Sleep Study Question

[weeble]

I'm just wondering how often people with auto machines have a sleep study (if at all) - the only reason I ask is because my specialists "don't believe" in auto machines so when I was first diagnosed, I had to buy a fixed pressure ($ making on their part as more sleep studies are required) I'm thinking because of auto machines one wouldn't need regular studies - if you do, can you explain why? Since I've been sick I haven't had a study in 2 years but am wondering why would I still need one if I now have an auto machine?

TIA

[parkerdt]

All I can share is my experience with me and a co-worker.

I have High Blood Pressure, Diabetes type 2, and high cholesterol. I had no issue getting a sleep study approved.

My co-worker has none of these co-morbidities. He was not able to get a split study or even a single night for titration approved. They gave him an auto set for 4-20. He's complaining about the ever-changing pressure disturbing his sleep.

So we're working with SleepyHead to get him dialed in a bit.

I believe this is a reasonable approach for uncomplicated OSA, though it does force the patient to take some responsibility. Not a bad thing, in my world.

My Doctor ALWAYS prescribes adjustable machines, but he wants his patients (including me) on fixed pressure (with EPR, if necessary) to minimize arousals. The adjustable machines are such a small incremental cost that he likes to hedge his bets.

Dave

[nelamvr6]

I hava an auto, and I had one study and I'm not planning on having another.

With the help of this and other Apnea support forums, and by using Sleepyhead, I was able to dial my pressures in myself.

So I don't anticipate ever needing to visit the sleep center ever again, unless I develop weird complications.

[weeble]

I hava an auto, and I had one study and I'm not planning on having another.

With the help of this and other Apnea support forums, and by using Sleepyhead, I was able to dial my pressures in myself.

So I don't anticipate ever needing to visit the sleep center ever again, unless I develop weird complications.

Thanks - this is what I'm thinking too! Logically it doesn't make sense to me to keep having studies when the machine is doing it all plus as you say sleepyhead and I also use rescan. I just like looking at both lol

[DMR1]

I hava an auto, and I had one study and I'm not planning on having another.

So I don't anticipate ever needing to visit the sleep center ever again, unless I develop weird complications.

I'll second that. Continuous sleep studies don't make any sense to me. I see positive (and perhaps life-saving) results now, so as they say, "If it works don't fix it."

[DariaVader]

The only way I will have another study is if there is some huge change. such as, a big change in weight, either way - or a need for bilevel.

[weeble]

Awesome - thanks guys. I was being pressured by the sleep study people and I honestly could not see any point in it. If I still had my fixed pressure machine, sure...a change in pressure may be needed but then again, I could do that myself anyway. But for an auto machine I just didn't see the logic. You've set my mind at ease Cheers

[cate1898]

Unless advised by a doc, how would a person know if they are better on fixed pressure, or auto?

[WakeUpTime]

One needs the first sleep study, and a handy titration sleep study following that (if not done during the first study).

Like others have said, if one's circumstances change significantly (weight, other complications, etc.), then another sleep study could be requested -- but I find one would really have to convince a doctor that it was extremely necessary.

[Sleeprider]

I had a diagnostic sleep study in 2008 and was not very tolerant of the sleep study environment. I was issued my first Respironics M-Series Auto then and told to self-titrate. I've never set foot into another sleep center or sleep specialist since. My PCP takes care of updating prescriptions using my instructions.