Pretesting is now officially over

I just got back from my SECOND stupid sleep apnea test. This time I had to wear a mask over my nose and not breathe through my mouth and sleep ON MY BACK all night long! Well, almost all night. It wouldn't have been as bad had I not picked up the less-than-smart (I think stupid is getting overused here) cold or sinus issue or whatever it is that's going around. My pulmonologist called in a Z-pack prescriptiion and told me to add sudafed and afrin nasal spray to the mix. I did and now its done. NEXT STEP is to try to push the report through in less than two weeks so I can get on the second visit list in Seaford before then end of May. IF that happens, I might be able to sneak surgery in late June or early July . . . late June works best with my schedule. When my husband saw the mask they sent home with me, he said, "How do they expect you to sleep at night wearing that thing?" My response, "another good reason to have this surgery . . ." That's all I have to say about that! Bye Diane C.

Best of luck on your journey...... take care Dana

Thanks so much. I'm ready to be propelled forward . . . Diane C.

I hope it works out for you and you feel better soon. I got lucky in the sleep test thingy and didn't have to do the second study. Good luck.

Yes, I would love to have my nose back, not to mention my sinuses and all that goes with them. Diane C.

My husband has sleep apnea & has to wear that mask too. It takes some getting used to but it really makes a difference in the quality of slep you are getting. Depending on how bad yoru apnea is - you could be sleeping less then 1/2 the time you think you are - and that sleep is broken constantly. Best of luck!

This whole pretesting has been a bit of a revelation. I never dreamed I had a sleep disorder . . . I just knew I rarely awoke refreshed. My husband is still skeptical. The proof will be in the pudding, I suppose. At least we didn't find anything else, like heart problems, during the process. Diane C.

Guess what. Prior to getting rid of the mask after surgery you will need to have another sleep test because sleep apnea is not always determined just by weight. I still use mine, it puts me to sleep in minutes and I sleep like a babe all through the night. Eventually I'll have another sleep test but to be honest I like the mask that I've got and it's a pain to have all that cement in your hair (or in my case what's left of it). Have fun with all of it. Rob

I see my pulmonologist on April 12. How big are the units? I travel (speaking and performing). So, I'm assuming that I'll have to take it with me? I'll be in Missouri for 10 days in June, in Philadelphia for four days in August, in North Carolina for 10 days in October and in Florida for 10 days in January. This could be interesting. Diane C.

One more step closer, Diane. I got my cpap about a month ago, and although I hate to admit it, I'm sleeping like a baby now! I had the surgery in 2000 to correct sleep apnea and it worked for a while. I gained weight and the apnea came back. I vowed that I would never sleep in that thing, that's why I went right for the surgery. But 4 yrs later I'm using one. With my luck, I'll be one of the ones that Rob mentioned about losing weight but still having the apnea. Time will tell. Dianne