From the article: What to Expect in a Sleep Study
So your doctor recommends you undergo a sleep study, but what should you expect? Many people often have some anxiety about the experience. If you have already had a sleep study, share what the experience was like for you. Do you have any advice for others? If you are waiting for a study, what are some of the fears or concerns that you have about it? Share Your Experiences
sleep disorder respiratory analysis
- ahi moderately elevated at 16.3 event /hourthe supine ahi adjusted rdi was 48.2 ev.hour oxygen desaturationto 87.0%with0.7% the total sleep the ECG showed regular rhythm the rate ranged from 49-60 BPM
- —Guest gianfranca bonacini
questionable
- humming HVAC, a GLOWING nightstand light!. This is big no non and it was in the room with me. the room was 60 degrees until I found the thermostat which was set up all wrong. Noise from the cooling fan of the video, blowing air ..awful. I was given an extra "blanket" which was thinner than some dinner napkins Ive used. then in the morning I saw wrapped up and on top of a shelf, a semi real blanket. No coordination on timing re preparation for sleep, or meds issue...... very little attention to detail. Sleep Center in Boston, get you're act together. Make sure you check out the place before you go...
- —Guest Massachusett
ALSO MORE TIRED NOW
- A DOT doctor made me get the test.When I got there I was told I NEEDED A CPAP before I TOOK THE TEST. I had lots of energy and slept well before I got the cpap.AFTER I GOT THE CPAP MY LUNGS HURT EAR DRUMS FELT LIKE THEY WERE GOING TO POP,I also had dark circles around my eyes.I was very exhausted.I was lucky enough that someone where I got the cpap told me how to modify the cpap so it shows I am using it when I am not and told me I was clearly misdignosed.
- —Guest David
AWFUL
- From the moment I checked in, I was treated as though I had a major apnea problem, though snoring was not an indicator from family. Instead, I was sent for a test because of a TIA event. If a test is to be diagnostic, then treat the person as though a diagnosis will occur AFTER the procedure, not as though the diagnosis has already been made. All language used was such as 'when your results are in, we will discuss the appropriate equipment' or 'after the test we will know what you need.' Hey, folks. The test was to discover...
- —Guest ladyq
love it
- I resisted using my BIPAP machine initially. That was partly because of severe post nasal drip. But Once I got over that, it has been very helpful. Feel much better through out the day. I know it could be hard to get used to.
- —Guest Ishwar Jasuja
I'm with tallymember
- I'm scheduled for my first sleep study tonight and I am totally freaked about the whole thing. In doing research, I found out as others have mentioned, about the monitoring, the possible administering of the CPAP during the night, and about them making you sleep on your back. As tallymember mentioned, how do they expect to get an accurate feel for what really happens when you sleep when they create this artificial environment? I told them on the phone when I made the appointment, that if they really wanted to get an accurate feel for what happens when I sleep, then they need to let me sleep on my side like I normally do, instead of forcing me to sleep on my back. I feel like this is simply a way to sell CPAP machines, more than anything else. It seems to me by forcing you to sleep on your back, they are almost guaranteeing an outcome where a CPAP will be recommended. I realize I'm not an expert, but it seems to me, as Tallymember said, that they are more interested in pushing the CPAP.
- —Guest Bookworm
sleep test
- it was the most miserable night of my life. lights going on and off all night; thin walls and could hear the man next door; bathroom down a hallway. I would never do that again
- —Guest jean
My Sleep Study Was Great!
- I just had an overnight sleep study yesterday. I was told I defintely have OSA - my oxygen levels were very low, and I had multiple apneas as well. Apparently, I was mis-diagnosed as narcoleptic when I had a sleep study about 20 years ago. My pulmonologist will be reviewing the results with me soon. I was put on CPAP about 2 hours before they woke me up the morning after the study. Big improvement with CPAP -oxygen levels improved dramatically; slept much better. The CPAP was so quiet that I wasn't even sure it was turned on at first- a very pleasant surprise. I had a full mask on that covered my nose and mouth, and it actually was fairly comfortable. Breathing with the CPAP was a bit strange at first, but I fell asleep with it on fairly quickly. Even though I was on the CPAP for a short time, it made me feel more rested. This was life-changing for me. I can't wait for my new life to begin - no more headaches and EDS! I highly recommend a sleep study for anyone who might have OSA.
- —nettech9276
changed my life
- I have an AHI of 93..have been snoring for many years prior to the sleep study, my children said that I snored like a "freight train" I had reached a point that my muscles even hurt to move and I had to go to bed almost as soon as I got home each day. I felt awful. The first study was done and I was diagnosed with severe OSA, the return study was done with CPAP and I felt better the next day, even though everyone said I would feel better in a couple of weeks. I havd had my machine for 3 months and it has changed my life..I have more energy and wake up ready for my day of work. I fall asleep about 10 minutes after I put on the nasal pillow and generally sleep all night(a first for me in a long time)..I'm very happy I did all of this.
- —Guest carol
just sorry I put it off so long
- I was very apprehensive about the sleep study. However, my experience while not pleasant was acceptable. I was told to arrive by 7:30 pm. Then I was given about 30 minutes to get comfortable in my room and change into sleeping attire and sign the consent forms etc. The tech then wired me up and explained the whole process. He showed the cameras that would be used and explained that depending on the results they might stop the test in the middle and put me onto a CPAP. This is called a split study. If you suspect you have sever severe sleep apnea make sure that the study center uses that protocol. It saves the necessity of doing a second expensive test. In my case after an hour I was awoken and given the mask. I was at 110AHI. My only complaint was how long it took to get the follow up consult. However, my specialist for the consult was fantastic. She walked me through the results explained what was going on and explained all of my options. I'm now at 1.3 AHI on CPAP.
- —Guest Chris
More Tired Now
- I took the sleep study in December, have combination sleep Apena and have used the CPAP faithfully for over 6 months now. Scored a 92 on the AHI during the test, now score 5 AHI using the CPAP. That sounds great, but I actually feel worse now than before. BP and Oxygen levels are much better, but I can not stay awake during the day now. Even after being put on narcolepsy drug Nuvigil, until the drug takes effect, I feel really really bad. After the drug gets thru my system, I crash. CPAP is set on a level of 18lb/15lbs, feels like trying to breath with the leaf blower attached to your face. That is reduced from 22/16, at that level, I could not get the masks tight enough to keep it from blowing off my face. Hope others fair better than I am....
- —Guest Trkyhntr
nightmare!
- I felt no anxiety going into it - but waking up with acid reflux going down my throat and a mask on my face in a strange place left me irrationally terrified. I tore off the mask (and a few electrodes) and the attendant had to work pretty hard to keep me from leaving. The physician who analyzed the data refused to answer any questions about his recommendations. I was determined to succeed with the CPAP, but was afraid that it would trigger that same terror. But it didn't happen, and my CPAP and I eventually reached an armed truce. It helps tremendously, but is such a pain, and initially so literally painful.
- —foolmeonce
Not bad, but questionable results
- I'm in good shape, run 8-10 miles a week, 6'3" and 190 pounds. I score zero on the test for symptoms related to sleep apnea (daytime fatigue, etc.). I never would have done any of the testing if not for the fact my snoring keeps my wife awake. My home study had an AHI of 15. The overnight sleep study had an AHI of 27! Neither night could be characterized as normal or restful. I could sleep, but I wasn't comfortable. Really, does anyone expect to get very accurate data in a one-shot study with things attached to you? Yet all any Dr. wanted to do was put me on a CPAP. I found a dentist who made a mouthpiece, redid the home study and had an AHI of 10. I don't notice any "improvement" in my sleep or how I feel in the day, but I'm not snoring now. I'm inclined to think the whole sleep apnea diagnosis is a little too automatic for doctors. If you snore, you must have apnea and need CPAP. The "data" they collect is too questionable to form a good judgment, in my opinion.
- —tallymember
Best Thing I've Done In a Long Time
- I was prescribed a Study about a month ago, and I had it just over two weeks ago. Aside from the strangeness of sleeping elsewhere, and being hooked up to all the monitors, it was fine. I had EEG sensors on my scalp and legs, a band around my chest, one around my stomach, and a nasal doohickey. I went to bed around 11 with the understanding that I'd be offered a CPAP mask if/when a certain number of "events" occurred during sleep. Around 3am the tech came in with a mask and put it on me. I went back to sleep pretty quickly. We woke at 6am. I was VERY tired, which I took as a bad sign, but I remembered dreaming quite vividly, which I took as a good one. The doctor called me just over a week ago to tell me that my AHI was an astounding 136 and arranged to have a CPAP delivered the next day. I've been using it for just over a week, and I'm already feeling it. I remember dreaming every night, and I just feel more rested in the morning. I've even stopped pining for coffee!
- —johndougherty
Big Time Funky
- I can't explain here how much I hated the test. Not only did I get to do it once I was invited back a week later for another. The mask night study I think I may have gotten an hours sleep all told. The experience gave me flashbacks to Nam. It scared me straight, and I went right home and began a diet and exercise to lose the extra weight which had gotten me to start. My problem had kicked in due to having hypothyroid, which screwed up my weight (added 30+ lbs) and sleep patterns. Wish me luck. I can follow the use of this gear, but, damn, if you can lose weight and avoid it, I would advise that. This technology is really screwed, it seems as if it's from the stoneage.
- —Guest Sal Paradise
Central Sleep Apnea
- I have been told I have a AHI = 94 My BiPap machine has not helped me one bit yet. Preasures have bben changed several times.....NO LUCK. I have used it faithfully for over three months now. More testing at the sleep clinic coming.
- —Guest larrynauta
Absolutely No Problem!
- I've had two sleep studies; one back when they were a two-part deal, though I only had the first part with the little diodes (or whatever) placed on my scalp, then I went to sleep and slept all night. The findings did show major OSA, but it went untreated for many years. The second was a two-in-one; the first half was sleep testing with no CPAP gear, the second was testing with the CPAP, which was pure heaven! I could tell that, even with just 4 hours sleep with CPAP, even with lots of "mouth blowouts" I was going to love having CPAP. That was in 2007, and I still love my CPAP, though this rental property is badly mold-infested, so I can't use it here. Can't wait to get out, though, so I can use my machine once again. It made a 100% difference in my life, including helping me lose almost 100 lbs.
- —Cat_astrophic
