Quote:
Originally Posted by bell235
Has anyone ever gotten a sleep study done?
Did it reveal any issues? Do you sleep better now? what was the actual experience like? Were you able to fall asleep?
I'm probably going to have a sleep study done and I was just wondering how it went for people. I feel like I wouldn't be able to fall asleep because I would have all those wires hooked up to me.
Also, what different things can a sleep study identify? Can it identify MORE than just how often you wake up during the night?
Thanks for any info!
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This topic can be a HUGE one.....
Having been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea in 2003, I have been down this road a few times while having TWO in- hospital sleep studies done and ONE home sleep study done.
First, anyone that is having sleep issues should see their GP (general practitioner) doctor first, to discuss their issue with him/her. As noted earlier. there can be diverse issues for lack of sleep.
My SA was discovered when at age 45, I knew it was time to go to my doctor for my chronic tiredness. And the catalyst for finally making me go see a doctor for my tiredness, was after I fell asleep driving home from work one day. When I woke up and found myself driving in the opposite lane, while almost hitting a car head on.
In Oct of 2018 my SECOND old BIPAP machine finally broke down, so I had to get a new sleep study done in order for my insurance to pay for another machine. ($3600 !!) Today the sleep center that is recommended by ones physician, will offer two methods of study for the new patient with suspected SA.
1. The home study= patient picks up a cigarette pack size electronic box, wires and sensor pads from the sleep center. They hang the box on their chest, and place the sensors where specified. While one is sleeping, the box records the number of snores and period of time the patient stops breathing. This is the least expensive method of the initial test to diagnose one for SA. Costs around $100-200 for the home study.
2. In hospital overnight stay SA study = The patient reports in at the designated time to sleep overnight. They should take their own favorite sleeping pillow and wear top AND bottom PJ's. The patient should get their PJ's on BEFORE the tech puts the array of wires and sensors on them.
Because it is really HARD to undress from one's street clothes to get in their PJ's, with the motherload of wires hooked up on them.
The tech will monitor the sleeping patients breathing pattern from their office. Once they see a pattern of frequent stops of breathing while the patient is asleep, the tech will awaken the patient and hook up a CPAP machine and face mask and place the face mask on the patient. This action will not only help the patient to sleep, but gives the doctor the data needed to see the extent of ones SA, or even if a supplied air machine will even help the patient. My costs for my hospital sleep studies were around $1200-1500 each that were paid for by my insurance provider.
I do not understand the apprehension being noted here about the "fears" of a sleep study being done. It is entirely painless, and the uneasy feelings about one sleeping with cameras and wires attached is duly noted. If a person feels they will have issues doing the sleep study falling asleep, they need to tell their doctor. Because if a heavy sedative is taken by the patient on their own before the test, it will "alter" the accuracy of the sleep study. Ones insurance will probably not pay for two sleep studies if it is found out that the first one was "boogered" by a heavy sleeping drug.
Sleep study privacy and respect ? As with any medical procedure done, the patients privacy is respected and adhered to during a sleep study. And as ALWAYS, any time a patient is treated with disrespect for their privacy or well being, they need to report such events to their medical hierarchy chain of command.
But it is up to the PATIENT, to assure they dress appropriately for the sleep study. If a male wears only a speedo to bed for the study, or a female wears a short, sheer nightie for the sleep study ? Then yes, THEY have put themselves in to a compromising situation, where they should worry about their privacy while sleeping and being on camera. Simple. Just dress for sleeping away from home for one night appropriately.
No one is videoing the patient to put their sleep study live on the internet for bad reasons. They have to do a live video feed to record and monitor the patients method of sleep and what happens during the patients mode of sleep. IE: Snore the worst on their back or side ? Sleep with arms above head, along their sides ? Sleep the best in what position ? Do they toss and turn often ? Eyes flutter while asleep ? On and on.
And if one is like me, I was so tired when I did my sleep study, the tech had to wake me up just to put the air pump on me. And if a person does have SA, it is IMPERATIVE to get the proper help and machine to assist them in their nights sleep.
Because when ones stops breathing at night, all sorts of health issues from cardiac issues/high BP, risk of stroke etc. can follow eventually if untreated. In addition to the dangers from the tiredness for the lack of restful sleep and head on crashes/irritability/lack of energy needed for ones daily performance of duties.
And once a person starts using the CPAP or BIPAP machine, they will find themselves not being able to fall asleep without it . Yes, its cumbersome and pesky to get used to using. But we SA sufferer's get used to it and soon find its just like putting on another piece of sleep wear. I cannot live without my BIPAP machine now..literally. Good Luck OP and JMO