Sleep Apnea test

Hey everyone, I Have to go for my sleep apnea test on 6/25 and i am just wondering what to expect. What i can wear etc..Any advice would be greatly appreciated! (its my last pre-test) Kristen

Hi Kristen, I was told not to have any caffine the day of my test and I had to check in at 7pm. I took a regular nightgown and a change of clothes. They had me fill out a bunch of paper work and then set me up to watch a video about sleep apnea. I was in a double bed with a tv and my own bathroom. Around 8pm they took me to another room and hooked me up to all of these little wires. My face, head, chest, arms and legs were covered in wires and they put a little wire sensor to check for breathing that went around my head and was placed just under my nose. Then they turned out the lights and had a camera on me. It is not comfortable and I do not know how anyone is suppose to sleep like that, but it does not hurt or anything. In the morning, they unhooked everything and sent me home. Oh and my Dr. put the orders in for a split night, which means they monitored me for half of the night and the other half they monitored me with the c-pap machine on. They said most of the time it's a 2 night process, but if I had to do it for 2 nights, I probably would not have gone back the 2nd. So if your Dr. will do it, ask for him to do a split night on you. In my opinion, it's much better. Good luck!

Well, for me it was terrible. Remember to wear PJ's that you aren't afraid to be seen in by any anonymous male or female tech who will be hooking you up! I brought a large T-shirt thinking that would be OK. The 2nd time I went, you betcha I wore shorts to bed w/ my T shirt! As both times I had male techs, grrr. Honestly, I had wires all over me, so if I didn't have a sleeping disturbance, I had one that night! I don't know how they calculate/project the difference betwen the disturbance of all the gadgets you wear and the inability to move freely during a sleep apnea test... and normal every day sleep?? I'd bet money that most people who go in for a sleep disorder test, will come out positive for one! Look, it is terrible, you won't get any sleep. It's not dangerous or anything like that, just very very inconvenient and uncomfortable. You will go home the next morning, and sleep all day! I now use CPAP, level 12 pressure, gel face mask. I am kinda used to it. But sometimes I fidget with its position on my face during the night and that is very disturbing.

Thanks all for the reply's i had written everything down! Kristen

My first post here! lol I didn't think the test was as bad as some people do. Yeah, there are a lot of wires and stuff, but I slept ok. I think some of it - just like getting used to a cpap mask afterwards - is more mind over matter. Wear pj bottoms and a loose fitting top. They'll have wires hooked to your chest, head, and legs. I had a private room with double bed, tv and bathroom. Instead of hauling all my toiletries up there (I have waist length hair), I just took something to tie my hair up and cover it til I got home the next morning. They might wake you up during the night to turn over on your other side or your back. When they put me on my back, I couldn't get back to sleep, so he came back and told me I could get back on my side. My doctor usually does the two night test - one just to monitor, and if apnea is detected, another night to sleep with the help of the machine. They woke me up 90 minutes into it and put the mask on me because I stopped breathing so much and my oxygen level dropped into the 60s!

Hi Kristen, Not to worry, piece of cake. I had very nice technicians who told me everything to expect. I had to fill out some forms, had 26 electrodes attached to me, and then watched TV until I felt sleepy. You don't sleep well but no great loss as long as you don't have to work the next day. They even had a fan in my room for me to use. I brought my own pillows and "Mr Bear" as well. I did the two day test. Having the test done was the best decision I ever made. I sleep soooo much better now. Unfortunately, I can only sleep in a recliner because I can't get the hang of turning over in the bed with the tubing. I am hopeful that after this surgery I might not need my machine anymore. Best of luck to you...

Kristen,I myself found this the easiest test.For the most part bring your favorite pillow and p.js,toothbrush and anything helpfull in making you comfortable!Make sure your hair is clean(for the electrodes)they do apply these everywhere-legs,head and face.The most uncomfortable is the ones on the chin,however after a while you tend to not mind.I had my test done last month they just called today and want me to come back in for one with the mask(I stopped breathing and oxygen level dropped)I wish you the best and dont worry this test by far is easy!Lots of luck,Amanda Loar.