Newly diagnosed with OSA

Hi there

I was diagnosed with moderately severe OSA on July 17. I had my sleep study on July 12 and when back for a titration study on July 19. I am still waiting for the results of that study. They were so quick to get me in for the PSG study and to give me the results of it and even to get me back for the titration study, but now they seem to be dragging their feet with the results. Since this clinic only sees 3 people per night I would think that it shouldn't take this long. How long does it take to score a titration study????? I called the clinic and asked them what was taking so long since it has been 5 weeks, but all they would say is sometimes it takes a while and that I should call back at the end of August which will be 6 weeks. I wonder if they haven't just put my study aside and forgot about it. At least when I asked them to send me the results of both studies they said no problem. I can either come and pick them up or have them mailed to me once the titration study is ready.


When I saw the Sleep Dr after the first study he told me that I had between 16-30 events per hour, but that they don't seem to rousing me from REM sleep much even though my oxygen was dropping. He also said that there is no difference in whether I sleep on my side or on my back. The events happen either way. He said that he wasn't sure that CPAP would help since I don't wake up, but I would think that it would be even more of a concern. How is my airway opening if I am not rousing enough to tighten up those muscles? Has anyone else heard of this?? Since my oxygen is dropping below acceptable levels this has to have an effect on my body and brain. I know that my short term memory has more holes than Swiss cheese and every is morning is a struggle to get out of bed (some mornings I don't make it). I yawn my face off all day (there have been days when I have fallen asleep at work) and by 5pm I'm ready to hit the sack. I try not to do that however, as I would be up at some ridiculous hour in the early morning. I'm pretty sure that low oxygen levels are not conducive to a good nights sleep or good health. I snore every night and my snoring was scored at a 2 on a scale of 0-3 during the PSG study. I have GERD which is also linked to OSA, although the jury is still out on that and I also have Atrial Fib, developed it about 1 1/2 years ago. This is also linked to OSA. I told the Dr how tired I was etc and he agreed to have me come back for a titration study and then have me go on xPAP therapy for a month's trial to see if it helps. I just wish they would hurry up and call me so I can let them know where to send the prescription and get this show on the road. I'm going to make sure I get a fully data capable machine so that I can track everything for the month and compare it to the study in the lab. I am curious to see whether I get different (more realistic ?) results at home over a period of time.

I have been doing a lot of reading about OSA and have found out that women have different symptoms and effects from this than men. Women can have lots symptoms with a much lower AHI and are also more susceptible to dementia and other problems than men are. Trying to educate myself as much as possible so I can make sure that I get the right therapy. I also wonder if this Dr is up to date on the recent research etc?

No it's not normal for it to take this long...but that's here in the United States.
Where are you located? By any chance outside the US? If so, where because other parts of the world do things a bit differently.

elessadil wrote:I also wonder if this Dr is up to date on the recent research etc?

Makes me wonder too if he thinks that 16 to 30 apnea events per hour aren't a big deal just because they don't wake you up.

Pugsy wrote:

elessadil wrote:I also wonder if this Dr is up to date on the recent research etc?

Makes me wonder too if he thinks that 16 to 30 apnea events per hour aren't a big deal just because they don't wake you up.

And if he thinks CPAP might not help because you don't wake up...

I updated my profile to show my location. I live in Ottawa Canada.

any doc that would think low oxygen levels are nothing to worry about probably does not know what they are doing in my opinion.

can you get a different doc?

I think he is the only doc at this sleep clinic. I would have to go to another clinic and start all over again. The wait time for the sleep clinic here in Ottawa is 1 year. Don't really want to wait for a year. I think OHIP only pays for 1 study per year so I would have to pay out of pocket for another one.

Actually I just checked on OHIP's site and it seems that they will pay for 2 sleep studies in a 12 month period, so I can get another one done if necessary. A couple of new sleep clinics opened up just outside of Ottawa and they seem to have much shorter wait times so I will ask my Dr to send me to one of them if this doesn't work out.

The long wait must be awful for you knowing you have severe OSA. No point in looking for another doc right now given the circumstances and since you have already educated yourself and know that you need a data capable machine. That and software will allow you to start managing your own therapy even with the less-than-impressive doc you're dealing with.

I wouldn't worry about getting another sleep study...the one you got says you have 16 to 30 apnea events per hour....
can't you just get the RX for the machine and proceed with therapy?

I am trying to get the Rx, but they won't give me anything until my study is scored and "interpreted" by the Dr. I am actually going to be down near the clinic (it's 1 1/2 hours away) on Sept 3 so if I haven't heard from them by then or I if I need to talk to the Dr about changing the Rx then I am going to pay them a visit and get this sorted out.

Yes it is very hard knowing that help is just a CPAP away and I can't get it Anyone know how long it actually takes to score a titration study?

elessadil wrote:Anyone know how long it actually takes to score a titration study?

It doesn't take long if they will just do it. Someone just doesn't care to get in a hurry.
I had a sleep titration study done on a Wed night...my DME had the results and RX for cpap by that Friday..2 days.

When I saw the Sleep Dr after the first study he told me that I had between 16-30 events per hour, but that they don't seem to rousing me from REM sleep much even though my oxygen was dropping. He also said that there is no difference in whether I sleep on my side or on my back. The events happen either way. He said that he wasn't sure that CPAP would help since I don't wake up, but I would think that it would be even more of a concern.

Frankly, your posts suggest to me that you already know more about apnea than the [alleged] sleep doctor does ... But I can certainly understand why you'd prefer not to have to start all over with a new clinic or doctor. If you are able to shake a prescription loose from these folks, I'm betting that you can get pretty good advice about how to monitor and manage your condition from several of the people in this forum. (Not me, I hasten to add. I am still at a pretty early point on the learning curve.)

I was pretty lucky that the DME to whom I was referred by my doctor offered up a good data-capable machine without my asking for it (or even knowing that such a thing existed). You already know about that sort of thing, but may want to have a slip of paper in your back pocket with the names of makes and models that fit the bill -- or those that don't -- so that you can get the prescription amended timely.

And how long does it take to interpret a study? A matter of hours, I suspect. Six weeks is absurd, unless some data were lost or corrupted (and even then, someone would presumably notice that right away and request a re-test). It's probably more a matter of summer vacations, etc. Best of luck in getting this moved along. The good news is that since you are already educated and obviously motivated, you'll make a smoother adjustment than those of us who just muddled and befuddled our way into treatment.