Question:
Questions about the sleep study and psych eval
I go tonight for my sleep study and wondering if there is anything I need to know about it. I really have no idea what to expect! Did anyone actually get any sleep during their study? I have to go straight to work when I get done with it. And also has anyone ever been turned down because of the psych eval? I left that office not knowing if the guy really thought I could do it. — megan23 (posted on April 14, 2008)
April 13, 2008
The sleep study is relatively easy. Wear loose clothes. The put all these
elctrodes to you. In your hair, on your body and you sleep with this box
like thing. I slept or didnt sleep as they said after I got the resluts
from the study.Bring a book or something. They should have a TV for you.
As far as the eval I dont know anyone who was turned down. And They make me
mad to thin after sitting there for how ever long you were with this person
that they can make a judgement on wether you can do it or not. Let me tell
you if you have RNY you can do it.
— Joanc
April 14, 2008
I had a sleep study done two weeks ago at a local hotel. I thought it
would be a comfortable experience, but it turned out to be the complete
opposite. The room was extremely cold, which caused me to go to the
bathroom every hr. on the hr., and the outside noises kept me from relaxing
enough to fall asleep. I was told by the Technician that I didn't go into
REM until 6am, at that was the time the sleep study was over. Great, I
have to take the test over, is what I thought! However, I got a call a few
days ago stating that the test showed that I have no apnea and everything
is fine. Not saying that your experience will be like mine, but I would
suggest bringing a pair of ear plugs with you along with a good book. I
passed my psych eval last week, but I was talking with someone who did
fail. She said she was told to try other ways of losing weight first, then
come back in 2 months. Go figure. Good luck to you.
— elle341
April 14, 2008
I can't give you any advice on the sleep study. I will say that I'm not
sure I could sleep somewhere strange and get any real sleep. I think if
you do doze off, and start having issues breathing, they'll get you up and
let you know and you could probably go to get the remainder of the night's
sleep at home. That's what they did to a friend of mine anyway.
In regard to the psych eval, I'll give you my experience. I came in to
take the MMPI test, which is a personality inventory test that most
require. It takes about 2 hours or less to complete. The therapist will
evaluate the results prior to you coming in again and will let you know
what stands out to them. Most obese people do deal with depression,
anxiety, and self-esteem issues, obviously. They already are prepared for
that. Mine indicated I had extreme amounts of anxiety and worry habits as
well as more severe depression than even I was aware of. Having been a
counselor myself at one point in my life and a huge "self-help"
book junkie, I thought I had a good handle on things....but apparently I
didn't. I do like to think of myself as "happy go lucky" in
regards to life, but know deep down that I was miserable....not just
because of my weight physically, but the weight of the world I carried
because I was the only person that everyone in my family dumped on. I
learned a lot from my sessions with the therapist, who did recommend
several sessions prior to approving me for surgery. So some don't just
write you off and send you to the surgeon. I'm grateful mine took the
consideration to make sure I was in a good place prior to approving me for
a life changing surgery. Many will disagree, feeling like they can do this
without the hassle, but it's definitely good for you to know where you're
at emotionally. The majority of us aren't overweight by food alone. Our
mental/emotional state of mind plays a huge role, and it's not going to
change just because your stomach is smaller. So go in with a positive
attitude, and just be who you are...if the results come back as you need
more help, don't get discouraged....it's all part of a wonderful
enlightening journey! Hugs and best wishes....Cheryl
— Cheryl K.
April 14, 2008
You just go in, have a few wires attached, lay down and go to sleep.
Nothing bad happens. I imagine your surgeon wants a sleep evaluation to
make sure you don't have sleep apenea, as that can affect which mediction
they used to put you under for surgery. I had a colonoscopy prior to RNY
and had a specialized anesthetic for the procedure due to my sleep apnea.
— Dave Chambers
April 14, 2008
I just had a follow up study because it had been two years since my last
one. They put electrodes in your hair and on your legs. a band around your
chest and one around your abdomen not tight, also, an oxygen sensor taped
to one finger., and your CPAP mask over you nose (like an oxygen mask)
Bring your own pillow and something comfortable but modest to sleep in.
There's not a lot of privacy. Bring ear plugs, a small towel for your eyes
to block out any light. If you sleep with pillows under your knees at
home, tell them. They want you to sleep so help them by telling them what
they can do to make you comfortable. If you are cold, tell them they give
you a call bell. If you don't sleep, they fail. Don't drink any tea,
coffee or soft drinks that day. No chocolate either. Try to stop drinking
at supper time so you'll be less likely to need to get up at night. If you
need to go to work in the morning, hopefully you can find a way to wash
your hair. The contact gel they use does not just comb out. Oh, I also
brought my CD player so i could listen when i was falling asleep. it
helped me not to think about where i was and that I had to sleep. Good
luck.
Laura
— waterlover
April 14, 2008
Oh my gosh!!! I have 3 children and thought having to stay somewhere
overnight without the children would be fantastic. I felt like i probably
slept maybe 3 hrs the entire time. I kept sweating so the technician was in
and out of there so much, adjusting the thermostat, putting towels under my
head, turning fans on. I am not one that can sleep when I am very cold, so
imagine an oscillating fan pointing directly at you. I was very frustrated,
I really wanted to put my clothes on and just say forget it. I couldn't
wait until 5:00 so I could rush home and get a hour or two of sleep in
before my children woke up for their Saturday morning breakfast. Then they
tell you to wash your hair before you come so the electrodes will ahere to
your scalp easily. The next morning there was glue stuck all throughout my
hair.
Now I am dreading my secondy study I have to do on the 18th which is Friday
for the treatment of my apnea!!
— sexy red
April 14, 2008
At my sleep study everyone was super nice, but I did not get a good nights
sleep, I did go to work the next morning I was just very tired all day. As
far as my Phsyc. evaluation, He thought I had eating issues (duhhhh)
anyhow, it was a rough one so he had me get a peronel licensed cousler and
meet with her until SHE thought I was ready for surgery, it took about 3
months of once a week meetings with her until she sent a letter staing I
was ready to have surgery. I think everyone's situation is so differnent.
— Amy C.
April 14, 2008
I have had two sleep studies done and believe or not I sleep better than I
had in a long time. No sooner did I settle down to sleep than they were
waking me up with "it's all over..time to wake up". They have a
shower in case you want to shower before going to work. It was a positive
experience for me. You will be fine and it will be over before you know it.
— cyntracer
April 15, 2008
Hi Magen,
I just got done with 2 different nights at the Sleep Lab. The
nurse/attendents were very friendly and helpful.
You get about 20 different sensers glued to you. They go on your legs,
chest, neck and head. A little uncomfortable at first, but just make sure
you have enough lead on the wires for movement.
You will need to take shower and wash your hair after. The glue is heavy
and thick. Also, I needed to go home get more sleep before I could function
for the rest of the day.
My first night there I didn't sleep at all. The tech came in about 5
different times during the night because I kept pulling off the sensers.
I'm very a restless sleeper. At 6:00am he said we were done. He gave me a
bunch of brouchures and said I'd most likely be back.
My second night went much better. they put me on the CPAP machine and I
acually slept about 4 hours. we were done at 5:30am that morning.
I'm hoping that my tiredness during the day, RSS and my insomnia will all
clear up once I get my CPAP at home.
Good Luck
Mary Phenning
PS - Get on the cancelation list for your callback, you'll get back in much
sooner.
— Mary P.
April 15, 2008
I had to do the sleep test twice in one week because I FLUNKED it the first
time! lol I did miserably both nights, frankly, but the first one was so
bad that they couldn't even get a good reading. Part of my problem that
first night was because I chose a temperpeidic matress rather than the
normal one (was just curious how it was), and for me it slept way too hot
and felt like it was radiating all my body heat back on me. My other
trouble is that I while I normally fall asleep easily, I simply coudln't
shut down on those nights and so I'd be hyper-aware of my bladder and
suddenly feeling like I had to pee again. And sure enough, as soon as he'd
have me all reconnected to all the wires and stuff, I'd lay down and in a
few minutes feel like I had to go again...and of course once you notice
that feeling, it doesn't go away so you can't relax. So basically it was a
nightmare for me...but I know others who had no problem sleeping through it
all. I'm just very sensitive in general when it comes to sleep.
— suezahn4me
April 15, 2008
I think it depends on how easily you fall asleep normally. I have never
been a good sleeper in "strange" places, so I NEVER went to sleep
the night I had a sleep study done. Thank goodness they didn't charge me
for it, and the technician suggested I get my doctor to give me something
to help me fall asleep if I go back for another one!
— [Deactivated Member]
April 28, 2008
I had the sleep test done and its not that bad the hospital where I had it
done they have really comfortable beds ,( I had rough time sleeping due to
the fact I can't lay flat on my back and sleep in hosp bed at home ,) but
yes you do get sleep , but to warn ya they use this icky stuff (like glue)
to put the things all over your head in different spots , and in the
morning they use alcohol to take it off and then you can take a shower but
make sure you take shampoo and conditioner if you normally use it , cause
you will definiatly need to shower before you go to work . but dont worry
its not bad at all then I had to go for a second one cause they found out
that I was stopping breathing during the night . so now I have a CPAP
machine which isn't that bad , takes a little use to it but if its gonna
make sure I continue to breath it is worth it .gl hun .....Wendy
— therealfroglady
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