topic Re: Sleep Study in Wellness

Sleep Study

Sherlene — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 00:44:11 GMT

My Doctor is scheduling me for a Sleep Study to determine whether a CPAP machine/mask would benefit me. He said it would help my diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity - presumably because I am not getting good sleep due to sleep apnea?

Has anyone had improvement of the above after getting a CPAP machine? It's always interesting to hear other experiences.

TIA!

Re: Sleep Study

conlt — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 00:46:20 GMT

yes, I have worn a CPAP for 3 1/2 years now and I would not want to be without it. I sleep really well and hardly ever need a Nap. I have a lot of energy and fall asleep easily. I would do the Sleep Study without hesitation.

Re: Sleep Study

jjeanne — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 01:26:23 GMT

I had one done because of my breathingl I slelpt hocked airway, it was a seven opened to a 16, normal is 20. They wanted to put a stent or baloon but have a twisted trachea which no one knew. My best friend has diabetes, over weight like me, and trouble sleeping. After 4 years, she uses the machine, lost weight sleeps better, and heart problems under. It does take time to adjust to new things. YOU WILL MAKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Sleep Study

hckynut — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 01:38:36 GMT

I have had 6 sleep studies. They were originally done to check my Oxygen Saturation levels while sleeping. This was after suffering Aspiration Pneumonia with my first heart attack. 3 studies came back positive for mild sleep apnea and 3 came back negative for sleep apnea.

Used an Oxygen Concentrator for 6 months after my bout with thjs deadly type of pneumonia. Further testing showed I was maintaining sufficient Oxygen Saturation levels when sleeping. Have not used any machine for years now.

Re: Sleep Study

RedTop — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 01:55:50 GMT

My husband had a sleep study nearly a year ago, and learned he needed a C-pap----which was not a surprise. Starting with that first night, he has slept much better, and generally so have I. However, my husband still twists and turns a lot at night, which ultimately makes the mask slip. The horrible snoring and apnea may have stopped, but there are a multitude of noises that come from mask slippage that will wake you from a sound sleep, or keep you from falling asleep! I still think I push him as much to adjust the mask, as I did to reposition him due to the snoring. My husband still naps often during the day, but I think this is both a habit he has acquired since retiring, along with worsening neuropathy pain. Getting the sleep study done is absolutely the way to go. Best wishes to you.

Re: Sleep Study

TootyJane — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 04:51:14 GMT

My husband's snoring got so bad I seriously considered sleeping in the other bedroom. I wanted him to do a sleep study but he refused. He did, however, see our ENT who suggested he have the Pillar procedure that would help with his snoring. He had the procedure done and he stopped snoring -- for three months. He started snoring again, went back to ENT, and ENT said that the company was now recommending the use of five implants rather than the three he originally had implanted. The ENT told him he would add the two implants for the cost only, so my husband went ahead and did it. Unfortunately, within a couple of months the snoring returned and now it was worse than ever! One night his snoring woke me up and I realized that he was stopping breathing. In the morning I told him that he had stopped breathing many times and that "I" was going to make an appointment for him to have a sleep study done. He wasn't happy about it but he and I met with a sleep specialist. The doctor was very nice, explained what would happen and we set up the sleep study. Unfortunately, my husband was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and was prescribed a CPAP machine which he has been using for three years now. The study revealed that he stopped breathing over 100 times in a one hour period! I'm not going to lie. He had a terrible time adjusting to it and while his snoring doesn't keep me from falling asleep, waking up, etc., the CPAP machine does bother me. It's not as loud as his snoring but as my husband says "You can hear an ant f*rt"! So I started wearing earplugs which work great. I tried using them when he snored but they didn't help then back then. I will say that the CPAP has helped my husband's overall health and wellbeing. He is now getting a good night's sleep. His blood pressure is still up (work-related stress) but it is now lower. Most important, he isn't cranky or moody anymore -- all because he' setting a good night's sleep!! HTH and best of luck to you!

Re: Sleep Study

Jersey Born — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 13:08:32 GMT

Hi, Sherlene. When you go for your sleep study, you might want to bring along your own pillow and an extra blanket. Sadly, some of these places have very uncomfortable sleeping areas (too cold, not enough blankets, and uncomfortable pillows) and in order for the study (which is expensive and time consuming) to be done properly, you need to be able to fall asleep and stay asleep at least for a while.

I know someone who has gone for repeated sleep studies, and this has been that person's experience.

Depending upon the type of sleep apnea you have, you may also want to ask your dentist (and the sleep study professionals as well) if a custom-made dental device might help you if it is determined that you have sleep apnea. These mouthguard appliances keep your bite open at night so air can get in through your mouth. This dental device approach won't work, of course, if the breathing cessation occurring during sleep is not due to a minor mechanical defect or obstruction of the sinuses or throat.

All the best to you in your quest for a better night's sleep.

Re: Sleep Study

spud188 — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 13:16:33 GMT

I never did get used to the cpap machine,I was misersble with it.

Re: Sleep Study

missy1 — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 13:23:35 GMT

I had a sleep study. I couldn't sleep with electrodes on my head, not in my bed, and being filmed.

Re: Sleep Study

CHEX — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 21:19:52 GMT

What so many fail to understand is that if you have sleep apnea, you are putting extra stress on your heart. So if you fail to correct the sleep apnea you are choosing to develop heart disease earlier than necessary.

I have had several sleep studies. I have used a CPAP machine for over 10yrs and I just accept it as a part of life, am grateful that it helps my health and get on with your life. The CPAP has not solved my sleeping problems but I will continue to use it anyway for because of the heart protection. The sleep studies tells them a ton about what your body does during sleep but there is really very little they can do to affect change in this important involuntary function beyond alleviating apnea.

Of course, being overweight (I am) could be a factor in all you medical problems. People with sleep apnea who lose weight usually improve or even eliminate the apnea, eliminate or reduce both hypertension and diabetes. Not easy, but chronic conditions all are affected by the life choices we make and none are "cured" by drugs.

Re: Sleep Study

hckynut — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 21:32:04 GMT

Hi CHEX,

I like most of your post, but! While life choices can certainly be a big factor, to say "none can be cured by drugs"? With that I differ with you, and I base this on my own personal life experiences.

Re: Sleep Study

Scooby Doo — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 23:44:18 GMT

Find out which facility for the test is the most comfortable before you go. The place that I went to was cold, a hard mattress that felt like a cement slab, and I didn't sleep because of that. The place DD went to had a tempurpedic mattress and she was quite comfortable. She was given a CPAP that she says she's addicted to. She won't be without it; even takes it on vacation. The new machines are much different from the older style. If I'm sleeping in the bed next to her I cannot even hear the machine. It's about the size of a DVR and quiet.

Re: Sleep Study

kismet — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 02:57:58 GMT

My husband had a sleep study and needed the machine. He would sleep for 4 hours and then take the mask off. He never gave it a fair chance. That was probably 8 years ago. He still snores, holds his breath while sleeping and won't listen to me. The machine is packed away and I doubt he'll ever use it. I think you have to want to use it or it's a waste of money.

My neighbor use to fall asleep while on the phone and went for a sleep study. She uses her machine every night and has no problem falling asleep anymore. The machine did make a big difference for her.

I would try it, it would be worth it to get a better night's sleep.

Re: Sleep Study

CHEX — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 04:11:35 GMT

On 4/5/2015 hckynut said:
Hi CHEX,

I like most of your post, but! While life choices can certainly be a big factor, to say "none can be cured by drugs"? With that I differ with you, and I base this on my own personal life experiences.

You are right, I did exaggerate...there are some cases where there are cures. But if you look at the biggest selling drugs, they are almost always for chronic conditions. I am not saying that they do not help...they really can, but the whole medical machine is not designed to help people get well and they do not tell people when there are things they can do for themselves. It is called Big Pharma and it is a huge money making machine....they want people to use as many of their products as possible forever.

Re: Sleep Study

CHEX — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 04:15:06 GMT

On 4/5/2015 kismet said:
My husband had a sleep study and needed the machine. He would sleep for 4 hours and then take the mask off. He never gave it a fair chance. That was probably 8 years ago. He still snores, holds his breath while sleeping and won't listen to me. The machine is packed away and I doubt he'll ever use it. I think you have to want to use it or it's a waste of money.

My neighbor use to fall asleep while on the phone and went for a sleep study. She uses her machine every night and has no problem falling asleep anymore. The machine did make a big difference for her.

I would try it, it would be worth it to get a better night's sleep.

Kismet, you are right....you have to decide it is important otherwise it is just a pain! From all the experiences I have heard, it does seem that women deal with this better than men.

Re: Sleep Study

CHEX — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 04:22:13 GMT

On 4/5/2015 Scooby Doo said:
Find out which facility for the test is the most comfortable before you go. The place that I went to was cold, a hard mattress that felt like a cement slab, and I didn't sleep because of that. The place DD went to had a tempurpedic mattress and she was quite comfortable. She was given a CPAP that she says she's addicted to. She won't be without it; even takes it on vacation. The new machines are much different from the older style. If I'm sleeping in the bed next to her I cannot even hear the machine. It's about the size of a DVR and quiet.

That is interesting about the mattress.

In all the years I have been using the CPAP I have always had a hard time knowing what the options were. The supplies now mostly come from companies by mail and there are tons of different styles of masks, but how can you know what is best for you. My experience is that you are really on your own to ask and figure our somehow what you need. Most doctors know nothing about the equipment side of things. The 1st machine I had was much bigger and louder than the one I have now, although I an not sure it is as quiet as what you described.

Re: Sleep Study

hckynut — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 06:56:52 GMT

I have had 6 sleep studies done. Five of them were done at the same hospital and 1 was done at a different hospital "My 2nd Home". While it would have been nice to be able to pick which one I wanted? No way was I going to pay "Out of Network" costs. Things changed when I went on Medicare and I could choose where I wanted them done. I slept in a Recliner for all of them as I have not slept in a bed for over 20+years now. When I was able to choose, I went to "My 2nd home", which is the hospital I have spent weeks and weeks as a patient, and it also is a 5 minute drive from our home. The other hospital was 25 miles each way from our home. Since I knew most of the staff at my "2nd home", and I also knew the most comfortable recliners? Much better experiences for me.

Re: Sleep Study

LilacTree — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 18:32:26 GMT

On 3/31/2015 TootyJane said: My husband's snoring got so bad I seriously considered sleeping in the other bedroom. I wanted him to do a sleep study but he refused. He did, however, see our ENT who suggested he have the Pillar procedure that would help with his snoring. He had the procedure done and he stopped snoring -- for three months. He started snoring again, went back to ENT, and ENT said that the company was now recommending the use of five implants rather than the three he originally had implanted. The ENT told him he would add the two implants for the cost only, so my husband went ahead and did it. Unfortunately, within a couple of months the snoring returned and now it was worse than ever! One night his snoring woke me up and I realized that he was stopping breathing. In the morning I told him that he had stopped breathing many times and that "I" was going to make an appointment for him to have a sleep study done. He wasn't happy about it but he and I met with a sleep specialist. The doctor was very nice, explained what would happen and we set up the sleep study. Unfortunately, my husband was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and was prescribed a CPAP machine which he has been using for three years now. The study revealed that he stopped breathing over 100 times in a one hour period! I'm not going to lie. He had a terrible time adjusting to it and while his snoring doesn't keep me from falling asleep, waking up, etc., the CPAP machine does bother me. It's not as loud as his snoring but as my husband says "You can hear an ant f*rt"! So I started wearing earplugs which work great. I tried using them when he snored but they didn't help then back then. I will say that the CPAP has helped my husband's overall health and wellbeing. He is now getting a good night's sleep. His blood pressure is still up (work-related stress) but it is now lower. Most important, he isn't cranky or moody anymore -- all because he' setting a good night's sleep!! HTH and best of luck to you!

I fail to understand why some married couples will go through awful situations like this and not sleep in another room, or at least a separate bed. It has nothing to do with love or intimacy, after all, it's not as though you live in separate houses.

Maybe someone can explain that to me.

Re: Sleep Study

Annabellethecat66 — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 18:36:07 GMT

I've had 4 sleep studies done. I probably should go and have it updated and get the new machine.

I used to sleep with the one that comes over your face. I didn't have troule adjusting to sleeping with it.

I didn't notice much difference. I have friends who use their's. I have other friends who hate it and don't use it at all.

Each person is different. I suggest you follow your Drs orders. He or she (and you) can then determine what is best for you.

Re: Sleep Study

DottieBlue — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:44:42 GMT

Ford1224: I wonder the same thing.....what's the big deal about sleeping in separate rooms? A good nights sleep is so very important for good health, couples shouldn't think twice about sleeping in a different room if necessary to get good sleep. I think it's silly not to. JMO.