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Sleep Clinic

sternum
0 Recommendations

Good afternoon everyone :):)

I need some insight on these sleep disorders and sleep clinics. I am now 65 and that means that I have been dealing with sleep apena, narcolypsy, cataclypsy and restless leg syndrome for 59 years. My first recollection of these problems was at six years of age.

Needless to say sleep disorders were unheard of then and it really wasn't until the 1980's that research results were put in front of the public. My husband read the article and just said "That is what you have". He came with me to our doctor and sure enough he was interested enough to send me to several different specialists. The medications 20 years ago were not the same as they are now. Honestly, a seesaw mixture of sedatives and stimulants. The result was simply unacceptable to me. I felt like a zombie all the time, so I stopped taking them and learned to cope. Now we have Sleep Clinics and new meds and even more identifiable disorders.

After my heart attack, when I needed the second angioplasty. The dr. had to put me under a general in order to do the job. My legs jerked so wildly and often that I knocked over the two tray of instruments. Then when I had to keep my leg still after I woke up, a nurse actually had to hold my leg down. She stopped the one leg but my body and the other leg made up for it.

Now, after three attempts I am scheduled for a sleep over and day and night monitoring on the 25th & 26th of Aug.

Is there anyone out there who has been to one of these clinics who can tell me what to expect. I have heard about cpacs and forced oxygen but I really don't know anything about them. Any sleep partner in-put is ten years old. I have to admit this one has me worried. I have no idea
on how to prepare for this one. Yes I have the sheet from the clinic but that is just what to bring. ---- Help please ----

Gloria

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Heart disease Heart failure Surgery Sleep apnea CPAP Pain Sedatives Crestor Heart attack Depression Stress

19 replies

NewAllie

Hi Gloria,
I have no experience or advice to offer. I just wanted to say that I need to reread your story whenever I join the self pity parade. You really deserve a good night's sleep! Love, Allie

sternum

Thanks Allie:D

Who knows maybe this tme things will be straightened out. Stranger things have happened. I asked a friend one time what she did to get to sleep. She told me you just close your eyes and relax. I would like to have that happen.

take care --- Gloria ---

AuntieMom

Hi Gloria,

I had a sleep study done in December 2007. It was really quite interesting. I was nervous, like you, but everything went very well. I had a choice of having the study done at the hospital or in a hotel. I opted for the hotel. If I remember correctly I was supposed to arrive at the hotel about 8:30 pm. Answered questions that were asked by the respiratory guy then sent to my room to change into my jammies.

I was hooked up to all kinds of wires, some attached to my head (hair gets gucky), some attached just like a heart monitor and then several to my ankle. I think normally they attach wires to both ankles but he only did one of mine. The ankle wires are used to measure how much your legs move during the night. I got into bed, the tech went into the other room to monitor all his equipment. I read for a bit and then turned the light off and went to bed. It was kind of a weird feeling knowing that there was a guy in the other room who could watch my every move on the camera set up in my room but I fell asleep anyways. The tech woke me up in the morning in plenty of time for me to get to work (we had discussed wake up time the night before). He disconnected me from all the wires, etc. I went into the bathroom that was part of the room, showered, got dressed and was sent on my way.

The tech did tell me that I did show signs of sleep apnea - of course the tech can't diagnose you. The tech also mentioned that normally half way through the night they would wake you up and put you on a cpap for the second half of the night to compare your sleep. He didn't wake me up, let me sleep all night.

I went to the continental breakfast and then to work.

I do have a cpap and I love it! It does take a few days to get used to the mask. When I first started using it I would feel a little claustrophobic when I put the mask on but what I do now is I put it on when I am settled in bed for the night but before I start to read. My thought process is that if I put the mask on before I start to read the reading will take my mind off the claustrophobic issue. I works for me, it may not work for others but I have no problem now.

I will mention that when I first got my cpap they gave me one of those nasal pillows instead of a mask. My pulmonologist was quite upset, he wanted me to have a mask. The mask that was sent to me is too big but I deal with it. The nasal pillow kept getting bumped out of my nose, especially since I am a side sleeper.

Sometimes I have strap marks on my face in the morning and sometimes I don't. Most of the time I don't.

I will admit, now that I have gotten used to sleeping with the cpap, if I dose off in a chair or on the couch without my cpap I will wake up choking, gagging and gasping for air. It's pretty scary each time it happens.

You will be fine during your sleep study, medical people all around you, you are well monitored and they will be able to come up with some answers that will help you. Keep in mind, untreated sleep apnea can be a cause of heart problems.

If you have any concerns at all, give me a holler, I'm more than happy to help ease your fears or whatever you are feeling, answer questions or just listen. I will be thinking of you on the 25th.

AuntieMom

Marmare

Wow! I am exhausted after reading your post! I have been to a sleep clinic and was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. Do not fear this study, it is the easiest medical test I have ever had. The hardest part about the over night stay was falling asleep. Monitoring electrodes are pasted to your head, chest and ankles which make sleeping a little unnatural. Never fear the paste does wash out. It was little discomfort, if any. Part of the night I was on a CPAP machine.
Following the sleep study, I was prescribed a CPAP machine, which basically just keeps my air way open all night. It took me a few nights to get used to sleeping with it on but I felt so much better rested during the day there is no way I would sleep with out it.
Hope you find some relief.
Marmare

sternum

Thank you Auntimom & marmare:

Both your answers where very helpful.
Do either of you have trouble falling asleep to begin with? It can take me a couple of hours after I go to bed and then I am awake again in one or two hours. I was under the impression that when I had my uvula removed in 1986 it was supposed to take care of the sleep apnea. Now this doctor tells me that surgery was of no use because the problem is further down in the airway, so that was a needless operation.

The last time I had a sleep study done (in the mid 1980's) the procedures were some what the same but it was done in The University of British Columbia Science Center. These studies where just beginning. For me that study was pretty much a wasted trip and wasted use of my time. I did not sleep one second that night so everything was inconclusive. That was when I told my family doctor to forget the whole mess. I had been dealing with it all my life so I'd continue to do so. Now he really wants me to have it done and for the very reason you mentioned. Untreated, sleep apnea can cause heart problems. He wants to find out if it is one of my contributors. I am more concerened about the restless leg syndrome. That one doesn't let you get to sleep either and it is way up there on the pain chart.

I have to admit that these disorders are as frustrating as blazes especially when the doctors know I have them but still insist on these tests. It is the same as when your pregnant. You know it, the doctor knows it but you have to have the tests to prove it to science. Annny waaay!!!!

Gloria

chill

Thanks to you all! I am just waiting to find out when I have my sleep study and had no idea what to expect from it so you all have really helped...once again! Guess these sleep studies just go along with heart attacks, heart issues now! Thanks again!

sternum

Hi Chill:

That is what I love about these posts. They always help more than one person and for that I am very grateful.

Auntimom:

You mentioned a nasal pillow. Could you explain what it is and how it works. I have this picture of sleeping with a pillow over my face. Please tell me that is a false impression.
You also talked about the CPAP machine itself. Could you tell me how big the whole thing is. Does it have an oxygen supply or a tank with it? Do you rent it or buy it? Is it expensive?

I also have to stay the next day for a daytime sleep study. I am told they let you sleep for a perscribed length of time; wakened told to stay awake for a length of time and then sent to bed to sleep again. This doesn't sound too cool. But they want to find out how you behave during sleep deprivation. Not my idea of a good day. However, I will remain open-minded and see what everything means and where it comes from. Who knows -- This could be the start of something good !!!

"To sleep, perchance to dream" --- and wake up refreshed ---

Now that would be nice !

Take care --- Gloria ---

AuntieMom

Hi Gloria,

The only way that I can think of to describe the nasal pillow is: remember when you are in the hospital with the little nasal thingies that are in your nostrils? Okay picture that small section that is right below your nose - about an inch on each side of your nose.

The nasal pillow has the little prongs that go up into your nostrils - however the prongs are not as "delicate" as the ones they use in the hospital. the prongs are wider and kind of - or at least they tried to shape them to fit into your nostrils whereas the ones in the hospital just rest in your nostrils. Of the 3 different size nostril pluggers (I can't thing of anything else to call them) that they gave me with my machine I was unable to find one that fit me so I didn't look like a pig, plus in the morning they left my nostrils a little stretched out and I was afraid that eventually my nostrils would stay like that. It was depressing to look in the mirror when I first got up in the morning. I got off track there for a minute. Sorry, I'm reeling myself back in to answer the other questions. What is attached to the prong thing is about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter which the air comes through.

Please don't think that I am being rude - I just did a google search for CPAP machines - check out this site http://www.cpap.com - it has the different maskes, etc.

Before I got my CPAP I would have a horrible time getting to sleep and then I would wake up (just like you) in a couple of hours - it was terrible. I was dragging butt all the time. My primary care kept telling me that it was depression - I told him that it was a medical thing, it wasn't depression, I had been there with the depression and sleep before I this definitely wasn't it. When you can't lift your head up off the pillow because you are so tired and you are trying your very hardest to do it - it's not depression.

I kind of rented my CPAP for the first ten monthes. My health insurance paid for 80% of the machine and I paid the balance spread out over 10 monthes. Now it is my machine. I get calls every 6 monthes asking if I need any replacement parts - like mask, tubing, head gear, air filter, etc.

No oxygen tanks involved. The machine just pulls air out of the air surrounding the machine, filters it and using force pushes it into your nasal passages. The theory is that when some people sleep there throat muscles relax, too much, which causes your airway to close. The CPAP machine uses a constant flow of air to keep your airway open.

Off the top of my head I would say that the CPAP machine is about 8 inches long, 6 - 8 inches wide, 4 inches high. It's really not a monster. Not to sound rude again but the site that I posted above has machines on it and probably has the dimensions for the different machines. When I looked at the site today I noticed that they now have a smaller machine for travel.

I'm sure the doctor has geared your test to the different problems that you are having with your sleep. Don't worry about it. Just remember this is all being done so that you CAN sleep and dream!! It was the most worth while testing that I have had done in a quite a while and pain less too!

Best of luck to you, I'll be thinking of you. If you have any more questions - or anyone else for that matter - give me a holler.

joy2day

Based on my diagnosis of right-sided heart failure, I was sent for a sleep study. This is because sleep apnea is often involved in right-sided heart failure, and because the oxygen sensor in the hospital showed low oxygen during sleep. Based on the oxygen sensor, I was placed on oxygen while sleeping until the sleep study could be performed.

My sleep study was conducted in a medical office park at a "physical rehab facility" --- lots of exercise machines and 4 bedrooms down a hallway.

The study showed that I do not have classic sleep apnea, but do require oxygen at night. I have a machine called a oxygen concentrator that pulls oxygen from the room air, and pushes it through tubing to a nasal cannula (the 2 prongs that slip up my nostrils with the tubing looped over my ears). This machine was rented until my insurance company finally paid it off. For travel purposes, I load it up in the car or rent a unit whenever I fly. It is an inconvenience, but the quality of my sleep is SO MUCH better.

sternum

Wow aunti mom !!

I just went to the webbsite, and what a surprise I got. What I have been calling a nuisance and an annoyance all my life was one of those conditions that was trying to kill me. I have just had an attitude adjustment from "whatever" to "do it now".
Truly this has been a shocker of an eye-opener. Not once did my doctor or the sleep specialist say anything about sleep apnea and heart disease being related in any way, shape or form.
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying it was the only factor involved. I had a lot of other risk factors as well, but considering the length of time I have been living with this disorder, I am surprised it never came up. Once again it was through patient research that I found the link. (Thank you patient). I am sure that never being properly rested and always tired and edgy because of it can definately help elevate blood pressure and add significantly to stress when we can't get on with daily life because of fatigue. You have just opened an entirely new and unexplored cavern here. Time to get to work again. Must arm myself with knowledge to be able to talk to my doctors and follow the thread.

Take care --- Gloria ---

sternum

Thank you for answering Joy2:

Definately a learning day for me. Just last week, at Senior's Camp, I was talking to someone who was using the CPAP and how much more rested he was.
My attitude was -- That is very nice for you but I am not going to bed with any mask over my face in the name of getting a couple of hours sleep -- All this actual information and discussion is making me realize this can be very serious. So I'll sit up now and take notice and smarten up!!


Gloria

joy2day

I was quite distressed to consider a CPAP. My dad had one and reminded me of how hard he fought getting it. Well, he told me he'd fight twice as hard if someone tried to take it away.

Then a man at church found out about my sleep study and took the time to reassure me as well that he was so glad he had relented and had the study done.

I have my moments while dealing with the added hassles of traveling with my machine. (CPAPs are much more portable than my concentrator.) But I've learned to make a joke of it. When I go to church retreat situations with 8-20 women/room, I just let everyone know that I'm stealing all their oxygen. :-) It has actually opened up the opportunity for several conversations about heart disease among the women.

NewAllie

Hi Gloria,
I too have restless leg, but it' s been more like restless all over. I found that taking Crestor in the morning instead of at night helped tremendously. Then I mentioned it when I saw my GP on Monday and she told me anemia/iron deficiency, such as is common after surgery and while pregnant, can cause restless leg and that in fact, she had the same all over stuff I have when she was pregnant and anemic. She drew blood and called today ordering Maxaron, a prescription iron/Vit B12/Vit.C supplement combo. Don't know if that might be your case too...Love, Allie

sternum

Joy2day :D:D

I'm so sorry I missed the last part of your name before. It is such a great one.

I'm beginning to see the light on this and how important resolving it is. I love your opener telling room mates that you are stealing their air.
Mine is bringing earplugs for all of them. It certainly breaks the ice and sets stage for a great exchange.

Allie :

We seem to have the same types of drs.
The full body jerking was just immediately after the the angeoplasty. The cardioligist at that time perscribed a new med called pramipexole for the restless legs. I take .25 in the morning and the same in the evening . Definately keeps them still. Even if I don't sleep, I at least am able to relax and rest.

Now about the other meds --- My iron test was fine. I take B-12 shots every two months. Vitamin C is 500 units a day. And to top off the list there is 1000 units keep of Calcium and Vitamin D every day. The bone density test showed minor bone loss and since I can break a rib just coughing, they want to make sure they have a decent chance. So those bases are covered. Remember, I have had these things since childhood. Probably just adding up all these years. My what a mess I am.

Take care and be blest --- Gloria ---

sternum

I want to thank each of you who responded to this call for help. Your shared experiences were very helpful to me (and others as well). I appreciate your willingness to ease the way for the rest of us.

Be blest --- gloria ---

AuntieMom

Gloria,

You know the old saying "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade"? Or maybe it's multitasking, LOL.

Anyways, one advantage I have discovered to wearing a mask at night to sleep is ... the top part of the head gear is a great place to clip a book light on. If you like to read in bed but don't like the bright light you can just clip a book light to the part that goes across the top part of your face.

It works great !

I will be thinking of you on the 25th and 26th. I know you will do fine and hopefully you will get some answers and the treatment won't require any more pills to take!

AuntieMom

Sarcasma40

Hey Gloria,
Tonight will be my 4th night with my cpap machine.

It's not a sexy device...It is taking some getting used to, however, I would usually be taking my afternoon nap right now and I am am not feeling the least bit sleepy. SO... that tells me that I am getting better rest, right?

My sleep study showed I was NEVER reaching REM sleep. I was stopping breathing up to 20 times an hour sometimes up to 140 seconds without taking a breath, (explains why I wake with my heart hurting so intensely and my lungs feeling completely deflated).

I know several people that say the cpap has changed their life, I hope to concur.
Good luck,
Stacey

ktbmom

My husband and I have both had sleep studies. I actually forced him to get his years ago as sometimes at night I would sleep lightly just to nudge him when he quit sleeping. For me, my cardiologist wanted me to have it done since I have been so tired the last year. My EF is 25%. Wonder why I am tired with an EF that low.

Anyway, for my husband, the tech had him make sure that when he positioned himself for sleep that the electrodes and wires did not bother him. Tech said that had a small margin to be able to move them.

For me, the tech just put them on and let me go to bed. I had electrodes placed right behind the ears and I am a side sleeper. After about a half an hour I had so much pain that I slept lightly the rest of the night. The tech said that I tossed from one side to the other through the night. No wonder, I was in pain and trying to get comfortable.

When I sleep at home, I would say at least 95% of the time the sheets and blankets are so perfect that I just pull them back a little and get up and then pull them back up on the bed to make it. Night of sleep study sheets were all tangled.

Ask about seeing if the electrodes both the position you sleep in. Also, make sure the temperature of the room works for you. My tech had turned the thermostat to 75 (winter time) because she likes her room warmer. Me, I prefer it cooler and asked to have it turned down.

Otherwise, no big deal to have this done.

Good luck. My husband ended up with CPAP and I did not.

sternum

Hi Stacy:

My word !! My math says that your time out is just under 2 1/2 minutes. You're blessed just to have lived long enough to have the study.. My late husband used to wake me after 10 seconds, he didn't want to wait to see how long it would be. He has been gone for 10 years, so no monitor. Heaven knows what it is now. If we stop breathing for that length of time, no wonder there is a connection between heart disease and sleep apnea.

I also hope the CPAP does the job and puts your life on track. They say we don't miss what we never had, but it would sure be nice to find out just what it is. A good night's sleep, rest, energy enough to last a full day and back to another good night's sleep. aaaahhh.... the stuff of dreams.

Take care and be blest --- Gloria ---

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