What to expect when being tested for sleep apnea

[bpoe689]

I am in the process of getting approval for gastric bypass surgery. One study I must go through is the sleep apnea study. I had this done several years ago with no major problems. Since that time I have gained more weight and snore really badly. Also, I wake in the morning with a strip down the middle of my tounge that is very dry.

What can I expect during this test

[tjc]

I have not yet been tested either, and am wondering the same thing. Good luck to you.

[MegansMum]

I had my first sleep study 2 1/2 weeks ago and at that one they just hooked me up to several monitors and I went to bed and was recorded while I slept. I had to go back a few days ago for another sleep study to try out the CPAP machine and was hooked up to the same monitors to be recorded while I slept useing the CPAP machine.

[BetterBreathinBob]

OK- now listen up! Bring your own pillow, that's the best thing to remember. It will help you sleep better in a strange room with 18 sensors attached to your body from your head to your legs.

Come with clean hair please, clean shaven for the men, beards are ok but no stubble. 8 sensors on your head to monitor brain waves ,eye sensors, chin sensors,chest and stomach belts, leg sensors and sensors under your nose, and also a snoring mic, plus a oximter on your finger to monitor the oxygen level.

No pain involved, uncomfortable? Yes, but heh, I'll take this test over many of the other tests in the hospital. Bathroom breaks are allowed, sleep in any position and even showers in the morning

Good Luck
Bob

[rested gal]

bpoe and tjc,

You might find these previous posts of people describing their sleep studies interesting - just click the link below:

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2004: Tell us about your sleep center experience

[LilBuckaroo]

I had my test done in early December. It depends on how you approach it. If you think that its going to be a pain, then likely it will be. It's not a real big thing. There wasn't any pain involved. I wasn't really thrilled with all the wires and the belts, but it had to be done, and I survived. I definitely didn't like the sensor that was placed up my nose. They did mine in one night. "Slept" first 4 hours with only the sensors. Then came the masks. At first he put me into a nasal mask and it didn't work at all, couldn't breathe thru my nose. After that fiasco, he put me into an FF mask, and that worked really good.
I'm thankful that I went thru 8 hours of "discomfort" in exchange for the comfort that I'm getting now.
Remember, it's all in how you approch the subject. Soon, you could be a "happy hose head" like the rest of us!!!

[Guest]

rested gal, thanks for the link. I am still rolling over papasmurf's account of the sleep studies! Soooooo funny! (I guess because I can soooo relate!) My mom is going for her first study next week and reading these "opinions" really provides some comic relief! Goodness knows we all need it!