sleep study

[cepmom]

has anyone had a sleep study that has come up inconclusive? I am having one done after Christmas...as much as I don't want to be diagnosed with sleep apnea, I am hoping to find some answers as to why I am so tired all the time. Had blood work done lat week to check for anemia, thyroid levels and Lyme disease,all came back normal. I do snore, that's nothing new but I'm not sure that I actually stop breathing I just want to find out why I am so tired!!

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I was surprised when the doc sent me for a sleep study. Tiredness was my main symptom too.

My husband never noticed any sleep disturbances with my sleep so I thought it would be a waste of a night.

However, I ended up having severe apnea!

Have a CPAP machine and it has changed my life - I have more energy, am never tired, have no desire to nap, more alert etc.

Good luck!

 

[metalis4ever]

I was experiencing the same symptoms, waking up gasping for air, constantly tired, extreme snoring, and always hazy and tired. The snoring was so bad my DW kicked me out to the couch on more than 1 occasion

In any case my primary sent me to an Ear, Nose and Throat guy and he ordered a sleep study, which revealed that I had severe Sleep Apnea. The Ear, Nose and Throat specialist suggested that I had my tonsils removed then go for a second sleep study. I had my tonsils removed and problem solved, I've never slept so soundly in my life.

So if you have not had your tonsils removed, suggest it to your Doctor...tonsils are useless to us as adults anyway.

Good Luck

 

[wvjules]

I also experienced the same symptoms and was sent for a sleep study. I have moderate sleep apnea. My longest time without breathing was 47 seconds!

The sleep study itself wasn't too bad. It took about 15-20 minutes to get all of the wires hooked up then I was ready for bed. I only woke up when the tech came in to reattach a wire. I was there form 9:30pm-5:00am.

The worst part was getting all of that glue out of my hair. lol

I have had my CPAP for about a month. I have only make it through the entire night with it on once! I usually take it off at 3:30 or 4:00. I'm hoping this improves within the next month. I don't feel any difference yet but I think that is because I am still getting used to the machine. It is quiet, and mostly comfortable, but still takes some getting used to.

 

[Dax]

has anyone had a sleep study that has come up inconclusive? I am having one done after Christmas...as much as I don't want to be diagnosed with sleep apnea, I am hoping to find some answers as to why I am so tired all the time. Had blood work done lat week to check for anemia, thyroid levels and Lyme disease,all came back normal. I do snore, that's nothing new but I'm not sure that I actually stop breathing I just want to find out why I am so tired!!

My DH had to do this...he actually went for 2 diff nights...The first night, he was hooked up, and monitored while he slept, with all the wires. He waited a week or 2 for results as to wether he has apnea, which he did. He then had to come back for the 2nd sleep night. That time he was hooked up again, and given a Cpap, where they adjusted the levels for him, to find the right settings. He got his Cpap in Feb.

He was very difficult with it at first. Either not wearing it, or taking it off in the night. Within a month though, he was able to sleep with it all night, and noticed the difference! He now only goes without when sick or something like that.

Now though, I think I am getting it. He has said I am noisy when sleeping on my back, and he has had to wake me to roll me...but I have no insurance, so I am kinda stuck right now.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I snore and am always tired and toss and turn at night and since I am overweight I really thought that I probably had apnea. However my sleep test showed none at all. I was really surprised, but relieved. I am not sure there is any way I could sleep with a CPAP.

For me I ended up getting my deviated septum fixed last month and that is already helping me to sleep better. It is still healing so I am hoping that a few more months and I will really notice a difference.

DH does have apnea and uses a CPAP. He says it makes a huge difference. It does help his snoring but he still manages to snore quite a bit even with the machine.

I am not sure that a sleep test can be inconclusive? You either stop breathing or you don't. There are different levels of apnea depending on how long you stop breathing and how often, but as long as you are able to sleep long enough for them to get the right readings they should be able to say one way or the other if you have it.

 

[cepmom]

I snore and am always tired and toss and turn at night and since I am overweight I really thought that I probably had apnea. However my sleep test showed none at all. I was really surprised, but relieved. I am not sure there is any way I could sleep with a CPAP.

For me I ended up getting my deviated septum fixed last month and that is already helping me to sleep better. It is still healing so I am hoping that a few more months and I will really notice a difference.

DH does have apnea and uses a CPAP. He says it makes a huge difference. It does help his snoring but he still manages to snore quite a bit even with the machine.

I am not sure that a sleep test can be inconclusive? You either stop breathing or you don't. There are different levels of apnea depending on how long you stop breathing and how often, but as long as you are able to sleep long enough for them to get the right readings they should be able to say one way or the other if you have it.

I guess what I mean by inconclusive is that sleep apnea is not present or the reason for being so tired all the time. I thought for sure that my blood work would come back as anemic but it was normal. I'm not sure how I'd sleep with a mask on all night either! but I am hoping this is the answer in a weird sort of way so I can just find out the cause...it's getting old being so tired all the time

 

[cepmom]

thanks for all the replies everyone...I have not heard back yet about my scheduled date but I am hoping I can get it done right after Christmas. Wish me luck!

 

[lovetoscrap]

I guess what I mean by inconclusive is that sleep apnea is not present or the reason for being so tired all the time. I thought for sure that my blood work would come back as anemic but it was normal. I'm not sure how I'd sleep with a mask on all night either! but I am hoping this is the answer in a weird sort of way so I can just find out the cause...it's getting old being so tired all the time

Ah, that makes more sense. Yep, I was pretty disappointed when mine was negative. It would have been the easy answer.

Have you seen an ENT? As a PP said, sometimes it could be tonsils, for me we are hoping that getting my nasal situation under control will help -- I am also getting allergy shots. I had put off the deviation surgery for about 20 years-- did NOT want to do it. I can tell a difference but until I heal more I am still pretty congested and I am still tired all the time. I have had blood checked for everything and I am pretty darn healthy for a disabled fat woman.

Of course I am sure that it would help if I ate better and exercised and was just in better physical shape!

Good luck with your test and let us know what happens.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Mine wasn't necessarily inconclusive, but they offered a diagnosis that a lot of people don't recognize as a valid diagnosis.

I have a "snoring" disorder that is not apnea. Something causes me to snore, but my airways are not blocked or constricted.

 

[stevenpensacola]

I'm a "hosehead" also....

When I had my sleep study, I would have swore that I never slept enough for them to obtain any data...but, it turned out I did have apnea.

I use the cpap about 90% of the time. I don't wake up and run a marathon, but I does allow me to sleep through the night.

Without it, I'll wake up a time or two, and think I need to use the restroom...if I'm wearing the cpap...I don't get up until the alarm goes off.

 

[minkydog]

Count me in! I've had CPAP for about 4 years now and I couldn't live without it. I knew that I snored, but i didn't think it was all that bad. But when they did the sleep study they had to stop the test about 45 min into it because I had already stopped breathing 70 times! I've been using it faithfully ever since.

It takes some getting used to. At first I couldn't get more than a couple hours sleep at first. But I stuck with it and became acclimated within the month. Now I can't sleep at all without it--it makes a huge difference. I no longer wake up tired. I don't fall asleep in movies. I don't fall asleep at the wheel anymore And I never need naps! I thought all that time that I was just lazy or depressed or stressed or overworked. Well, I probably am all those things at times, but sleep apnea was at the bottom of it all. My CPAP machine has probably saved my life (and others, as well.)

 

[Dax]

I'm a "hosehead" also....

When I had my sleep study, I would have swore that I never slept enough for them to obtain any data...but, it turned out I did have apnea.

I use the cpap about 90% of the time. I don't wake up and run a marathon, but I does allow me to sleep through the night.

Without it, I'll wake up a time or two, and think I need to use the restroom...if I'm wearing the cpap...I don't get up until the alarm goes off.

This describes my DH...he told me the test was a waste of time and he didnt sleep...when I asked them, they told me otherwise..LOL..

He does sleep like a log..what gets me though is when he sleeps on his side sometimes, the mask leaks air, like a slow leak balloon...I usually just push him and he re-adjustes..LOL

 

[wvjules]

This describes my DH...he told me the test was a waste of time and he didnt sleep...when I asked them, they told me otherwise..LOL..

He does sleep like a log..what gets me though is when he sleeps on his side sometimes, the mask leaks air, like a slow leak balloon...I usually just push him and he re-adjustes..LOL

When I finished the test I told the tech that I hope they got enough data because I hardly slept at all. He said I slept alot. lol Turns out I slept way more than I thought I did. I was in bed for 6 hours and was actualy asleep for almost 5.5 of them.

 

[cepmom]

I'm going for my sleep study tonight...hoping to find some answers. Will update when I get the results!

 

[goofyernmost]

I will agree that the CPAP machine is a total pain in the butt. Traveling is an extra hassle and it is kind of odd to think that one is hooked up to a machine all night, but I am sure that it has saved my life and a lot of embarrassment. I used to snore loud enough to rattle the windows. Since CPAP...not a sound, just the machine running.

I am another one that simply cannot sleep without it anymore. Back a few years ago when we had a massive ice storm and the power was out, I just stayed up. I can occasionally sleep on a plane without it as long as I am sitting up fairly straight. I took the red eye from Anaheim one time and I told the person sitting next to me that I had Sleep Apnea so if I fell asleep and started to snore, please wake me. I slept all the way to New York and when I woke up he said that I hadn't made a sound.

To be honest I would rather have Sleep Apnea then the list of other possibilities that have a fatigue factor as a symtom. I also was able to pursue my career as a professional driver because I got the machine. Before that I couldn't stay awake while driving.

 

[Barbossa]

I am another one that simply cannot sleep without it anymore. Back a few years ago when we had a massive ice storm and the power was out, I just stayed up.

Get one of these bad boys:

It will run my CPAP for two nights, and is great for camping etc.

 

[HannaBelle]

Hey Barbossa,

Is that think rechargeable?

 

[Chim Chiminy]

I had two sleep studies done.
The first showed some snoring and slight apnea, but not enough to warrant a CPAP.

The second showed the same, but they kept me for a daytime study. The daytime study showed that I have narcolepsy.
So that explains my exhausted state and need to crawl back into bed during the day. I get overwhelmed by tiredness and cannot fight it.

I have a prescription now for a stimilant med, but I only take it as needed since I am self employed.
If I worked outside the home in a regular 9 to 5 I would have to take the meds everyday.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Where did you find that battery? I need one for my DH who is a hose head!