sleeping pill during sleep study?

robo · Post by **robo** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 7:24 am

Is it OK to take a sleeping pill (lunesta) during a sleep study? I asked the director at the hospital I'm going to and she said it wouldn't make any difference. Does anyone have any experience with this?

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 8:21 am

My opinion (no data to support it, but it makes sense to me) is that the sleep study should try to reflect how you normally sleep. Of course that is impoasible because you don't normally sleep with more wires than are on the back of my 5.1 surround sound AV receiver (and that's a lot!), but ...

So, do you normally take a sleeping pill at home? (I hope not, those things aren't for long-term use, AFAIK). If so, go ahead. I'd also bring your own pillow and something comfortable (and modest) to sleep in similar to what you normally use. (That was difficult for me; I normally sleep in silly boxers - no top - that my wife gives me for Christmas and Valentine's Days that are covered in graphics and sayings that I didn't feel like sharing.) Bring what you need to relax and unwind before sleep just as you would at home such as a good book if you're so inclined.

Most of all, bring a positive attitude. If you are apprehensive about this and worried that you won't be able to sleep "all wired for sound" with an observer, it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Best of luck.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:39 pm

Yes it's ok to take a sleep aid the night of your study. You'll probably be pretty nervous and uncomfortable that night because of all the wires and of what's going on in general. In that case sleep may be hard to come by without some help. I took Lunesta during my second night and all went well. I continued taking Lunesta for about a week after I got my machine then went cold turkey and haven't used it since. Now once I turn my machine on I'm out like a light.

Rick

RickSt · Post by **RickSt** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:40 pm

That was me. I didn't realize that I wasn't logged on.

Rick

robo · Post by **robo** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:58 pm

Bill and Rick,
Thanks for responding. Bill, I'm new here so this may be an old question. It looks as if you have a beard. Does this hamper the use of your mask. That is amazing Rick that you got such good results so soon. Amazing!!

Thanks again to both of you,
Bryan Robbins (Robo)

WAFlowers · Post by **WAFlowers** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:43 pm

I'm new here too (just diagnosed 5 weeks ago, titrated last week and awaiting my prescription). I only found this forum a few days ago. But I read a lot and have slept in a Holiday Inn Express.

Yes, I have a beard (goatee) and mustache. They're my wife's idea, believe it or not, not that I mind. For the titration I had a ComfortSelect mask and had no trouble achieving a seal. I offered to shave but told it wouldn't be necessary.

However I'm leaning toward trying Swift nasal pillows currently. Then facial hair won't (shouldn't) be an issue.

snowdog · Post by **snowdog** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 3:17 pm

That reminds me of the one funny event from my titration. I normally just wear a t-shirt to bed. I haven't worn any kind of bottoms regularly since I don't know when. When I do wear something I usually wake in the middle of the night all bound up in it because I flip constantly.

When I went for my first study I figured that descretion was the better part of valor and wore a pair of boxer shorts. I froze my "you know what" off and was miserable all night because of their sorry excuse for a blanket. When I went back for my titration I got a different tech. A cute, young, female tech. This time I wore a pair of lounging pants because of the cold room. While she was wiring me up she asked if this was what I normally wear to bed. Without missing a beat I looked her right in the eye and told her no, I normally sleep bare-"you know what". She turned about 15 shades of red.

Considering how bad both of my studies went at least I have *something* to look back on and laugh.

WAFlowers wrote: I'd also bring your own pillow and something comfortable (and modest) to sleep in similar to what you normally use. (That was difficult for me; I normally sleep in silly boxers - no top - that my wife gives me for Christmas and Valentine's Days that are covered in graphics and sayings that I didn't feel like sharing.).

BrewSwain · Post by **BrewSwain** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 10:08 pm

my sleep study specified NO sleeping pills

SickAndTired · Post by **SickAndTired** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 12:01 am

BrewSwain: How strange... the place where I had both my sleep and titration study has a policy of providing Ambien for anyone whose doctor doesn't object!

sleeping pill during sleep study?

sleeping pill during sleep study?

Thanks for the feedback