First sleep study: Scored a 34 on the AHI. Still can't get any CPAP equipment.

[tiltrite]

I'm glad for this forum and ones like it as I'm trying to educate myself as much as possible about my new 'condition.'
I got a call from the tech from my first sleep study. I scored a 34 on the AHI, which he said was "high-moderate."
Unfortunately I only slept for about an hour and couldn't fall asleep again, so I didn't get to do the CPAP titration portion of the study. Therefore no CPAP equipment has been prescribed to me as of now, and I'm trying to make do on my own.
Fortunately I'm going in for another study, where they're going to try to do the CPAP titration.
This whole process of doctor/insurance approval/study/doctor/repeat has been quite draining, not to mention the exhaustion of the apnea itself, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Looking forward to getting this solved!

[greatunclebill]

I'm glad for this forum and ones like it as I'm trying to educate myself as much as possible about my new 'condition.'
I got a call from the tech from my first sleep study. I scored a 34 on the AHI, which he said was "high-moderate."
Unfortunately I only slept for about an hour and couldn't fall asleep again, so I didn't get to do the CPAP titration portion of the study. Therefore no CPAP equipment has been prescribed to me as of now, and I'm trying to make do on my own.
Fortunately I'm going in for another study, where they're going to try to do the CPAP titration.
This whole process of doctor/insurance approval/study/doctor/repeat has been quite draining, not to mention the exhaustion of the apnea itself, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Looking forward to getting this solved!

welcome to the forum.

you need to get the sleep doctor to prescribe a sleeping pill so you can sleep during the study. normally the doctor calls in the order and the sleep tech gives you the pill when you get settled in ready to sleep. it's the only way it worked for me.

[PollCat]

Same here, the pill was the only way they got me to go to sleep before the wee hours of the morning!

[tiltrite]

Great idea. My GP wouldn't prescribe me anything, stating that it would be dangerous for me to be prescribed sleep medication while I have sleep apnea. Seemed very odd and like a catch 22- more like a Cover Your A** move on his part than anything else. I have a call into my sleep doctor, (he's actually an Ear Nose Throat Dr.) whose staff seemed much more amenable to the idea of giving me a sleeping pill before my next sleep study. We'll see how it goes.

Being hooked up to about 40 sensors with the added pressure of "having to sleep" and also having the apnea just made it impossible to sleep during my sleep study. Ironic to have insomnia during a sleep study. I suppose a good pill will surely help.

[PaulaO2]

I am a night owl so with both my tests, I didn't have to show up until 11:30. By the time they got me hooked up and the light out, it was after 1am, my usual sleep time. It really helped. The only problem was we had to be very quiet due to everyone else being asleep. The walls were very thin, they said.

[greatunclebill]

Great idea. My GP wouldn't prescribe me anything, stating that it would be dangerous for me to be prescribed sleep medication while I have sleep apnea. Seemed very odd and like a catch 22- more like a Cover Your A** move on his part than anything else. I have a call into my sleep doctor, (he's actually an Ear Nose Throat Dr.) whose staff seemed much more amenable to the idea of giving me a sleeping pill before my next sleep study. We'll see how it goes.

Being hooked up to about 40 sensors with the added pressure of "having to sleep" and also having the apnea just made it impossible to sleep during my sleep study. Ironic to have insomnia during a sleep study. I suppose a good pill will surely help.

a sleeping pill is ok during testing because you are under direct supervision of a tech and usually in some kind of medical facility where emergency services and/or equipment are available. people may differ on this but sleeping pills and apnea are extremely dangerous together especially when not under direct supervision. my doc said he will not prescribe them for home use in an apnea patient, but will only do it during a study. our studies are in a major medical facility down at the end of a quiet wing.

virtually everybody has trouble sleeping during a sleep study. you are no different than anyone else.

[tiltrite]

Paula02: Sounds like you're a considerate person that you were conscious of trying to be quiet. I wish you had been my neighbor during my last test. During my last test I could hear the guy in the next room yakking away on his phone until bedtime, which was 11pm. After 11, his yakking turned to loud snoring. He finally settled down but I still couldn't get to sleep. If I owned a sleep clinic I hope that I'd try to put some effort into soundproofing the rooms. Seems like they just lease regular old office space and leave it at that. Right now I'm just glad that I have insurance and that they ok'd a 2nd study.

Uncle: I see the point about not prescribing for home use. I'm just learning about this condition, but that seems to be logical. Hopefully it will work out for me that I can get a prescription for just the night of the test, when there is monitoring and a qualified tech there to make sure all is aok.

[Netskier]

Paula02: Sounds like you're a considerate person that you were conscious of trying to be quiet. I wish you had been my neighbor during my last test. During my last test I could hear the guy in the next room yakking away on his phone until bedtime, which was 11pm. After 11, his yakking turned to loud snoring. He finally settled down but I still couldn't get to sleep. If I owned a sleep clinic I hope that I'd try to put some effort into soundproofing the rooms. Seems like they just lease regular old office space and leave it at that. Right now I'm just glad that I have insurance and that they ok'd a 2nd study.

Uncle: I see the point about not prescribing for home use. I'm just learning about this condition, but that seems to be logical. Hopefully it will work out for me that I can get a prescription for just the night of the test, when there is monitoring and a qualified tech there to make sure all is aok.

Sleeping pills are depressants of the Central Nervous System. Monitoring could protect you if the monitors don't fall asleep.

I prefer non-pharmacological, more natural sleeping aids, such as Melatonin or Tryptophan (found in bananas). Warm milk before bed is a traditional home remedy for insomnia. Two or three bananas plus warm milk might do it, and you could test this at home. Melatonin is available at Costco and many food supplement stores. I almost never have sleep-onset insomnia, but I take melatonin if I want to go to sleep earlier than normal, and it works well for this. I take 1-3 pills depending on how much of a hurry I am in getting to sleep. I weigh 208 pounds. Tryptophan is also available from food supplement stores.

[tiltrite]

Thanks all for the information. I'm still quite new to treating this condition, and want to proceed in a smart, measured fashion. I'm 5'10'' and 225 lbs. I put on about 40 lbs. in the last couple of years, and have noticed the apnea symptoms since then. Hopefully weight loss will help, but in the mean time, I need to breathe and sleep. At this point I actually dread bed time, as I know that the choking and gasping is about to start.

My last tech seemed to be on the ball. I don't think she fell asleep. Maybe I will bring her an espresso next time.

[zonk]

I prefer non-pharmacological, more natural sleeping aids, such as Melatonin or Tryptophan (found in bananas). Warm milk before bed is a traditional home remedy for insomnia. Two or three bananas plus warm milk might do it, and you could test this at home.

Me too prefer banana smoothie with a double shot of rum.
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