Cpap machine and surgery

What, now I hear about this? LOL  Thank you for telling me!!!! 

I guess maybe it isn't commonly done because it nets the sleep lab far less $$$ than a study in their clinic.  I know a sleep study is about $450.00, but I imagine a titration study nets them even more, since they have to actually keep an eye on your data as they move you through the different pressures all night long.  It's seems like such a racket, the sleep lab business, my own good sleep clinic even has an expensive Medigas store, more like a kiosk actually inside it!  The MD suggested that I  could get my machine there in "minutes" for my convenience, when the same machine was cheaper at Shopper's Drug Mart's Home Health Care Centre and I got amazing service there - a free 6 week CPAP loan, when Medigas wanted to charge for a rental... 

I was told by the secretary on Friday of my sleep clinic, that the sleep MD may just reduce my machine pressure without another titration study because I no longer snore when I fall asleep on the sofa (not good behaviour for someone with sleep apnea) and have lost over 100lbs since I had my last study done (last May).  I'm feeling an additional air pressure I didn't feel before I'd lost as much weight (although it's hard to explain the feeling) and I am swallowing air in the morning and belching some of it up as well, which I didn't until more recently too.

OHIP won't pay for another titration study until next May, which I think is rather unfair, given that my cir****tances have changed greatly.  Sure, if you had a sleep study that proved you conclusively that you didn't have sleep apnea and you requested another study within 2 years, then maybe, just maybe I can see OHIP's point, but when  you had severe apnea and your weight changed drastically, then I think it's totally unfair to make you pay for another test within a two year period.

The first sleep study I had done years ago, which could have diagnosed me & made me feel so much better with a CPAP was "inconclusive" because I had not slept "long enough" when they woke me at 7am.  The second, successful sleep study & the titration study were both pretty much nightmares.  I have insomnia anyway and the beds were both like rock and swayback (if that's even possible), so my back hurt & I couldn't get comfy, and the pillows were too thick, so I ended up not using one (the second study I brought a pillow), and the rooms were very hot, even in my capri-style PJS with a PJ T-shirt.  I only used a thin hospital blanket, it was so hot.

I'm only venting (please excuse that) because I can't believe this home titration study - I might not have had to go through with the second nightmare of a titration study.

If you don't mind me asking, who allowed you to do a home titration study?  Were they anywhere near the GTA, because I'd sure prefer to drive far to get there, rather than go into the sleep clinic again.  I want to see him/her instead!    What kind of machine are you using?  Did you use your own machine, or one the sleep clinic lent you for the home titration?  I just can't get over doing it at home, in my own comparatively comfy bed, with no wires hooked up everywhere and no one pressuring you to turn out the light when all you want to do is read one chapter of a book to hopefully feel a little relaxed & more like sleeping.  Home titration - WOW - that's PROGRESS!

Thank you!!

Jenn.  :)

I think the reason the doctor let me go this route is because I had already had a sleep study done but because the other results were from a doctor facing incompetency charges and OHIP won't cover another sleep study it was determined that I should have the auto titration. 

I had never heard of this method either but then again I didn't know to much about sleep apnea anyway. 

I am going thru ProResp in London and the RT is Carrie and she is wonderful!!!

Thank you Alysan,

You had special cir****tances.  Too bad you had to deal with an incompetent MD.  London is a little far to drive maybe as well.  Thank you for the info though. 

Jenn.  :)

I started my cpap machine 2 days before surgery, there was no issue..Krista..

Thanks for the responses everybody :) Right now I am using a mask that covers my nose, but has a big plastic bit on my forehead. It's the one that came with the machine (Phillips respironics system one) I had to go back to it after trying the small nasal one which made the choking even worse. I've also tried a full mask that covers my mouth as well - again, waking up choking and ripping the thing off my head. The woman at my home care dept thinks the pressure is too high, so we'll see at this next sleep test.

I haven't even actually had a sleep test done in two years - I went for one on advice of my psychiatrist in October 2011. They told me I had mild sleep apnea, but between the time I had the test and the time I saw the doctor I had lost a significant amount of weight so they said I'd need to do another test. I never bothered with it. Of course I then gained and lost more weight, gained it all back again, and then when the nurse at TWH asked about apnea I figured I should go for another test. The sleep doctor decided to just set me up with the machine based on the sleep study from two years ago as my weight is close to what it was then. I think the pressure is at a 7. So this titration study will be interesting, because maybe the pressure is all wrong. When I sleep without the mask I don't remember waking up, and I certainly don't wake up choking like I do with the mask on. 

Anyway I am going in to see the homecare lady one more time tonight to see what they can do about this weird burning smell (get me a new machine!) and I may just end up going to a different place in Brampton. I like to support the businesses in my small town, especially the pharmacy because it's independent and we have two giant Shoppers here too, but if I can test masks out elsewhere and maybe get better service...

It sounds like I should just forward both sleep study results to TWH and take it from there. Found out just now the team hasn't looked at my file yet so I probably still have a month or so before I get a surgeon appointment and maybe by that time I'll be having better luck with this horrible machine! For sure by surgery I would hope to have it all sorted but that is probably 2014 so I guess I have a lot of time ;) 

I have been using my cpap for over a decade now so I have lots of experience.  My first or second machine had the burning smell and then it stopped working shortly after, so it is worth looking into. It took me a long time to get used to the mask too - I really hated it at first and would tear it off during the night or forget to put it back on if I got up to use the bathroom. Also would use it for a few weeks then stop and of course I would be more and more exhausted, so eventually I would go back to using it. I have moderate to severe sleep apnea so it has really helped me. Is it sexy?  No! Is it annoying?  Yes. Does it work?  Yes it does and I am grateful that there is treatment. As for the chip thing I have heard many say they have a chip that they bring in.  I have never been told that there is a chip and that I have to bring it in. So maybe it depends where you take the sleep tests?  I look forward to having my apnea hopefully gone after my weight loss as my doctor thinks it is caused by excess weight in my case.  Good luck and if you have any apnea questions just ask.