Sleep, Snores and Studies
Yes, I admit it. I snore. I come from a long, proud line of snorers, and although I rarely hear myself doing it, I have been told it is quite impressive. One night, my wife (also a snorer-in-denial) tried to videotape me. I was awakened by her setting up the tripod in a clandestine attempt to document my nighttime throat concert. I remained quiet and pretended to be asleep. After 20 minutes of my baby-like quietness, she turned off the camera and crawled in bed. Minutes later, SHE began to snore. Since the camera was already set up, it was an easy task to get her on tape. She was not happy about it.
Now, sleep apnea is another problem entirely. When you stop breathing for a prolonged period of time during your snoring, this can cause some serious strain on the 'ol heart - a man's second favorite organ. So, after a few years of threats and relentless begging, I finally agreed to a sleep study. I just got home from that experience. After two 12-hour shifts in the pediatric clinic, I was sure I would sleep like a log. Wrong.
I have never had a more uncomfortable night in my life. First, I was wired up like a robot put together by a two-year old. More than a dozen sensors stuck to my head, face, chest, legs, abdomen, up my nose, in front of my mouth; attached to my hairy body and face with gobs of disgusting glue. This stuff is on a man that can't stand wearing a RING to bed.
I was led to my bedroom for the night, a standard hammock-like hospital bed that still had the faint impression of the fat guy from the night before. I was to lie on my back (not the sleeping position that I have been used to for a half a century) and patiently wait about two more hours -- normal sleeping time. I tired of reading, but the wires all over my face annoyed me to no end. I was in multi-sensory overload for sure and very close to going insane. I had a pulse oximetry sensor on my right index finger, the one I would normally use to fish out an occasional rogue booger. Of course, I had one, and it was awkward for my nose to have a strange finger in there. I tried to watch TV, but there is something about a wired-up guy with bad vision and a 14 inch TV screen attached to a wall 20 feet away that was incompatible.
There were three other guys at the Sleep Center that night (in their own rooms, of course) including one very large Mexican fellow in the room next to mine. According to the experienced respiratory therapist, Mexicans are the maestros of snoring. I was able to confirm that observation over the next two more hours as he rattled my wall with the loudest snoring I have ever heard, with apnea pauses so long I thought he had died. I tried to use his snoring as some sort of "count the sheep" exercise, but to no avail. When the staff checked on me to find out why I was still awake at 2 AM, they understood why. The agreed to slap on a CPAP on him, a bizarre mask-like device that forces air into your lungs to stop the snoring and supply some needed oxygen to the brain. He finally quieted down, and I finally feel asleep...on and off, for about three more hours. I woke up at 5 AM, tangled in my wires and seriously needing to urinate. I figured there was no way that I would get back to sleep for the last hour of the test which ended at 6 AM, so I pulled off those damn sensors. Finally. Worst night of my life.
It is going to be a week or so before I get the results of my abbreviated sleep study, but I was told I didn't do that bad (whatever that means); certainly better than my Mexican neighbor who will surely go home with a CPAP. I can't imagine that I will be able to tolerate a CPAP...ever, both from the profound discomfort aspect and the obvious cosmetic effect. Maybe I will just dump my wife and look for a cute deaf woman.
Related Topics: Men's Sleep Apnea Increases Heart Problems, Treating Sleep Apnea Helps Heart Failure
Now, sleep apnea is another problem entirely. When you stop breathing for a prolonged period of time during your snoring, this can cause some serious strain on the 'ol heart - a man's second favorite organ. So, after a few years of threats and relentless begging, I finally agreed to a sleep study. I just got home from that experience. After two 12-hour shifts in the pediatric clinic, I was sure I would sleep like a log. Wrong.
I have never had a more uncomfortable night in my life. First, I was wired up like a robot put together by a two-year old. More than a dozen sensors stuck to my head, face, chest, legs, abdomen, up my nose, in front of my mouth; attached to my hairy body and face with gobs of disgusting glue. This stuff is on a man that can't stand wearing a RING to bed.
I was led to my bedroom for the night, a standard hammock-like hospital bed that still had the faint impression of the fat guy from the night before. I was to lie on my back (not the sleeping position that I have been used to for a half a century) and patiently wait about two more hours -- normal sleeping time. I tired of reading, but the wires all over my face annoyed me to no end. I was in multi-sensory overload for sure and very close to going insane. I had a pulse oximetry sensor on my right index finger, the one I would normally use to fish out an occasional rogue booger. Of course, I had one, and it was awkward for my nose to have a strange finger in there. I tried to watch TV, but there is something about a wired-up guy with bad vision and a 14 inch TV screen attached to a wall 20 feet away that was incompatible.
There were three other guys at the Sleep Center that night (in their own rooms, of course) including one very large Mexican fellow in the room next to mine. According to the experienced respiratory therapist, Mexicans are the maestros of snoring. I was able to confirm that observation over the next two more hours as he rattled my wall with the loudest snoring I have ever heard, with apnea pauses so long I thought he had died. I tried to use his snoring as some sort of "count the sheep" exercise, but to no avail. When the staff checked on me to find out why I was still awake at 2 AM, they understood why. The agreed to slap on a CPAP on him, a bizarre mask-like device that forces air into your lungs to stop the snoring and supply some needed oxygen to the brain. He finally quieted down, and I finally feel asleep...on and off, for about three more hours. I woke up at 5 AM, tangled in my wires and seriously needing to urinate. I figured there was no way that I would get back to sleep for the last hour of the test which ended at 6 AM, so I pulled off those damn sensors. Finally. Worst night of my life.
It is going to be a week or so before I get the results of my abbreviated sleep study, but I was told I didn't do that bad (whatever that means); certainly better than my Mexican neighbor who will surely go home with a CPAP. I can't imagine that I will be able to tolerate a CPAP...ever, both from the profound discomfort aspect and the obvious cosmetic effect. Maybe I will just dump my wife and look for a cute deaf woman.
Related Topics: Men's Sleep Apnea Increases Heart Problems, Treating Sleep Apnea Helps Heart Failure
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39 Comments:
I'm posted to have a sleep study myself, concerned I'd never be able to sleep unless I have my slew of meds I take every night. But I giggled as I read your article and made me a bit more at ease. I know I snore, I wake myself up, in the hospital I've had so many complaints they put me in my own room. Oh well, I go in and pretend I'm a pin cushion, lay on my back, not my position of choice either. Hopefully they'll be good news!
Based on tings happening to me & what my family said about my snoring, I finally agreed to a sleep study. It was not done in the lab-like atmosphere I envisioned with people watching me in a hospital bed through a window like big nurse in one flew over the cuckko's nest, but was done in an atmosphere more like a comfortable hotel room - private bath, TV, etc. We were instructed to bring & use our regular medications, and were told that if we normally used alcohol before bedtime to bring that too. After I fell asleep, a staff member entered the room and said that monitoring showed that my oxygen level had dropped so much that they wanted to put a cpap on me. They did, & the results were amazing. I felt better the next morning than I had in years. I refused to leave until I had my own machine. Yes, the machine can be aggravating, and there are tricks to its use, but it has changed my life for the better. I've gone from being one who resisted sleep studies to becoming one who advoctes them for everybody!
I am 50 yrs. old, a music teacher. I have three music-related jobs, so I see about 700 people, including children, a week.I have been to see my Dr. more times than you can imagine, to complain of tiredness, lack of energy, no resistance to colds and viruses. I was blessed with a new life last summer, when I got married for the 2nd time and we bought a house with a private beach and quiet neighbors. A great place to rest! HAH! Fresh air and dust: my snoring got WORSE. In early April, I got up to use the bathroom around 2 AM, and somehow I passed out on the floor for at least 2 hours. I had a SERIOUS concussion (I was afraid it was a stroke) and three days after the initial fall I lost my ability to speak as well as muscle control of my left hand and arm. After the initial CAT scan and MRI (both showed no stroke activity) my Dr. began to take my constant fatigue a little more seriously. I spent a night in the sleep clinic, wired for sound. I was excited about the prospect of finding out what had shut my brain down and caused my fall. When the technician put that mask on, the difference was IMMEDIATE. I awoke the next morning: no, not fully healed, but I had the three BEST hours of sleep I had had in 20 years. I use my cpap faithfully, and now that I'm used to it, hardly even feel it at night. My husband is happy that I no longer snore, and I can actually stay up later than 9:00 at night (and my speech has returned). My advice: if you are a busy person and tired ALL THE TIME, please dicuss the possibility of sleep apnea with your DR. It's NOT just a remedy for a snore: it could save your life.
I am 18 years old. I just graduated from high school. After several years of my dad trying to figure out why I was always so tired it was decided that I should have a sleep study. So at the time that I was finishing my junior year of high school I was discovering that I did have a not mild but very moderate case of sleep apnea and it seemed that I had it from the time I was born. The sleep studies I had were in a bedroom type setting and due to always being tired I had the ability to pretty much fall asleep anywhere but all those wires were very annoying. I had also been very sick as a young child up until I ended up receiving a CPAP machine of my own. The differences that I saw were amazing. Considering I had never experienced an apneic free night I did not realize what it meant to feel truly awake. I had been told that my second sleep study with a CPAP machhine on would make me feel amazing and much more awake. I was told that I may even wake up before the time required by insurance was up and I still needed to lie there to finish the study. However, when I awoke I felt a little more awake but returned home to sleep for about six more hours without a machine. Feeling very discouraged I talked to my aunt who made me realize that 17 years of unfulfilling sleep cannot be fixed in one night. Over the past year I have used the machine religiously, at times, noticing that I have more rest and energy and have rarely been sick. My grades in school and ability to remember things have also improved. Now of course there have been times while sleeping at friends or throwing parties I took "breaks" from my machine and decided that I did not need it I would become very tired once again and attempt to ignore it but I have always gone back to wearing it and think that I am now finally realizing that I need to wear it every night. It is still very hard for me to think that I may very well have to sleep with this machine on for the rest of my life. As it is I have tried to hide the machine when friends came over because I did not want anyone making a big deal out of it. Now although it is hard for me to think that throughout all the important times ahead of me having a CPAP machine in my bedroom may make things difficult between me and any potential husband or even a guy that I decide to live with. Despite all of this I am still glad to know about sleep apnea and glad to have a CPAP machine. Over the past year I heard a girl describing how she felt while she had mono and it was very strange for me to realize that was how I thought everyone always felt I believed it was normal. Now I can have more fun with friends and even hopefully do better in college than I would have. You truly do have to get used to the CPAP machine but it can change your life, oh and personally I found online a new mask called the cpap pro and for me wearing the straps all over my head was unbearable I felt like a dog with a muzzle on and since I have owned the cpap pro mask I have been much more comftorable. The CPAP machine still gives off a hum but I was recently informed by a friend of mine that my snoring was louder and she preferred when I wore my machine even around her than just having to listen to me snore. Hopefully, you and the first to comment both had good news but to anyone who does happen to have it even my older sisters who have watched me become accostomed to this machine and dealt with the same symptoms have been tested with the hope that they too could become fully rested and be able to pay more attention to their children, husbands, and jobs.
I am just tired of the constant headache, bodyache, lack of concentration and just plain too tired to do anything feeling. I cannot wait to have my sleep study done. I do not care about wires and probes. I just want an answers. I am not too excited about wearing somthing on my face all night, but if I get relief, then BRING IT ON.
I was waking myself up with my snoring and gasping for air. It seemed like a dream, and I have dreamed of trying to come up for air from the bottom of the ocean.
I knew the symptoms of sleep apnea and asked my psychiatrist to refer me for a study. He did, and I do..have speep apnea. I hate the Alien Machine beside my bed, but when I allow it to work, I feel so much better. Rested. Not so goofy.
Have the test. It is your life at stake!!I am 56 and female.
I KNOW I SNORE,BECAUSE I'VE BEEN TAPED BY MY FIANCE,BUT HE ALSO SAYS I STOP BREATHING IN MY SLEEP,WHICH I DENIED AS I ADDITIONALLY DID TO THE SNORING UNTILL HE PROVED ME WRONG,I GUESS I NEED A TEST DONE AS WELL,LAYING ON MY BACK WILL SURELY BE A KILLER,I HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FALL ASLEEP THAT WAY-WELL WISH ME LUCK ON MY NEW JOURNEY AS I GET TESTED LIKE A RO-BOT AS WELL.
I just had it done after going without good sleep for a few years and I feel like I took control of my life, and maybe saved it!
I just had a sleep study last week and got my results today. I found out I have sleep apnea and I snore. (I thought my husband was just teasing me!) I have been battling with constant fatigue and confusion, etc. for years but I finally got a doctor to take me seriously. The sleep study was horrible, but at least I know what's wrong and how to fix it.
My husband refuses to even consider the fact that he might have sleep apnea. I realize some men don't want to think they might be a candidate for a sleep study, but I am so afraid that one night he won't resume breathing and I'll have to revive him or worse, won't be able to revive him.
Any suggestions? I plan videotaping him. I hope that doesn't alienate him from the sleep study further.
He's 65 and we've been married only 2 years after both being single for a very long time each. I don't want to loose the best thing to happen to me (besides my grandchildren) in almost 30 years.
How do I help him see this as a critical, possibly life-and-death issue without seeming overly dramatic?
Thanks for the blog.
I recently had an experience in a sleep lab and like some of the previous postings, it was a horrible night. I had not been educated properly prior to this study therefore almost going into a panic attack when the tech came in 3 or 4 different times during the night trying to install this mask over my nose and mouth. Now what a comforting feeling that was!! I'm not accoustomed to having strangers coming into my bedroom to install a mask on my face! I'm not convinced at this point that I can go through with another sleep lab experience although my doc is encouraging me to do so. More education and time will tell.
I just this afternoon returned from getting the results of a sleep study I had two weeks ago. the study itself was difficult. The wires drove me crazy However to my surprise I did sleep! they had warned me that if I had a moderate or severe case of apnea they would wake me up in the middle of the night to put me on a cpap machine. I was very plesently surprised that I woke at my usual time of 6:00am. No machine on my face. I was told by the technician that I had only a very mild case of apena. her only other comment was that I did snore quite a bit. I was completly surprised when a week later the Dr. called and told me that he had just read my study and was having oxygen delivered to my home! Boy did I have a few questions for him today. it seems that I "woke up" 83 times in the night due to my snoring and my oxygen levels dropped to 82% all caused by snoring! after sleeping with the oxygen I was totally amazed at how much better I felt. I woke up and was truly awake! no grogginess no aches and pains. it was amazing! and after reading the effects on the body that have oxygen deprevaton I will sleep with the oxygen, I belive it will help save my life. I have no wish to suffer a stroke or heart attach I plan on seeing my children grown and hopefully even play with a few grandchildren some day.
Well...welcome to my world. I've been battling lack of sleep for years, and it would get so bad, that midafternoon, I could be swerving all over the road. I'd love to tell you that your cpap will solve all your problems...but for me, it certainly did not. At times I think its improved, but mostly NOT. I certainly went years with a mask that I just hated. Too configning, fitting over my entire nose. Now I have a "breeze" headgear, that comes over my forehead, and has pillows that fit right into the nostrels. Much more tolerable for me. I recently left my machine at home # 2, and had to go a week without. That proved to me, that cpap was doing something. Good luck to all, as we try and get some real rest. But don't hold your breath. (no pun intended).
I denied having sleep apnea for over five years...finally to quell the concerns of my family, I made the appointment with the Pulmonary Specialist, who in turn, referred me to a Sleep Study. The room was hotel-like, sans TV and mini bar. After being hooked up, I fell asleep -- and about an hour and a half, was awakened by the Sleep Tech who confirmed I had a few episodes of apnea. (Later, the Dr. informed me that I had 57 episodes and termed my case "serious". About a week later, I received my CPAC and have been using it nightly. Even though I sleep only four to four and a half hours, I feel great. I'm still getting used to the machine and nostril pillows -- instead of the hard mask, but my family is sure happy I went through with the test. If anyone has been nagged at by the family, I say go get the test done. I heard that approximately 70-80% of apneacs don't go for medical assistance -- looking back, I feel that I lost one if not both of my parents from apnea-related illnesses. I'm getting up the nerve to quit smoking next!
What is all the fuss about had my sleep study 2 weeks ago, fell asleep at 10pm then she woke me a 1am and told me to put on a cpac couldn't beleive how fast 5:30am came, got up and went to work. And yes she said I would more than likely need a c-pac. I said no problem never slep so good from 1am to 5:30am.
I was alarmed when i could no longer be awaken by the phone ringing, or rude neighbor ringing my doorbell at 11 pm. the sleep study was very helpful but a strange experience, I have stay at a lot of hotel's but never overnight at a hospitals. Sleeping with Paste in my hair, Probes and wire attached. and someone recording me.
Still having problems wearing the machine. The sales rep. saw the air flow can only be adjusted after another sleep study. I feel better when i wear the mask. I went to the library got some books hoping to make some sense out of all of this. It would be so much easier if I could "just do it"
one night my wife woke me up and said I stopped breathing for a full two minutes, then snored loudly enight to keep her up the rest of the night. Then said that I would have to either go see a doctor or find another place to sleep. I went and had a study done. To add to the uncomfortable probes and wires I did mine at a military hospital. It took exactly two hours for the nurse to wake me up and introduce me to a CPAP machine. For about a year it did great but now I am back to snoring and have a small leakage problem with my mask. Still with all that I will not sleep without my mask even if it is just a catnap. Hopefully I can figure something out with my mask. Not really wanting to do surgery, but with tonsils that make any doctor shake his head, I am sure surgery is in my future.
I have had about 3 years as I can recall, a problem where I would go to sleep in inappropriate places. I arrived home around 9:00 p.m. one night and my husband was at a ball game. I pulled into the garage, turned off the car and sat there. I was thinking about groceries I had brought with me and deciding if I would unload all of them or only take in the cold stuff. I finally decided to take the cold stuff and let my husband unload the rest in the morning. I went in the house and the phone was ringing...it was our youngest daughter (24 y/o) saying "MOM where are you??? We have been calling you for 2 hours we called 911..." little did I know I had fallen asleep for 2 hours in the dark garage.
In july of this year I continued to practice an unsafe habit of sleeping on the toilet. I would just go in there and maybe 20 or 30 minutes or more wake up and go back to bed. Until...July 18 I did a belly flop in the dark bathroom and it was like a huge whip lash for my body. IT still did not send me for answers.
Nov. 8, I was sitting on the edge of our very high platform bed...again inappropriately sleeping and my husband many nights would wake up and say..."don't sleep sitting on the edge of the bed!!!! you might fall"....welll, sure enough Nov. 8....my Lord, it was alwfull. I still have a huge lump on my left cheek bone and it is Dec. 28. I bruised my face, sholder, and both knees severely....still I did not go to a doctor.
On Nov. 18, while attending a Gideon's Prayer Breakfast I ask a couple of people....what do you thinik is wrong with my leg... they said..."you have cellulitis" well I went to the hospital emergency room and was hsopitalized for 6 days with deep vein thrombosis, cellulitis and they discovered my oxygen level would go as low at 70 percent and my doctor said I need to have a sleep study for possible sleep apnea.
Dec. 6, I had the luxury hotel sleep center. I am recommending it to everyone. I now have had my CPAP for 2 weeks, I am at a level 14 for air pressure and I don't sleep or nap without it. I am regaining energy, don't sit in the chair at night and fall asleep and snore louder than the t.v.
I am expecting more and more improvements. My husband maintains "whether you say it will work or it won't work you are right." I chose to say "IT WILL WORK.' good luck to you.
Im not sure if having a cold with sore throat is my problem. Havent slept in three nights, feels like I cant breathe. I dont even get to sleep for two seconds and this happens. Whats up?
My husband is only 24 yrs old, but comes from a family of severe snorers. His father definetly has some form of sleep apnea as I've experienced this on numerous occasions when visiting their home. The snoring is so loud and disrupts everyone except my husband who can sleep quite peacefully right next to him on the couch and he too snore away! My husband along with his father avoid the doctor's office at all costs and his father has never been treated for a sleep disorder and choses to live that way. I know by the time my husband reaches 50+ he'll be a snorer just like his father and I hope by then he'll see a doctor. He knows he snores, I've taped him and videoed him and family and friends have told him of his snoring. I don't think he has sleep apnea he doesn't stop breathing but I am concerned about the effect this will have on his health long term. I am in the medical field and he won't listen to me. Any suggestions?
I did not enjoy my own sleep studie wires everywhere plus i dont sleep on my back.The tech came in to place the CPAP on me during the night i asked him if i even slept I dont recal even falling asleep he said yes i as sleeping.I was awake at 6:30 with the CPAP on and felt like i was run over by a mack truck.The teck asked if i felt rested haha hardly.Well ive had my CPAP for about a week and a half I can tell some difference when i wake up however i still feel tierd.The last two days ive been home with my sick 7 yr old and found myself napping in the recliner both days even now i want to go to bed.I guess my question is when will i start to really feel rested and not want to nap during the day? Am i just catching up to what ive been missing out on (sleep)all these years? or might I have something more going on? I want to feel more alive again.
I have been on a CPap for about two years and have constant trouble with the headgear, keeping it adjusted to stop the ever present leaks. I have been reading about CPap Pro, a device that molds to your top teeth and is held in place by your teeth. Two pads rise to the nasal passages.
Has anyone tried this and if so, do you like it?
Thanks,
Sleepless in Texas
I have used a CPAP machine for 15 years now and for all of you that are having sleep problems, do not be afraid to have the sleep test done. Sure it is a little uncomfortable and getting used to the CPAP machine takes some time, but it is the best decision I have ever made. Getting ready to go through another sleep test to make sure that the pressure is still correct after all these years. Looking forward to because since I have had the CPAP machine, I am NOT exhausted like I was.
Good luck to you all. Happy sound sleeping without the snoring.
I HAD A SLEEP STUDY DONE ON THE BEGINNING OF THIS MONTH, HAVE NOT RECEIVED RESULTS YET BUT THAT WAS ONE OF THE WORST NIGHTS OF MY LIFE, ALL OF THE PATCHES ON MY CHEST LEGS SCALP THINGS ON MY FINGER WAS JUST ANNOYING AND HAVING SOMEONE WATCH ME ALL NIGHT NOT MY IDEA OF A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP, THE BED WAS QUEEN SIZE NOT LARGE ENOUGH AND NOT SOFT ENOUGH I COULD NOT WATCH TV TO FALL ASLEEP BUT I FINALLY WENT AFTER HOURS OF LOOKING AT THE WALLS, THEN I HAD TO STAY THAT NEXT DAY FOR A NAP STUDY WHICH CONSIST OF 5 20 MINUTE NAPS BY THE TIME I"D FALL ASLEEP THEY WOULD WAKE ME UP AND ASK ME IF I DREAMED HOW COULD I IF I FELL ASLEEP ON THE 19TH MINUTE THEN THERE WAS A SIMULATED DRIVING TEST, IN THE DRIVING ROOM I HAD TO DRIVE THIS THING FOR 1HOUR AND 15 MIN. DOWN THE SAME BORING SCREEN OF HIGHWAYS I ALMOST FELL ASLEEP SEVERAL TIMES AND WRECKED THE CAR. STILL WAITING FOR MY RESULTS THAT I WONT GET UNTIL FEB. BUT I AND MY E,N,T KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME MY HUSBAND EVEN SAYS THAT I STOP BREATHING IN MY SLEEP HOPEFULLY I WONT PAST A WAY IN MY SLEEP BEFORE FEB.
After reading all the postings, I am compelled to share my story. No question about it. I too snore. Even as a child I snored. I was told NOT to sleep on my back and that would help. Fortunately, I have arrived at the ripe "old" age of 61, but I still snore, and more often than not I discover that I have rolled over and sleep on my back. Recently I was informed that my nightime oxygen levels were inadequate, and I was provided with oxygen. Then came the sleep study. At the conclusion I was EXHAUSTED, DIZZY AND NOT HAPPY. As we all know the wires, patches, and goop go with the territory. The room had a queen bed, but the bathroom was down the hall and around the corner; not private. My tech for the evening was a no-show, and the back up tech had to be called. Nice lady, but reminded me of Mrs. Doubtfire (remember Robin Williams?) except I think Mrs. Doubtfire was more compassionate and gentle. I was able to get to sleep, and when I got up to go to the bathroom, my tech announced that I would now have the CPAP for the remainder of the night. OK. I was fine with that. But, mine wasn't the cute little apparatus that only goes over the nose. Since I am unable to breathe through my nose when I sleep, I must have the monster that goes over my nose and mouth as well. OK, fine. I'll be a good sport; right. About 4:30am I awoke in a panic. The machine was forcing so much air that I couldn't catch my breathe to take a breath! I spoke to "the camera" and asked that the pressure be backed off. Oh, that helped. Then I was once again awakened with the pressure so high it was lifting the mask right off my face. I have never been so happy as to see 6am roll around. Was I ever ready to hit the road. But, when I got up, I was so light headed that I couldn't stand up. I was out of breath and exhasted. This was not what I had expected. Perhaps "Mrs. Doubtfire" could have offered a little more instruction or explanantion of what to expect. I don't know, but in my humble opinion, the whole experience was a NIGHTMARE AT THE SLEEP STUDY CENTER! It took prablaby ten days to get the results: Significan Sleep Apnea. I have made friends with my oxygen (I've even given the machine a name). I do feel better. Now it's on to the ENT. I'm thinking surgery. I know it's very painful, and doesn't come with a guarantee, but I would REALLY like to dodge the over the nose and mouth CPAP. Good luck to all of you.
I JUST HAD A SLEEP STUDY DONE AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL AND ALL IN ALL, I DID NOT THINK THE EXPERIENCE WAS THAT BAD. I'M NOT A FUSSY PERSON, SO THE WIRES AND SUCH DID NOT BOTHER ME, MY PROBLEM WAS MY LOWER BACK HURT SO BAD FROM SLEEPING FLAT. I USUALLY SLEEP ON AN INCLINE. MY TECHNICIAN WAS WONDERFUL AND VERY KIND. THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE WAS NO BIG DEAL. NOW I HAVE A 2ND APPT. TO GO BACK FOR MY CPAP MACHINE. I HAVE SEVERE SLEEP APNEA, BUT THE FACILITY DIDN'T TELL ME HOW MANY TIMES A NIGHT I STOPPED BREATHING, BUT THAT I DID HAVE SOME LIMITED LIMB MOVEMENT AND LOWERING OF MY OXYGEN LEVEL. SO FROM OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW THAT HAVE SLEEP APNEA AND USE A CPAP MACHINE, THEY SAID THEY NEVER SLEPT BETTER AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO A TRULY DECENT NIGHTS SLEEP.
I initially came onto the site to look for tips on how to deal with the sore nose associated with wearing the CPAP nasal mask – just thought I would share my experience with the sleep center.
For those who might be reading this and are discouraged by some of the other posts, I would recommend visiting the center during the day so that there are no surprises the night of your study – if you don’t like the look and feel – check with your doctor for alternative sites – most areas have several sites that are equipped for these types of studies.
I’m a 51 year old male, probably 20 pounds over weight, - stories about my snoring are legendary. Since it seems most of my peers have gone the CPAP route, I mentioned it to my doctor and set up the study.
The center I went to only had two rooms – laid out and equipped much like a hotel – tv, DVD player, in-room bath. After getting wired up, the tech explained she would be monitoring my sleep and depending on the results, she may come in during the night to fit me with a CPAP mask. Getting to sleep took a few minutes longer than normal – but I awoke at my regular time – without a mask so I figured I was home free – but was told my doctor would decide the next course of action – if any.
Turns out the test indicated a mild to moderate case of OSA – and was back at the center last Thursday night. The unit I am using has a RAMPING feature that I can set to delay the full pressure till I fall asleep. Again it took a little longer to fall asleep, but I eventually slept through the night. The tech had mentioned that she may be changing the mask type depending on the results – but I awoke with the same nasal pillow type that we started with. The tech spent about 30 minutes fully going over the operation of the unit and sent me on my way with the device.
I can’t say I feel totally different – I really didn’t have any nagging health complaints. I usually look forward to a nice nap in the afternoon on the weekends – but I found I really wasn’t tired this week and ended up watching a lot of college basketball.
Now – back to my original thought – anyone have any advice about the sore nose? My CPAP machine has a heated humidifier – I am wondering if I have it set incorrectly – or if I just need to toughen my nose up…
I'm in my first week with the CPAP and am dealing with the same issue. Found out from reading a sleep apnea forum a sore across the bridge of the nose is almost a sure thing. I am still searching for "the" mask for me, but am dealing with the sore by using a small foam bandage across the bridge of my nose. Seems to be working quite well. My biggest problem is my nose "stuffs up" in the evening when the temp drops making it very difficult for me to breathe through my nose. I'm sure the CPAP will help me, but I've got to find some way od dealing with this stuffed up situation.
I'VE READ MOST OF THE SLEEPING DISORDERS IN THIS SITE BUT NO MENTION OF SLEEP DISORDER SUCH AS MY HUSBAND'S. HE SNORES FROM LOW TO HIGH VOLUME, HE TALKS ALMOST ALWAYS IN HIS SLEEP...USUALLY WITH A SORT OF SCREAMING FIT BUT QUICKLY ENDS WITH A SLURRING SOUND. HE ALSO SINGS IN HIS SLEEP SOMETIMES BUT WHEN HE DOES HE CAN SING UP TO A WHOLE VERSE BEFORE ENDING WITH A SLURrrr. WHAT KIND OF SLEEP DISORDER IS THIS...BECAUSE I AM A LIGHT SLEEPER ANYWAYS...I END UP SLEEPING IN THE OTHER ROOM SO THAT I CAN HAVE A RESTFUL SLEEP! BUT WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY HUSBAND? IS THERE A DOCTOR OUT THERE WHO CAN HELP???????!!!!!!
I am a sleep technician that is interested in opening a new kind of sleep lab, one that is focused on making the study experience more positive, in hopes that people will get a better understanding and respect for the necessity of sleep ("it's as important as diet and exercise!"). Any suggestions?
Also, as a tech, my advice to anybody undergoing a sleep study is to ask as many questions as possible of your doctor and your technician. One of the most important things that I see get neglected or ignored by techs is the fact that THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF CPAP MASKS AVAILABLE, and they should try a few different styles to determine the one that you are most comfortable with. It is incredibly important that you have a good experience with the CPAP the first night, as it greatly increases the likelihood that you will use it on a regular basis. A good tech knows this and will work with you.
I also would like to stress that, the sleep study is like any other medical test. As a patient, you need to be open-minded and humble. Many set themselves up for failure by starting with an attitude of "there's no way I can sleep with all this stuff on". There are more uncomfortable medical procedures (hehm, colonoscopy) for which people appear to be more accepting. I don't get it.
Anyway, happy to answer questions, but also eager to hear ideas for a better kind of sleep lab.
I had the sleep study last night. Was not too bad although I was restless all night. I had been told there would be a female nurse (I am female) but instead there were two male technicians. I know they are just as fine as women but I probably would have brought different sleeping attire.
Worst part is waiting 4 weeks for results.
I had a sleep study done last week and did not think it was as bad as many did here. (Getting the past out of my thick hair was my most annoying part). Dont be scared off. I just found out I have sleep apnea and am looking forward to feeling better,
I had my first sleep study done in 1995. This study confirmed that I have narcolepsy. A couple of years ago, my sleep doctor was leaving his practice and referred me to a new doctor. The new doctor ordered two sleep studies. The first one was for a base line (I think) and the second one was to wear the cpap and then note the differences. I was not pleased about wearing the cpap, to the point of being in tears, but I started out the night wearing it. Around 3:00 am, I apparently opened my mouth, which screwed up the breathing pattern the cpap requires. This made me wake up in a panic. I tore the cpap off of my face and threw it on the floor. About then, the technician came running into the room, knowing I was panicked, and he immediately tried to calm me down and remind me where I was and that I was okay. When he picked the cpap up off of the floor and started towards me, I stopped him and said, "Don't even think about putting that thing back on my face." He reluctantly agreed. The cpap may do wonders for people, but I never felt so confined and intimidated in my life. It's too bad there isn't another tool to help that isn't so prehistoric looking and doesn't feel like it is trying to suffocate the person.
I feel like I must be one of the few people who loves my CPAP machine. I've even traveled with it, and found it not to be the burden I thought it would be. It didn't take me long to get used to it, and I've had it nearly 1.5 years. Keep trying - eventually it gets easier. Remember that it is only given to you because you NEED it to live. I can't even nap without mine now!
Hi - I too have recently undergone a sleep study. That one was so fun I went back 4 days later for another. You are probably thinking that in the first one I didnt have the cpap put on, wrong. I did. I was told that I awake 70 times per hour, my apneas (times without breathing) last anywhere from 22-38 seconds, my oxygen drops as low as 64% and I have something else called hypo-ventilation. I dont totally understand that one but I am learning it has something to do with shallow breathing.
The studies didnt bother me anymore than anyone else. I was a good patient except during the first study they kept asking me to move to my back and my lower back hurt like heck from it. I knew they were monitoring something so I just went with it.
I lucked out in the machine department. Not only do I need a full face mask because I am a mouth breather, I also got the BiPap instead of the Cpap. I think this was due to how high the pressure needed to be set. I need a pressure setting of 21. The BiPap has 2 pressure settings, one for inhaling and the other for exhaling. My inhaling pressure is 21, and exhaling is 16.
I moved up the food chain on both studies. In both cases I was to schedule a results appointment about a week out and in both studies the pulmonary doctor called me the the morning after the studies. Her explanation for my sleep apnea went like this " you have severe, well lets say very severe, well actually you have suprisingly very severe sleep apnea." That was encouraging.
I have the machine for a week - I havent noticed much improvement. I have had some kind of upper respitory sickness since the study that started the night before study two and has hung on with a terrible cough so I think once that clears up I should feel better results from the machine.
The strangest part of all of this is that I believe that I have had sleep apnea since birth. Unfortunately back in my childhood there wasn't as much know about it as there is today. Basically I snored terribly loud and eveyone that heard it thought it was annoying and funny. I have always been able to sleep very long periods of time (15-17 hours on the weekends) and never felt rested. But since this was my "normal" I really thought I was just lazy and snored.
I asked my mother before I went to the ENT after the study to tell me something about my breathing as a child and her answer astounded me. She said that she asked the doctor what was wrong with my little brother when he was a baby because she couldnt hear him breathing when he slept. He told her there wasnt a problem and why she asked. She said that she could always hear me a room away when I slept as a baby and thought that was normal. YIKES!
I was diagnosed with both pediatric and adult sleep apnea. I am scheduled to see a jaw surgeon in a couple weeks. If I have the right problem I may end up with the upper and lower jaw advancement surgery.
I have been told that it hurts like H*LL but I am willing to go through with it. It has a 90% success rate and after a lifetime of feeling like a lazy slug I might find out that I was just sleep deprived forever.
What a waste of 39 years. I would have been a better wife, mother, employee, friend, etc etc etc. If only I had gotten this checked sooner.
One really positive note, last Monday I felt like I was on speed or something. It was the one day that the upper respitory stuff wasnt so full blown. I actually thought to myself - I am high, high on oxygen, what a cool thing it is.
I want more days like that.
I have had doctors ask me if I fall asleep walking.....
If they believe I could have done that I must be one tough cookie. I have always worked full time, kept a house, took care of kids, paid the bills etc. And in doing it all I felt I was climbing mount everest but did it all anyways because I had too and really just thought I was lazy.
So, for anyone wondering if they should take the test, wear the mask, etc. Do it. You won't get any of this time in your life back, you might as well feel good.
Not to mention, heart failure or a stroke from it sorta scared me to the point I would sleep in an iron lung if that would fix this stuff.
Have a great nights' sleep :)
I've been spending the past 10 years tired, drowsy, and aching. I need a lot of caffeine in the morning, and sleeping pills at nite.
I figured I was just lazy, but my doctor now thinks I might have sleep apnea. I'm taking my oximetry unit home tonight as part I of the study.
If it turns out I do have sleep apnea I don't think I'll be wild about the CPAP mask, but not being in a fog everyday would be worth it. We'll see what happens!
(And don't you hate it when you tell your doctor that you're tired, and he tells you to exercise, and you can't BECAUSE YOU'RE TOO TIRED to exercise!)
i am jealous of the people who are now getting sleep.Let me say i had a sleep study they told me i would need to use cpap. Then i go to the Dr. and he said i have mild apnea and they are not going to treat it.
I am not overweight i am 5'7" 163ponnds 32yrs old. i tried different sleep positions.never taken sleeping pills.Don't drink or smoke.So not doing all of those conservative things they call it does me no good.So what am i to do now.i snore my husband says i breath shallow take deepbreaths etc..i sleep like i am dead. can't get going in the morning.Feel groggy and tired and irritabal sometime last 1 to 2 hours after waking then i have to drink coffee to try and help me.my sex life is a joke i have all.....of the symptoms a woman has sexual with sleep apnea. Also at the sleep study i felt good the next day i even woke up with no problem at 5am in the morning. but the Dr. Said no cpap because it is mild, he didn't see a differece but i felt different but i guess that don't count. Any way i wish someone would help me i am so sad and depressed because of this.i just want a good night sleep. Because i never wake up feeling refreshed anymore. Someone please please help me
Hello Everyone!
I’ve read all of the comments on here (By the way, I’m not sure if that was a good idea) and now I’m even more troubled if I should have the test or not. This is the issue with me. I’ve always been a light sleeper and I wake up 1-2 times a night to use the men’s room or get a drink of water. For YEARS I’ve always felt like I needed a nap. At times driving home from work I would dose off. I’m not a snorer (I know this because I’ve been told) and I’m not over weight. I’m 39 years old and I now have high blood pressure. I guess I just want to know if anyone that isn’t a snorer has sleep apnea and if the oxygen worked? I would love to feel rested!
Thanks!
Hopeful.
I am a 44 yr old female who just completed a sleep study for severe snoring. My adult daughter witnessed a napping episode of mine where she said I seemed to be gasping for air which prompted the visit to the doctor.
The sleep study that I did was not bad. Yes, they hooked me up to a 1000 wires with the goopy gel (I am exagerating, it was more like 975) and made me sleep while being videotaped (they promised not to use it on U-tube) but it wasn't much different than my normal night's sleep (except getting permission to leave the bed to use the restroom.)
I am very glad that I did it. My family members have joked for years that I should go for a sleep study due to my crazy sleeping behavior, with all of my talking, sleep walking, sleep fighting, etc. so the escalated snoring episode was a good catalyst.
My tech was a male, but he was extremely nice, understanding, helpful, reassuring, comforting, knowledgable, and respectful. He made me feel at ease, and it really was a piece of cake. I even went to work a full day at my job in the stock market that day!
I am waiting to get my official results back from the 'professional' doctors, however, the tech said in his 'unprofessional' opinion, that my snoring which stayed at a prolonged 4 (the loudest) seemed to be more consistent with a tonsil/thickened throat tissue obstruction and less to do with sleep apnea. I only quit breathing a few times during the night when I finally reached stage 5. However, I did display many symptoms of Rem Sleep Disorder which caused me to cycle numerous times during the night(stages 1-4 and then waking and back to stage 1 again) and did not allow me to get into stage 5 often. I basically woke myself up from dreaming over and over throughout the night, talking and moving,etc. causing me to have a rest-deprived sleep event.(My husband and I could have told them that without the expensive study. My husband has been a saint over the years to take being screamed at, hit, punched, scratched, poked, kicked, snored at, ect. and still sleeps in the same bed with me. And I have woken up exhausted for years and must have my cups of 'joe' in the morning to wake up and make it through the day.) I am actually used to the sleep issues and nightmares, since they have been with me my whole life. In fact, my (now adult) son has displayed alot of the same symptoms since he was a child. This leads me to believe it maybe possibly genetic?!?
It did seem that my antics were kept somewhat in check during the sleep study, because I awoke in the same position that I started in the bed (not hanging off or at the foot as I often do) and the bed covers were still intact (not balled up or thrown against the wall)and my clothes were still on (I was kinda worried about that one.) After watching the video tape and I am sure after a few giggles/snickers later, the doctors should be able to give me some suggestions on how to lessen the snoring and improve my sleep so that I can be more rested and hopefully stop abusing my husband in my sleep. I am looking forward to some answers after many years.
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