Back from my sleep study

And first off, I will have to say THANK YOU for suggesting that I ask to try the machine last night! I was scheduled for a split study anyway, but it was good to ask and find out that I was going to be on the cpap. It was an interesting experience. For those of you that are scheduled and don't know what to expect: I arrived at 7pm and went over the survey with the technician. She was wonderful and really... they must look for personable people to do this. She was easy to talk to and I felt pretty comfortable about being there. You would not believe all the wires they connect you with! 3 on my scalp, 1 by each eye, 1 on my neck, two bands- one under my arms and one around my chest, two on each leg, and a microphone on my chest to hear my snoring (like she'd need that?!)- oh, and a tube measuring my breathing from my nose and mouth. After getting all hooked up, I had a couple of hours to "relax" before she plugged me in so I could sleep. She told me ahead of time that if I "misbehaved" as bad as reports say I do, then she would stop the study and start me on the cpap and work on trying to adjust the levels to the right amount of pressure. Well, I felt like I hadn't slept at all but she came back in some time later (no clock so I don't know how long it was) and said that the reports were accurate- I "misbehaved" plenty and she was going to put me on the cpap. I was also wheezing so bad from my asthma that she ordered an albuterol treatment. She gave me the treatment and then put me on the cpap. I wasn't too uncomfortable with it- I guess years of nebulizer treatments prepared me. I found out real quick that you can't talk when you have the mask on and breathing through your nose really is your only option! I still recall waking a couple of times but she said when she woke me at 5 that I actually did fall into a deep sleep- even REM sleep!- once she got the pressure level set correctly (I must have been waking prior to that level being set correctly). She said that I rebounded very well after REM sleep which is also an indicator that I haven't had REM sleep in a while. As we went through the last of the surveys and stuff before I went home, she gave me some really good tips. First of all, and most importantly, make sure you are really comfortable with the mask you get. When they come or you go to pick it out, try several. She said when she first started this 5 years ago, there weren't many options and you picked what worked best out of those few choices but that's not the case today. There are many different models to chose from and because you only get a new one every few months, you really do have to make sure that it's the best option for you or else you won't use it and that just makes all this pointless. She also said to try it out where you will be using it- on your bed or recliner and in the position you usually sleep. That's the only way you will know if it will work for you. I will say that I actually feel refreshed this morning- and I don't know the last time I felt this way!!! So good luck to all of you waiting for your test... and I can't wait for my machine!!!

Thanks so much for this information. I'm to be scheduled for a study soon, and I had no idea what to expect

Hi Fawn, You did a great job of explaining the sleep study I had mine a few years ago - and was diagnosed with sleep apnea then. I didn't need to go through another sleep study - since I already had a machine. The good news for me is -- last night I slept without the machine for the first time in years! And, I slept great! Its great that you had a good night's sleep during the study - for me, I was exhausted after my sleep study -- but you'll probably benefit immediately from the new machine. As far as the masks are concerned - the techinician gave you very good advice! I have a Breeze mask - it doesn't go over my mouth and nose like the one you used last night -- it just hooks into my nostrils! Its still quite a site - but there is no air leakage, and it is quite comfortable. You might want to try one of those as well. Best wishes to you on your continued journey to a new life. God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau Lap RNY 12/3/03 -50 lbs