Sleep Study

[jadecat]

So last night was my sleep study. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, and was nervous (this is typical of me). The worst part is always the getting there- and by that I really mean the act of going from my house to the new location. What if I can't find it? Will it be hard to find parking? And so on. Luckily I had actually been to the hospital before, so that part was pretty easy.

The information they sent me suggested that I bring my own pillow... Which I did. It was very odd to be sitting around the admissions area to the surgery center with my overnight bag and a pillow. I got some very strange looks, and this amused me. Then it was time to go up and a very nice lady showed me to my room. The sleep center was dimly lit, and very quiet. I didn't see anyone other than the woman who took me to my room and then the tech I worked with. Kinda creepy.

The room, as I was told it would be, was set up like a hotel room- complete with it's own bathroom/shower, tv, all that. I watched a video on sleep apnea, and then worked on my needlework project while waiting. The tech I was working with was funny. She was sure I was working on the needlework project for her. *grins* Turns out she's decorating one of the rooms in her house in the same colors as in my project- she even brought in the paint sample card to show me. *laughs*

Getting all wired up was very, very weird. And did make things difficult. But as everything was getting set up I did get to watch Project Runway for the first time ever, and part of Tabitha Takes Over. Anyone else see that last night? I want to know what happened! The commercials were fascinating- as I never see them anymore... (for those not in the know, hubby and I do not have cable, nor do we receive any local channels- the TV is really the monitor for the entertainment center and shows DVDs, VHS tapes, and PlayStation 2 games. We do however subscribe to Netflix.)

I was able to fall asleep, only to get woken up part way through the night so the CPAP nose thingie could be put on... As it turns out, I do indeed have pretty severe apnea. Go me! Now, falling asleep with this thing on my face? Much more difficult, but as I was already halfway there, I managed. I still woke up a couple of times, but that's just me.

This morning she woke me up- with the comment that she would have woken me an hour earlier but I had to go and hold my breath, so she had to watch me go through another sleep cycle... The tech also commented that she saw three or so spikes (prior to the CPAP) that indicated headache/migraine. This very much interested me. I will be getting a CPAP machine and I've been hoping that it would help with my migraines.

Now for insurance fun- there are two big hospitals in the area I and S. My insurance insisted that I go to I for the sleep study, fine with me. However, for the actual CPAP I have to go through S's medical equipment group... o_O ? If S is who I have to work with, then why didn't I go to their Sleep Center? (Hubby thinks it's because S's center might be more expensive)

Overall, I'm glad I went, it wasn't horrible, and hopefully will be of major help. Came home, had breakfast out with the hubby, napped for an hour ('cause yes, I was sleepy) and then came in to work at noon. So it's been a very weird day for me over all.


And since it's been days since I posted them- dragons! ;)

Comments

[bubblesbrnaid]

Ah. Welcome to the lovely world of CPAPs.

The trickiest part for me was learning to fall asleep with the noise.

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

The mask wasn't a problem for you? That's the part that's got me worried.

I usually sleep to the sounds of an air cleaner, a fan, and sometimes the window open (with a train going by...). So noise isn't that much of an issue for me.

Thanks. :)

[bubblesbrnaid]

The only time the mask has been a problem has been when I roll over and try to get comfy and manage to spring a leak. And no matter how well it seems to fit, all you have to do is move, and you have to fit it all over again.

Oh, and if your mouth tends to open while you're asleep, you may want to look into a chin strap or something.

It's a different kind of noise--a windstorm in your ears. And it's way worse if your mouth falls open. I've woken myself up with the roar before. *shakes head*

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

Hmm, will be keeping this in mind, thanks. :)

Oh, do you have the full face mask or just the nose one?

[bubblesbrnaid]

Just the nose, I think. They gave me the explanation at the height of my sleep deprivation, so I'm still fuzzy on some of the details.

[robinskij.livejournal.com]

There are different models, so my brother tells me, and they differ a lot - you might see if you can find one that works better.

His doesn't make *any* noise at all.

[azbound.livejournal.com]

To what did you want the finale to the show? Project Runway (which is avalable on Netflix) or Tabatha?

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

I wanted to know what happened at the end of the Tabatha show- she was at The Loft or something. *laughs* I wanted to know if she got anyone fired!

[azbound.livejournal.com]

She didn't fire anyone, just promoted the black guy who was awesome to creative director and said the girl (the blonde) who was just out of school for 4-5 months should be an assistant for a while.

When Tabatha came back after a month (she always comes back 4-6 weeks after), the place was still running amazingly, revenue was up and all was going well.

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that guy seemed to be really cool! So the blond got to stick around to work on her skills/attitude? That's good too I suppose. ;)

Good to know the place was able to turn around (especially since the owner seemed so out of her depth).


Thanks! :)

[firesign10.livejournal.com]

I so hope this helps you!!!! :-)

Blogula did his sleep study a couple of weeks ago but just today had his follow-up appointment. I'll post about it later (no CPAP for now - he;s borderline).

*hugs and sweet dreams*

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :) *hugs*

I guess I just didn't know how bad I was... Of course, it doesn't help that my medicine merry go round has had me gain 40 lbs in about a year... If I lose that I may not need the CPAP for long...

[cjtremlett.livejournal.com]

My brother had big problems with the mask. They're trying a different kind with him now. We'll see how that goes. I hadn't heard about the migraine connection. I expect that someone's talked about that with my brother - he gets migraines pretty bad.

But I know a couple of people who've been on CPAP (which I keep reading as CRAP even though I know what it is!) machines and then eventually gotten off of them. And they do seem to help a bunch of different things!

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

I have heard about several different types of masks, so I hope your brother is able to find one that works for him. It does make sense that if oxygenation to the body drops, then the brain might react with a migraine...

And yeah, I keep reading it as CRAP too...

Sleep, it's an amazing thing. *laughs* So very many different things it helps regulate.

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

I hope the CPAP helps!

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :)

[aphiorogue.livejournal.com]

never even thought of doing this to help with migraines.

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

It didn't occur to me at first either, but my nurse hubby kept saying that my struggling to breathe at night might mean my brain wasn't getting enough oxygen- and that could be bad.

[robinskij.livejournal.com]

My brother's girlfriend insisted he get the sleep study - he did and got the CPAP about a year ago - it has literally changed his life.

He even lost a good bit of weight - he wasn't snacking all the time to compensate for his low energy level. Plus I think not getting sleep screws up your hormones.

You'll get used to wearing the apparatus and I think you'll feel so much better.

I need to get this done for Kip...I KNOW he has sleep apnea, I just know it.

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

That's definitely good news! I was told that it could help with weight loss, for the reason you mentioned, but it's great to hear a first hand account. :)

Maybe if you drive Kip to the sleep study center? ;)

Thanks.

[jaimem30.livejournal.com]

Glad you may finally get some relief...and that insurance will cover it. Yay!

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how much of it will be covered, but I'm hoping that most of it! ;)

[sarbah77.livejournal.com]

I forgot to mention last weekend, when we were discussing the CPAP thing. My mom said that she noticed a marked improvement in her energy level, less than a month after starting on it. She's been exercising and eating better now, as well.

I hope it helps!!

[jadecat.livejournal.com]

Ooh, that's good to know! :) Thanks.