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Ever been bitten by a "Sleep Test" ?
I recently went to a doctor because when I made the appointment, I had wheezing coming from my lungs after I got done with my open water ocean swims for a few weeks. When I heavily exhaled, I could also hear some bubbling in my lungs, which had happened many years ago when I had some type of lung infection which antibiotics cleared up. By the time of my appointment, it was already gone, but I kept the appointment anyway.
For some reason the doc prescribed asthma medicine even though I have never had asthma. I mentioned that when I did have the wheezing, that a few times I got extremely sleepy, and had shortness of breath while laying down. For this, she suggested I get a) blood work, b) a chest x-ray, and c) a sleep diagnostic. After leaving, I began to feel like the doc completely missed the mark, regarding what had occurred, and was overcompensating with tests after the symptoms were gone. But one thing really concerned me, and that was that if the sleep test somehow showed anything like sleep apnea (which I have never suffered from), that this could somehow make its way into my medical records, and possibly interfere with getting a Class III medical, which I have due in a few months. I am inclined to not do any of what the doc suggested, given that my symptoms actually were gone before I even went in. Have any of you ever done a sleep diagnostic test, and later had issues with your Medical based on having done it? |
I wouldn't do it. You never know what they're liable to write on it.
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You pay them to keep you well, why buck their advice? In any case, I wish you well.
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sleep test
Given you are an open water swimmer,forgive me for asking is your neck size > = 7" ?, I don't know of anyone who was prescribed a sleep test who passed it.It's designed to justify prescribing sleep Apnea tests and treatments and CPAP machines,that require constant cleaning or risk lung infections,given that you have had them before? Blood tests are a different story.A full set of blood work can give you a heads up as to issues your having and areas to improve before they become issues.Not a fan of x-rays, MRI is the preferd diagnostic but its a good place to start.You can live for quite a wile with out food&water.Air not too long.It may not be a bad thing to have the puffer on hand if you find you can't breath after a hard work out or eating peanuts. Warm water in hot years = lots of bacteria you don't need to come in contact with. Not a Doctor just my experience IMHO.
RHill |
I've had sleep apnea and had no idea that I had it. I believe this is true for everybody who has it. There are hints other than body mass (I was lean, not chubby), such as, snoring. You may be fooling yourself, just as I was fooling myself. Better to find out and get it fixed than not.
Good luck! Ed |
I can shed some light on this subject. I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and use a CPAP. I did have to show to the FAA that it does not affect my flying. I have never tried to get a Class 1 but I am successful in obtaining a class 2. The only limitations is it expires all classes at one year Vs the standard down grade to a class 3. The first year took a few months for the FAA to review my Doc's report and then approved and sent a letter stating that the Flight Doc can approve every year after as long as my sleep doc showed treatment was effective. So now each year before I renew my medical I make a swing by the sleep doc and show him the CPAP readings and he writes a letter that I give to the Flight Doc. Haven't had any issues but depending on treatment effectiveness your mileage may vary. By the way I'm 6'1 and 200 pounds so it's not always from being obese.
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Im not a provider, but I used to own a couple of sleep diagnostic centers and worked with a lot of pilots. OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) is kind of a grey area with the FAA. At one point the diagnosis was on the list to get approval for local clearance and then leadership changed and it fell by the wayside.
It all depends upon the AME. Some are old school conservative and turn it into a big hassle and others get you cleared right away. Some Docs reverted back to the old procedures that took a long time. Others clear it locally and I?ve necer seen that kicked back by the FAA (that?s not to say it hasn?t happened). I strongly recommend Dr. Burr Ross an AME in Phoenix. His medical group owns sleeps centers and he is very progressive with pilots. (His wife is a retired airline captain). It?s not something to ignore. A sleep study can save your life. |
From what I have seen, very few people walk into a sleep study and don?t walk out with a sleep apnea diagnosis.
I do believe that some folks should be treated but I also believe that the whole sleep medicine industry is a money making machine that is totally out of control. |
I call it voodoo medicine. The results are preordained. When I got the appt for the sleep study I also got a second appt for titration of the CPAP. A while after using the CPAP they had me take a Maintenance of Wakefulness test - that's sit in a dimly lit room all day and don't fall asleep. I passed no problem but could have done so prior to the CPAP. But since it was AFTER the CPAP they claimed victory and said the CPAP was working. Once you are tagged with OSA it will never go away and you will be filing reports every year for a special issuance.
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For this, she suggested I get a) blood work, b) a chest x-ray, and c) a sleep diagnostic.
I would do a) and b) and then see what the results are. If they kick off something that the FAA doesn't like it should be fixed anyway. :) |
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