Newbie going into first sleep study.

Hello all,

First post here! I recently was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. Not quite sure what that means yet, but I just started learning about apnea. It's a bit scary for sure, but I'm excited to get my health on the right path. I may not even realize the effects of my sleep apnea yet.

My question today is : Will I get a CPAP mask and machine the morning after my inhouse sleep study?

Thanks!

when I did my study I went to the sleep center and it took about 10 days to get my CPAP. With your home study there probably gonna do the first one with out a CPAP there then depending on there findings they may ask for a second study with a CPAP. I was able to do a split at the sleep center and get both done in one night.

Mainemagoo wrote:Hello all,


My question today is : Will I get a CPAP mask and machine the morning after my inhouse sleep study?

Thanks!

I kind of rushed my request for my mask and machine. I had the review with the Dr on Thursday and got my equipment a week later. It would have taken maybe 3 days longer if I had not been insistent to get the equipment quickly because of me leaving town.

Mainemagoo wrote:My question today is : Will I get a CPAP mask and machine the morning after my inhouse sleep study?

it's very unlikely, but not impossible, most places don't have the doctor right there to evaluate and prescribe a machine, so the reports will probably have to filter back to whoever ordered the sleep study, and then wait for them to diagnose things.

this gives you more time to learn, and most importantly, learn which are unacceptable machines that you should refuse if they try do dump one on you.

Mainemagoo wrote:I recently was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. Not quite sure what that means yet, but I just started learning about apnea. It's a bit scary for sure, but I'm excited to get my health on the right path. I may not even realize the effects of my sleep apnea yet.

Severe sleep apnea means you were having 30 or greater AHI. The AHI is a combination of your obstructive and hypopnea events. So with the example of 30, you were awakened 30 times an hour and haven't been getting much rest.
How were you diagnosed? It's pretty common not to realize the effects until we start noticing gradual improvements in things we can do, or symptoms we no longer experience.

Mainemagoo wrote:My question today is : Will I get a CPAP mask and machine the morning after my inhouse sleep study?

With this question, since you say you already have a diagnosis, I'm guessing this is a titration study where they put you on Cpap and determine what pressure you need. What happened to me is that after the titration, the results went back to the doctor, he sent a prescription to the DME, the DME got insurance authorization and then called to set up an appointment for them to do their thing and have me sign a contract, then they gave me my machine. This process can sometimes seem to take forever.
I lucked out and got a good machine but at the time I didn't know anything other than what they told me. Remember you and your insurance are buying the machine so:
1. Research on full data capable machines. The 2 main manufacturers Respironics and Resmed. Here is a link you can search. If a machine has a red NO do not get. https://sleep.tnet.com/cmd
2. Get a written copy of your Sleep Study and your Prescription. That way you can go to any DME that is in network with your insurance or buy supplies on your own.

You said 'in house study', which I took to mean "in-lab' study, but I think others may be confused as there is also a home study that is sometimes used where you're evaluated at home and not in the lab... which are you doing?

Sorry everyone. To clarify. I took a home study which showed positive results for severe sleep apnea. Now, the dr told me to take the overnight sleep lab study at the dr office. I'm just not sure what will be happening in that DR office sleep study. I'm hoping to get a mask as I want to correct the problem immediately.

you could now be doing a split study were there gonna see the AHI and then put u on a cpap hope that with it server they can rush your cpap

Thanks. The word "severe" spooked me and I'm trying to learn what it means. The insurance company and dr made me wait a month to get the sleep lab study after the home study. So I'm guessing it can't be too serious or they would have set me up immediately.

C/O_Guy wrote:you could now be doing a split study were there gonna see the AHI and then put u on a cpap hope that with it server they can rush your cpap

please stop until you learn something.

he's *already had* the sleep study, there's no point in doing a split study in the lab, because he's already done the first part, at home. now, they want him in the lab to determine pressures. which is what is done in the second half of the split study you keep going on about.

I had my split-night study in mid-December. In early January the doctor sent me the results and sent my prescription to the DME. It took the DME company another three weeks to set up an appointment for me to get my machine.

There are 3 levels of severity, which means an awful lot of us get put into the 'severe' one, but in fact while it can mean you have an enormous number of apneas per night (over 100 per hour), it's not necessary to be there at all to be called 'severe', so don't worry about the name... it's not that meaningful (until it really is). The point of it is to measure the level so they have a baseline to go by when looking at how effective your Cpap is. Btw, severity of apnea (how many events/hr) is NOT related to level of air pressure settings on your machine - some people in the severe category only need a low setting pressure to keep their particular airway open a bit more than not, while others in the mild category may need a high setting for their narrower airway.

Thanks for all the insight and help. It's appreciated.

You might Google: "what to expect at your sleep study" video

You'll find several helpful descriptions of what goes on.... Respironics had one i watched years ago, and there may be more up-to-date films.

Mainemagoo wrote:My question today is : Will I get a CPAP mask and machine the morning after my inhouse sleep study?

It's not unheard of. But here's the thing: If you get a CPAP mask and machine on the morning after an in-lab sleep study, that means that the lab has forwarded the script to a DME that you have most likely never heard of and have not had a chance to "interview". And the problem with that? Well the big problem is that it (significantly) increases the chances of your getting stuck with a brick---i.e. a machine that records only usage data.

If there is time before the sleep study is done, it is worth making some phone calls:

• Call the lab and find out what their policy is. If they indicate that they send you home with a machine (or with instructions to pick the machine up from the equipment provider), ask for the name of the DME (durable medical equipment provider) who will sell the machine to you (through your insurance $$$).
• Call your insurance company and find out what their policy is when it comes to paying for CPAPs and supplies. This coverage is often quite different from the coverage for prescription drugs. Also ask for a list of in-network DMEs
• Call some DMEs and start asking questions. Make the DME earn your business. Ask them if they're willing to provide you with a full efficacy data CPAP such as the Resmed AirSense 10 Elite or the PR DreamStation Pro, or even better with a full efficacy data APAP such as the Resmed AirSense 10 AutoSet or the PR DreamStation AutoCPAP. If the insist that setting you up with a full efficacy data machine requires a special script from your doc, move on to the next DME on the list.

Remember that you are likely to have 5 year or longer association with the DME that provides you with your equipment. If you have any choice at all in DMEs, it's in your best interest to find a DME that you want to work with rather than just accepting the DME recommended by the sleep lab.