WOW! I've gone through so many of the different categories, concerns, questions, disappointments, successes,my head is spinning.
I am going for my second sleep study Thurs. Jan. 6th. this is to evaluate as my pulmonary dr. said, what CPAP (or BiPap) machine I'll need.
Can someone tell me what I should be asking the technician about, and what questions I should have of the dr. the following wk. when he gives me his ''verdict''...I am very nervous about all the horror stories of masks, gasps, and everything else, how can anyone get used to this mask business.....
Any tips, questions, numbers, etc. that I should have ready to ask please advise. the pulmonary dr's office, already told me that when I see him the following wk after the study, they will ''set me up'' with the resp. therapist.
Are these pretty much how the events will unfold.....................................
If I can get the technie to tell me #'s after the study, where should I fall in, under what?
Can you tell I'm new to this (and quite nervous). Thanks
Second sleep study
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rested gal
- Posts: 12883
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
awwww, Gail, don't be nervous. The only reason you're going back in is for them to find the pressure the doc will prescribe for you. And if OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) is the only problem that turned up on your initial sleep study, you're being put through all this so that insurance or Medicare will pay for your equipment. For simple sleep apnea that requires average pressure to treat, it would be possible to do essentially the same thing (find an optimum pressure for you) with an autopap machine - same thing that the second night study is going to find for you. So don't worry about whether that second night goes well or not...you've already gotten the hard part behind you - the first night to get the diagnosis.
The only thing I'd bother asking the doctor for is a copy of the results from both your sleep study nights when you see him. That's always good to have. Also ask for a copy of your prescription. That's especially good to have, should you ever decide to buy a machine from an online store, instead of always going through the local "DME" (durable medical equipment store - where the "RT" the doctor spoke of works.)
The tech that does your titration (finds the pressure you need) at your second night in the sleep clinic may or may not tell you anything about it. Some seem to be willing to share some info, others prefer the more conservative tactic of saying, "You can discuss that with your doctor." Or, "The doctor will have to evaluate the results." (The tech almost always knows perfectly well how it went, and may very well be the one whose titration pressure decision will be automatically accepted by a busy doc who then just scribbles a prescription for that pressure. A glance and a signature that he gets paid hundreds of dollars for. heh.) Could depend on the policy of the clinic as to whether the techs are allowed to talk about the results. Either way, it's important that you have the doctor give you a copy of the report from each night. If you want to try asking the tech a question when it's over, I'd ask - "What pressure did you find worked best for me?" They might or might not tell you.
You may get the best sleep in your life during the titration night, or you may have difficulties. If it doesn't go comfortably, just keep this thought in mind: Once you get the titration night behind you, you're on your way back here to the message board, to get lots of practical advice on how to make it all work - and work a LOT more comfortably than whatever mask, chinstrap, tight straps, etc. the sleep lab tech might put you through. One thing I'd suggest to ask them (at the sleep lab) is if they'll please used heated humidification during the titration...that your nose dries out easily or you have sinus problems, or you have a history of nosebleeds, or something...anything to get them to use heated humidification from the git-go. If they won't, no big deal...you can always get one later if you want it. After it's over, ask them for the full name of the mask they used on you and write it down. Also, ask them if you can keep the mask they used on you. Some clinics will let you have it...a nice little extra mask to have even if it's not the one you want to use later.
If you'll post the results of both your nights on here (after you get the reports from the doctor) and share with us what problems (if any) you felt you had with the mask, etc. during the titration night, people here will have a better idea on what to suggest you talk to the RT about, when it comes time to "set you up". We'll get you informed, armed and ready to deal with the "set up" once we non-doctors hear about the particulars of your study. No need to worry. We'll all be here.
The only thing I'd bother asking the doctor for is a copy of the results from both your sleep study nights when you see him. That's always good to have. Also ask for a copy of your prescription. That's especially good to have, should you ever decide to buy a machine from an online store, instead of always going through the local "DME" (durable medical equipment store - where the "RT" the doctor spoke of works.)
The tech that does your titration (finds the pressure you need) at your second night in the sleep clinic may or may not tell you anything about it. Some seem to be willing to share some info, others prefer the more conservative tactic of saying, "You can discuss that with your doctor." Or, "The doctor will have to evaluate the results." (The tech almost always knows perfectly well how it went, and may very well be the one whose titration pressure decision will be automatically accepted by a busy doc who then just scribbles a prescription for that pressure. A glance and a signature that he gets paid hundreds of dollars for. heh.) Could depend on the policy of the clinic as to whether the techs are allowed to talk about the results. Either way, it's important that you have the doctor give you a copy of the report from each night. If you want to try asking the tech a question when it's over, I'd ask - "What pressure did you find worked best for me?" They might or might not tell you.
You may get the best sleep in your life during the titration night, or you may have difficulties. If it doesn't go comfortably, just keep this thought in mind: Once you get the titration night behind you, you're on your way back here to the message board, to get lots of practical advice on how to make it all work - and work a LOT more comfortably than whatever mask, chinstrap, tight straps, etc. the sleep lab tech might put you through. One thing I'd suggest to ask them (at the sleep lab) is if they'll please used heated humidification during the titration...that your nose dries out easily or you have sinus problems, or you have a history of nosebleeds, or something...anything to get them to use heated humidification from the git-go. If they won't, no big deal...you can always get one later if you want it. After it's over, ask them for the full name of the mask they used on you and write it down. Also, ask them if you can keep the mask they used on you. Some clinics will let you have it...a nice little extra mask to have even if it's not the one you want to use later.
If you'll post the results of both your nights on here (after you get the reports from the doctor) and share with us what problems (if any) you felt you had with the mask, etc. during the titration night, people here will have a better idea on what to suggest you talk to the RT about, when it comes time to "set you up". We'll get you informed, armed and ready to deal with the "set up" once we non-doctors hear about the particulars of your study. No need to worry. We'll all be here.
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1