Suggesting A Sleep Study

[brocharlieb]

My wife has problems with excessive tiredness. she has high blood pressure. She doesn't always snore, but when she does it sounds like a tiny electric saw. She gets up three to five times a night to go to the bathroom and has problems with swelling in her feet. I'm trying to suggest that she ask for a sleep study, she hasn't asked and her doctor seems more interested in foot soaks and changing her blood pressure meds.

[chunkyfrog]

The privacy regulations may forbid her doctor from discussing her case with you,
but no law says you cannot speak to the doctor.
You may leave a message with the nurse or P.A.;
or even make an appointment, and talk about your concerns about her.
A suggestion she get a sleep study, coming from the doctor, may bear more weight than the same from you.

[BlackSpinner]

Print off and fill out the Eppworth study. Print out a description of the symptoms and effects of Obstructive sleep apnea with addresses of good website (ie dr Parks)

Hand it in the day before the next appointment. Bring a copy to the appointment.

[jweeks]

[quote="brocharlieb"She gets up three to five times a night to go to the bathroom[/quote]

Hi,

That is your clue right there. When the body is starving for oxygen, it tells you to wake up. It does that by sending the same chemical signal that you get when you have to go to the bathroom. At the very least, she is going to burn out her kidneys. That is, if the low O2 levels don't cause more serious damage before then.

If she is reluctant to start the discussion about a sleep study, then when she would prefer a single overnight sleep study, or going in for dialysis 3 times a week for the rest of her life? Sorry if that is kind of harsh, but sometimes that is what a person needs before they are willing to take action. I know that is what I needed to get me to go to the doctor.

-john-

[zoocrewphoto]

I am 39, and I have high blood pressure. I had a scare with vertigo last September, less than a week after my doctor warned me that I am at high risk for a stroke. It was not related to my blood pressure, but the scare really did affect me. I did my best to take my medication, and while the dosages kept going up, my blood pressure did not go down.

I have known for years that I have sleep apnea, but in my mind, it was just lack of sleep, no different than getting 4 hours of sleep instead of 8. I didn't realize that it caused high blood pressure, until I saw something on the news about sleep apnea. I already had a followup appointment scheduled with my doctor, so I fessed up about my sleep apnea.

I had the sleep study, and I had an AHI of 79! Severe. In 2 1/2 hours without the machine, I had 71 apneas (I stopped breathing!). And I had 127 hyponeas (limited breathing that reduces oxygen level). Talk about serious.

I got my apap machine 9 days ago. I still have slept a full night straight. I am still learning to sleep with it. But I use it every night, and most nights, all night. ANd I already feel a little better. I yawn less, feel more cheerful, and some days I feel like I drank an energy drink.

And you know what? For the first time ever, I have has blood pressures in the normal range. Before, they were in the 160s even with 3 medications. I had two days straight will readings all below 130. I still go up and down, but it clearly coincides with how well I have slept.

I think you need to do some research and print it off for her. And talk to her doctor. Maybe even record the snoring if she sounds like she is gasping or struggling to breathe. My doctor has been very clear that I am at high risk of a stroke and shouldn't be. My doctor never asked me about my sleep. She knows I am a night owl. But the issue of sleep apnea never came up. Had she asked me, I would have answered honestly even though I never considered it important enough to mention. Sometimes, it isn't obvious from the doctor's point of view. I read somewhere that only 5% of the population have sleep apnea. That seems low to me, but if it is uncommon, then maybe it isn't high on their list of things to ask.

[user from Singapore]

Brocharlieb,

I think we all needed a good trigger at some stage. I had OSA for years, knew something was wrong but found so many excuses not to address the problem.
What made me move? Sounds stupid, but on a flight back home I was sitting next to a technical manager for one of the companies who produce the CPAP machines. He explained in simple words how it works, what it does, what benefits I could get. The week after I had done my sleep study and had a machine for trial!

I feel stupid now that I did not do it earlier, knowing all the benefits I enjoy.

So the only advice I can give you is be persistent. She will thank you once she has done it.

Best of luck.

[Mary Z]

Some insurances do not require a referral to a specialist. If this is the case with your insurance make her an appointment with a sleep specialist and go with her. If she is driving sleepy this is a real problem. Tell her you're taking charge and taking care of her. Also you can go to her next doctors appointment and voice your concerns and ask for a referral to a sleep specialist. Good luck, she's lucky to have you.