Sleep study results.

[ChrisCoilMonkey]

Hi there

I'm Chris, 44, 149kg (yes I know....)

I have just been diagnosed with OSA and quite honestly I'm a feeling a little bit in the dark.

I understand what OSA is, how it can affect me and how CPAP helps. What's getting me is how little information I was given.

Please bear with me while a run through the time line.

February 2023 GP visit for a referral to sleep clinic
August 2023 got contacted by sleep clinic and sleep study carried out
March 2024 Finally got an appointment for a telephone call with the sleep consultant.

In that Telephone appointment I was told that I do have OSA but no mention of mild/moderate/severe. I was told that my O2 went down to 91% during the study, that I spent 63% sleeping on my back, the rest on either side. And that was it.

I was told that I would be sent an appointment within 4 to 8 weeks to attend the sleep clinic and to be issued a CPAP machine.

Like I said I feel a little bit left in the dark at the moment, if anyone could shed so e light on the following I would be very grateful

Q1. Is this a normal run of events in other people's experience?

Q2 is this lack of information normal at this stage?

Q3 does anyone know which CPAP machines are issued by the NHS or does it vary by which hospital trust you're covered by?

Q4 once you have your CPAP machine, are you able to change masks if the one you are issued does not suit you?

Q5 how long before you feel improvement in sleep/general wellbeing? I understand this will vary dependant on severity of OSA and other factors but just a general idea.?

Q6 how loud are the machines? Are they easily portable? Is there a lot of variations between models etc?

Q7 what is the average air speed of an unladen swallow?

Thanks in advance for any replies

Chris

[Kelly @ Intus]

Good Morning,

Thank you for your post.

Please find my response to your questions below

The severity of your sleep apnoea depends upon your AHI score. Your AHI score is how many sleep apnoea events you have per hour. Mild is an AHI of 5-15 events/hour. Moderate is 15-30 events/hour and severe is 30+ an hour. Is there an AHI score on your results letter?

Q1. Is this a normal run of events in other people's experience?
I can’t comment on the NHS time line as this can vary from trust to trust.
We (Intus Healthcare) offer a sleep test service to help customer who need this process achieved faster, which is then followed up with treatment if required.

Q2 is this lack of information normal at this stage?
Is the lack of information regarding your diagnosis or equipment required for sleep apnoea going forward you are after?

Q3 does anyone know which CPAP machines are issued by the NHS or does it vary by which hospital trust you're covered by?.
This depends upon the Trust. From what our customers have advised, this can be the Resmed Airsense10 CPAP machine or the Philips Dreamstation CPAP machine

Q4 once you have your CPAP machine, are you able to change masks if the one you are issued does not suit you?
You would need to ask them this when you have your appointment.

Q5 how long before you feel improvement in sleep/general wellbeing? I understand this will vary depending on the severity of OSA and other factors, but just a general idea.?
This can depend upon the severity of your sleep apnoea. For those who have day time sleepiness and are severe, this can be anything from a few days to a week or 2. The target AHI with a CPAP machine is 5 events per hour or under, which is achievable.

Q6 how loud are the machines? Are they easily portable? Is there a lot of variations between models etc?
The main CPAP machines are around 30 decibels. So can be quieter than some peoples snoring.
The main CPAP machines come with a travel bag so you can pop everything in the bag and travel with it. There are travel CPAP machines also available, but this may not be accessible via the NHS.
With regards to variations between the modes, the auto CPAP machines all work the same way, It is just some of the features that vary from machine to machine.

Q7 what is the average air speed of an unladen swallow?
I am not a medical professional, so I would not be able to answer this question.

If you would like me to email you some information about the CPAP machines and masks then please email me at [email protected]

Kelly