Sleep Study Friday Ahh!

[Fallenangel2904 494]

I have my sleep study scheduled for Friday and I'm freaking out a little bit. Does it suck as much as I've heard it does? I plan to not sleep much Thursday night- but I double scheduled myself that day so my NUT appointment is that morning so I have to get some sleep...but hopefully I'll be tired from running around that morning. I'm dreading it though! My best friend who is going through this process with me- we're both planning to have surgery- she actually has to have one too so they agreed we can come in the same night so I guess it's nice to have someone to go with, but doesn't mean I'm dreading it any less lol. Any sleep study war stories to share?

[IweightNoMore 92]

I have my sleep study scheduled for Friday and I'm freaking out a little bit. Does it suck as much as I've heard it does? I plan to not sleep much Thursday night- but I double scheduled myself that day so my NUT appointment is that morning so I have to get some sleep...but hopefully I'll be tired from running around that morning. I'm dreading it though! My best friend who is going through this process with me- we're both planning to have surgery- she actually has to have one too so they agreed we can come in the same night so I guess it's nice to have someone to go with' date=' but doesn't mean I'm dreading it any less lol. Any sleep study war stories to share?[/quote']

It was very painless.. A little uncomfortable from all the wires hooked up to you but not too bad.. My bed was very comfortable and I was able to have the tv on all night so it was just like home.. Do it when you don't have to work the next day if possible.. My first one I did on a Sunday and had to work the next day and I was so tired all day.. And it's hard to get all that goop out of your hair where they stick the wires..

[Bronxbubbles 36]

Ok, so I was just like you, Fallen, and had no idea what to expect. It's really not that bad, but I did not sleep much. Here's how things went down... It's a bit rambly so I apologize in advance...

My appointment was for 7:30. I thought that this was odd because I usually don't go to sleep until about 11:00 so I made sure I had a book with me just in case. When I got there, the room was still being cleaned so I had a seat in the waiting room and they gave me some paper work to fill out. Just like any regular doctor's appointment they need your insurance card, ID, and a copay.

When my room was ready they led me down a small hallway (the clinic was not that big) and the room kind of reminded me of a motel room, only a lot cleaner with a couple of machiney looking things on one of the night stands. There was a flat screen TV on the wall (with cable!!) and a full size bed with a comforter and two pillows. The funniest part was that there was a camera aimed straight at the bed. I know that they have to moniter you when you sleep, but it just kind of made me think of an amateur porn set, LOL. On the other night stand was a granola bar and a box apple juice.

I was left alone in my room to finish filling out paper work (it wasn't complicated, just a kind of survey asking you about sleep habits) and then i was told to get into my night clothes right away. At this point it was probably about 8:00. I watched tv until about 9:00 when the nurse came in to hook me up to the electrodes. They're pretty similar to EKG electrodes-little sticky pads attached to wires, you have one on your leg, one on your shoulder, a few around your face, under your chin, and on your scalp. ***IMPORTANT*** Make sure you have a hat or scarf or something to wear on your head when leaving the clinic in the morning because they stick the scalp electrodes to your head with bees wax. It's really tough and I was told that it takes about 4 washes to get out (I just saturated my hair with Shampoo and let it sit for an hour before washing it out and this seemed to do the trick). They also put two stretchy straps around you, one around your chest and the other around your stomach to monitor your abdominal and chest movements while you sleep.

After the electrodes are attached, they hook you up to a small box with a carrying strap. During the night, if you need to move or get up to go to the bathroom, you just carry this little box around with you. When that was all done, I was left alone again to watch tv until about 10:00.

At this point the doctor came in and explained to me that if in the night, they determined that I had trouble breathing or apnea during sleep, they would put the CPAP machine on my face (it has a strap that goes around the back of your head to keep it on) but that he wanted me to practice with it before hand to get used to how it felt. He didn't strap it on, but just told me to hold it in place. (I had never used a CPAP before so I didn't know that all it does is gently force air into your nose while you breath, it's not uncomfortable or anything, just a little awkward at first)

After practicing with the CPAP for a little while, the doctor came in and told me that they would begin the sleep study soon. I was a little nervous only because I was not tired AT ALL. He turned on the machinery, left the room and then spoke to me through the intercom (In the night if you need anything all you have to do is speak, and they can hear you through the intercom). He had me do a series of "tasks" I'm assuming to calibrate the machinery. For example, he asked me to kick my legs, grind my teeth, pretend to snore, look left and right, look up and down, etc. Once that was done he told me that they were beginning the study, it must have been about 11:00pm. I kept watching tv until about 1:00 because I was so NOT tired, but then decided to try and sleep lest I have to do this whole operation all over again.

I tried, and tried, and tried, but I just couldn't sleep. I think it was a combination of having all this stuff attached to you and also just being away from home. The bed was comfortable and all but I just couldn't relax, LOL. I watched the clock every hour and honestly- I didn't think I slept at all.

At 5:00am the next day, the doctor said "GOOD MORNING" through the intercom and had me do the same calibration tasks just as before they started the study. He then came in and asked me how I slept. "Horribly" i said, but he told me that I did sleep a bit, and that they got all the information they needed from the little while that I DID sleep. He unhooked all the electrodes, straps, etc. and told me I could get dressed and go!

And that, my friend, was that! My only advice is to make sure you don't nap or sleep during the day (i made that mistake) and make sure you are as tired as you can be when you show up to your sleep study site. And because I love this site and love the support everybody gives eachother, I am including the incredibly sexy picture of me hooked up to all the electrodes etc so you can have a good laugh at my expense. I think there should be a thread JUST for sleep study electrode pics (almost like a right of passage or something). Hope this helped- feel free to ask me any questions you may still have.

[Heather86 :o) 29]

No advice, but I wanted to wish you luck!! Good luck!!!

[Alithinos 19]

It really isn't that bad. Definitely bring a hat to wear the next day. Also, use a hot oil treatment to get the gunk out of your hair - far easier than shampooing 4 times. Unfortunately, I got that piece of advice after I went through it all.

Wear comfortable and loose pajamas - I recommend a tee shirt and cotton pants. It will make it easier to get you wired up. Also, if you have to go to the bathroom, it is less awkward when you run into someone.

It was a little difficult to sleep with all the wires, but not awful. I was released around 6 am so did go home and sleep 2-3 more hours afterwards.

Also, I tend to snore at night (despite the septoplasty I had back in 2010), but they determined that I do not have sleep apnea. Surgery would likely solve both issues.

[Bronxbubbles 36]

It's funny that I replied to this topic today, as the sleep clinic just called me and told me I have to come back for a second study. Why you ask? Because apparently I have mild sleep apnea. I'm completely surprised... I had no idea. I would have put money on it that I didn't have it. I don't really snore, and people who have been around me while I've slept told me that I don't seem to stop breathing to them. Per my study results I stopped breathing an average of seven times per hour, LOL. I guess the sleep study is important after all! The only crummy part is now I have to deal with electrodes and bees wax all over again, pooh.

[Fallenangel2904 494]

Just replying now- its been a busy week! Thank you all for the replies- this has helped me SO much! It makes it less nerve wrecking to know what to expect. I am definitly bringing a hat after reading this lol. They called to confirm today and told me I was allowed to bring food/drinks with me and they even have fridges and microwaves in the room which is very cool! Not bringing a full meal or anything lol but will definitly be bringing some waters and a snack for before bed.

Bronxbubbles thanks so much for sharing all the details with me of your study! And the pics! The room looks really nice! That was one of the things I was nervous for- It looks like a hotel room! Sorry to hear you have sleep apnea! I honestly don't think I have it BUT the more I've been reading about it and how people have been surprised to have it Its possible I do. We'll see- not like I WANT to have another one of these done lol. How long ago was your sleep study done? Wondering if I'll get results right away or now.

Well I think I'm prepared for it more now! Fingers crossed its a smoothe night!

[Bronxbubbles 36]

My initial study was done on the 16th of June, and they called me to schedule the second study on the 26th. After the data is gathered, it has to be reviewed by the doctor and they put together a report. So for me, results came in ten days. My second sleep study is tonight. I took friday off of work cause im positive im not getting sleep tonight, lol. Good luck, and def report back when its all done!

[geno5150 168]

When I had it done, the technician showed me the sheet she had recorded all night and gave me a preview of what the doctor would tell me. Wit the caveat that she was not the doc, of course.

You can ask for a sleeping pill if having someone watch you all night is too creepy- I recommend that.

[Fallenangel2904 494]

Hey all I'm back! Just got in this morning from the sleep study. It went well, not as bad as I thought,. I actually slept- I got only 3 hours sleep the night before so I was exhausted by the time last night rolled around. The tech told me that was the fastest he had seen anyone fall alseep lol. The room was nice, bed was comfy, had a big flat screen TV with cable. Not a bad set up. And my best friend was right next door and the tech was really cool about it and let us hang out up until it was lights out time at 11. The worst part was the wax they stick to your hair- you all were NOT joking about that! Just spent half an hour in the shower trying to get it out of my hair- gross! The wires weren't all that bad but maybe I was just so tired they didn't phase me that much lol.

Thanks again all for talking me through it just gotta wait now and HOPEFULLY I don't have to go back for another! Bronxbubbles how did your second one go? Hoping all was well. Did they say you are going to need a CPAP machine now for surgery? The tech did tell me I was snoring a bit so I'm anxious to see what my results are too, after reading your experience I'm thinking there could be a chance I could have sleep apnea too. We'll see!

[Fallenangel2904 494]

BTW Bronxbubbles- was your study at Metrosleepcenter on Water's Place? After looking at your pictures it looks like the same place as me! lol

[justmeandmysleeve 91]

I just woke up, in my own bed. I went for the sleep study last night and since it was already determined that I have sleep apnea they gave me the CPAP right away to fall asleep. Long story short, I had a panic attack and couldn't finish the night. They came and changed the machine once or twice to see if I could be a litle more comfortable. Around the third hour my chest kept tightening and I lost it.

I am not only embarassed, but I am so fearful that all of the work I have done to prepare for my surgery on July 19th is now un-done. What do I do? I don't want to have my surgery postponed because I couldn't make myself handle that awful machine.

Any advice is appreciated!

[Bronxbubbles 36]

Fallen-

No, my sleep study was done at I-Sleep... the specific branch is located on Boston Road on the north side of Pelham Parkway.

The second round was a little easier because I knew what to expect. I did have to use the CPAP machine all night though and while it wasn't "terrible" it sure wasn't comfortable either. I made sure to schedule this appointment on a day where I had worked so I was really tired when I went in- that made it easier to fall asleep.

I'm glad your experience was as good as something like this could be. It's pretty awesome you had a friend there with you.

So now- I don't really know what comes next. I don't think needing a CPAP will affect the surgery as many people getting this surgery have problems with sleep apnea anyways... I just hope I don't need to do this again. DAMN YOU BEES WAX!!!

Take care,

Bubbles

[kczar 166]

I had mine last night and I'm exhausted! I didn't know they were going to stick these probe things up my nose and I really had to work through that in order to calm down enough to go to sleep. I'm reading getting the results and having to get a CPAP. I have such bad claustrophobia. I hope they give me the version that just goes up your nose like oxygen in the hospital.

However mentioned the hot oil treatment, thank you! It got all that nasty junk out of my hair. They really should include that tip in the paperwork they give you in prep for the study.

And it's the most inaccurately named medical test ever - sleep study. Ha!

[Fallenangel2904 494]

Just got a call and I have to go back tomorrow night for part two with the CPAP machine so looks like I have sleep apnea. Ugh I am dreading part two with that thing on my face. Guess I'm staying up all night again so I can actually sleep tomorrow night. And the bees wax ahhh- darn it not looking forward to more of that! :sigh: