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This is a great thread and I love the support here.

I guess the bottom line 'Hopeful' is that everyone here has a lot of 'empathy'...we all know and understand how obnoxious and uncomfortable the sleep study is. However, while you'll find 'empathy', I don't think you'll find much 'sympathy'. No one is going to say 'poor baby has to wear wires', lol. It's just something that you have to do.

But more importantly, we also know that if you don't follow through and ultimately get yourself on a good machine, then your husband may one day be a lonely man.

The bottom line is:

'Yes, you can do this' and

'No, you don't have to like it' but

'Yes, you can still do this'

And once you've gotten through this and are on CPAP, you and your husband will be a very happy couple with many happy years ahead of you, and you will look back on it and smile and be grateful you did it!

Madalot wrote: I sleep in the nude too, but sucked it up and found a pair of PJ's that was manageable.

The things that I learn here that run so counter to stereotypes are utterly astounding. Never in a million years would I have guessed this about you Maddie!

OK. One more attempt to clarify it from my perspective. If people get it, they get it. If they don't, they don't.

I can get to sleep just fine and I can return to sleep when I wake up to pee or just because. My sense is that I sleep just fine and I cope with my days without feeling unduly tired. I wouldn't register that there was a problem except that I snore and that disturbs my husband or people in adjacent rooms when I'm occasionally staying in a hotel.

Yes, I have an attitude problem. All of my experiences have been very negative and none has resulted in any degree of solution. Even when my BiPAP worked, I couldn't tolerate the mask -- which tells me that my unconscious body finds not breathing preferable. That strikes me as an important fact. I'd take responsibility for that if it were sufficiently possible to control my sleeping behavior that I could make a "choice" not to snore or to breathe continuously while I sleep. I haven't found a way to control any of it while I'm asleep.

My attitude is especially sucky today as I was sleep-deprived last night and, once again, my best efforts on behalf of other people in spite of the indignities, getting scraped and glued and wired up and sleep-deprived was to no avail. Again.

Thank you for the practical suggestions. I'd say thanks for the attitude adjustment suggestions but I just don't think getting beaten up was all that helpful. I can control the attitudes and the cooperation I exhibit while I'm awake and even though I hate the whole thing I have submitted as completely as I can because I crave a successful result that means no further studies. In spite of the best cooperation I can give, it hasn't helped me to adjust enough to sleep under observation. However trivial things like the red light in my eye are to some, they are significant obstacles to me when added to every other unfamiliarity, discomfort and non-relaxing stimulus.

People lived with sleep apnea before it was a recognized diagnosis. That's where I am and, perhaps, where I'll remain of necessity. I suppose I'll have to continue to try to lose weight and hope that that will resolve the snoring.

Thanks anyway.Better luck to all of you.

As others have mentioned, no one finds it easy to sleep well during a sleep study. It is *not* natural.

My first question to you would be, is it possible to do a home sleep study? I'm not sure what is possible these days, but I did a home sleep study back in 2002-2003. You go to the sleep center, they hook up a bunch of wires and give you instructions. You then go home and do the final connections and go to sleep in your bed under your conditions. Obviously, this will not be as complete as a study done at a sleep center, but some results are better than no results.

Second, even if the lab claims you cannot sleep in the nude, you may be able to. I did my studies at Stanford Sleep Clinic and it clearly states that you must wear both a top and bottom during the study. When I was being hooked up, they told me I could take off my clothes once I was in bed if I wanted to. They just didn't want to deal with looking at some guys junk while hooking him up.

Finally, definitely take a sleeping pill like Ambien before your test. As archangle mentioned, your doctor should have anticipated your needs.

Regarding prescriptions for CPAP machines, I had a prescription, however, my insurance would not pay for it unless I had a recent diagnostic sleep study. So, I know how you feel.

Just hang in there. You will get over this hump if you persevere.

rainey wrote:OK. One more attempt to clarify it from my perspective. If people get it, they get it. If they don't, they don't.

I think we all get it. Do you think you're the first person who's had a problem adjusting to this therapy? I don't think anyone here would call this a "cakewalk," but there ARE solutions for whatever problem(s) you're having. The key to success is a good attitude and a willingness and desire to make it work for you.

I can get to sleep just fine and I can return to sleep when I wake up to pee or just because. My sense is that I sleep just fine and I cope with my days without feeling unduly tired. I wouldn't register that there was a problem except that I snore and that disturbs my husband or people in adjacent rooms when I'm occasionally staying in a hotel.

Yes, I have an attitude problem.

Yes, you do. It's great that you recognize it, but you still have to change it.

All of my experiences have been very negative and none has resulted in any degree of solution. Even when my BiPAP worked, I couldn't tolerate the mask -- which tells me that my unconscious body finds not breathing preferable. That strikes me as an important fact. I'd take responsibility for that if it were sufficiently possible to control my sleeping behavior that I could make a "choice" not to snore or to breathe continuously while I sleep. I haven't found a way to control any of it while I'm asleep.

There are hundreds of masks on the market - some so small and lightweight that you can't tell they're there. Your unconscious body has nothing to say about this, and that's NOT an important fact. None of us can control what happens while we're asleep; if you have apnea, you have apnea. Either treat it or don't, but that's a CONSCIOUS decision you make. Do you think your body wants to NOT breathe like it should while you're asleep?

My attitude is especially sucky today as I was sleep-deprived last night and, once again, my best efforts on behalf of other people in spite of the indignities, getting scraped and glued and wired up and sleep-deprived was to no avail. Again.

We all know how it feels to be sleep-deprived. And we all have off days, even when we're sleeping well. Everyone's entitled to be cranky or irritable now and then, but you come across as so bitter and so unwilling to help yourself, I don't think this is just an off day for you.

Thank you for the practical suggestions. I'd say thanks for the attitude adjustment suggestions but I just don't think getting beaten up was all that helpful. I can control the attitudes and the cooperation I exhibit while I'm awake and even though I hate the whole thing I have submitted as completely as I can because I crave a successful result that means no further studies. In spite of the best cooperation I can give, it hasn't helped me to adjust enough to sleep under observation. However trivial things like the red light in my eye are to some, they are significant obstacles to me when added to every other unfamiliarity, discomfort and non-relaxing stimulus.

Then take this bull by the horns on your own (provided you can adjust the attitude towards it). You don't have to have another sleep study to start therapy. Some folks around here have done it all on their own, with no sleep doctor, no sleep study, etc. It's not the easiest road, but it can and has been done. But success is up to you.

People lived with sleep apnea before it was a recognized diagnosis. That's where I am and, perhaps, where I'll remain of necessity. I suppose I'll have to continue to try to lose weight and hope that that will resolve the snoring.

Thanks anyway.Better luck to all of you.

Yep, they sure did. And they died from it, too - probably a LOT sooner than they would have otherwise.

That's SUCH a ridiculous statement you made! People also lived with (and died from) cancer before it was recognized and diagnosed (and TREATED). You have the opportunity to fix this problem and live a longer, healthier and more enjoyable life. Either do it or don't. The ball's in your court.

Frankly, as negative as you are about all of this, I have to wonder why you came here and posted at all. If you want help, you're in the right place, because you won't find a more supportive and helpful group anywhere. We're all willing to help anyone who's willing to help themselves; if you're not in that boat, then all we can do is wish you the best.

I'm sorry if I seem harsh. I don't usually wield the 2x4 around here, but you sure do need it...

rainey, I have sent you a private message. Check up at the top of the page, under the image that says "cpaptalk.com" on the light blue line and click on the "(1 new message)" to find your message. If you have more than 1, it might say "(2 new messages)" etc.

Rainey, Wow, that was fast.

Your attitude has changed and it has only been a few minutes. You have gone from Hopeless to Rainey. Rain is necessary to water the plants so they can grow.

You are a fast learner...

OK, enough of this.

I would suggest that you pick up a recording pulse oximeter and wear it a few nights.

I will go out on a limb here and say that sleep disordered breathing without oxygen desaturations below 90% may not be as harmful as obstructive apnea that drives your oxygen levels below 90%.

While a pulse oximeter is not a substitute for a sleep study, it can provide valuable information to you. If your oxygen levels are dropping, or your heart rate racing, it may also provide additional motive to have a sleep study.

hopeless wrote:HI-
6) the little red light on the finger oxygen monitor is distracting and obnoxious

You've gotten plenty of good advice so I will just address this one issue. This drove me crazy too. It's easy to say you should put your hand under the covers--but 4 or 5 times I moved my hand toward my face while I was sleeping, and the annoying light woke me up. I don't know why they can't put black tape over the light. In fact, if I had to do another sleep study I would bring my OWN electrical tape and take care of that problem.

Also, I third or fourth the rec for a sleeping pill. My doc asked me if I wanted one and I turned him down, and regretted it.

rainey wrote:People lived with sleep apnea before it was a recognized diagnosis.

I was having a casual conversation with the doctor about all the advances made in sleep diagnoses and treatments over the last 30 to 40 years. I asked him "What in the world did people do before we knew about sleep apnea and how to treat it?"

His response?

"They died".

rainey wrote:
People lived with sleep apnea before it was a recognized diagnosis.

People lived with diabetes before insulin was available, too.

rainey wrote: All of my experiences have been very negative and none has resulted in any degree of solution.

A question that's relevant: You've been using BiPAP with very negative experiences and no measurable results for many years. Your initial post indicates you WANT to replace the broken BiPAP machine---presumably because you WANT (at some level) to continue with this therapy. WHY? What are your goals for continuing with BiPAP therapy?

I ask because I think at one level you DO want to continue working on making this gawd-awful therapy more bearble because of you preceive at some level that you are getting something positive out of it. Otherwise, the existing broken BiPAP would have been thrown into the closet and forgotten a long, long time ago. And you wouldn't be here asking about how to get a replacement machine without the sleep test your doc is insisting you have.

So the question is: Can you identify WHAT (possibly tiny) positive things about BiPAP have managed to keep you working at BiPAP this long in spite of all the negative things you've been through?

Because if you can figure that out, you may find a way to find the strength that you need to do the things you know you have to do. Including getting through another sleep test.

ameriken wrote:
I was having a casual conversation with the doctor about all the advances made in sleep diagnoses and treatments over the last 30 to 40 years. I asked him "What in the world did people do before we knew about sleep apnea and how to treat it?"

His response?

"They died".

Ah, yes, the old barium treatment.