Sleep Apnea test???

Hello everyone, I was hoping to get some input on this test. I was at first told that I had to have a sleep apnea test then when I called the office Stacey said that she would talk to Dr A. and see what he has to say about it. Well his answer was he is NOT going to require it be done. I have an appt set up for the 22nd of this month with the pulmonologist and that was to talk about the sleep apnea testing. I am wondering if I should go have it done to be safe. I sleep ALL NIGHT long and don't wake up so I don't think that I have it BUT I have been told in the past by my neurologist that I should have this test done. Where did everyone who got this done get it done? There was someone at the meeting last week that had it done in a condo she said but I am not sure where. Does anyone know where that is???? Your comments would be so appreciated. Lisa

Lisa, I live in Cromwell, just south of you, but I went to Michigan to have my test done (that's where my doctor is). I never thought that I had apnea and really believed that I slept through the night w/o waking up. Imagine my surprise when I found out that I woke up due to not breathing an average of 49x per hour!! I would highly recommend you get the test done if possible. I don't know of anywhere in CT, but I know that there are some sleep docs who will give you an auto-pap machine and a blood oxygen monitor to take home (usually someone comes out to your house to set this up for you). You would wear this at night for a week or so and then the doc would download the data from the machine and make a determination. Might be worth looking into. You may also want to check out talkaboutsleep.com; there is a LOT of information on that board as well as a sleep apnea message board. I'm sure someone there would have more specifics about this type of test. Hope this is helpful!! Good luck!! Pat.

Hey Lisa, I know it is annoying because it makes pushes you back in your conquest to have surgery but if your Neurologist is telling you to get this done then I think you should. I do not remember where she said she had it done in the condo I think it might have been granby but I am not too sure. I went to NBGH and the rooms are like hotel rooms to me but I know you said you dont like hospital but just look at it this way you are going to be in there for at least 3 days when you have surgery so this will prepare you for it. My experience for the sleep study was not bad at all. I got it done fairly quickly also. I know I tried calling Middlesex so they were booked so I went here and met with pulmonogist who explained what was going to happen and said they would call me if they got any cancellations but I was there in I want to say 2 weeks or so. if you have any questions email me at [email protected]

I say do the test. It won't hurt and it could be life saving. If you DO have apnea your surgeon needs to know because you could have problems coming out of anesthesia. I had a hard time in recovery because of my apnea. I had to be on O2 because my sat drops when I'm asleep. OSA obstructive sleep apnea is pretty common in those people that are overweight. I never even knew I woke up at night, I just felt tired all the time. I still do but I do work full time, have a deployed husband and run around after 2 & 3 year old boys.

The Norwalk Hospital has a sleep testing center and I believe Yale New Haven Hospital as well. You might want to try calling them. I am sure your doctor can guide you to a testing center. My sister-in-law went to Norwalk and was quite impressed with the caring staff in the center. Good Luck.