First Pre-Op appointment -Sleep Study

[Nicole Lynn Martin 2]

So, I took the online seminar, went to my first consultation, and have had my labs done. Now, I have my first pre-op appointment which is the sleep Study. Anyone else had to do this? What was it like? Will I actually get to sleep? I hear they put all these wires and stuff on you...How do you sleep with all that on ya?

Thanks,

Nicole

[Ginger Snaps 1,323]

First, I think everybody has to do the sleep study. Yes, they glue wires all over your scalp, chest, temples, ankles... it's very weird but not painful or anything.

They had me show up at 8pm for mine. Nice private room, kinda like a hotel... private bathroom. It took the nurse about 20 - 30 minutes to wire me up. Watched TV while she was doing that and up until around 10:00. She had me lay on the bed and through the intercom would say stuff like "please keep your head still but turn you eyes side to side" or "hold your breath for 10 seconds". That's all to calibrate their instruments. That only took 2-3 minutes. She also brought in a mask and showed me the machine. She fitted the mask to me but then took it back out of the room with her. Then it was lights out.

Nobody was in the room with me or anything but there was a video camera. Felt like I never went to sleep -- tossed and turned forever it seemed. Every now and then she would speak over an intercom and ask me to turn to my back -- guess I kept turning over to my side and they want to get some measurements on your back as apnea is more prevalent when you're on your back.

My study was a "split study" which meant if I was having apneas during the first part of the night, they would wake me up partway through and give me a mask to wear with the CPAP machine so that they could adjust the settings during the second part of the night. Of course, I had apneas, they woke me up, put the mask on (which was already fitted for me) and put me on the machine for the rest of the night. All of the adjustments to the machine are made remotely from the nurses station -- nobody was in the room at all while I was asleep. Having the split study meant I didn't have to come back again for a second night to have the machine adjusted and all. Good thing!

In the morning they woke me up at the time I had requested, took off all the wires and I showered before leaving. They even gave me a coupon for a free Breakfast at the little cafe in the surgery center.

It wasn't exactly fun but it certainly wasn't painful or anything ... anxiety over it was the worst thing about the whole process.

I've heard they'll even let you take a sleeping pill if you normally do to help you sleep. Something to ask the doc about if you're worried about it.

Edited May 23, 2014 by Ginger Snaps

[florastina 0]

When was your sleep study done..My surgery date is June 3rd and my pre op appointment is May 29. I havent had a sleep study yet though.

[jtickle 295]

It think it depends on the surgeon as to whether you are required to have a sleep study. I didn't have one either.

[Dawnakers 40]

Good morning. I just came home from my SECOND sleep study. The first found that I had "mild" sleep apnea. So the doctor requested I go in for a titration study. From what I am told they measure the amount of oxygen I need while I sleep. It is exactly the same as the sleep study - all bells, whistles and wires along with a mask! AWFULLY difficult to sleep but absolutely no pain involved. (The first sleep study I apparently slept 352 minutes and stopped breathing 56 times, although not for long.)

I think at this point they set me up with the equipment at home and I have to be on it two weeks prior to having surgery.

I have done EVERYTHING else... and am to ready to get this done.

Again there is nothing to worry about...it's just another day on our journey.

Best of luck.

Edited May 24, 2014 by Dawnakers