ULPT Request: How to fake/increase the results of a Sleep Study?
Posted by throwawayfl2248@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 10 comments
I have a sleep study later this week. To add context but skip details I had an "at home" study done that diagnosed me with mild to moderate sleep apnea if measured at a 3% metric but my insurance will only help if the 4% metric hits where it needs to and it just missed which is incredibly frustrating.
I have an in person study at a lab this week. Is there anything I can do to make myself stop breathing more often in my sleep or snore loudly and all the things similar? Was thinking that drinking beforehand might be a good way to do that. Any other ideas or suggestions? Really would love for insurance to front the bill if I can make it happen.
Can't wait to hear the piss disc suggestions on this one.
MomAndDadSaidNotTo@reddit
Don't drink, the tech will be able to tell. They attach you to all sorts of wires and shit and will spend a good 15-20 minutes right up in your bubble. Even if you can hold your shit together without slurring (unlikely) they'll smell it on you.
They'll probably give you Ambien for the test cuz they know people have a hard time sleeping in an unfamiliar setting. That takes care of the drugs. If you're really worried about it, don't sleep the night before and sleep on your back when you go in.
Tbh tho these other folks are right, the at home tests are worthless. If the people around you are saying it's real bad then they'll catch it.
taleovertealeaves@reddit
when I did my sleep study they told me it was 20x worse when I was on my back and I should not do that. so maybe sleep on your back instead of your side for a teensy boost? sorry, not very ULPT haha, but thought it might be relevant anyhow. good luck to you! it really sucks that they gatekeep how many times you're allowed to stop breathing before they give you help. even if you don't die, losing o2 messes with your brain. I wish I had more ideas for you.
pinetreeclimbing@reddit
At home studies are garbage. My at-home study was similar, but my in-person showed severe.
Capt_Trippz@reddit
Yep. They can’t tell for sure if you’re awake or asleep. So if you wear it 8 hours but only sleep for 5, the number of apneas will be divided into 8 instead of 5, giving a falsely low index. It has to be at least 5/hour to be considered treatable.
Capt_Trippz@reddit
Alcohol or benzos or opioids, but pick one, don’t mix. Also, sleep on your back as much as possible. Is there a spice, cat hair, etc that gives a mild allergy, enough to stop up your nose without anaphylaxis? If so, utilize it.
Try not to be so obviously inebriated that the tech can tell or be able to smell it, because it might end up in their notes.
Also, do you use Medicare? Medicare forced the change from 3% desaturations to 4%, and sleep labs will often just go by Medicare rules, even if you have a different insurance. If you don’t have Medicare, are you sure that your insurance actually uses 4%, or did the sleep lab tell you this?
Source: was a sleep tech for 13 years.
Syncerror24@reddit
I’ll second the beer suggestion, my snoring goes from a 2 to a 10 after a few (6 or more) cold ones
trippingmonkeyballs@reddit
Alcohol.
Punkeewalla@reddit
Just keep practicing, you're almost there. Stay up later. Sleep with the TV on and a belly full of beer.
trinaryouroboros@reddit
Expose your nostrils to something abrasive, like flower pollen, dust, or smoke. Smoke especially causes the nasal cavities to close up. Do it right before the exam. Add caffeine to the mix, not too much, to also cause sleep interruptions on the sensors. Also never rely on home exams, if they say mild chances are the centers machines are going to say positive for apnea.
explalnsobviousjokes@reddit
If your nose is plugged up, that might help you snore more. Maybe some wadding up your nose or tape to cover it?