Sleep Study - where did you go?

Hey Laura -

Looks like B has given you just what you need.

One correction, though - it's NOT called a sleep study - here, we refer to them as sleepless studies!!!  LOL!!!!  I had two and took off the day after each one of them - might want to consider that.

Hugs,

Tia
 

Thank you, Tia.  Sleepless Studies...that's funny. I wonder how on earth they get the info they are looking for!  I have a afeeling I will also have to do two...I'm just lucky like that.

Even though you'll be convinced that you did NOT sleep - you always sleep enough for them to get what they need.

I had my sleepless studies done at Franklin Square Hospital, which is in my neck of the woods.  The sleep center was great - very comfortable, and the staff was top-notch.  But still, you're hooked up to electrodes with gunk on your body and hair and it's just NOT conducive to sleep, you know?

But, whatever it takes - just look at it as one more hurdle cleared!

Tia

Laura,

I had mine done at the one near the Bay Bridge.  It's called Sleep Disorders Center of the Mid-Atlantic and it's on Old Mill Bottom Road.  My experience there was good, aside from not being able to sleep.  The rooms are nice with nice beds, flat screen TVs, fans, a private bathroom with a sink and toilet.  They also have showers available if you prefer to shower before you go home.  I'm just on the other side of the bridge, so I opted to just go home and shower, but some people go straight to work afterwards.  I wouldn't advise this as I got very little sleep both times.  They can do it on a Friday night too!

Hope that helps,
Heather

I had mine done at the one that is at Howard County Hospital in Columbia.  The main reason I ended up going to them is that they do Friday nights, and they were able to make me an appointment within a couple of weeks (as opposed to the months I was getting from some places).

Having all of the stuff attached to you and trying to sleep....it just sucks.  But my tech was awesome, and the facility was great.  I brought a book and a bottle of water - those were the main things I knew I would want to have at my fingertips.

To answer part of your other question: I went in assuming that I had sleep apnea.  I am 400 lbs, have high BP, asthma, and I snore.  I figured it was a done deal.  Well, I was wrong.  My result was "no evidence of sleep disorder".  But before my study,  I asked my surgeon that question too, about whether I HAD to have one, and she said yes, I had to in order for her to do surgery on me.  It helps to bring down BP, and you absolutely need it while you are under general anesthesia.

Gabby, I had my sleep study at Upper Chesapeake/Harford Memorial and had the same feelings as the others. Not much sleep, kinda creepy that people were watching me sleep and with all the drinking during the day I have to pee a lot during the night and since I didn't want to be disconnected I just held it which also made it hard to sleep! I didn't have much actual sleep apnea but I did have hypopnea which is a slow respiratory rate. I am going back for my second sleep study on the 11th of December. Unfortunately, I am a bit of a hard head (and a nurse) and I refuse to wear the CPAP after the second sleep study for many reason. I asked Dr Fullum/Dr McKenna's office and they said I can have the surgery even if I refuse but I have to at least go to the study and get the settings in case its needed at the hospital!!! DON'T follow my lead in that respect. I have seen them be life saving so they are important. I just have my reasons.   Best of luck!

crabbyKelly

LOTS of good information everyone - thank you so much for your replies. I have a much better idea of what to expect when I go. Sounds like a lot of you had to go two times!

Thanks again!

xoxo
Laura

i love threads like this one.  lots of great information that is truly useful!

for those that are considering any of the st. agnes doctors, because they have such a strong bariatric department there, you can have all of your pre-surgical testing performed at the hospital.  one of the benefits of this is that your results go into a computerized system and are immediately available to your surgeon.  i had all of my pre-surgical testing, including my sleep study, complete in less than two weeks.  i was approved for surgery in less than three months.  it was awesome!

Same with Upper Chesapeake Barriatrics, everything can be done at Harford Memorial and they can get it off the computer as well, I did have to send some things like my cardiology consult but the other results are easily obtained. I was just overly cautious and double sent all my info! It only took longer to get my surgery because of my insurance "waiting" period but I was finished all of my pre-op or could have been finished all of my pre-op in less then a month. I had a hard time scheduling my second sleep study because I wanted a Friday and they are popular and I had personal scheduling conflicts! Second sleep study Friday 12/11, pre-op appt 12/23, surgery 01/05 as long as I don't gain anymore weight!!!!!!!!!

crabbyKelly

Laura - Mine was done at AAMC, but I forget the name of the company that did them there.  I assume if you call the hospital though they would tell you.