Aborted sleep study

[patmc1]

I was mildly concerned with waking up with a "pre headache". I didn't think I had sleep apnea but I was worried that my O2 was dropping during sleep. And of course I started panicking that I was getting brain fog. So my pulmonary doc suggested an at home study. I went to the facility, listened to a short run through, watched the Utube video numerous times , and thought I was good to go. I confess with computer stuff, Ikea put togethers , and all sorts of items I can be a moron for 20 minutes then I have always figured it out. Well I started putting on and attaching all the paraphernalia at 8.15 pm. Okay not too bad but the green light just stayed on and never blinked that it was recording. I checked all the connections ---I proceeded to redo every single step , re watched the video , memorized the hand out , even hooked it up without me. That ***** light stayed steady. Finally after over three hours I gave up.

I returned it along with my frustration and the receptionist said "Oh you're not the first-these machines can be unreliable. The sleep center will call you"

Ok a snarky woman called two days later " I guess you need someone to do it for you so reschedule a formal study"

I haven't had a headache in weeks and my friends seem to think my memory is basically the same. Has anyone taken the over night study---had a problem/? What were the results? I've tried to go to sleep with my oximeter on my finger but I'm sure as soon as I'm awake enough to read it ---it's up.

I haven't contacted my doc ---she only suggested the study because I was concerned .

Sorry that I always write my posts as epic novels. lol

[Hidden]

I did the sleep study but I went there for 4 pm on the day they attached everything and used a timer on the machine so I didn’t do anything or pressed on any switches. It was like 10pm to 7 am.

The next morning I just had to undo the belt and disconnect the patches and bring it all back before 11am.

So it worked, now I have to get used to the CPAP machine and that isn’t easy.

Good luck!

[patmc1 in reply to Hidden]

That does sound so much easier. I'm debating about just not doing the formal study.

[patmc1 in reply to Hidden]

Ps thank you for responding

[moogle in reply to Hidden]

It was like 10pm to 7 am.

The next morning I just had to undo the belt and disconnect the patches and bring it all back before 11am. <-- that would be no good to me. It's 2.30 and just thinking of bed then wake at 10pm at earliest

[Hidden in reply to moogle]

Well I gave them my hours of sleep for the timer, you give yours

[y_not]

Hi patmc1,

Like you, I was given all the machinery and sent home to run my own sleep study. I get that the equipment is a bit daunting but it's not lent to you on a whim - it's a useful test to rule in (or out) OSA.

In my case I'd already tested myself using a simple spo2 wrist watch style reader which, once connected to a PC showed o2 levels in the 70's (anything below 88 can cause damage to major organs!) so getting the test done was a no-brainer.

The test is easy when compared to, as Happylondon said, getting used to using a CPAP machine but it's all for your benefit so persevering is the key to a good nights sleep and being awake in the day.

Best wishes and good luck whatever you decide.

[Hidden in reply to y_not]

Hi y-not

How are you coping with the CPAP??

I have the resmed quattro air..

It blows back used air in my eyes..I don’t like that. In fact I still have to sleep well propped up if not I feel squashed. I only have apnea when I sleep on my back apparently, now I can’t sleep on the side with the machine. I don’t know if I am going to cope.

Only problem is I desaturate down to 80% with apnea so..chicken and egg!!

[y_not in reply to Hidden]

Hi Happylondon,

I didn't like the NHS supplied CPAP so I bought a Resmed Airsense 10 (auto with humidifier) so it would give me the best chance of a decent nights sleep. Because I often am away I also bought the Transcend mini ( eu-pap.co.uk/transcend-port... ) and it's light, small and easy to set up (but no humidifier) for when I'm away. Problem with this one is the NHS don't have the software to check compliance (average five hours a night to keep a driving licence) so I take a laptop with me to "fill in the gaps"!

I do regularly get issues with the fit of the mask (Resmed full mask) so, over time I've tried a number of alternative options but always return to the same Resmed version. The hospital drop-in centre supply a replacement mask every 4 - 5 months as the silicone seems to lose it's flexibility (only use soap for cleaning).

Even with all this I still have period of 2 - 3 weeks every now and then when I simply can't cope with it for more than a couple of hours a night - I don't "beat myself up" over it ... just accept that it happens than, all of a sudden, it fits right again!

Worth a talk to the hospital about alternative masks which MIGHT help.

Good luck

[Hidden in reply to y_not]

Very helpful. Thank you y-not 😊

[patmc1 in reply to y_not]

Thank you --I will see if I can get the O2 band then have my doc re schedule

[y_not in reply to patmc1]

Sorry, I don't think I made myself clear - the o2 wristband is something I purchased, the hospital use the full kit of finger spo2, chest movements, pulse, nasal buds etc, etc.

I just used my spo2 meter before the tests to give me an indication ahead of them doing the tests.

Sorry if I confused the issue

Best wishes

[patmc1 in reply to y_not]

Thank you --I did understand and I just ordered one of the wrist band monitors. My doc wasn't overly concerned that I did have a problem so I think she suggested the informal test to put my mind at rest. I'm the one that wants to know for sure. Again I really don't think I have sleep apnea ---I don't have a "partner/spouse" currently but the times I shared a room I supposedly wasn't snoring nor breathing or not breathing abnormally. (I did years ago when I smoked). Although I don't have great sleep patterns I am almost never sleepy during the day . And the pre headaches in the morning were mostly before I was put on meds.

[y_not in reply to patmc1]

Just a thought - have you completed an Epworth sleep questionnaire? An online version is here ukcpap.co.uk/info-questionn... usually this is given before a sleep study and gives a good indication of the likelihood.

[patmc1 in reply to y_not]

Thank you --I scored a 2 on that. Probably why my doc wasn't very concerned but I'm going to test my sleeping O2 stats next. It is strange that I'm at 97 sitting, 93 standing but 91 lying down reading.