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Permalink Reply by Mike on September 18, 2010 at 10:02pm

sounds like a load of crap to me... the machines aren't 100% accurate, but i wouldn't think the margin of error would be big enough to dismiss the numbers altogether and call for a sleep study. maybe they're 90% accurate whereas the sleep study would be 99% accurate. i can't imagine the difference would amount to a hill of beans when it comes to making any practical decision about your treatment.

definitely get other opinions on this. i'm not a doctor. but those are my thoughts.

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on September 18, 2010 at 10:44pm

I, too, am not a doctor or other health care professional so please take that into account.

I know during my initial sleep study I only slept a little over 2 hours total. I seriously doubt that it was an accurate snapshot of my whole sleep patterns -- I do believe it was an accurate snapshot of that ONE night and that my sleep apnea is within the results of that test.

There are too many variable to take into account and that cpaps that provide data CAN and DO provide data that can show trends and problem areas.

I don't know what your pressure requirements are or what machine you specifically have -- but I would hesitate to do another expensive sleep test without more than "the data isn't very accurate on the machine" excuse.

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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope www.hope2Sleep.co.uk on September 19, 2010 at 6:27am

I'm wondering if perhaps the doc means he can only see the AHI and not the separate numbers for the actual Apneas and Hypopneas. The reason I say this is that my Intellipap only shows the AHI and not how it's calculated. Does that make sense?

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Permalink Reply by 99 on September 19, 2010 at 12:23pm

what sort of dr are they that cannot interperate the sleep study
you need the copy of the previous sleep study even if you do not understand it and you need to keep this permanently and only show a photocopy to those who ask

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Permalink Reply by Judy on September 20, 2010 at 10:27am

Ahhh, doctors. Some of them are so good at spreading b*ll sh*t. Sometimes to cover their own inadequacies, other times to cover their laziness and yet other times to pay for their Mercedes or BMW. And once in a rare great while you find a good one. You haven't found the good one yet.

It is true that none of the manufacturers reveal their "algorhythm" trade secrets. But that is immaterial in the sense this "doctor" is trying to get away w/using that as an excuse. Counter this character's suggestion of a new sleep study in May (May? this is September!) with a WRITTEN request for 1] a copy of his dictated results from each of your previous in-lab sleep evaluation/titrations studies, 2] a copy of the full scored data summary results w/condensed graphs from each of your previous in-lab sleep evaluation/titrations studies, 3] a copy of the full printout of each download of data that has been done from your PAP since you started using it and 4] a copy of your equipment order (script) and any additional scripts that may have been provided if there has been any changes made to your original prescription.

These reports and scripts are all part of your medical records and assuming you are in the USA you have a LEGAL RIGHT to these copies under HIPAA. You are not burning any bridges w/this written request - but - written requests do catch their attention as paper trails can be quite revealing if a HIPAA complaint needs to be initiated. All this written request does is make him sit up and take notice that you intend to be a patient who is educated, informed and involved in your own treatment.

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