Sleep Apnea Support Group

First, your dad needs to see his doc or sleep doc RIGHT AWAY! My sleep study was done in 2 phases. I went to a sleep study center--they have their own docs that prescribe the machine, mask, and settings. Phase 1: You stay the night to see what your brain is doing/not doing while you sleep/don't sleep. They attach tiny electrodes all over your head and body (with sticky stuff like you use for candles in holders). Nasal canula to moniter nose action, close pin thingy on finger to monitor pulse and O2 saturation. Then you go to sleep (or try to). If you are taking meds, you take them for the study, but you must tell them what you are taking. OK, after 2-3 wks, you go back for the follow up (depending on what your results were) and they test different masks and settings to see which is best for you. (Oh, electrodes again). Then you go back in another few weeks to get your set up. That's how it works where I went. Dress comfy for the test. Take you own pillow. It will probably be chilly in the facility-and dark.

Thanks for that info ChaCha... I too have just been signed up for a sleep study. There a clinic right here in our little Canadian town in British Columbia, and my doctor told me they come to your home with portable gear, hook you up and leave you overnight, then come back for the readings. She said that's what she THOUGHT they did - maybe she's wrong. She said they feel they get a more accurate reading that way because a person is more comfortable in their own home, and so do it when they are able. But, like I said, she could be wrong, so the info you provided is great.

Most people with sleep apnea talk about feeling really tired all the time, etc. I don't really feel that way. A little groggy sometimes in the morning and much of the time, I'm downright energetic, so maybe I don't have it, or it's not as bad. I honestly hope I don't have it, of course. But, testing will tell!

Thank you and yes I told my dad today to please do something before he crashes his car one of these times he passes out. I am lucky I know before I do and I go lay down, or I just am relaxing watching a movie and 5 mins later mid scentance I am out. So I am usually some where safe to sleep. But I got so tired the other day it scared me so I told the my symptoms he said oh yeah you sound like you have it. The nurse said when she called me today I MUST take some class first? Then they will send me for a study then I will get a mask and stuff. But she said she was not the best person to ask, and when I see the test dr in neurology to ask them. Thank you again. :) Any other advice I am here to take it. Any better ways of living with it until my test? Any ideas would be great. Also I am quitting coffee because my dr is worried it is causes headaches I get, so now I am zombie girl. I tried green tea which he said was ok and it was a frap from starbucks and it was great I am getting some powder off the net to make it at home soon because I need something or I cant get kids to school and get my house put together. Just in case others cant have real coffee or soda due to caffeine. This does have some but its like 2 %!

Brenda9, that would be cool if they were done that way here in the states too. It does make sense that you will be more comfortable in your own bed and environment. However, when I had both of my sleep studies therre were tech's watching me all night and making adjustments and observations. so, I think that part might be pretty important too. I do like the idea of them coming to you. Reminds me of when I was a child and doctors still made house calls. (the olden days...ha!)

Enlightened1, you said that you, "Also I jerk and twitch alot and now my husband says I get almost violent when I am asleep from the twitches". I suspect that is Restless Leg Syndrome. Also known as RLS. I was diagnosed with that at the same time as I was diagnosed with my Sleep Apnea. I used to take Mirapix for it, but now I am on a med used for Parkinson disease for it. (Carbidopa/Levodopa)

Best of luck to you both.

But it effects my body like arms, and legs. I mean I toss and turn but he says it more like jerking. I know a few times I woke for a second after falling asleep when I was doing it and didnt know what it was but figured I was just really tired, but I do it most nights just didnt know.

Before I started using the CPAP machine I would choke in the middle of the night and my body would jerk and twitch trying to get air, or let the air out. I also read that in the early stages of sleep most people will jerk around a little. You might have caught yourself doing it. It's just the brain and body getting ready to switch into sleep mode. With Sleep Apnea you never get into the deeper stages of sleep so this might be the reason why. Could also be night terrors or something. These things happen.

When you go to the sleep study expect the worse. You do feel like Frankenstein or a victim at Gitmo at first. Then you realize that it's not that bad so relax, think good thoughts and go to sleep. It might help if you go in really tired. It really isn't that bad, just different. You'll be fine.

Where I went it was a sleep clinic at the hospital. They recorded me through the wires, audio recording and video recording. That might be a good thing in your case. There is another test where they have you sleep with an oxygen meter on your finger. It reads the oxygen levels in your blood and that's no problem at all. Don't worry about it.

I wish they did it that way in the states I am at the part where I get cpap or have surgery to remove tonsils I hate sleeping somewhere strange and having a camera on me and that gook I am prolonging the inevitable in the mean time my symptoms are getting worse

Green tea frap--my fave drink, but no syrup or whipped cream.