Sleep study

Ok, I can't believe this. I've been all bummed out because they told me I had to have a sleep study and I knew that they probably couldn't get me in for a few months. I called my PCP's office today and begged them to call and try and get the quickest appointment as possible. The nurse called all three places in Cedar Rapids and guess what? They had a cancellation for tomorrow night so I get to do it then. I am determined to get this surgery done soon. And I'm not above begging A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!! Leslie

Leslie, When you go, ask them if they will wake you up & put the CPAP on you if they determine you need it. That may save you another appointment. When I had mine, they knew during the night that I would need it but let me continue sleeping. That made it necessary to have another sleep study appointment where they fitted it to me & checked to see how I slept with it. And that meant I had to take another night off from work. I ended up having to call the hospital in Mason City to get it done before my scheduled surgery date because there were no openings locally. My first study was done a****erloo. It was a real pain because I also had to follow up with the neurologist in Mason City instead of the pulmonologist in Waterloo. It was a fiasco all around. Thank God I don't need it anymore! Dixie

Dixie, ok a few questions. Do they make you sleep a certain way? Can I sleep on my left side so I have better readings? On my pulse oximeter reading, my oxygen level only fell down to 80% twice in 7 hours so I am hoping that I won't need a CPAP machine. If I do, will that delay the surgery even more?? I will mention it to them anyway because I will not be lucky enough to get another appointment before Fall. I'm trying not to stress about this. Leslie

Oh,yes, you can sleep in any position you want. It will be a bit uncomfortable with all the wires attached to you but it won't hurt. I sleep best on my side and was able to do so. I was concerned about needing to get up to go to the restroom but the technician showed me how easily it was for them to unhook me from the machine & all we had to do was carry the wires along to the restroom. That was at the first one. At the place I had my second study the technician told me that I couldn't get up to go to the restroom until the test was over. Of course, she was an idiot! She also instructed me in how to use the CPAP & actually told me to inhale through the nose & exhale through my mouth. I tried doing that all night long but found it impossible to do it while sleeping. I instinctively breathed through the nose. The next day I learned she didn't know what she was talking about. I was supposed to breath through the nose all the time. No wonder the doctor was upset with me when I told him of the trouble I had sleeping with it. He informed me I needed a psychiatrist because I fought the machine. Well, DUH!!!!! How could I not fight it? Let's just say that I have never been rude to a doctor before but I had no problem letting him have it & I picked up my things & walked out, informing him & the nurse that I was not coming back! I feel sorry for anyone who has to deal with that jerk in Mason City! I went home & called my surgeon's nurse & explained what happened & what he said to me. She called the pulmonologist in Waterloo & he saw me immediately & cleared me for surgery. Yeah!! Be sure to limit caffiene & don't nap at all that day. I stayed up l ate the night before because they wanted the test to start at 8 or 9 & I usually don't go to bed until after 1AM. At one place I went to they had you sleep in a hospital bed but the other one had a nice queensize bed with pretty bedroom type furniture & even a TV. I've heard that a new sleep study place opened in Cedar Falls & the beds have "sleep number" mattresses. Anything to make it easier to fall asleep. Good luck & be sure to let us know how it goes. Dixie

I'm not Dixie, but I'd like to chime in and say that when I had my sleep study, I was told to try to lie on my back to sleep in order for the monitors to pick up how bad my apnea really was. That way it would be a true blue reading of how many times I held my breath. In fact they told me that if I did not sleep on my back enough, that they would have to come in and tell me to roll over to my back. jean

you go girl !!! Congrats and good luck on your sleep study, keep us posted!! Take Care, Lori A.

For the right thing....no one should be ashamed to beg Great news!!! Things have a way of working themselves out!!! I tell ya what...I am so not normal but I LOVED my sleep study!!!! It was a normal queen size bed......yes I was hooked up with wires from head to toe, but I never slept better in my life......They turned the air on for me....I told them I sleep better when it is really cold I watched T.V. until I felt tired.....then turned it off and sleep like a baby......The room was pitch black and cold.....I loved it....when they woke me at 6am to go home I was rested like I have never been!!! I was hoping for apnea (kidding) just so I could go back for another nights sleep It is amazing how much better I sleep minus three kids, hubby, dog, and nightlights!!! I will take wires and suction cups any day...... Anyways, best of luck to ya, and let us know how it turns out!!! Take Care Jesi P.S. sweet dreams

Jesi, you are too funny!! but I can totally understand how you would want to take advantage of a quiet night's sleep. I think I will sleep okay but who knows. They did give me a prescription for 2 Ambien in case I need it. I typically take 2 Tylenol PM before bed every night because my legs bother me (over-extended knee joints). It seems to do the trick. I will have to remember to tell them I like it cold too....puts me into a hibernation kind of sleep. I sleep really well at home on my Select Comfort bed so if St. Luke's doesn't have comfy beds, I may have to protest. I went to bed at 11:30 last night and got up at 6:30 this morning to ensure that I'll be plenty sleepy tonight. I'll let you know how it goes....... Leslie

Good luck Leslie! Tina

Good Luck!!! Have fun!!!