Sleep Study Question
I agree, Elaine! I was called around 8:30 last night with news of a cancellation at RIH Sleep Lab. Wanting to get this test over asap, I packed up my stuff & headed down. While the technicians who work at the lab are wonderful, the room itself was so awful! The mattress was lumpy, & fitted sheets are not allowed so I was constantly in contact with the sticky plastic matress cover underneath. I had to go to an open area to watch tv & the overhead lighting in the sleeping room was poor so it made reading very difficult.
I am someone who suffers from serious insomnia & this was only intensified by the uncomfortable bed (even using my own pillow from home didn't help). I tossed & turned from midnite to at least 2:30am at which time I just fell asleep from sheer exhaustion & frustration. I awoke at 5:00am (a half hour before the techs are to wake you) & threw myself in the shower (fortunately only 2 other people were testing that night & didn't utitlize the shower, thank heavens!). One of the techs said I "sawed down a few forests" while sleeping (I know I snore like a bear!) but didn't give any indication of whether another sleep test (using the cpap machine, I guess) would be required. I have to wait a few days while the report is given to the sleep specialist & then call to see what decision he has made. Everyone, please keep your fingers crossed for me as I don't think I could stand another night in that room!!!
To make the day even more exhausting, I had the psych eval at 8:30 this morning! It, however, went really well (although it does indeed take 4 hours to complete!) & I will meet with the psychiatrist on Friday morning to get formal approval. The clinical psychologist who conducted my session was a sweetheart & told me I will definitely be approved. That made my day, I must say!
Now, if the one up above smiles down on me & I do not have to have another sleep test, all that will remain for me is the cardiolyte stress test
(been there, done that before!) & my blood work.....hallelujah!!! And then
Dr. Roye....clear your calendar!!! Maureen M.
An update to my last post....the Sleep Lab called me this morning to lmk that I have "severe sleep apnea" (damn!) & I need to come in for a follow-up session (tonight at 9!) to be fitted with & find the proper level for the cpap machine (I hope it doesn't interfere with my mouth guard!). I will then have an appointment with my sleep specialist on August 20th at which point he will supposedly clear me for surgery from his end of the process (so says the sleep lab). Since my Cardiolyte Stress Test is on the 18th, that means I may be able to have my blood work done on the 20th right after I meet with the sleep specialist. My fingers & toes are crossed for that to happen! Btw, if anyone here on the boards had to use a cpap machine presurgically, I'd really appreciate hearing about your experience with it. Thanks so much! Maureen M.
Oh Maureen...it's all so familiar. I also had to go back for the 2nd test with the cpap machine. It wasn't really that bad and yes, I was told I had sleep apnea and had to get the machine before Dr. Roye would do the surgery. To be honest, I got the machine at home and never used it. After a couple of months, I sent it back. Everyone is different but I knew I did not need it...seems to me just about everyone who goes for the study ends up with the machine....at least those that I've spoken with.
Anyhooo....it'll be over with before you know it and you'll be on your way (by the way, when I when for my appt with Dr. Roye after all my testing was done I got a surgery date for less than 10 days away!!)
I'm thinking of ya'.
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