Sleep Apnea Support/Questions Thread

[kaisersozei]

I went in for my study Thursday night. Thought I would chronicle my experience for those of you thinking about this.

The sleep center is part of my doctor’s office, and I arrived there just before 10pm. The sleep tech took me back, got my vitals and then escorted me back. The room itself was very comfortable, complete with an adjustable bed, flat panel DirectTV and a well appointed private bathroom. There was also an infrared camera mounted high up on the wall (kinky,) a voice activated intercom system, the clinical monitoring device & associated electrodes (seen on the bed in the picture below,) and a CPAP machine tucked away in the nightstand.



Once I got settled in and changed into my sleeping clothes (you can’t sleep nude…. so what's the purpose of the camera?) the tech returned to hook me up. The monitoring device itself looks like this:



The diagram on the device gives you an idea of all the electrodes and where they are placed. I don’t know how many were attached to my scalp—a lot--but there were also electrodes on my calf muscles, an EKG heart monitor, one on my throat, two on my chin, one next to each eye, and a nasal canula with a breathing sensor. I also had elastic bands around my chest and stomach. All of the electrode leads were pulled out of the way and collected up behind me, so they weren’t as obtrusive as I expected. Once I was hooked up, the tech made me get right into bed so she could test the equipment. I didn’t have a chance to take any pictures. Lucky me. Or lucky you.

The night before my study I stayed up later than normal and I was restricted from drinking caffeine after noon on Thursday, so I ended up being much more tired than normal. Fell asleep pretty quickly and only woke up once in the night. I had to sleep on my back or side, but wasn’t nearly as restricted in my movements as I thought I’d be. The head & face sensors felt a little awkward but not painful. I felt like Pinhead. I was also concerned about the room being too quiet or too hot (we have a floor fan in our bedroom that runs constantly for white noise & air circulation,) but it was very comfortable. Was also surprised when the tech called in to the room at 6:30 to wake me up—I normally get up at 5:30. I felt better than I expected when I awoke.

This was supposed to be a split-night study, meaning that if the tech witnessed apnea episodes, she would come in and hook me up to the CPAP and continue to monitor me. She didn’t do that, and wouldn’t tell me why, but did say that she saw some things on my study which “the doctor will discuss” with me. Whatever that means, probably that they’ll want to bring me back in for a second full night with the CPAP. Or perhaps the apnea she saw wasn't severe enough for CPAP. We’ll see.

I also found this short video that does a better in demonstrating what goes on in sleep studies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZTzrVGSOvw

In my former professional life, I set up a number of sleep centers as hospital businesses. I knew what to expect as a patient, but I was still anxious to undergo the study. Turns out it really wasn’t that bad. Maybe my experience will help take away some of your concerns.

Updated List:

eber - Erik (5/26)
beeradvocate - Travis - (Father-In-Law)
dentonparrots - Carl
kaisersozei - Gerard TEST DONE! AWAITING RESULTS!
tripp - Tripp
ggainey - Greg
emjaysmash - M.J.
awsmith4 - Albert
jkim05 - Jeremy - (Dad - awaiting results)
junior - (wife) - Read thread and is going to schedule test! Great news!
nozero - Michael

Updated List:

eber - Erik Tested - Sever Apnea - Has his machine!!!
beeradvocate - Travis - (Father-In-Law)
dentonparrots - Carl
kaisersozei - Gerard TEST DONE! AWAITING RESULTS!
tripp - Tripp
ggainey - Greg
emjaysmash - M.J.
awsmith4 - Albert
jkim05 - Jeremy - (Dad - awaiting results)
junior - (wife) - Read thread and is going to schedule test! Great news!
nozero - Michael[/quote]

eber - Erik Tested - Sever Apnea - Has his machine!!!
beeradvocate - Travis - (Father-In-Law)
dentonparrots - Carl
kaisersozei - Gerard TEST DONE! AWAITING RESULTS!
tripp - Tripp
ggainey - Greg
emjaysmash - M.J.
awsmith4 - Albert
jkim05 - Jeremy - (Dad - awaiting results)
junior - (wife) - Read thread and is going to schedule test! Great news!
nozero - Michael


Can we get this updated please.

Add your name or give us your latest status.

Thanks

[skullnrose]

Thanks for sharing you experience. It's always nice to know as much as possible before going into something like this.

First, thanks to the OP for starting this thread and to all who have replied thus far. I've found this to be very informative.

I was advised to go to a local sleep clinic a year or three back, but when I found out it costs at least my $250 annual per person deductable and I needed to have a colonoscopy as well, I opted for the latter. Perhaps I'll schedule an appointment in the near future.

I snore a lot and currently use Breath Rite strips that seem to help a little. I often wake up two to four time a night, but most often at least once around 02:30 - 03:00. I have some lower back issues as well and frequently switch from left to right side during the evenings rest. I'm not a very sound sleeper and when I travel, which is very seldom, I have much difficulty sleeping through the night, often waking up hourly or more. I don't know that I could sleep well or at all in a clinic regardless of the setting and comforts.

Again, thanks to all who have shared their experiences.

Respectfully,
Michael

Originally Posted by skullnrose

Thanks for sharing you experience. It's always nice to know as much as possible before going into something like this.

Originally Posted by nozero

First, thanks to the OP for starting this thread and to all who have replied thus far. I've found this to be very informative.

I was advised to go to a local sleep clinic a year or three back, but when I found out it costs at least my $250 annual per person deductable and I needed to have a colonoscopy as well, I opted for the latter. Perhaps I'll schedule an appointment in the near future.

I snore a lot and currently use Breath Rite strips that seem to help a little. I often wake up two to four time a night, but most often at least once around 02:30 - 03:00. I have some lower back issues as well and frequently switch from left to right side during the evenings rest. I'm not a very sound sleeper and when I travel, which is very seldom, I have much difficulty sleeping through the night, often waking up hourly or more. I don't know that I could sleep well or at all in a clinic regardless of the setting and comforts.

Again, thanks to all who have shared their experiences.

Respectfully,
Michael

Seeing people getting the info, helping a family member, going for their tests or getting info for a more comfortable head set truly makes me smile. I really do hope you can get your test soon. I have traveled a lot with my sons hockey over the years and I never leave home without my machine.

I need to post up some travel tips for the traveling Apnea members.

Thank you for the very nice PM.

[kelmac07]

Great pics Gerard...my sleep study clinic wasn't that nice (plush recliner). But equipment looked identical. When do you find out your results?

[BeerAdvocate]

My father in law completed his Oximetry test this weekend. He dropped all the way to 67% at one point, and spent around 40% of the night below 90%.
Needless to say, this convinced him and he is contacting his Dr.

Originally Posted by BeerAdvocate

My father in law completed his Oximetry test this weekend. He dropped all the way to 67% at one point, and spent around 40% of the night below 90%.
Needless to say, this convinced him and he is contacting his Dr.

That is great news Travis!!

Gerard, I was a couple of years younger than you when I found out. All it means is you sleep with a mask of some sort and you feel a hell of a lot better when you wake up! Plus little things like you live longer and the wife sleeps better.

It's a change for the better trust me.

Congrats for having the courage and the open mind to do the testing.

Anything we can do going forward just let us know.

[kelmac07]

I have been using my CPAP for almost a year now...everyone says you will wake up refreshed and feeling great. I feel the same, no better, no worse, then before the use of the CPAP. i use it religiously, every night. Wife sleeps a lot better, but I still don't see the great improvement everyone speaks of.

[BeerAdvocate]

Originally Posted by kelmac07

I have been using my CPAP for almost a year now...everyone says you will wake up refreshed and feeling great. I feel the same, no better, no worse, then before the use of the CPAP. i use it religiously, every night. Wife sleeps a lot better, but I still don't see the great improvement everyone speaks of.

Have you had your mask,cushions, tubing,filters replaced in the last year. If not, you might be experiencing some leaks. Or you may need your pressure changed. Ecspecially if you have lost weight since you 1st got your CPAP.

Sorry to hear that Michael. Before my study and getting on the machine I would wake up and be so tired it was hard to stand up.

Maybe your settings are off. Any chance for another study to check if your pressures? I know have a study done every three years to check for changes.

[eboniknight]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about three years ago. I never used my CPAP faithfully until the last year or so. I sleep much better and snoring is about zero (according to the wife). I use the nasel pillow and definitely with water.

Any updates?

[billyrayvalentin]

I was recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. During my sleep study my oxygen levels dropped down into the 50's. I've apparently had it for a while. My wife diagnosed me with it a while ago, but I didn't take it seriously.

I've had blood pressure issues for a while, but I never felt any symptoms of high blood pressure. My blood work always turned out ok, and I never had any cholesterol issues or anything so the doctors just gave me medication and sent me on my way. I haven't had a regular doctor since I was a child. I always went to a walk in clinic.

A few months ago I started having these spells where I would be short of breath and feel faint. It only happened a couple of times and never lasted long so, again, I didn't take it seriously. Then, one night it hit me again and it didn't go away. The wife drove me to the emergency room and my blood pressure was at 200/105. An EKG turned out fine as well as some blood work. My blood pressure went down a bit after a while. They couldn't determine what caused the episode and told me to go see my doctor the next week.

I went to the walk in clinic a few days after. They upped the dosage on my blood pressure meds and referred me to a regular doc. After a short interview with the new Doc he was pretty sure I had sleep apnea and it was causing my blood pressure issues. He referred me to a sleep clinic.

It turns out my wife was right. I've been on my CPAP 2 1/2 weeks and my energy level is noticeably higher. I haven't had anymore of those spells. My blood pressure has maintained in check with the help of medication. Hopefully I'll be able to get off of the medication soon. All-in-all, I just plain feel better.

I was originally fitted with a full face mask as I am a mouth breather. I think it's the mirage quattro. I've been having problems with leakage during the night. It's started waking both me and my wife. I'm thinking of switching to the mirage liberty which has the nasal pillows and a mouth mask. Anyone have any experience with that one? Any Suggestions?

[BigCat]

Originally Posted by billyrayvalentin

I'm thinking of switching to the mirage liberty which has the nasal pillows and a mouth mask. Anyone have any experience with that one? Any Suggestions?

I have it and think it is great. I believe they come in small and large and I use the small even though I have a big face. It was actually what I was sent by my DME and I thought it was going to be a problem at first, but I gave it a try and it fits. I do make one slight modification though to the nasal pillows - it wrap them in dental floss to pull them a little closer together. Without that, I was getting leak problems with the pillows flaring out of my nostrals a bit and that was annoying. A little dental floss and I was all set. I think its a great mask. And I had the hybrid before it and found that decent, but not as good as the liberty for me. What works for you will depend on your face, the pressure you are set at, etc. My pressure is at a 10.

[Nabinger16]

I'm glad to hear you are on track to a new life!!! Keep up with the CPAP and just remember.... PERSEVERANCE!!! CPAP tends to seem overwhelming at first, but once you find the right combination of masks and sleeping positions you will have a new life! I know this from experience.

Originally Posted by billyrayvalentin

I'm thinking of switching to the mirage liberty which has the nasal pillows and a mouth mask. Anyone have any experience with that one? Any Suggestions?

I used the Liberty for one night and did not like it at all, but I personally can not tolerate any form of a full face mask. I was a mouth breather all of my life, but I've found the Micro Mirage nasal mask works best for me. The full face masks tend to put too much pressure in my mouth. When I woke up, it always felt like I was trying to blow up a tight balloon all night.

Good luck and keep trying all kinds and brands of masks until you find something that is comfortable and usable.

Links or pics to the models you use would be a big help for those looking.

With a gotee I have leak issues. Interested in options for those of us with goats. :SS

I'm a mouth breather as well so not sure if pillows will work for me. What is this "mirage liberty which has the nasal pillows and a mouth mask" you speak of? Any links or pics?

Thanks for all the info!