Sleep Study

[AfibApnea]

I'm scheduled to do a sleep study (at a "Sleep Medicine Inst"). The referral from my health provider allowed for "visits authorized: 02".

When I called to find out what the sleep study would involve and if there were any preparations I needed to make, the folk at the sleep clinic didn't seem to be very forthcoming. They said their doctor would be reviewing my information and calling for a phone consultation and that I should wait to hear from them. A week later I received a call saying I'd been accepted for a one-night study.

My readings on the subject reveal that there are many approaches a sleep study might take: Polysomnogram, MLST, MWT, Actigraphy.

Q1) Based only on knowing that you'd be going for a one-night study, what would you surmise they're planning to do?
Q2) If you've been part of a (non-home) sleep study, what have been your experiences? Is there any preparation I should do?

[musculus]

Most likely Polysomnogram (PSG) with CPAP tiration

Just relax, for your study.

[avi123]

a sleep lab is responsible to the Doc who ordered the test. They are not obligated to deal with you even if you paid for it.

[Catlizg]

I did receive some instructions; mainly, to shower before and no lotion or oils after so all the leads will stick. I was allowed to bring my pillow, fave pajamas, a drink and snack. Take your normal meds. I sis read for quite some time before I slept. Granted, I had my study in a center not at home. Hint for the gel left in your hair after the leads are removed - work conditioner through your dry hair and let sit for 10-15 mins and then use the hottest water you can tolerate.

I had to go for a second study for my titration. At that point, my insomnia was so bad, I don't think they could have done a split study. They suspected central apnea and wanted to make sure they recorded every cycle of sleep.

Good luck.

[AfibApnea]

Thanks! That's very helpful.

The doctor I will be meeting with (before I agreed to schedule a time for the test) is that doctor. So I should be able to get my questions answered before taking the study.

One of the reasons I'm doing the study is because I seem to have the problem that I cannot drive for long periods of time without feeling unduly tired. (I don't test this alone!) Currently, I don't feel comfortable driving for over 45 minutes at a stretch.

Given this, what sleep lab tests would you think I should schedule?

[Julie]

You don't schedule anything - the doctor does it with the lab, and the vast majority of us get the same thing - a PSG (Polysomnogram) where you're hooked to a bunch of fine leads (that get a bit of goop in your hair), and you just go to sleep, tho' earlier than usual for most of us. The techs may or may not (depending on how things go) wake you at some point to try sleeping with Cpap and a mask to 'titrate' your possible air pressure settings, or you may be asked to return a second time for that - just depends on the individual lab. You may find that you don't sleep well or for long at any given time - not because anything terrible's being done to you (none of it's invasive or painful at all) but because the place is a 'strange' one, sometimes noisy, and/or too bright, etc... but though you may feel you haven't slept at all (and therefore no good results will come of that) you likely will have slept more than you're aware of!

And we all mostly have had driving problems - it's one of the classic apnea flags.

[houndlover]

You start with an overnight polysomnogram. No matter what, it's the first test. Then, they go from there to either fix the issues they find, or to continue digging. For example, for the MSLT you actually come in the night before, sleep all night...then do the daytime test.

Come with clean hair, no lotion. Wear comfy, two piece pj's. Bring your own pillow. Bring something to do for the time between when you get there, and when you go to sleep.

[Guest]

Do I bring my CPAP machine?

I'm one of those people who has always tended to have terrific sleeps in strange places. It's when I get used to them that they start failing me.
I'm worried that my sleep will be so good that it will give false results!
(I guess they won't let me bring my dog.)

[Julie]

Don't bring your machine - they'll be using their equipment to test you (from another room/lab). Do bring your mask however... I didn't realize you already had anything.

[Stevoreno_55]

I'm scheduled to have another study; my doctor who I saw earlier this month told me he'd order a 2 night study; a call to the lab who will be doing the study if my insurance approves it told me since I was already on CPAP they would only do a split night study if I'm tested at their lab even if my doctor orders a 2 night study. Shouldn't a lab follow a doctor's orders if the doctor writes an order for his patient to have a 2 night study if my insurance agrees to approve it? Since my doctor wants me to have a new study I'd rather go through another 2 night study instead of a split night one.



Stevoreno_55
MS Gulf Coast
04/27/14

[Stevoreno_55]

Don't bring your machine - they'll be using their equipment to test you (from another room/lab). Do bring your mask however... I didn't realize you already had anything.

I would also recommend bringing a hose for the machine at the lab just in case because the lab that I was tested at back in October 2007 had a 3 foot hose hooked to their CPAP machine which I saw on the first night of my 2 night study so when I returned the second night I brought a new nasal mask with headgear; a chin strap and a 6 foot hose from home. I was also allowed to bring a small fan on the first night which I used to generate white noise in the room because it was so quiet and I also had and still have a bad case of tinnitus.



Stevoreno_55
MS Gulf Coast
04/27/14

[Sheriff Buford]

Don't drink alcohol the day of the test. I was asked (if I'd had any alcohol) a hundred times. It started to aggravate me, and the sleep tech told me that I would be surprise how many people will report for a sleep study drunk. Drinking will give a false report out...

Sheriff

[Guest]

Steveorino_55

I'm having the same (doctor orders 2 day/insurance accepts...study center says they'll do a one night) experience you seem to be having. That's why I scheduled a meeting with the doctor BEFORE I schedule the sleep study.

Now, what kind of alcoholic drink is the groop recommending for a nightcap that night?

[sc0ttt]

Steveorino_55


Now, what kind of alcoholic drink is the groop recommending for a nightcap that night?

I had a glass of wine, nobody asked.

[ironhands]

Don't drink alcohol the day of the test. I was asked (if I'd had any alcohol) a hundred times. It started to aggravate me, and the sleep tech told me that I would be surprise how many people will report for a sleep study drunk. Drinking will give a false report out...

Sheriff

This 100 times.

Alcohol really messes with your sleep. While a drink will help you fall asleep faster, it'll screw up the second half of your sleep period and throw all the results all over the place. No coffee, no nicotine, no cola, no chocolate