Question:
My surgeon will be Dr. Emma Patterson in Portland OR.

I do not snore and I do not stop breathing at night. I am guilty of wheezing due to several allergies year round. what are the chances that I will need a sleep study--I really do not want to participate in one. Patients of Patterson please fill me in--I've done everything else she requested although I haven't actually met her!    — jenn2002 (posted on September 23, 2001)

September 23, 2001
I am a patient of Dr. Patterson,in fact I will be having my urgery on the 26th,I would say that most likely she will have you do a sleep study some people have it and don't even know that they have sleep apnea,and if you do it will just be another reason for you to have the surgery to correct it. I didn't have to have the study because I do have sleep apnea and have had a c-pap for about 4 yrs.I am looking forward to not having to use it but it has saved my life,so just go for it,it is fairly simple and good luck on your future surgery.
   — Jennie D.

September 25, 2001
I think that Patterson requires that all patients have the sleep study. It is just another one of those hoops to jump through. My insurance covered it so the only inconvience was not sleeping at home.
   — LAK

September 27, 2001
A sleep study is required.. its one test I didn't mind actually.. its not invasive.. no needles etc. I'd do it over again. Its just wires on your body which are tiny and you sleep. I wasn't scared.. couldn't find any reason to be. I was 100% sure I didn't have it.. but I was diagnosed with it and now I understand it. I thought and have been talking w/ my dr for years about having insomnia.. not that I couldn't get to sleep but that I woke up often.. well geez.. turns out I wake up when I'm not breathing.. and gosh it occured some 50+ times a night.. well heck yeah now I see it. It wasn't insomnia but apnea and I would have never guessed. I think a ton of people have no idea they have it when they do. Dr. Patterson requests it just as many surgeons should before surgery which requires somewhat significant time under anesthesia. The last thing they want to see happen in the midst of surgery is you quiting breathing!
   — Dawn R.