Not sleeping during the sleep study

[Rainy Days 73]

Ugh. I had the home sleep study last night. I couldn't sleep very well because the nasal cannula made me a little claustrophobic and I couldn't breathe through my nose. I had to mouth breathe all night. I struggled to fall asleep. I would sleep for 90 minutes or so, then wake up and be awake for 45-60 minutes, then finally fall back asleep. I did that for about 7 hours until I said enough. I won't know my results for a week or so. My worst fear is that they make me do it again. I really hated the tubes in my nose. I felt like I was being smothered. Has anyone else had trouble with sleeping during the sleep study? How little sleep is enough to get a result? The office staff wouldn't tell me when I turned the equipment back in.

[FreeTheSkinny66 9]

I just did the at home sleep study and I agree that it was hard to sleep wearing that thing. For me, it was just uncomfortable and I woke up often and tossed and turned all night. I was so tired the next day.

From what my instructions said, it needs 5 hrs of sleep. Apparently, it shuts off when it has that - and that is what happened to mine. I did it on a Friday night so I would have longer time in bed to sleep and the tiredness the next day wouldn't impact me as it would on a work day.

I got my results in a few days after it was returned and it was enough. I also don't think the mouth versus nose breathing matters. Good luck!

Edited March 25, 2016 by FreeTheSkinny66

[Rainy Days 73]

I *might* have had 5 hours of sleep, but I'm not positive. I agree, FreeTheSkinny66, It was very uncomfortable. And now I keeping thinking about how I will handle the mask if I do need a machine. I believe my problem was just the cannula tubes up my nose, so maybe I'll be okay.

[Kelly84 88]

I had mine last month at home. I cut the nasal prongs so they wouldn't feel like they were scrubbing the inside of my nose. The test didn't bother me that much after I did that

FatKellyRN>soontobe<SleeveKellyRN

[FreeTheSkinny66 9]

@@Rainy Days Did the one you have automatically shut off (light was off in the a.m.) or did you have to turn it off manually? If it turned off on its own, I think you got what was required!

My results said I have mild sleep apnea - which will be corrected with surgery. The question is....will the insurance company consider "mild" bad enough to have it stand as a comorbidity?! Ugh

[Rainy Days 73]

My home study unit didn't require me to turn it off or on. It had a green light that the technician told me would stay on, and it was on before, during, and after my test.

Sorry about your mixed results! I hope the insurance finds in your favor. I'm guessing they will because the medical diagnosis code for sleep apnea doesn't specify mild, severe, etc. Good luck!

My insurance doesn't care about sleep apnea as a comorbidity, it's all on BMI. But my surgeon requires the sleep study, so that is why I did it. I'm hoping I don't require the cpap machine, but my husband said he'd be surprised if I don't get it. If so, I'm hoping it's just mild like yours and will be corrected with weight loss.

[FreeTheSkinny66 9]

Good point - that the diagnosis code doesn't differentiate. I thought that when everything is sent in for approval, they will include the results, which will show that my sleep apnea is in the mild range. And my primary carrier required sleep apnea (for it to be considered a comorbidity) to be severe to the point of life-threatening". Yikes!

Apparently, even moderate sleep apnea is improved significantly once weight is lost...at least that is what I have read. Good luck!! Those C-PAP machines look awful! lol

[hmbc 16]

Had home study but also had a lab study. Lab study was okay but strange knowing someone is watching you sleep. Home study has to be repeated...it did not read. Finger piece too loose. Lab study was years ago...Will probably have to do the lab study again to get best reading.

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[Rainy Days 73]

I got my test results back and unfortunately I do have mild sleep apnea. Apparently I slept enough because she said the quality of the test was excellent. I stopped breathing 12 times a hour, which is mild and she believes my sleep apnea will go away after losing weight with the surgery. So, that was a bright spot in the bad news. Now I wait for the call to go get my new machine.

[missvee 28]

I *might* have had 5 hours of sleep, but I'm not positive. I agree, FreeTheSkinny66, It was very uncomfortable. And now I keeping thinking about how I will handle the mask if I do need a machine. I believe my problem was just the cannula tubes up my nose, so maybe I'll be okay.

I absolutely hated the nose piece. I have a machine but had a full mask brought in because I couldn't handle the nose piece. I felt as if I were going to choke

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[FreeTheSkinny66 9]

@@Rainy Days You are getting a C-PAP machine for mild? My surgeon said he doesn't for mild apnea, especially since the surgery will take care of it. Hmmm....

Sadly, I was "happy" when I found out I had mild sleep apnea - it meant possibility a comorbidity to help with insurance approval. Ugh

[Rainy Days 73]

@@Rainy Days You are getting a C-PAP machine for mild? My surgeon said he doesn't for mild apnea, especially since the surgery will take care of it. Hmmm....

Sadly, I was "happy" when I found out I had mild sleep apnea - it meant possibility a comorbidity to help with insurance approval. Ugh

I am being issued a C-PAP machine by the pulmonologist that ordered my study. She said I would probably not need it within months after surgery, but she ordered me an auto-adjusting C-PAP machine just for that reason. I wish I didn't have to use the machine, and I may not after surgery, but until surgery I will use the machine to be compliant.

[Tssiemer1 549]

I've had my sleep machine for about 3 weeks. It is still really hard to sleep. I always get wrapped up in the hose. Sometimes I have to change to a different mask in the middle of the night because it hurts. I'm starting to get acne where the mask is on my face even though I always clean it and use acne wash and astringent on my face. But surgery is May 10th. I can hold out.

[Essence46 493]

I am a slight sleeper on a good night so the sleep study freaked me out. The first two times I barely slept at all. The third time the doctor told me I could take a sleeping pill like I usually do. I did sleep some that nigh I have had my machine for over a year. Never liked it and felt defeated by it. A few weeks ago, I just started using it again. Since the pressure has been decreased and I have a new mask, I can sleep with it a lot better than before. I still have not been able to make it thru a whole night with it on yet though. I am working on it.

[kmorri 1,689]

wow! That is mild....at least to what I have to compare it to....My husband has sleep apnea and during his sleep study he had 78 episodes!!! That was more than a year and a half ago. He has slept soundly from day one with his machine.

I got my test results back and unfortunately I do have mild sleep apnea. Apparently I slept enough because she said the quality of the test was excellent. I stopped breathing 12 times a hour, which is mild and she believes my sleep apnea will go away after losing weight with the surgery. So, that was a bright spot in the bad news. Now I wait for the call to go get my new machine.