Question:
Has anyone NOT been required to take the Sleep Apnea test?
Everyone I know has had to take the Sleep Apnea sleep study test. I was told that since I didn't have any of the signs of Sleep Apnea that I didn't need to take the test. My friend just had her test done & the results showed that she has Severe Sleep Apnea. It's making me scared that I haven't taken the test. Please let me know if did NOT take the sleep test. Thanks!! — Michelle E. (posted on September 19, 2003)
September 19, 2003
I did not have a sleep apnea test, my surgeon has never come across a
problem with it while doing the RNY.
— Kriola
September 19, 2003
I have all the signs of sleep apnea. And the Dr. documented it for ins.
purposes but I wasnt required to have the test either.
— loisph
September 19, 2003
I didn't have to have a Sleep Apnea test done. Of course my surgeon did
say if I had trouble getting approved because of the lack of co-morb's I
might want to have the study done. I didn't have problems in this area so
I knew it wouldn't do me any good. Luckily for me, my insurance approved
on the first try, with the fact that I was 100 pounds over weight and had a
BMI of 40.
— D L.
September 19, 2003
I had to see a pulmonologist but he cleared me without any testing since I
didn't smoke, have asthma, and no symptoms of sleep apnea or other
respiratory problems. Actually, the only testing I had done was what the
hospital required for anesthesia and an EKG because I was over 50. I came
through the surgery great.
— Patty_Butler
September 19, 2003
I did not have a sleep apnea test done. I have never had any signs of
sleep apnea. Both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist were fine with me
going ahead without the test, and I had no problems.
— Vespa R.
September 19, 2003
Hi, I didn't have to take a sleep study test. Really, the only thing I
had to have done was the psych evaluation. Other than that.....nothing.
Everything went great with the surgery, and I am doing 130 pounds.
— MedTrans
September 19, 2003
Hi, when I went for my consult with my surgeon, she looked at my sleep
questionnaire; she said I probably have sleep apnea, and she was gonna list
it on my list of co-morbidities; she didn't order a sleep study for me, but
she said that if insurance requested one that we would schedule it.
Insurance didn't request it, so I never had one done. I'm now 4 1/2 weeks
out and down 25 lbs. I didn't have any problems during or after surgery.
Good luck!
— Moysa B.
September 19, 2003
Hello-
I also was not required to take the sleep apnea test. My Dr. asked me if I
had any problems, and when I didn't have any of the signs of apnea he told
me I was not required to have the test done. Surgery was on 07/01/03, down
52lbs and feeling good!
— J O.
September 19, 2003
I was not required to take the sleep test and have been approved without
it. Because I have taken a little quiz that shows I have a great
possibility for sleep apnea, I have pursued this test on my own. Ginger's
story from the memorials page made me realize that I have control over my
own health and need to do this even if it is not required.I snore loud
enough to wake my husband and send him fleeing to the other side of the
house with pillow and blanket in tow. I have fallen asleep without meaning
to while watching T.V., Always fall asleep on any road trip that lasts more
than 45 minutes,fall asleep within 5-10 minutesafter going to bed,etc. If
any of these apply to you, check it out. Better to be safe.
— Barbara D.
September 19, 2003
I wasn't required, however it was because I didn't know that I really had
it. After my surgery, when I was recovering that night, my nurse said I
stopped breathing a few times, that isn't a nice thing to wake up to,
however it was nice to be able to wake up to hear it. So, if you remotely
THINK you may have any sleep apnea symptoms AT ALL, please play it SAFE and
get it checked out. No amount of money (co-pays or full pays) is a reason
to avoid this....
— Karen R.
September 19, 2003
My doctor questioned me & did not feel that I had sleep apnea, so he
did not order the test. My snoring did concern me greatly, so I decided to
take things in my own hands & listen to my breathing all night. I set
a recorder by my bed & recorded my sleep all night. I snored, but I
seemed to be sleeping comfortably. I didn't feel like I had apnea, so I
was comfortable with his decision not to give me the sleep study. I came
through the surgery just fine & recovered very well.
— Amy A.
September 19, 2003
I did not have a sleep study and I was comfortable with that , if you are
not comfortable, speak with your physician.
— **willow**
September 19, 2003
Hello. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea but never took a sleep study test.
I guess it depends on the doctor.
— AmyWollet
September 19, 2003
HI- Never had the test and none of my doctors thought it was necessary. I
did wake up sometimes needing to take a deep breath, but it was never bad
enough to call it sleep apnea. My family physician believes I had
"sleep disturbances" from my weight, but not full Apnea. Lots of
people don't need the test. I wouldn't worry unless you strongly feel you
have been misdiagnosed. Good luck!
— toolio
September 19, 2003
I didn't have it done and it was not a requirement that I do.
— Beverly S.
September 19, 2003
Sort of the going thought is if you do not complain of being tired all day
and morning headaches etc. and have a BMI less than 50 then the sleep study
is not mandatory. Usually if your BMI is 50 or above and you have not
previously been diagnosed with SA then they will require it. I was unhappy
I had to have one because I had a sleep study in 1997, which showed I had a
rare daytime sleep disorder, but normal amounts of unobstructive apneas.
So I figured it was a waste of time. However, it's amazing what 100-150
lbs will do. I came up with pretty severe sleep apnea and was put on
bi-pap setting of 22/18, which let me tell you is very high. However, I
did have symptoms for like 2 years but because of the other disorder I
wrote it off to that and not taking my meds like I should etc. I also had
been sleeping in the recliner for a long time because my back hurt and
because I tossed and turned in bed and slept like garbage. I wrote it all
off to pain, but was likely SA rearing it's ugly head. I'm sure mine would
have been caught way earlier if I did not already have the other disorder.
<p>If you have no symptoms I would not worry about it. But if you
are really worry talk to your PCP and they will either help you understand
why you do not need it or may decide to order it themselves. Good Luck on
your upcoming surgery!
— zoedogcbr
September 19, 2003
Michelle, I am the best friend of Ginger Brewster, the lady listed on the
memorial page of this website, who died because she had the surgery with
undiagnosed/untreated sleep apnea. In my opinion it never hurts to be
tested, just in case you do have it. If you don't have it, so much better,
but please be safe rather than sorry. Best of luck to you for a safe and
successful surgery.
— Hackett
September 19, 2003
Susan, I agree with you but the only problem is if she has zero symptoms
then insurance could possibly not end up covering it. If she has a
sympathetic PCP she might be okay but usually they refer to a pulmonologist
who then makes the decision if a study is needed, so she would have to lie
to a number of people.
— zoedogcbr
September 19, 2003
I did not have to have the sleep test done. I have no symptoms of any
sleep disturbances, and the internist at the Center for WLS (where I am
going) said that it wasn't necessary. But, if you are uncomforable with
not having one done, then have one done. Whatever you feel is best for
YOUR health and safety. :-)
— BeckyT
September 19, 2003
stop worrying. I didn't take it either. In the screening questions the
surgeon asked you, he determined if you seemed ot have it. If you had it,
you'd know because you would always be tired and restless. I looked at it
as one less thing I had to do (hoop to jump thru). I'm sure you took time
to pick a surgeon you trusted so trust his opinion.
— Donya P.
September 19, 2003
I have a real problem with surgeons who do not require the sleep apnea
test...Sleep apnea is a huge medical problem.People have died from
undiagnosed sleep apnea.It puts a strain on your heart and respiratory
system and it lowers your blood oxygen level.Most morbidly obese people do
have sleep apnea to one degree or another.I did not have any real symptoms
of sleep apnea but I decided to get the study done just as a precaution
because I wanted to go into surgery in the best possible health.The study
showed that I did in fact have it and required a cpap.A friend of mine is
going to have wls and his surgeon doesn't require the test.I made him
promise me he would get the test done anyway.He said that he didn't think
he had apnea because he didn't have any of the symptoms.Well he got the
study done and he has apnea.My opinion is better to be safe than sorry.
— jennifer A.
September 19, 2003
I did not have an apnea test, nor did my sister or several others that used
my surgeon. I don't snore and didin't exhibit any of the symptoms pre-op.
I often asked my husband to watch and see. Anyway, if you are confident in
your Dr.'s ability to operate on you, feel confident in his pre-op testing
requirements, and if you are still concerned, ask him to order one for you.
— Fixnmyself
September 19, 2003
I didn't even though I had a lot of the signs, it was probably severe!
— jen41766
September 19, 2003
I had NO SYMPTOMS but nearly died after minor knee surgery. My WLS had the
test confirmed severe sleep apnea. After my terrible knee surgery
experience my WLS was no problem at all. Get tested it can save your life.
— bob-haller
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