What is learned in a 'nap study"?

[oldfart59]

So what would a nap study show that a sleep study does not? I just know it is during the day. And what will this show?

Thanks

[ajack]

I haven't heard of this before, but it does get more money out of their lab. ka-ching. A nap study of 90-120 minutes should do a sleep cycle and show any obvious problems and see if the current pressure settings are doing their job. What do they want to check?

[OpalRose]

I’ve not heard of this either, but my friend google has.

Google Nap Sleep Study

“The multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) tests for excessive daytime sleepiness by measuring how quickly you fall asleep in a quiet environment during the day. Also known as a daytime nap study, the MSLT is the standard tool used to diagnose narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.”

[KSMatthew]

I’ve not heard of this either, but my friend google has.

Google  Nap Sleep Study

“The multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) tests for excessive daytime sleepiness by measuring how quickly you fall asleep in a quiet environment during the day. Also known as a daytime nap study, the MSLT is the standard tool used to diagnose narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.”

Sounds like the opposite of a MWT (maintenance of wakefulness test).  An MWT tests your ability to stay awake in a darkened, quiet room.  It's an all day deal.  Every hour or two you lay down on a reclined bed, and the lights get turned down.  If you don't stay awake for the 20 min test period, you fail.

I did one and asked the tech if anyone ever failed.  He said he only saw two failures, both commercial truck drivers.

[oldfart59]

Well, I can fall asleep during the day in 10 minutes if I am sitting quietly. I now have to attend more meetings at work, and noticed that I will get sleepy, and one time jarged myself awake. that is not good, and don't want to start Snoring in a meeting. ( can be morning or afternoon) 

OK, it may be just another money grab. PErhaps I need to find a real doctor.

[ajack]

No I didn't mean it was a money grab from you. It was a money grab from the facility, utilising their lab to its fullest use and increasing revenue. If you can use a room for 2 or possibly 3 people in a 24hr period, is more money than one person.

[Sleep2Snore]

I’ve not heard of this either, but my friend google has.

Google  Nap Sleep Study

“The multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) tests for excessive daytime sleepiness by measuring how quickly you fall asleep in a quiet environment during the day. Also known as a daytime nap study, the MSLT is the standard tool used to diagnose narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.”

That clears that up for me, the only one I had heard of was to see how long it took t fall asleep in a quiet room and to see how low your oxygen saturation levels got in a measured time.  Strange that it was a Narcolepsy doctor that mentioned it at a Sleep Apnea conference several years ago, in fact a long time ago.

[oldfart59]

So, they will see that I can fall asleep in 10 minutes during the day. What will this show? Will this get some indication on what I need to do to NOT fall asleep? If they want me to do yet another sleep study and nap study, Is it worth it, or just a money grap, and it really will get no new data?

[OpalRose]

So, they will see that I can fall asleep in 10 minutes during the day. What will this show? Will this get some indication on what I need to do to NOT fall asleep? If they want me to do yet another sleep study and nap study, Is it worth it, or just a money grap, and it really will get no new data?

If you read the bolded insert above, it states that they are looking at narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. It can’t hurt to have the test...especially since you can’t stay awake during the day.

If a diagnosis can be made, then your doctor can discuss treatment options with you.

[ColoradoMom]

Your doctor likely ordered a nap test (MSLT) because they want to check for narcolepsy (my son's sleep doctor just ordered the same test). The MSLT is normally scheduled to follow an overnight sleep study. For the MSLT they will ask you to try to take 5 scheduled naps. To diagnose narcolepsy they need to see both short sleep latency and an early onset of REM sleep. Narcolepsy is not curable but it is treatable, so there is value in a diagnosis.

A couple of questions...
Have you ever experienced muscle weakness or a feeling of paralysis while experiencing strong emotions, such as laughter (catalepsy)?
Have you ever felt a feeling of muscle paralysis either before falling asleep or right after waking (sleep paralysis)?
Have you ever experienced dream like hallucinations before falling asleep or after waking up?
Not all narcoleptics would answer yes to these questions, but yes answers to any of these questions could  be a red flag.  

A couple more questions...
Is your sleep apnea considered treated?
Are you taking any medications that may impact your sleep?
My son's doctor suspected narcolepsy was a possibility but she did not order the MSLT until after his sleep apnea was deemed treated and he was off of all medications that could impact sleep. 

Good luck to you!