Question:
Thanks to your suggestions...I have more questions?

I would like to first thank everyone who shared their experiences. I think I am unusually nervous because I have been through a lot of trauma recently with my daughter and also a few years ago, I went into very unsuspected anaphalactic shock from a "hypoallogenic" CT dye and had a heart attack with a ten day old baby in the PICU for meningitis, when I was only 24. I think that ever since then, I always feel impending doom. Don't worry I've all ready started counseling! :0) Everyone has been so helpful and I would like to start by asking if anyone had surgery with Dr. Neil Hutcher in Richmond? I had heard nothing but good reviews about him and feel very confident but have one concern because he wrote down that I have questionable sleep apnea, but he never requested any type of testing and I'm a little worried. I will call their office this week and request some type of testing or explanation why I don't need it. Also, what type of symptoms do people have for sleep apnea? I am very tired during the day (sleepy at the wheel, needing naps), I also wake up sometimes with a pounding chest and basically out of breath. At first, I just thought that it was a bad dream that I couldn't remember but after reading more on this site, I thought I should check more into it. This must go in the records for the longest question asked. Thanks!    — denisel (posted on September 2, 2002)

September 2, 2002
You've already hit 2 of 'em, asleep when you should not be, esp behind the wheel. Waking up at night with dry mouth, keep water at bedside? The pounding heart, nightmares, headaches? Feel like you don't sleep all night, yet can't stay awake, either? Bed might be damp to soaked, looks like there was an orgy in your spot--everything all pulled up? Of course, snoring, in any position and immediately upon dropping off? Can't remember ANYTHING when you're awake? Where are your keys? But wait, have you already been or are you going? What was it you wanted your keys for? I even had trouble following simple conversation, but mine was considered "critical", as in, do not drive home from the sleep clinic. You don't have to have all these things, of course, since the degree is different for everyone. I stopped breathing 125 times per hour. I've seen worse, but that's bad enough.
   — vitalady

September 3, 2002
It might be worth going through your regular doctor to get the sleep study and then forward it to Dr. Hutcher. I just had my surgery last month with another surgeon in the same group. You might call the nurse practitioner for the group (BARBARA) and ask her how to go about getting a sleep study. She's so helpful and always puts your mind at ease.
   — Cathy S.

September 3, 2002
Denise, PLEASE get a sleep study done before your surgery. It is VERY important, as having surgery with untreated sleep apnea can be life threatening! Please read the memorial I wrote on my best friend Ginger Brewster, on the memorial page of this website to see what CAN happen if someone has sleep apnea and precautions are not taken with the surgery. Any comments or questions are welcome. Hope I have helped.
   — Hackett

September 3, 2002
I remember those days of sleepy driving and pounding chests. Those are MAJOR signs of Sleep Apnea. You MUST get checked out right away, letting it go is sooo dangerous...getting diagnosed and put on a CPAP machine was one of the best things that ever happened to me...Good Luck to you
   — thekatinthehat