URGENT....HELP.....cannot complete sleep study because of panic attacks and claustrophobia

[Zulema]

I suffer from panic attacks and claustrophobia.....I also have sleep apnea.....My equipment is old....CPAP machine is 8 years old....rest of equipment, hose, water container, mask have not been
replaced in about two years......my primary dr will not approve new equipment without a sleep study....last sleep study was 8 years ago....I have gained weight since then....I feel that my machine is not
working properly and probably is not programmed with correct pressure....water container is broken and full of hard water deposit....I desperately need new equipment.....I sleep but it is not good quality
sleep....most mornings I wake up with sore throat and gasping for air that triggers a panic attack......my question is....is there anyway to bypass sleep study so insurance can pay for equipment.....(I attempted
sleep study a month ago and could not complete it because of panic attack)...hope to hear from someone soon...thank you so much

[Julie]

Hi, I think (sorry!) that after so long and with other changes taking place you'd be doing yourself a disservice to not get the new study. I also think the sore throat's probably due to GERD (acid reflux) and you should get that checked with your MD... is there also a way you can work with someone to help lose some of the new weight, and a therapist to help with the panic? Can't imagine any insurance co. that would let you skip the study but still pay for anything. A new study - taken with an Ambien that many people take when they do the studies - could really help. Just one little pill won't do anything but help. If you have to, get a new MD who's more flexible and knowledgable.

[Pugsy]

Have you checked on the possibility that your insurance would be satisfied with a home sleep study and avoid an in lab experience?

[JolietJake]

After a miserable sleep study experience, my anxiety kept me from returning for a titration for almost 3 years. But here's what helped me gather the courage to finally return and get the titration (and machine paid by insurance):
1. Support system: we got a sitter for the kid and my amazing wife came along to the study to be my "wire wench". She helped immensely with cable management, emotional support, water/snack/bathroom, and peace of mind. She even had to sleep on the floor as to not interrupt testing. Love her so much for that.
2. Familiarity: knowing the equipment must surely help, I luckily took to the nasal pillows rather quickly. But I planned ahead and knew which position I slept best in and committed to getting my gear on and sit in that position for the test for as long as was needed.
3. Drugs: 2 pills of Xanex helped some, but not as much as the above. I also very seriously considered getting rather drunk to get to the point where you just don't care.
4. After getting the machine, I found the keto diet and have had great success (30+ lbs lost, diet only, ) if you need something to try for weight loss.

Alternatively, after paying a high deductible across 2 years, it would be just about cheaper for me to buy a machine out of pocket. Even at a grand for the machine I'd be ahead of I just bought it and played with the settings myself. I was not impressed with my sleep nurses at the office and I'd rather rely on my own experimentation and the collective knowledge of this forum and its beautiful people at this point.

[Zulema]

Hi, I think (sorry!) that after so long and with other changes taking place you'd be doing yourself a disservice to not get the new study. I also think the sore throat's probably due to GERD (acid reflux) and you should get that checked with your MD... is there also a way you can work with someone to help lose some of the new weight, and a therapist to help with the panic? Can't imagine any insurance co. that would let you skip the study but still pay for anything. A new study - taken with an Ambien that many people take when they do the studies - could really help. Just one little pill won't do anything but help. If you have to, get a new MD who's more flexible and knowledgable.

thank you so much Julie.....

[Zulema]

Have you checked on the possibility that your insurance would be satisfied with a home sleep study and avoid an in lab experience?

thank you so much.....will look into this....

[Zulema]

After a miserable sleep study experience, my anxiety kept me from returning for a titration for almost 3 years. But here's what helped me gather the courage to finally return and get the titration (and machine paid by insurance):
1. Support system: we got a sitter for the kid and my amazing wife came along to the study to be my "wire wench". She helped immensely with cable management, emotional support, water/snack/bathroom, and peace of mind. She even had to sleep on the floor as to not interrupt testing. Love her so much for that.
2. Familiarity: knowing the equipment must surely help, I luckily took to the nasal pillows rather quickly. But I planned ahead and knew which position I slept best in and committed to getting my gear on and sit in that position for the test for as long as was needed.
3. Drugs: 2 pills of Xanex helped some, but not as much as the above. I also very seriously considered getting rather drunk to get to the point where you just don't care.
4. After getting the machine, I found the keto diet and have had great success (30+ lbs lost, diet only, ) if you need something to try for weight loss.

Alternatively, after paying a high deductible across 2 years, it would be just about cheaper for me to buy a machine out of pocket. Even at a grand for the machine I'd be ahead of I just bought it and played with the settings myself. I was not impressed with my sleep nurses at the office and I'd rather rely on my own experimentation and the collective knowledge of this forum and its beautiful people at this point.

WOW!!!! you did it......I am working on weight issue...I know it's a factor.....I don't drink....but I am so desperate about this study that I might consider drinking some wine.....

[LSAT]

Deleted

[MrsRinPDX]

Family members with claustrophobia have been given Xanex too. (Theirs was for a 45 minute MRI of the head). It is worth looking into.

[D.H.]

How were you able to complete the sleep study eight years ago? What has changed since then?

[chapa.r]

When i first started using the ffm on my machine, i had the claustrophobic sensation. I used a Xanax to get through the night . That little pill helped me through the process.