I had a sleep study last night.

[Early Bird]

Well, it sure wasn't as relaxing as I'd hoped.

All those wires!

I had a hard time falling asleep -- usually I zonk out in seconds. This time, I'm going to guess it was 20-30 minutes ... and then only into a light sleep. Probably fell asleep around 11 or 11:30

Woke up around 12:30; asked the nurse if I had slept .... and she wouldn't tell me anything. Not even if I had been asleep.

Slept again.

Then we tried with an airflow mask.

A few hours later, I woke and tried with a different airflow mask.

At 5:15, I woke up. We turned off the test, and I went home.

Ate some breakfast, and then went back to sleep.

Home is much more comfortable.

I won't find out the results for WEEKS.

[canadian gardener]

I hope the results are helpful EB, dh had it done years ago and for some years he was on one of those air flow machines.

Turned out to be stress related. Since the move away from a bad boss he hasn't needed his machine, which we got rid of a while back, but when he was having the sleep apnea bouts, he sure did need it.

[Early Bird]

I suspect that all my sleep problems will go away .... if I can drop 30 lbs.

Right now, working and working on getting more fruits and veg into the diet. But I strongly suspect that sometimes I eat to stay awake. I got into the habit when the dkids were babies. And, at those times, I eat 'handy' not healthy.

So, I have a plan:
* First, had the sleep study done.
* 2nd, am reading Leanne Ely's Saving Dinner. And starting to think about portion control.
* 3rd, working on increasing fruits and veg.
* 4th, trying to eat down my freezer stash, so that I can do some OAMC and fill the freezer logically.

[amysh]

Hi Early Bird,

Can you tell us more about why you had the study done? I have considered this over the past several years...I suspect that I *might* have sleep apnea. I snore A LOT (and loudly). I can fall asleep almost immediately, but never feel rested. For the past several months I have been waking at 5:30 am for no apparent reason - this may be job/stress related. Then I have a tendency to fall asleep whenever I sit down on any comfy couch at home. I just got a (new) full-time job, and DH and I are wondering how I am going to be able to stay awake for 9+ hours straight!

What if you have to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom? Do they have to detach and reattach all the wires?

Just curious!

Thanks!

Amy

[miss_thrifty]

early bird, i hope it works!! let us know the results when they come back.

[Early Bird]

Hi Early Bird,

Can you tell us more about why you had the study done? I have considered this over the past several years...I suspect that I *might* have sleep apnea. I snore A LOT (and loudly). I can fall asleep almost immediately, but never feel rested. For the past several months I have been waking at 5:30 am for no apparent reason - this may be job/stress related. Then I have a tendency to fall asleep whenever I sit down on any comfy couch at home. I just got a (new) full-time job, and DH and I are wondering how I am going to be able to stay awake for 9+ hours straight!

What if you have to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom? Do they have to detach and reattach all the wires?

Just curious!

Thanks!

Amy

Very similar symptoms to yours, Amy -- I apparently snore a lot; nap in the daytime; and fall asleep in front of the TV. I also usually fall asleep seconds, not minutes, after my head hits the pillow. I asked my doctor if the extra sleepiness was a side-effect of these BP meds -- it isn't -- and she asked a few more questions about my sleep patterns. Then she recommended the sleep study.

I have a few hints that the study results will show me having sleep apnea. Biggest hint is that the nurse told me that we wouldn't do the masks unless specific critera were met. (insurance regulations). So, when she did the masks in the middle of the night, I figure that we met whatever insurance criteria were necessary.

Also, I felt like I had a 'bubble' in my throat for part of the sleep period -- I'll bet that was significant.

Finally, when I told the nurse that I would see my doctor in August, she told me that I probably want to phone the doc's office for results sooner than that.

I am normally a champion sleeper, but it was difficult to sleep during the study...all the wires...and the strange environment. Whenever I woke up, I DID go to the bathroom -- the nurse only had to undo a few connections each time; not ALL the wires.

[baronmom]

I have always thought I should have one done too. I never sleep well, and I wake up a lot during the night. Dh says I snore loud too. I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

[Early Bird]

Well, I got my results.

They're recommending the machine.

I have so many hopes for this ... that I'll feel lots more rested and energetic ... that I'll lose weight! .... that I'll regain some of my zest for life.

******************************

BTW, I saw what they're submitting to the insurance company for payment: $2500 ! :eek! DH says, "Expensive for one night in a hotel room!"

[fernykins]

I've had the test done 3 times..... First tine I missed getting the machine by 1 apnea...... dumb huh....... I still have a hard time with the mask. I can't stand anything on my face...... I alway figured when they hooked me up to the wires I was wired for sound.... Good luck with it
Fern

[voodidit]

Good luck with the machine I hope it helps.

[amysh]

Good luck! Please keep us posted on how it works out! I hope you feel much better rested and have more energy. I would love to feel that way myself!

I look forward to hearing how you feel after 'being on the machine!'

Amy

[dolphin]

Oh I sure hope this helps you. My Dad and one Sis both use one nightly. I suspect I have it too.