has anyone recently had an "at home" sleep study?

[elena88]

I was just wondering if you all knew of anyone who took home one of those "at home sleep study" kits recently.

I found some threads from a year ago, but not that recent.

Im thinking this is a way I could "entice" my husband into a sleep study.

I understand you need a physicians order to get one (been there done that)

Any tips on how I can talk him into it?


I know most men hate to be nagged, and IM not a nagger, and Im trying to figure out how I can make it seem like HIS Idea..

do I leave brocheres around? pick up the kit and just strap it on him one night? He is a sound sleeper, probably wont know i did it!

I painted his toenails once when he was sleeping.. heard him hollar my name in the shower the next morning when he looked down..

[harry33]

the info from these home studies isnt as useful as a proper overnight study done at a sleep lab but is much better than no study at all

videotape or tape record his snoring, are there any gaps with no breathing? this can be useful evidence

[elena88]

I dont have a video recorder, but I have taped his snoring on the answering machine and had him listen to it as a message...

He will not, not, not, ever do a sleep test. He went to mine with me, and after seeing me about lose my mind trying to make
it work he is not real keen to get on this program.. but I think it would be easy for him, if he does have osa..

He snores so loud he can pull the drapes away from the curtains.. and he does stop breathing, I have been poking him for over twenty years.

two doctors wrote up orders for him to have a study.. he is extremly fit and active, but the sleep specialist said he has a "slanted palate"

His oximeter test came back as "abnormal"

He falls asleep anywhere and everywhere.. the last doctor made him promise NEVER to drive when was tired like that.

On the epworth sleep scale, he could check that he fell asleep at a red light.OMG, he never told ME that..
My score was zero.. I almost thought he had idopathic hypersomnia or narcolopsy..

He falls asleep in mid conversation, even in the doctors waiting rooms!

He also already had a heart attack last year..

so I really want him to do this.

[BlackSpinner]

As I suggested to someone else - Buy a black dress and hang it on the door along with singles cruise literature, funeral home and nursing home literature. Get a big insurance policy quote and put it out there. When he asks tell him you are planning your widowhood and the nursing home info is in case he doesn't die, you are not planning to change his diapers. Since he won't take care of himself you are going to look out for yourself instead.

[elena88]

As I suggested to someone else - Buy a black dress and hang it on the door along with singles cruise literature, funeral home and nursing home literature. Get a big insurance policy quote and put it out there. When he asks tell him you are planning your widowhood and the nursing home info is in case he doesn't die, you are not planning to change his diapers. Since he won't take care of himself you are going to look out for yourself instead.

Wow! Those are some great ideas! Thanks!

however, he is one of those people who will stick his heels in the sand when confronted with negative prodding.. he will shut down, probably
refuse to ever do it if I were to try that with him.. but the diaper thing worked for me, I have to thank you for that! I wouldnt be trying so
hard had you not told me that six months ago! I, however when told I cant do something, am completely motivated to succeed at it..

Still sputtering along after six months! : )

I think, I think, I will do this.. I will make arrangements to pick up the kit, if I can do without him knowing, then cook him a fabulous dinner,
and dessert, and then ask him as favor to me, as a birthday present, please wear these little doodads tonight.. I forgot my birthday is next month,
he cant say no to that! what an easy present to give me!

[Rogue Uvula]

Wow, that must be frustrating.

Is it the discomfort of the study itself, or do you think he might be afraid of the result if he did the sleep study?
As bad as his symptoms are, it seems like he would be looking for a fix, not avoiding it.
Is he interested in an at home sleep study?

Do you have an old APAP machine? If so, could you get him to try it and see what the data says (or more importantly see if he realizes an improvement - but this is a gamble - if he is impatient and doesn't realize a benefit quickly enough, he could prematurely conclude CPAP is not helpful)?

Perhaps his doctor (knowing he is a hard sell on the sleep study) would be willing to simplify the study. For example, I know I don't have any leg movements at night, so the electrodes on my legs were a waste of time.
Ideally your doctor will work with you and him on collecting data at home (I guess that is what you are asking about). It seems like they would get most of the info that matters off of an APAP and a oximeter.

Just some thoughts. His attitude is the overriding variable.

[Rogue Uvula]

two doctors wrote up orders for him to have a study.. he is extremly fit and active, but the sleep specialist said he has a "slanted palate"

He also already had a heart attack last year..

so I really want him to do this.

Have you checked to see if there is some kind of dental appliance for a "slanted palate"?

Has he made life-style changes after his heart attack? Are there indicators to determine how likely a recurrence might be? Have they improved?

[elena88]

thanks for the great tips R. U.

Heart problems run in his family, he was always a healthy eater, and active.. really active..

He will not do the hospital sleep study, but when he saw the little "kits" at the new dme recently,

I think he was curious..

He had a dental appliance, it didnt work, and caused him some tmj problems..

and the puppy ate it, he was relieved..

I do have my s nine, and I offered to let him use it while I was trying out this vpap, I have tried a couple times to get him
to wear the thing, and he falls asleep for ten minutes, and says how miserable it was..

I just think I have set such an unbelievable bad example of an apnean patient, he would be completely freaked about finding out he has OSA,
and thinking he would have such a tough time.. but I knew he wouldnt, he would sleep thru any mask or pressure.. once he got used to it..
but I dont know if he has osa or not, but he has a few of the symptoms.. He isnt tired when he wakes up though..
but it sure would be nice to know.. Oh, thats a good idea. I will present it to him to PROVE HE DOESNT HAVE IT.. so he doesnt ever have to
worry about it!

[waiting2exhale]

As you probably already know his sleep apnea could play into his having a heart attack....(putting on my nurse hat) A myocardial infarction aka heart attack occurs when an area of the heart doesn't receive oxygenated blood. This is usually due to a blood clot formed in one of the arteries that feed the heart. It can be due to coronary artery spasms too. Plaque forms in the arteries and can cut the cells in the blood as they go by and voila you have a clot. Imagine a small clot, not big enough to occlude the artery. Then imagine not having the oxygen in the lungs because of apnea. So here's his poor heart wanting/needing oxygen and not getting it where it needs it when it needs it. The cells in the area that that artery feeds begin to die. He begins to feel pain. Depending on what area of the heart is affected, bye bye hubby. I'm not telling you this to scare you, I'm hoping you will read it to him or let him read it himself. Denial is a very strong thing, fear is a stronger motivator.

[Rogue Uvula]

Heart problems run in his family, he was always a healthy eater, and active.. really active..

So he made a conscious decision to do these things in an attempt to stave off heart problems and it appears not to be enough (since he has had an attack). Wouldn't it be ironic if CPAP was the solution to the historic heart problems! (I don't say this so much in earnest as much as a suggested tact with him). Do some research on heart disease and sleep apnea (if you haven't already). I'm definitely over my head on this topic.

Have you asked about irregular sleep-breathing among the other members of his family on the side that has the heart problems?
Is it feasible that apnea is the source of the genetic heart problem?

Edit: Apologies for the redundancy - I was typing when waiting 2exhale posted.

[elena88]

yes, oh we are so aware of what osa can do to one's arteries..

He was just lucky last year.. very lucky....

At any time he knows a "hairball" can dislodge, and thats it..

The genetic predisposition apprears to be cholosteral, no matter how great his diet it..

Its possible this was an undiagnosed condition in the family..

Im going to get this thing on him, and I will have it done before the end of next month..

Im going to call tomorrow to make arrangements to try and get a home study kit..

thanks for you tips!

[DoriC]

The equipment was delivered but he only used it 2 nights then wouldn't try anymore. After 3 days of his refusing to discuss the topic anymore, I said to him (not an exact quote), "You'll have the easy part by just dying in your sleep but you'll be leaving me with painful guilt for the rest of my life that I didn't do enough to save you. Thank you". He left and stayed in the other room for a couple of hours(while I held my breath) and then he came back and said, "OK, let's do it". He's been 100% compliant since even with a rocky road at the beginning. His past medical hx is 2 Triple Bypasses and 1 Aortic Valve Replacement. His Cardio is very pleased now when he examines him every 3 months and all his tests are perfect,although some of the cognitive damage he suffered can't be undone at this stage, but we're grateful every day for the improvements he has made. My drama is nothing compared to BS's tip about hanging a black dress on the door and nursing home brochures on the dresser! I Love that! PS: I also printed and left lying around some newbie success stories which I'm sure he read. Good luck.

[johnholt]

I did an in home sleep test through cpapprescription in March 2010. I highly recommend it. Easy to do at home and not costly. Plus, you can sleep in your own bed. Painless.

[elena88]

but you'll be leaving me with painful guilt for the rest of my life that I didn't do enough to save you.

aha, Dori, perfect! that is exactly what would happen, and that is just NOT fair!

Im going to use this one on him..

oh thanks everyone!

elena

p.s. thanks john! sounds just like the ticket, I will tell him that!

[echo]

Good luck Elena. sounds like you already got some good tips.

I am writing this now at 3 am because I couldn't sleep... dear partner's snoring was driving me insane (again). I finally made some headway with him after a year of "nagging", I managed to slap the pulseox on him a few nights ago. (luckily no severe desats but certainly non-rem desats, I think). That made him think. Next step is to see the ENT, he is getting his insurance sorted out now so hopefully that will happen next.

My partner is very stubborn, very critical, won't take anybody's word for anything... but I suspect that if his DOCTOR told him he HAD to take such a test, he would do it. He questions everything from everyone, but not doctors. So weird. He doesn't ask ANY questions at the doctor's office, just does what they tell him to. My other male family members are like that too. Is this a man thing or what?? So maybe get the doctor, the authority figure as it were, to lay it on him thick!!