The most common disorder discovered during this type of test is Sleep Apnea (where patients quit breathing many times a night. This is hard on their heart, and keeps them from going into a deep sleep. This can really affect their life, weight, energy levels, etc. A small face mask is prescribed. It is hooked up to an air machine that blows air down the windpipe to keep it open all night.)
I was lastly fitted with a small air tube into my nose & mouth, in case I needed a mask during the night. Amazingly enough, people DO sleep with all of these wires attached! There was an in fared camera above the bed which monitors our movements during the night. As we sleep, technicians sit at a monitor and watch the "waves" (it looks like a seismograph) from all of the electrodes. They also monitor the TV screen. Each technician watches 2 guests all night long. Those who are discovered to have SA are fitted with a mask and air machine during the night, and then monitored to see the improved quality of sleep. They leave early the next morning with a prescription for a mask & machine, etc.
I had originally thought I would be able to leave the next morning and had a full-day scheduled, including another doctor appt. Well, since I don't have SA I had to stay until 5pm to take a 2o minute nap every 2 hours!! I was pretty bummed to think I'd be stuck there all day and silently had an argument with God about it! After praying, I realized that I had asked God to help me focus on Jesus this season and not get lost in the usual "hustle & bustle". Well, I got to stay in my jammies & robe all day, drink tea, not go anywhere, and read! I had Kent Hughes' book on Christ-mas and the new book, "God in the Small Stuff at Christmas" with me, so I had a relaxing day after all. I had to take a 20 minute nap every 2 hours (to see how sleepy I am during the day). I was actually wiped out when I drove home at 5pm! The 20 minute naps just got me to sleep, but then I was awakened, so I felt unrested.
If you dare, scroll down and see the horrible picture of me when I was all hooked up.
The thing around my neck is the wire box that is hooked up to the cable when sleeping. They hung it around my neck when I wasn't in bed. Fortunately, the first thing in the morning the face tubes, leg electrodes and loose bands were removed, so the rest of the day wasn't too bad. The person who "babysat" me all day is a polysomnograhpic specialist. She went from computer to computer analyzing the data and typing up reports & recommendations. I should hear from my doctor within 10 days.
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5 comments:
My word! You should have made that picture a lot bigger and in color so we could really appreciate it!
So, if you don't have sleep apnea, what else might they be looking for?
Glad you had a long and 'restful' day! :-)
Scary - but a necessary first step toward better health. Here's my story:
I was a snorer for a long time. As I got older, my snoring got more frequent and louder. I also noticed I was tired a lot and liked to take naps during the day. I was overweight. People complained about my snoring and I did not want to sleep in the same room with other people for fear of keeping them awake.
Finally, I talked with a doctor about the problem. He sent me home with a machine to check my breathing and pulse while I slept. The results really shocked me! The doc said my airway was closing off up to 70 times each hour, and that I stopped breathing for as long as one full minute at a time! I had severe apnea. He strongly recommended I start using the CPAP machine, since I was risking damage to my heart due to lack of oxygen.
I had read about CPAP machines before and always thought I would never be able to sleep with one, since I am a little claustrophobic. Surprisingly, it only took me a few minutes to get used to, and I was able to start sleeping comfortably right away.
The mask part is just a small nose manifold that covers the nostrils to blow in air. That keeps the throat inflated like a balloon, preventing throat closures and snoring. One problem is the straps over the head that keep the nose piece in place. They can be a little annoying at first, and if you change sleeping positions at night, it is possible for these straps to move, causing the nose piece to slip off.
I have been using a Dreamhelmet (a combination sleep mask sound-muffling pillow) for years now, to sleep at night and for napping during the day. I always find it hard to sleep without the Dreamhelmet, and was afraid I would not be able to use it with the CPAP mask, but I was wrong about that too.
After using the CPAP machine and mask for a short while, I tried wearing the Dreamhelmet over the CPAP mask, covering up the straps – voila, it worked like a charm! I found that the Dreamhelmet actually helps keep the straps in place when I change positions, so now I can sleep all night in comfort, not being bothered by sound, light, or changing positions. The CPAP combined with the Dreamhelmet are the perfect sleeping combo for me. You can see and buy the Dreamhelmet for under 30 bucks at www.dreamhelmet.com
Now I don’t snore, I wake up rested, and I have energy that lasts all day long. I’m still overweight, but I don’t feel so run down all the time or feel like I need an afternoon nap, but I still carry an extra Dreamhelmet in the car with me just in case I do need a nap.
HAve you heard anything yet?
Yes, Have you heard anything about the sleep test?
Yes, I got the results back and I have no sleep disorders! :-) That's kinda what I thought, but it's nice to know.
Aunt G
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