After your sleep study, were you diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?

[wombat_5606]

How do you question a treatment plan when you haven't been diagnosed yet?

Would I be more clear if I said course of treatment, with the sleep study being the first step

 

[wombat_5606]

Not upset at all, just shaking my head in disbelief in all the angst over a non-invasive common test that is the gold standard for ruling out the most obvious reason for snoring.

And to quote you, you have your opinion, I have mine.

You should leave this thread if the topic is causing you so much angst. Shake your head all you want, but I just can't get over the fact that you can't allow me to question something that I'm being asked to do that could potentially change the rest of my life, gold standard or not.

Is it the gold standard for occasional snoring? How many times a week does the gold standard say I should snore before I get a sleep study? What if I snore on my back, but don't snore if I sleep on my side? What if I only snore every 2-3 weeks for one night? Is that enough snoring to be life threatening?

What if I question the manner in which my sleep study was done? Does the gold standard say you must sleep on your back or in your natural sleep position during the study?

I question the gold standard because there are just too many variables, one for prescribing a sleep study in the first place and then the administration of the study itself.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

You should leave this thread if the topic is causing you so much angst. Shake your head all you want, but I just can't get over the fact that you can't allow me to question something that I'm being asked to do that could potentially change the rest of my life, gold standard or not.

Is it the gold standard for occasional snoring? How many times a week does the gold standard say I should snore before I get a sleep study? What if I snore on my back, but don't snore if I sleep on my side? What if I only snore every 2-3 weeks for one night? Is that enough snoring to be life threatening?

What if I question the manner in which my sleep study was done? Does the gold standard say you must sleep on your back or in your natural sleep position during the study?

I question the gold standard because there are just too many variables, one for prescribing a sleep study in the first place and then the administration of the study itself.

Well, just because you snore doesn't mean you have apnea. The take home machines aren't testing for snoring, but to detect if you stop breathing for three seconds or longer and how often during the night that occurs. And you are more likely to snore and have apnea on your back. When I did sleep studies, they told me to sleep however I normally do.

I totally understand what you mean by change the rest of your life - I think that's something that everyone should consider when being tested and deciding whether or not to seek treatment. As for testing, having a diagnosis on your medical record could affect your insurance. It affects how practitioners and specialists evaluate and test for other disorders. Treatment can involve medication that you could potentially be on for the rest of your life. These aren't decisions to take lightly.

When I first saw my GP about sleep problems, she diagnosed me with anxiety/depression. I wasn't surprised about the anxiety diagnosis, but decided to hold off on treatment (medication with some potentials serious side effects and addictive qualities) until doing the sleep study and potentially finding a sleep disorder. It was a chicken-or-the-egg scenario.... something that seriously contributes to my anxiety is falling asleep in public and the social implications that are a result of that. If I fix the sleep thing, maybe I won't be so anxious. When the sleep specialist pulled up my file, he could see the diagnosis and asked why I wasn't taking medication. I told him that the medication seemed intense, and I wanted to search for a more natural solution.... to which he asked if I would seek treatment for a potential sleep disorder, and if I knew I didn't want to do treatment, why get tested? He also explained to me how medical records look to doctors.... it's kind of like a resume or profile that they can base judgement on.

So yes, you have every right to question/refuse testing and treatment. And whether you accept or refuse treatment affects how doctors perceive your medical record. It's your body, your health, and you have the right to do research and make an educated decision.

 

[wombat_5606]

Well, just because you snore doesn't mean you have apnea. The take home machines aren't testing for snoring, but to detect if you stop breathing for three seconds or longer and how often during the night that occurs. And you are more likely to snore and have apnea on your back. When I did sleep studies, they told me to sleep however I normally do.

I totally understand what you mean by change the rest of your life - I think that's something that everyone should consider when being tested and deciding whether or not to seek treatment. As for testing, having a diagnosis on your medical record could affect your insurance. It affects how practitioners and specialists evaluate and test for other disorders. Treatment can involve medication that you could potentially be on for the rest of your life. These aren't decisions to take lightly.

When I first saw my GP about sleep problems, she diagnosed me with anxiety/depression. I wasn't surprised about the anxiety diagnosis, but decided to hold off on treatment (medication with some potentials serious side effects and addictive qualities) until doing the sleep study and potentially finding a sleep disorder. It was a chicken-or-the-egg scenario.... something that seriously contributes to my anxiety is falling asleep in public and the social implications that are a result of that. If I fix the sleep thing, maybe I won't be so anxious. When the sleep specialist pulled up my file, he could see the diagnosis and asked why I wasn't taking medication. I told him that the medication seemed intense, and I wanted to search for a more natural solution.... to which he asked if I would seek treatment for a potential sleep disorder, and if I knew I didn't want to do treatment, why get tested? He also explained to me how medical records look to doctors.... it's kind of like a resume or profile that they can base judgement on.

So yes, you have every right to question/refuse testing and treatment. And whether you accept or refuse treatment affects how doctors perceive your medical record. It's your body, your health, and you have the right to do research and make an educated decision.

Thanks so much for this post. I, too, think this is a diagnosis with huge implications and I hadn't even thought of a few points that you've raised.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks so much for this post. I, too, think this is a diagnosis with huge implications and I hadn't even thought of a few points that you've raised.

It appears to me you don't want to take the test and are simply looking for reasons to justify that stance. Here's the thing, you don't need to justify it. Just don't get the test done. No one is forcing you to get the test and no one can force you into treatment you don't want.

 

[wombat_5606]

It appears to me you don't want to take the test and are simply looking for reasons to justify that stance. Here's the thing, you don't need to justify it. Just don't get the test done. No one is forcing you to get the test and no one can force you into treatment you don't want.

Well, go back and read Post #1. Thanks for contributing to the thread.

I object to the way the test has been administered and I object to the way I understand the test will be scored.

I object to the potential diagnosis, which remains on my medical record, whether I decide to use the CPAP or not. I reference the information provided in Post #83.

This thread has been beneficial to me, whether some of the posters thought so or whether they think they know what I want to know.

 

[sam_gordon]

Well, go back and read Post #1. Thanks for contributing to the thread.

I object to the way the test has been administered and I object to the way I understand the test will be scored.

I object to the potential diagnosis, which remains on my medical record, whether I decide to use the CPAP or not. I reference the information provided in Post #83.

This thread has been beneficial to me, whether some of the posters thought so or whether they think they know what I want to know.

Since you are so strong in your objections, DON'T. TAKE. THE. TEST. Until post #83 were you convinced you should take the test? 40% of the people responding to your poll said they were not diagnosed with sleep apnea. Was that enough to tell you not everyone tested is diagnosed?

 

[wombat_5606]

Since you are so strong in your objections, DON'T. TAKE. THE. TEST. Until post #83 were you convinced you should take the test? 40% of the people responding to your poll said they were not diagnosed with sleep apnea. Was that enough to tell you not everyone tested is diagnosed?

DID YOU READ POST #1?

 

[sam_gordon]

DID YOU READ POST #1?

So you've had the test and are waiting for the diagnosis? Then post #83 doesn't help. The diagnosis is going to be in your record regardless.

At this point one of two things will happen...
1) They'll say you have a severe enough case of sleep apnea that you require treatment and (probably) proscribe a CPAP.
2) They'll say you don't have sleep apnea (or a mild case) and don't need any treatment.

If #1, ask the doctor what other treatments are available if you don't want to do cpap. If #2, it's a moot point.

 

[robinb]

I’m answering for my husband. Yes, he was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I love his CPAP machine.

 

[wombat_5606]

So you've had the test and are waiting for the diagnosis? Then post #83 doesn't help. The diagnosis is going to be in your record regardless.

At this point one of two things will happen...
1) They'll say you have a severe enough case of sleep apnea that you require treatment and (probably) proscribe a CPAP.
2) They'll say you don't have sleep apnea (or a mild case) and don't need any treatment.

If #1, ask the doctor what other treatments are available if you don't want to do cpap. If #2, it's a moot point.

With all due respect, I know what my choices are.

Post #83 is relevant to me now because I'm screwed any way I go now whether CPAP is required and I use it, whether CPAP is recommended and I use it, whether CPAP is recommended and I'm non-compliant.

My concern is that I was sent for the sleep study, I've done it and I don't like the answers I get from my Dr. concerning how the study was performed and the results it may show. Seems to me that, IN MY SITUATION ONLY, that the study is skewed to ensure an apnea diagnosis.

I felt like, IN MY SITUATION ONLY, that I should have had other diagnostics prior to this one since this one has such far reaching implications on your entire medical file, as mentioned in Post #83.

If you use a CPAP and you are happy and you are confident in your diagnosis, absolutely wonderful!!!! I truly am glad you got the help you need.

I am just not convinced that because I snore 1 night out of 3 weeks, that I have such a dire medical need to use a CPAP for the rest of my life. So, am I jumping the gun because I don't have a diagnosis? YES!! But I intended to just have a conversation. I didn't know so many people would be so defensive about a CPAP.

 

[DLgal]

I am just not convinced that because I snore 1 night out of 3 weeks, that I have such a dire medical need to use a CPAP for the rest of my life. So, am I jumping the gun because I don't have a diagnosis? YES!! But I intended to just have a conversation. I didn't know so many people would be so defensive about a CPAP.

Can I ask you why you even sought help for such intermittent snoring? Who made you convinced that this was a problem? Do you have ANY other sleep apnea symptoms that were bothering you (excessive daytime sleepiness, heart rate irregularities, etc). If not, I'm just trying go understand why this was enough of a problem that you even sought medical advice.

I'm gonna be honest. I snore. Sometimes. My husband has told me so. Doesn't bother him enough to make an issue out of it. He pokes me, I stop, he goes back to sleep. No harm, no foul. I wear a night guard for teeth grinding and it sometimes makes my mouth fall open, so I snore when I end up on my back. I have no reason to be worried about my snoring. It's not loud enough to be worrisome (like, it can't be heard from down the hall) and I have no daytime sleepiness issues.

I'm just trying to understand why you even went to the doctor with this if you weren't looking for a diagnosis of some sort. There are plenty of OTC snoring aids out there you could have tried. Go out and get a Z Quiet, start using mouth tape, raise the head of your bed, try some allergy meds if you have congestion...there are lots of easy solutions for occasional snoring.

 

[wombat_5606]

Can I ask you why you even sought help for such intermittent snoring? Who made you convinced that this was a problem? Do you have ANY other sleep apnea symptoms that were bothering you (excessive daytime sleepiness, heart rate irregularities, etc). If not, I'm just trying go understand why this was enough of a problem that you even sought medical advice.

I'm gonna be honest. I snore. Sometimes. My husband has told me so. Doesn't bother him enough to make an issue out of it. He pokes me, I stop, he goes back to sleep. No harm, no foul. I wear a night guard for teeth grinding and it sometimes makes my mouth fall open, so I snore when I end up on my back. I have no reason to be worried about my snoring. It's not loud enough to be worrisome (like, it can't be heard from down the hall) and I have no daytime sleepiness issues.

I'm just trying to understand why you even went to the doctor with this if you weren't looking for a diagnosis of some sort. There are plenty of OTC snoring aids out there you could have tried. Go out and get a Z Quiet, start using mouth tape, raise the head of your bed, try some allergy meds if you have congestion...there are lots of easy solutions for occasional snoring.

I didn't seek help for snoring. I was there for other issues and my Dr asked if I snored and off we went.

Most of those things your suggested, I have tried, except for the Z Quiet. I'm not familiar with that. As it stands now, it's too late until I get the report back from the sleep study.

 

[wombat_5606]

For everyone that has participated, thank you. Some of you have been more helpful than others.

I will now have to leave this thread for some time in the future. I have plans and things I need to do caused by Dorian, the hurricane. I have to be packed and at my local airport by 6am tomorrow. I wasn't supposed to leave until Wednesday, but if I did that, I might not be able to go. I'm going to be in Florida to help my daughter who is a new transplant to the state and by herself. Who knows if or when we will have power.

Thanks again.

 

[tex1989]

Really for me it comes down to some simple truths. I felt like crap for a long time, tired, run down, waking with headaches, low energy and a host of other aches and pains. I am 60 years old, I am overweight, I snore. I took the test, never for two seconds considering the implications of how it effects my medical records or insurance. I went to the sleep test after the take home test where they let me sleep with a CPAP machine. I woke up the next morning feeling better than I had in five years! At that point I really did not care what the cost, effect on insurance, or effect on medical records were. I knew I wanted my own machine period end of sentence. I know it is working for me, I know I feel better.

I am pragmatic enough to know that there may be consiquinces associated with being diagnosed with certain conditions but if it is so apparent that it effects your quality of life then who cares?

I am 60 years old and only have so much life left and I want to enjoy it and not be limited as to what I can do. So if that means carrying a CPAP machine with me, or taking certain medications, or doing whatever I have to do to continue to enjoy my life and my Disney trips then I say bring it on!

 

[PollyannaMom]

For everyone that has participated, thank you. Some of you have been more helpful than others.

I will now have to leave this thread for some time in the future. I have plans and things I need to do caused by Dorian, the hurricane. I have to be packed and at my local airport by 6am tomorrow. I wasn't supposed to leave until Wednesday, but if I did that, I might not be able to go. I'm going to be in Florida to help my daughter who is a new transplant to the state and by herself. Who knows if or when we will have power.

Thanks again.

Good luck to you and your DD!

 

[IndianaMouse]

I had one because I had most of the symptoms of sleep apnea but it came back negative. Instead I was diagnosed with Periodic Limb movement disorder. Which explained why I couldn't/can't stay awake anytime I sit down for more than a couple of minutes.

 

[bushdianee]

Both of my parents were tested and my dad didn't have apnea despite having all of the symptoms (obese, heavy smoker, snored, etc) my mom who had the same symptoms except she had quit smoking did. Between my 7 siblings and I, 5 of us all have it. One more brother probably did have it but died (in an accident) before we could talk him into being tested. My one sister was just diagnosed and was so bad she's on a bipap. I had been after her for years to get tested but she always blamed her extreme snoring on allergies. Another sister has a pulmonary stenosis so she technically doesn't have apnea but the CPap helps her.

 

[Hrhpd]

Most of those things your suggested, I have tried, except for the Z Quiet. I'm not familiar with that. As it stands now, it's too late until I get the report back from the sleep study.

Just curious, if you only snore once a month and it is not affecting your quality of life at all, why have you tried practically every OTC snore or apnea relief aid on the market?

And if you are so against sleep studies and concerned about repercussions of having the diagnosis on your medical records, why on earth did you agree to have the test? You could have said no and scheduled a second opinion from an ENT like you said you preferred. But not is all lost. You will now have your results and if positive, you can still schedule that appointment with the ENT sleep specialist to discuss ALL options for sleep apnea treatment. You may not have to have a CPAP and even if the docs do recommend one, you still have the right of refusal to treatment. So nothing to get angry about. You are in complete control of your medical treatment.

However, if you do accept the CPAP treatment from your doc, your insurance most likely will put you through a compliance testing period where they will make sure you wear it for at least 4 (or whatever their parameters are) days a week before they will pay. Most CPAPs automatically send your results to your doctor every morning. However, with a good google search, it is easy to disable this nice little feature on your machine. Not that I would know anything about that

And just to put your mind at ease, you are not going to get "screwed" on your medical records with a sleep apnea diagnosis. It has only been a benefit for me. I have had 6 major surgeries since my diagnosis and it has only been beneficial. I have not had to go through a pre-op sleep study and the anesthesiologist can be prepared for any potential breathing stoppages, which could be lifesaving on the operating table.

I get a bonus on my health insurance for treating a silent killer successfully.

My diagnosis has not affected any "Pre-existing" clauses in any of our trip insurances as it has been successfully treated for at least 6 months.

I have not experienced a single negative of having sleep apnea on my records. It is not the horror you are anticipating.

Wishing you and your daughter safety and peace of mind during Dorian.

 

[Boardwalk Jedi]

DH did the study and to my surprise, was NOT diagnosed.