I did a sleep study

4myheartnsoul

I did a sleep study last night to check for sleep apnea. I am down roght shocked. The technician came in this morning and asked how I slept, I said ok, about normal. He chuckled and said I kept them on their toes last night that my oxygen saturation was getting close to 79 and at that point they sent would have sent me to the hospital for oxygen and to be checked out by a doctor. He also told me my brain never stopped working, I had either been dreaming or thinking 80% of the time and that was enough to make me feel tired in the morning. To me, it was a normal night, I thought I slept good and had a pretty normal night. Who would guess those things happen when you sleep, I would have never known!!! Down side, I get to wear the "gas mask" when I sleep...how attractive is that.

MikeRay

Yeah I have to wear one of those mask. The said that I wake up 47 times an hour in my study, and my o2 levels drop down to 81 once, but stayed between 90-99 most of the time. Just a few point drop is bad enough.
I do have more energy when I can wear the thing all through the night though.

Good luck

KCmom

Been there done that!
You will get used to the mask and machine. It's amazing how much better you will feel when your O2 sats are in the 90s all night long after being on CPAP. I know I forgot how it felt to wake up feeling refreshed and well rested (not to mention headache free), until I started CPAP 3 years ago.
It will take some getting used to, that is for sure, so give it some time. I also would suggest going with the nasal pillows rather than a full face mask - far more comfortable. When you meet with the respiratory therapists to get fitted for a mask, make sure you try on lots of different masks, when you are plugged into the machine at your prescribed pressure, and try it laying down too, so you get a really good idea of what it's going to be like when trying to sleep.

Good luck! There is light at the end of the tunnel. And look at it this way.....at least this is a medical condition that can be treated without medication! :bigsmile:


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caitlinclock

Yeah, I had to do one of those. I was always so tired and didn't know what was up! The good thing is I didn't have sleep apnea but they kept me for another test where I took naps during the day and they found out that I had hypersomnia which is basically excessive daytime sleepiness. I just had to take a pill to help me stay awake during the day.

amysj303

Haha, my friend called the mask, "pigs in space." I am suspicious of all of this, however, I don't know anyone who went to a sleep study and was told they didn't have sleep apnea, it's a lot of expensive equipment and I have a feeling a lot of this will be debunked. I would ne interested in hearing from people who this has worked for, long term. Most people can't get a good nights sleep with the noise of the machine and air being forced up your nose.

rjdoell

I've had 2 sleep studies. I was told to wear a mask but, after trying several different styles, found it intolerable. Research on the computer suggested that weight loss and exercise are ways to possibly relieve sleep apnea. Weight loss and exercise are also suggested as ways to combat two other conditions I have - osteoporosis and pulmonary hypertention. It was like getting hit in the head with a 2x4. I could take control of these issues. I could do something about weight loss and exercise and be on the path to a healthier life in several areas. A year ago I became a MFP member and I started a training program. I've lost nearly 45 pounds and I went from walking about 8 miles a week to completing a marathon, a half-marathon, and a duathlon. I have a triathlon in 3 weeks. I'm not fast but I finish. I am closing in on my goal weight though it's still a struggle. I feel younger, stronger, and healthier. And the doctor said my sleep apnea has improved enough that I don't have to wear the mask now - if I maintain my healthier lifestyle!
I'm not suggesting that exercise and weight loss will cure everyone's health issues. But we have the power to improve to some degree whatever issues we're dealing with. It's not easy but it's so worth it!
Good luck with your sleep apnea and your weight loss journey.

KendalBeee

I would ne interested in hearing from people who this has worked for, long term. Most people can't get a good nights sleep with the noise of the machine and air being forced up your nose.

My dad has had his mask a good 15 years by now and can't sleep without it. The noise is kind of like the noise from a fan so its not that hard to get used to the sound.

Erica_q

I had a sleep study a couple years ago and have been on a CPAP machine since. I didn't want to use it at first. It was hard to get used to the mask, but now I can wear it through the night most nights. Sometimes, if the humidity is not set right, I will wake up with moisture in the mask. I take it off when it gets like that. However, I do sleep better when I use the machine, and I wake up feeling better most mornings (I still need to work on getting to bed at a decent hour!). My husband has had his machine a couple years longer than I have and he swears by it. If he neglects to put his on, he snores very loudly. I was told that if I lost weight, I probably wouldn't need to use it, but I haven't lost enough to make a difference, yet. I would give the machine a try. Your insurance may cover most or all the cost, so there should be little out of pocket expense for you. Also, if you don't like the mask, try the nasal pillows. My husband swears by them. Good Luck!

KCmom

asjerven: Actually I know of several people who had sleep studies done that didn't show sleep apnea.

I can speak from experience of 3+ years being on CPAP. It has made all the difference in the world to me.
Before CPAP, the first thing I would do in the morning would be to reach for 3-4 Ibuprofen because I would wake up with such severe headaches every day. Since being on CPAP, I can honestly say my headaches have 100% stopped.
Before CPAP, I often would wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air, unable to take a breath in. It would take several minutes of attempting to cough, swallow, gasp, breathe, to get a breath in. Then I would be afraid to go back to sleep because I didn't want it to happen again. Scary? You bet. It's like being strangled with a pillow, many times an hour, night after night after night. :frown:
Before CPAP, it would take a pot of coffee and several hours to get out of the "fog" I would wake up in.
Before CPAP, just about every time I was a passenger in the car for longer than 20-30 minutes, I would fall asleep.

Before I was even referred for my two sleep studies, I slept one night with a pulse oximeter attached to my finger and it recorded my O2 sats througout the night. There were many occasions every hour when my sats dropped into the 70s and 80s. My Primary MD, who is very conservative, was shocked at the results so referred me on for the sleep studies.

After being on CPAP for 3+ years, I can say I am happy my apnea is being successfully treated. I have a heck of a lot more energy, I don't wake up gasping for a breath anymore, instead I wake up refereshed and headache free, I'm not constantly sleepy, I can ride in a car without falling asleep, and I can drive on long trips without fear of falling asleep at the wheel.

The machines are a heck of a lot quieter than they used to be, and the "air being forced up your nose" only takes a night or two to get used to. It feels a lot better than your throat closing off, I can assure you!

You can say or think what you want about sleep apnea, I don't really care, but it has totally changed my sleep health for the better and I feel like a whole new person!
Sleep apnea is a real medical condition. How can anyone argue with proven decreased Oxygen saturation while sleeping, that improves greatly while on CPAP????


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July24Lioness

I am being referred to the Sleep Study Center at Washington University.

i am meeting with the ENT specialist there first before doing a sleep study. I personally don't feel I have sleep apnea, but the Endocrinologist I am seeing for Endocrine issues says I have all the classic signs. We will see.

I don't have any of the symptoms you all described either. I do wake up with headaches on occasion, feel extremely fatigued during the day and could sleep all day long.

My consultation isn't until August 16.

candican

Haha, my friend called the mask, "pigs in space." I am suspicious of all of this, however, I don't know anyone who went to a sleep study and was told they didn't have sleep apnea, it's a lot of expensive equipment and I have a feeling a lot of this will be debunked. I would ne interested in hearing from people who this has worked for, long term. Most people can't get a good nights sleep with the noise of the machine and air being forced up your nose.

No, they told me the opposite. I have hypersomnia. I can fall in a deep sleep, in REM and everything within a few short minutes. They said it's not normal to go into that deep of a sleep during the day like that. I took 4 naps and in all four I was in REM within minutes.

raindancer

Haha, my friend called the mask, "pigs in space." I am suspicious of all of this, however, I don't know anyone who went to a sleep study and was told they didn't have sleep apnea, it's a lot of expensive equipment and I have a feeling a lot of this will be debunked. I would ne interested in hearing from people who this has worked for, long term. Most people can't get a good nights sleep with the noise of the machine and air being forced up your nose.

Me! I thought I wanted to have bypass surgery at one point. But my insurance wouldn't pay because I had no health issues except weighing 306 lbs. So I told them I was tired all the time and they sent me for a sleep study...had absolutely no problems.
Oh well I've lost 73 lbs since then and plan to keep losing.

Nina74

I did the sleep study a few years back and was told I was "normal" (didn't have sleep apnea)....or as normal as I will get!

lessertess

I've come to the conclusion that I have major issues with sleeping. How did you do this test? Did you go through your doctor or go to some special program/clinic?

July24Lioness

I've come to the conclusion that I have major issues with sleeping. How did you do this test? Did you go through your doctor or go to some special program/clinic?

In order for your insurance to pay for it, I believe you will have to get a referral from your Doctor. My doctor is making me get it done, so it was referred over quickly.

KCmom

I've come to the conclusion that I have major issues with sleeping. How did you do this test? Did you go through your doctor or go to some special program/clinic?

Most insurance companies require a referral from your Primary Care Physician, so start with an appt and talk about your symptoms and suspicions of sleep apnea. I was referred to a Sleep Center for the testing. It's an overnight test.

4myheartnsoul

I didnt want to go through with all of it at first either. Then my doc told me that after a ton of blood work, EKG and EHCO (heart ultrasound) that my heart was at very low risk of heart disease unless I did not get the apnea under control. It could cause permanent high blood pressure in the arteries from my lungs to my heart and it could change the structure of my heart. She also said studies are beginning to show that it can permanently affect the brain. Enough for me and hey if I feel better that is another plus, I can't remember what it feels like to wake refrehed. I am teaming weightloss and exercise with the CPAP. Best wishes to all who are dealing with this as well.