Sleep Apnea - sleep studies

clones_jer

Well-Known Member
Apr 16, 2006
8,828
1,146
113
IA
I'm going in for a sleep study next month, but didn't know if there was a more "efficient" way to do this. I'm going through out local hospital and it seems like I need my doctors recommendations, then the sleep study consultation, then the actual study, then eventually the cpap or whatever recommendation. this whole song and dance is schedule over the next couple months, but are there places that do it faster?

just wondering if the whole doctor involvement is really need up front when its pretty obvious I snore like a bulldozer.

also any recommendations for brands or types of cpaps or otherwise for those already using them?
 
If you do a sleep study, you will get a cpap. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t received one. Do you need a prescription for one or can you just buy one?
 
  • Like
Reactions: cyclonestunners
If you do a sleep study, you will get a cpap. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t received one. Do you need a prescription for one or can you just buy one?

yeah good question, I don't know. I hear the technology is way better now with some that can sense the pressure you need and adjust and supposedly way quieter than the version people used 20 years ago
 
  • Agree
Reactions: aauummm
If you do a sleep study, you will get a cpap. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t received one. Do you need a prescription for one or can you just buy one?
You need a prescription although you can find ways to get them around it. You want the prescription as their are pressure settings that matter for the CPAP individual to each person.
 
yeah good question, I don't know. I hear the technology is way better now with some that can sense the pressure you need and adjust and supposedly way quieter than the version people used 20 years ago
They do self adjust now and mine is so quiet it is hard to tell if it is running. The other driver for a prescription is that the devices 'phone home' with your data so my doctor can see how it is working for me.

I lost a lot of weight and got in much better shape since I started using one 7 years ago so I spent a lot of time what-if'ing with the Dr. She said some people just need them.

I investigated the Inspire solution but results have been really mixed there - It is one that inserted around your collar bone with leads going to the problem area in the throat.

I have seen initial stories on some surgical solutions they are trying but that seems pretty early.
 
I'm going in for a sleep study next month, but didn't know if there was a more "efficient" way to do this. I'm going through out local hospital and it seems like I need my doctors recommendations, then the sleep study consultation, then the actual study, then eventually the cpap or whatever recommendation. this whole song and dance is schedule over the next couple months, but are there places that do it faster?

just wondering if the whole doctor involvement is really need up front when its pretty obvious I snore like a bulldozer.

also any recommendations for brands or types of cpaps or otherwise for those already using them?
I went through all that. Sleep study will show if you have apnea and how severe it is. Doctor will determine the optimal amount of air pressure on CPAP, if you need it, and explain your test results and what they mean. Sleep apnea is not good for your health.

If you need CPAP, medical supply person should demonstrate the different options for you. I use the nose pillows (the simplest). My wife is much happier now that I'm on CPAP and she stays in bed at night (instead of in the other room).
 
  • Like
Reactions: wxman1
Also, I did my sleep study at home with a take home unit.

I did that and then doctor recommended I do an in hospital one. I need to check in with company I got my cpap through. Been a nearly full couple of years and after a whole nights with it on I still wake up feeling sleep deprived.
 
I did a sleep study for snoring/bad sleep. Didn't get a cpap but instead was recommended a surgery to fix my nose from when it got broken in high school. Been great since.
Was that the procedure where they re-break your nose and then reset it? I've heard that it's very painful for a week or two afterwards but did you notice a big difference after the recovery?
 
Was that the procedure where they re-break your nose and then reset it? I've heard that it's very painful for a week or two afterwards but did you notice a big difference after the recovery?
That's the one. The recovery was super intense for the first week. The second week is better but just really uncomfortable. That said, the first deep breath through my nose when they took the splints out was pure euphoria. I also haven't had a sinus infection since (it was a nearly annual thing) and my allergies are still there but they dont impact my breathing nearly as much now.
 
If you do a sleep study, you will get a cpap. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t received one. Do you need a prescription for one or can you just buy one?
I'm the one who didn't. I thought for sure I was going to get a CPAP. Had the sleep study done and they said "Nope, you're good". I was pretty surprised.
 
  • Like
  • Informative
Reactions: cstrunk and BCClone
I'm the one who didn't. I thought for sure I was going to get a CPAP. Had the sleep study done and they said "Nope, you're good". I was pretty surprised.
I was pretty sure I didn't have it, but doctor said au contraire, your case is "severe". I do sleep better at night now, even if it's not perfect.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: aauummm
The wife has one, did the at home study and then the hospital study and insurance approved her CPAP. She really struggled keeping the mask tight at night. I wake up to this sucking sound as its not tight around her face, no jokes please. She said she did sleep better and the data the machine sent in, seemed to back that up. She never unpacked the machine after the move, still setting in the box it came it. Not sure what is going on with that. My biggest complaint is the tubes and other materials need to be changed each month and its around $100 each time for the new parts.
 
If you do a sleep study, you will get a cpap. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t received one. Do you need a prescription for one or can you just buy one?
Me. Don’t know why my doctor suggested I do one several years ago, but I did it anyway. I was fine, needed nothing.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: BCClone
I did a take home first, then did an in person when that was bad. It was kind of a "gatekeeper test"

Best thing I've ever done for my health. Less headache, less hazy brain, less need for naps. It was amazing!!
so what style/brand do you have? did you try any different ones first?
 
If apnea is leading to low oxygen in your blood as you sleep (hypoxemia), you should prob. try to do something about it, esp. since it may factor into #1 killer heart disease. Been very frustrating for me at Mayo to get right gear and right settings. If CPAP isn't working out, insist on a different specialist. First 2 I had sucked, third far better, could actually listen to and grasp what I was saying.
 
I'm the one who didn't. I thought for sure I was going to get a CPAP. Had the sleep study done and they said "Nope, you're good". I was pretty surprised.

Same here. The wife was NOT happy with the outcome. You’d think she’d be thrilled that my snoring is not related to a horrible disease…
 

Latest posts

Help Support Us

Become a patron