Real World Sleep Study Experiences
Question:
On 17 Sep 1998 00:52:53 GMT, daisyd…@aol.com (DAISY DOO6) wrote: >I just went to a Pulminary Specialist today >he recomends going to a clinic overnight >for observation. I don’t know why I’m so >nervous, I have not had a full night sleep in >seven years. i’m at the point where i can’t >stay awake at work so I have to do somethimg >I hope I can get help. I don’t know how >much longer I can go.
Just hang in there — my experience was that it was only a few days. Once we got the lab results back, it was only a day or two before I had CPAP. I did fine until I ended out in the hospital with ME in the hospital, the CPAP at home, and I was in not much condition to communicate much. I slept in the hospital so-so, but only slept well until I was back home on the machine. My doctor has never been on one but has heard reports from patients on them.
Response:
John I’m glad that you are feeling better. xxx . I just went to a Pulminary Specialist today he recomends going to a clinic overnight for observation. I don’t know why I’m so nervous, I have not had a full night sleep in seven years. i’m at the point where i can’t stay awake at work so I have to do somethimg I hope I can get help. I don’t know how much longer I can go. thanks for sharing your story Tim Kehoe
Response:
John, Thanks for the thoughtful post. I had to have 3 sleep studies before they got me all figured out, and I can see that I will most likely have to go back for "review" studies in the future, as things change. I have RLS, too, and am taking a small dose of Klonopin. It helps tremendously. I don’t take it every night, but do when I notice other limb "jerks" during the day. I get "stabbings" in my shoulders, which is indicative of PLM, so on those days, I know I need to take the Klonopin 1 hour before bedtime. I have Fibromyalgia and have to deal with chronic pain. This is a big problem when trying to get to sleep, so I have to get as comfortable as possible to be able to fall asleep. Right now, that is in my recliner, so that is where I’ll stay for a while. I’m looking for a foam "wedge" to use on my regular bed. I’m thinking that as long as my head is elevated a little, I will do OK on the bed. I had the "waking dreams" too. Awful!! I’d blink and go into a dream. I don’t get any Stage 3 or 4 sleep yet, but my doctor tells me I will, eventually. Your post helped me to see that the use of CPAP, is, like you said, is something that needs to "managed like any chronic health care problem." — Robin in Montana – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -John B. Fisher wrote: > Folks, > I thought newcomers to this newsgroup might find a review of some "real > world" sleep studies helpful. We often (through encouragement) make it seem > a snap. It takes time, patience and effort. (Snip…)
Response:
On Wed, 9 Sep 1998 20:26:57 -0400, "John B. Fisher" <jbfis…@mindspring.com> wrote: >Folks, >I thought newcomers to this newsgroup might find a review of some "real >world" sleep studies helpful. We often (through encouragement) make it seem >a snap. It takes time, patience and effort.
<BIG SNIP> >My point is that any sleep disorder must be MANAGED as any chronic health >problem, much as we would diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. Management of >the problem started when I recognized the need for the study. Use of CPAP >gave me my life back. But now I’ve got to take more steps to better reclaim >my health and well being.
Thanks for posting that, John. I’m not exactly a newbie any more, but you gave me food for thought. It’s way too easy to think that once you’ve got the machine and mask that you’re "fixed." We really do need to remember that we are managing a condition that will require our attention for the rest of our lives. Thanks again, Skip
Response:
On Wed, 9 Sep 1998 20:26:57 -0400, "John B. Fisher" <jbfis…@mindspring.com> wrote: >Let’s be honest… a sleep study, though not painful, with various >electrodes and wires used to measure breathing, heart rate, muscle tone, >etc., it is awkward at best. So, if you already have trouble sleeping, >this takes patience and hope that it will lead to a good sleep.
Like sleeping with your face covered with Scotch Tape. Also, every time I rolled, I’d likely pull something loose. >However, with the CPAP during the second study, the most remarkable thing >happened. Once the pressure was properly adjusted, I slept though the >entire night. It happens. It was blissful.
Six hours straight for me — same experience. Then a (sometimes an occurence with me in hot Texas weather) leg cramp. Back in for two more hours. I seem to be 2 or less sleep interruptions now. >Some of my steps include reducing stress (which seems to increase the >apneas, periodic leg movement, and blood pressure). I am combining this >with excercise (hiking a mile a day) in an effort to slowly decrease weight. >(I now weigh 320 lbs, and expect this will take 4 or 5 years, and seriously >doubt it will eliminate the obstructive sleep apnea … I snored very loudly >as a teenager at ideal weight). But it will help my health in other areas.
About the only contraindication for weight reduction is anorexia. >Submitted for your approval, in the hope it might help fellow sojourners.
–C.
Response:
john, thanks for your story and i really wish you well. i am convinced of the merits of exercise for many, many reasons. building muscle has GOT to help metabolism….mobility….osteo stuff….so good luck and congrats on all you’ve achieved so far. it’s a blessing to be active—i’ve plenty of friends who are disabled and can’t be. kcd — I think it’s going to be a long time until American society accepts fat people. Dieting has been elevated into a religion, a new religion, and only the thin are "good" and saved. The new messiah is any weight-loss expert. And if you couple religious fervor and righteousness with desire and pressure [to lose weight], you have a recipe for dismissive posturing. – C. K. Grinnell
Response:
Folks, I thought newcomers to this newsgroup might find a review of some "real world" sleep studies helpful. We often (through encouragement) make it seem a snap. It takes time, patience and effort. I have had four sleep studies at this point. The first was a full night study six years ago without CPAP. This was followed by a second full night study with CPAP. (Generally to reduce costs, this is now done in one night, if obstructive sleep apnea is found). Let’s be honest… a sleep study, though not painful, with various electrodes and wires used to measure breathing, heart rate, muscle tone, etc., it is awkward at best. So, if you already have trouble sleeping, this takes patience and hope that it will lead to a good sleep. Prior to CPAP, (the first study indicated) I was obtaining about 30% sleep efficiency. I was so sleep deprived that I would have waking dreams. It was frankly frightening. However, with the CPAP during the second study, the most remarkable thing happened. Once the pressure was properly adjusted, I slept though the entire night. It happens. It was blissful. Unfortunately, over time the setting of my CPAP did not meet my needs. My weight increased, and my sleep patterns changed. The sleep apnea symptoms were back. I went in for my third sleep study. This one was a nightmare. I now recognize (primarily through this newsgroup) that I was having problems with periodic leg movement. Unfortunately, the technician at the time did not spot it – or mention it. It’s not severe. But dealing with it is very difficult. As others in this newsgroup noted, I startle awake. As a result, I dreaded sleep. In fact, I asked to get up and move around several times. Interestingly, during that third study, they found that my pressure requirement decreased with time. This was a surprise. The doctor reviewing this thought the increased pressure, beyond my actual needs, might be causing periodic central sleep apneas. So we decreased the pressure, and it was better, but not as good as the first time. Well, two years later (on the 4th of this September), I had my fourth sleep study. Unfortunately, I’ve gained even more weight in those two years. The study was similar to my third, but I tried to press through the periodic leg movement stuff, and really get some sleep. It worked. The technician found that I indeed require increased pressure, but not as high from the second sleep study. He also took the time to talk with me. It never hurts to ask and cultivate their input. Just realize that the study will later be scored for detailed analysis. But their initial observations can be very helpful. (They’ve seen more than we will and can quickly recognize basic problems). The technician indicated I should review my periodic leg movements and decreased REM sleep with my doctor. Sigh! Wouldn’t it be nice if it was a simple as the second sleep study. The results… well, it’s hard to tell yet. The lab is doing the detailed analysis, and then it’s time to review it with my doctor. My point is that any sleep disorder must be MANAGED as any chronic health problem, much as we would diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. Management of the problem started when I recognized the need for the study. Use of CPAP gave me my life back. But now I’ve got to take more steps to better reclaim my health and well being. Some of my steps include reducing stress (which seems to increase the apneas, periodic leg movement, and blood pressure). I am combining this with excercise (hiking a mile a day) in an effort to slowly decrease weight. (I now weigh 320 lbs, and expect this will take 4 or 5 years, and seriously doubt it will eliminate the obstructive sleep apnea … I snored very loudly as a teenager at ideal weight). But it will help my health in other areas. But certainly at least my pressure in my CPAP will require adjusting. As also noted, stress changes my pressure needs, so am interested in exploring the Smart CPAP approach. And I’ve seen several indications that the leg movements generally require some medication, but want to talk it through with the doctor. Generally if I can do without medication I’m happier, since I seem to react ‘off the curve’ with medicines. BUT I’m willing to try. My point … Well, I hope to show that managing a sleep disorder is like life. Life is about the Journey, not the Destination! Submitted for your approval, in the hope it might help fellow sojourners. Regards, =jbf= John B. Fisher
