judgment (3)""

If you think you are going to have trouble sleeping during the study even with a sleep aid, you might ask your doctor about separating the diagnostic from the titration study and coming back to lab two times. Hopefully, that would be ok insurance wise.

If you think you would be fine with the med, then obviously disregard the above advice.

49er

Thanks for the great article and info, 49'er! My at home test last year rated my OSA as moderate, so I'm hoping this next test doesn't need to be a split-night one. I may have to wait and see what the sleep doctor orders; my primary physician is referring me to a sleep doctor. Last year, I had to change primary doctors due to very poor insurance coverage, and my former primary signed off for the in-home test. Thanks for giving me an idea of things to ask the new sleep doc about what he might test for - I'll keep you all posted