Having my first sleep study tomorrow night

jeninAZ · Post by **jeninAZ** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 11:32 pm

Hi everyone. I have been sitting quietly in the background for some time now reading posts but have not found an answer to one question. If the sleep lab is going to place a sensor under my nose to test for apneas, and I cant breath through my nose (havent been able to EVER at any point in my life) how will it test for them?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 1:34 am

jeninAZ wrote:Hi everyone. I have been sitting quietly in the background for some time now reading posts but have not found an answer to one question. If the sleep lab is going to place a sensor under my nose to test for apneas, and I cant breath through my nose (havent been able to EVER at any point in my life) how will it test for them?

well, I am not sure if that particular sensor would work if you don't breathe through your nose (maybe someone else has an explanation for that) but there are a lot of different sensors that are placed on you that would definitely tell them that you're having apneas. Not to mention the oxygen sensor that will be on your finger to tell them when oxygen dips, and how far that goes. The sensor on your chest (ribs?) will tell them when you stop breathing too. The ones on your legs will pick up movement during sleep.

txtornado · Post by **txtornado** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 10:21 am

Guest was correct - there are lots and lots of sensors that they will attach to you. My sleep study was one month ago today and to be honest, I don't remember a sensor under my nose. What I do remember are several (at least 6) sensors attached to my skull, 2-4 on my chest, a couple on my legs, an oxygen sensor on my finger, a band around my chest and another around my waist.

I'm sure that in a sleep lab they see people with every possible breathing problem there is. Just make sure you tell them your particulars and I'm sure they will know how to respond. Good luck!

txtornado · Post by **txtornado** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 10:34 am

P.S. Here is a link to a really good description of a sleep study that explains all the sensors and electrodes used. It even has pictures.

http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/sleep-bas ... pstudy.htm

Handgunner45 · Post by **Handgunner45** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:08 pm

I had my sleep study just 2 weeks ago, and yes they did place a sensor in my the nose. It is very similar to an oxygen cannula. I am like you, especially once I drift off to sleep, I breathe primarily through my mouth. Probably explains why my sleep study indicated that my AHI went up when they first applied CPAP during my split night study. They do have other ways to determine if you are breathing, I think it just takes a good tech to do the study and interpit the data.

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:15 pm

Hi Jen,

Here's a link you can click on for a video of the sleep study:

Introduction To The Sleep Lab

Let us know how it goes!

jeninAZ · Post by **jeninAZ** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:00 pm

THanks bunches everyone! I am nervous and not sure why but in about 30 minutes I am out the door and on my way to the sleep lab. Guess I just have to relax and see what happens. Ill let you know what happens. Im sure by tomorrow Ill have a million questions about tonight anyway....

Having my first sleep study tomorrow night

Having my first sleep study tomorrow night

Re: Having my first sleep study tomorrow night