Anybody had a sleep study for sleep apnea?
- Thread starter Barb D
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arminnie
<font color=blue>Tossed the butter kept the gin<br
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I am the queen of sleep studies - I think I've had about 7-8 sleep studies with the first one being in '93 and the last one in 2001.
Yes, you can bring your own pillow. At least where I've had mine.
Every center can be a little different - I've had my studies at two different places. The first was a smaller hospital in the Bay Area and the rest were at Stanford University.
Stanford is where most of the major sleep research has been done over the years. My doctors were the ones who "discovered" obstructive sleep apnea and the surgery to correct it.
I was told to be there by 7 pm. I had a private room but did share a bathroom. Since I lived close by I did not use the shower facilities in the morning, I just went home to change.
They put the electrodes on you - there are a lot of them - several on your head but the glue comes off easily when you wash your hair.
Most places don't do the tube down the airpipe but my Stanford doctors insisted on it. That was the only bad part - the putting it in. A technician numbs the back of your throat and then takes a tube through your nose and then down into your windpipe. This does an excellent job of measuring the airflow. It's not too bad once it is in.
They like you to keep your normal routine - so if you normally read before you go to sleep - then take a book. My room had a tv in it so you could watch tv before going to bed if that's your normal routine.
When I had my first sleep studies I was SO sleep deprived that there was NO problem with going to sleep - my problem was in trying to stay awake until at least 9:30.
Be sure than you know how to contact them if you need to get up to go to the bathroom. My first one had a microphone on me and I only had to tell them. In my second one they forgot to tell me that there was a button to press and I was yelling so loud that I probably woke up the other patients.
They do not have to undo all of the electrodes if you have to get up - there is a central plug that they can undo.
If they see signs of obstructive sleep apnea they may choose to try a CPAP (constant positive air pressure) machine on you during the night. It consists of a mask with a hose to a small machine that blows enough air pressure to keep your air passages open.
CPAP works wonders for about 95% of the population. Unfortunately it did nothing for me, so I ended up having some pretty major surgery. I was in ICU for two days and there was even an article about me in the Stanford medical journal.
I am so glad I had the surgery but I would be EXTREMELY careful about who did it. Most of the doctors who are doing sleep apnea surgery have a miserable success rate. There are not that many really trained surgeons in that field - it is a real specialty.
My doctors were not in my medical plan and it cost me a lot of money (20% of the doctor bills) but I did not want someone who had to read a book to figure out how to do the surgery. My doctors invented the surgery. I don't think I would go to anyone that they had not trained.
I used to think that sleep problems had to do with insomnia, and I was mildly amused when my doctor wanted me to have a sleep study. I thought "what the heck it will be an interesting experience."
When I woke up about 4-5 hours after going to bed, I would have sworn on a stack of bibles that I had been sound asleep the entire time. The technician told me that I had awakened every 3-5 minutes and had gotten NO REM sleep at all.
Good luck!
Yes, you can bring your own pillow. At least where I've had mine.
Every center can be a little different - I've had my studies at two different places. The first was a smaller hospital in the Bay Area and the rest were at Stanford University.
Stanford is where most of the major sleep research has been done over the years. My doctors were the ones who "discovered" obstructive sleep apnea and the surgery to correct it.
I was told to be there by 7 pm. I had a private room but did share a bathroom. Since I lived close by I did not use the shower facilities in the morning, I just went home to change.
They put the electrodes on you - there are a lot of them - several on your head but the glue comes off easily when you wash your hair.
Most places don't do the tube down the airpipe but my Stanford doctors insisted on it. That was the only bad part - the putting it in. A technician numbs the back of your throat and then takes a tube through your nose and then down into your windpipe. This does an excellent job of measuring the airflow. It's not too bad once it is in.
They like you to keep your normal routine - so if you normally read before you go to sleep - then take a book. My room had a tv in it so you could watch tv before going to bed if that's your normal routine.
When I had my first sleep studies I was SO sleep deprived that there was NO problem with going to sleep - my problem was in trying to stay awake until at least 9:30.
Be sure than you know how to contact them if you need to get up to go to the bathroom. My first one had a microphone on me and I only had to tell them. In my second one they forgot to tell me that there was a button to press and I was yelling so loud that I probably woke up the other patients.
They do not have to undo all of the electrodes if you have to get up - there is a central plug that they can undo.
If they see signs of obstructive sleep apnea they may choose to try a CPAP (constant positive air pressure) machine on you during the night. It consists of a mask with a hose to a small machine that blows enough air pressure to keep your air passages open.
CPAP works wonders for about 95% of the population. Unfortunately it did nothing for me, so I ended up having some pretty major surgery. I was in ICU for two days and there was even an article about me in the Stanford medical journal.
I am so glad I had the surgery but I would be EXTREMELY careful about who did it. Most of the doctors who are doing sleep apnea surgery have a miserable success rate. There are not that many really trained surgeons in that field - it is a real specialty.
My doctors were not in my medical plan and it cost me a lot of money (20% of the doctor bills) but I did not want someone who had to read a book to figure out how to do the surgery. My doctors invented the surgery. I don't think I would go to anyone that they had not trained.
I used to think that sleep problems had to do with insomnia, and I was mildly amused when my doctor wanted me to have a sleep study. I thought "what the heck it will be an interesting experience."
When I woke up about 4-5 hours after going to bed, I would have sworn on a stack of bibles that I had been sound asleep the entire time. The technician told me that I had awakened every 3-5 minutes and had gotten NO REM sleep at all.
Good luck!
Barb D
DIS Veteran
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- Aug 19, 1999
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Yeah, I told my doctor that my sleep problems are caused by a combination of stress and a 4yo who doesn't sleep well. But I guess the fact that I snore loudly enough to wake MYSELF up might say something else. I know I never feel rested.
Edit: BTW, Minnie, grew up in the Bay Area. Did you live there or travel there just for the surgery?
KrnB
<font color=6600CC>Baseball Nut<br><font color=FF3
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I had a sleep study done a few months ago, and it showed that I have mild sleep apnea.
The room was set up like a hotel room and it even had a Select Comfort mattress so I could adjust it to a level I liked (no sleep number like I have at home, but I just played around a bit until I found my spot).
I did have the what-seemed-like dozens of wires hooked up to me, but I didn't have a tube in my throat. There's no way I could have slept with that. Most of the wires I was able to ignore, but there were definitely a couple that I was aware that they were there.
I didn't feel like I slept at all, but when I asked for water at about 3:30, the tech told me I had been sleeping fine until about the last half hour. After that, I slept just fine - unfortuately, the place I was at wakes people up at 6AM (other places will let you sleep until you wake up).
I was told that if there was anything of concern that the tech saw on the reports, she would wake me up to try a CPAP machine on me. Fortunately, there was nothing that was enough of a problem to warrant that.
When I met with the doctor about a month later, she told me about the apnea and what it all meant. I was pretty surprised at the charts she showed me too - I had no idea I woke up that often. I was at the high end of the mild range, waking up about 15 times per hour (I think it was measured per hour? or was it longer?). It made a lot of sense though, as I think about how tired I often am.
Her recommendation for me was to have the surgery because at my age (late 20s), I would recover quickly plus avoid the need to have a CPAP machine for the next 60 years. She said that I might need to try the machine for a while to appease the insurance company though.
Her description of the surgery made it seem a lot less risky than what you described, arminnie, which concerns me. She said that I would probably be at the hospital overnight (maybe two nights?) and then be at home for about a week. She said that I would probably have a sore throat for about 2 weeks or so after that, but that I would be OK to be back at work.
I might have to research that surgery a bit more seriously before jumping in. I just wanted to do anything in the world to avoid being stuck with a machine, but I'll definitely have to give the whole thing some thought.
The room was set up like a hotel room and it even had a Select Comfort mattress so I could adjust it to a level I liked (no sleep number like I have at home, but I just played around a bit until I found my spot).
I did have the what-seemed-like dozens of wires hooked up to me, but I didn't have a tube in my throat. There's no way I could have slept with that. Most of the wires I was able to ignore, but there were definitely a couple that I was aware that they were there.
I didn't feel like I slept at all, but when I asked for water at about 3:30, the tech told me I had been sleeping fine until about the last half hour. After that, I slept just fine - unfortuately, the place I was at wakes people up at 6AM (other places will let you sleep until you wake up).
I was told that if there was anything of concern that the tech saw on the reports, she would wake me up to try a CPAP machine on me. Fortunately, there was nothing that was enough of a problem to warrant that.
When I met with the doctor about a month later, she told me about the apnea and what it all meant. I was pretty surprised at the charts she showed me too - I had no idea I woke up that often. I was at the high end of the mild range, waking up about 15 times per hour (I think it was measured per hour? or was it longer?). It made a lot of sense though, as I think about how tired I often am.
Her recommendation for me was to have the surgery because at my age (late 20s), I would recover quickly plus avoid the need to have a CPAP machine for the next 60 years. She said that I might need to try the machine for a while to appease the insurance company though.
Her description of the surgery made it seem a lot less risky than what you described, arminnie, which concerns me. She said that I would probably be at the hospital overnight (maybe two nights?) and then be at home for about a week. She said that I would probably have a sore throat for about 2 weeks or so after that, but that I would be OK to be back at work.
I might have to research that surgery a bit more seriously before jumping in. I just wanted to do anything in the world to avoid being stuck with a machine, but I'll definitely have to give the whole thing some thought.
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I have been suffering attacks of vertigo since the beginning of this year. My doctor sent me to an ENT to be evaluated but after 2 visits , and a couple of tests, I was not satisfied with the care I was getting so I asked for a second opinion. The second ENT looked at my throat and asked me 3 questions and told me he believed I had sleep apnea and that the resulting fatigue was probably the primary cause of my vertigo. A sleep study in early June confirmed the sleep apnea.
I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 tomorrow morning for the surgury that will hopefully let me start sleeping all night again.
I also have had constant sinus congestion for 6 months now that has not responded at all to medication, 2 courses of antibotics and 1 of antiviral, and I also have a deviated septum.
The doctor is going to suction out my sinus cavities tomaorrow (and culture the gunk), and straighten out my septum at the same time.
My doctor also expects me to be in only overnight.
KrnB: My doctor wants to operate on me instead of putting me on CPAP because he believes that at my age (57) I would have a very difficult time getting accustomed to CPAP. Especialy since I sleep mainly on my stomach.
I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 tomorrow morning for the surgury that will hopefully let me start sleeping all night again.
I also have had constant sinus congestion for 6 months now that has not responded at all to medication, 2 courses of antibotics and 1 of antiviral, and I also have a deviated septum.
The doctor is going to suction out my sinus cavities tomaorrow (and culture the gunk), and straighten out my septum at the same time.
My doctor also expects me to be in only overnight.
KrnB: My doctor wants to operate on me instead of putting me on CPAP because he believes that at my age (57) I would have a very difficult time getting accustomed to CPAP. Especialy since I sleep mainly on my stomach.
LuvN~Travel
<font color=blue>A DMV employee noticed that I los
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My daugher just had another one a week and a half ago. She'd had surgery to pull out her face last year, and they wanted to see how much better her sleep apnea had gotten. Gotten pretty good, thank goodness!
She had a hard time getting to sleep according to the young guy running the test. But, in her case it was the first time she'd ever stayed by herself in a non ICU room. (she's 15).
You can take any of your stuff you want, just be sure to not get any caffeine or take any naps during the day. The one she had it done at this time was like a poster above talked about. It really looked like a hotel room, and everything looked comfy.
Good luck on your sleep study.
Kim
P.S. getting the sleep won't be the hard part....getting the goop out of your hair afterwards will!
She had a hard time getting to sleep according to the young guy running the test. But, in her case it was the first time she'd ever stayed by herself in a non ICU room. (she's 15).
You can take any of your stuff you want, just be sure to not get any caffeine or take any naps during the day. The one she had it done at this time was like a poster above talked about. It really looked like a hotel room, and everything looked comfy.
Good luck on your sleep study.
Kim
P.S. getting the sleep won't be the hard part....getting the goop out of your hair afterwards will!
arminnie
<font color=blue>Tossed the butter kept the gin<br
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I wrote this long reply about surgery and then lost it when the boards went down - so I'll try again.
There are three procedures that are most often used for sleep apnea surgery.
The first and least invasive procedure is the removal of the uvula (dangly thing at the back of your throat) and part of the soft palate. KrnB - this sounds like what you are having done. Care has to be taken that not too little tissue is taken out (or it won't work) and not too much (or when you swallow it goes up your nose). Tonsils are also removed if you still have them.
The second step (if the first is not enough) is to move the tongue forward to increase the size of the back air passage. I had this done along with the first procedure. This is pretty major.
The air passageway should be about the size of the width of two fingers. Mine was the size of a straw. Procedure one alone would not have helped me.
The third procedure is to move the jaw forward. It is a very big deal and they actually take plugs out of the skull to help do this. Fortunately for me I did not have to do this but I know someone who did.
Many doctors only do the first procedure, and that is great if that is enough. That's why the success rate is relatively low - less than 50%. The second and especially the third procedures are very difficult and should only be done by someone with a LOT of training.
The first procedure is probably not that much more difficult than removing tonsils.
Another thing to consider when treating sleep apnea is weight reduction. I'm not talking about 25 pounds but something in the 75-100 pound range of weight loss. I've know people who had all of the surgery and still had to use CPAP until they lost 100 pounds. I've also known people who lost 80 or so and no longer had sleep apnea at all.
I went to a sleep apnea support group at Stanford for many years and it was fascinating to hear about their research.
It is definitely worth it not to have to both with the machine! My doctor referred to it as a "nasal contraceptive". It's not very romantic. A friend of mine (who did have the first surgery her in Arkansas) and her husband both have to use the machines.
Again good luck to you all. Ten years ago hardly anyone had even heard of sleep apnea - I know I hadn't until I found out that I had it.
There are three procedures that are most often used for sleep apnea surgery.
The first and least invasive procedure is the removal of the uvula (dangly thing at the back of your throat) and part of the soft palate. KrnB - this sounds like what you are having done. Care has to be taken that not too little tissue is taken out (or it won't work) and not too much (or when you swallow it goes up your nose). Tonsils are also removed if you still have them.
The second step (if the first is not enough) is to move the tongue forward to increase the size of the back air passage. I had this done along with the first procedure. This is pretty major.
The air passageway should be about the size of the width of two fingers. Mine was the size of a straw. Procedure one alone would not have helped me.
The third procedure is to move the jaw forward. It is a very big deal and they actually take plugs out of the skull to help do this. Fortunately for me I did not have to do this but I know someone who did.
Many doctors only do the first procedure, and that is great if that is enough. That's why the success rate is relatively low - less than 50%. The second and especially the third procedures are very difficult and should only be done by someone with a LOT of training.
The first procedure is probably not that much more difficult than removing tonsils.
Another thing to consider when treating sleep apnea is weight reduction. I'm not talking about 25 pounds but something in the 75-100 pound range of weight loss. I've know people who had all of the surgery and still had to use CPAP until they lost 100 pounds. I've also known people who lost 80 or so and no longer had sleep apnea at all.
I went to a sleep apnea support group at Stanford for many years and it was fascinating to hear about their research.
It is definitely worth it not to have to both with the machine! My doctor referred to it as a "nasal contraceptive". It's not very romantic. A friend of mine (who did have the first surgery her in Arkansas) and her husband both have to use the machines.
Again good luck to you all. Ten years ago hardly anyone had even heard of sleep apnea - I know I hadn't until I found out that I had it.
hockeymom7691
<font color=purple>Dances like she is still in the
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I had one just last night!!! I also had one a few weeks ago. The first test I had, they did not hook up the electrodes to your head, just a few differents ones on my body along with a microphone type thingy on my neck to hear if I snore, something under my nose and the little ET light on my finger for oxygen levels.
The results from that test didn't show enough info except that my oxygen level dropped to 80 when I was sleeping so they sent me back last night. This time I was hooked up with the electrodes on my head, legs, etc. I actually was more comfortable last night than with the first test.
Oh yeah, I brought my own pillow, maybe that helped.
I have a friend that had one of the surgeries (not sure which one) but it was a waste of time. He still uses his CPAP machine every night.
I think the worst part of the test was sleeping in a twin size bed. I felt like I tossed and turned all night.
Good luck on your test! I know I can't wait to get the results, I would love to feel rested after a night's sleep!
The results from that test didn't show enough info except that my oxygen level dropped to 80 when I was sleeping so they sent me back last night. This time I was hooked up with the electrodes on my head, legs, etc. I actually was more comfortable last night than with the first test.
Oh yeah, I brought my own pillow, maybe that helped.
I have a friend that had one of the surgeries (not sure which one) but it was a waste of time. He still uses his CPAP machine every night.
I think the worst part of the test was sleeping in a twin size bed. I felt like I tossed and turned all night.
Good luck on your test! I know I can't wait to get the results, I would love to feel rested after a night's sleep!
hockeymom7691
<font color=purple>Dances like she is still in the
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I had one just last night!!! I also had one a few weeks ago. The first test I had, they did not hook up the electrodes to your head, just a few differents ones on my body along with a microphone type thingy on my neck to hear if I snore, something under my nose and the little ET light on my finger for oxygen levels.
The results from that test didn't show enough info except that my oxygen level dropped to 80 when I was sleeping so they sent me back last night. This time I was hooked up with the electrodes on my head, legs, etc. I actually was more comfortable last night than with the first test.
Oh yeah, I brought my own pillow, maybe that helped.
I have a friend that had one of the surgeries (not sure which one) but it was a waste of time. He still uses his CPAP machine every night.
I think the worst part of the test was sleeping in a twin size bed. I felt like I tossed and turned all night.
Good luck on your test! I know I can't wait to get the results, I would love to feel rested after a night's sleep!
The results from that test didn't show enough info except that my oxygen level dropped to 80 when I was sleeping so they sent me back last night. This time I was hooked up with the electrodes on my head, legs, etc. I actually was more comfortable last night than with the first test.
Oh yeah, I brought my own pillow, maybe that helped.
I have a friend that had one of the surgeries (not sure which one) but it was a waste of time. He still uses his CPAP machine every night.
I think the worst part of the test was sleeping in a twin size bed. I felt like I tossed and turned all night.
Good luck on your test! I know I can't wait to get the results, I would love to feel rested after a night's sleep!
KrnB
<font color=6600CC>Baseball Nut<br><font color=FF3
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Thanks for the description of the surgery types, arminnie. You're probably right - the first one does sound like what the doctor described to me. Hopefully that will be enough to do the trick, and since my apnea is only mild, it probably will.
I REALLY hope I don't ever have to use the CPAP. I know they work wonderfully for people, but I just can't get past the idea that it looks like an F-16 fighter pilot mask.
I REALLY hope I don't ever have to use the CPAP. I know they work wonderfully for people, but I just can't get past the idea that it looks like an F-16 fighter pilot mask.
Barb D
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- Aug 19, 1999
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- 4,684
I had the sleep study last night. I actually did sleep, although not particularly well. The most annoying parts were the things they put up my nose and the wires going across my throat to get from one side of my face to the other. If I have another study done I'll ask them to put those wires somewhere else (like behind my neck.) The tech turned the lights out at 10:20 PM and woke me up before 5:30 AM. Then I came home and went back to bed. I've had a bad headache for the last two days anyway. I slept WAY in and now I need to get to work...
Anyway, the tech wouldn't give me any results other than that my "breathing changed." And she did tell me that if I had a certain number of apnea events within the first two hours she would have come in and put me on a CPAP machine. That didn't happen, so I'm guessing if I do have sleep apnea it's not severe.
This was at the hospital, but the rooms looked more like small motel rooms. The bed was comfortable. I brought my own pillow.
Anyway, the tech wouldn't give me any results other than that my "breathing changed." And she did tell me that if I had a certain number of apnea events within the first two hours she would have come in and put me on a CPAP machine. That didn't happen, so I'm guessing if I do have sleep apnea it's not severe.
This was at the hospital, but the rooms looked more like small motel rooms. The bed was comfortable. I brought my own pillow.
KrnB
<font color=6600CC>Baseball Nut<br><font color=FF3
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I'm glad everything went pretty well for you! Good luck with your follow-up. Should be a good sign that they didn't need to wake you up.
I hated that nose thing too - I was constantly trying to pull it out of my nose because it felt so weird.
I hated that nose thing too - I was constantly trying to pull it out of my nose because it felt so weird.
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