Yeah, I haven't had a sleep study, but I've always been interested in how that would play out. I've always just assumed that I would stay awake all night with all of those electrodes hooked on me :). I'm glad you didn't have apnea or anything like that. From what I understand, our muscles don't repair themselves well during sleep, like a normal person's would. So, some of the fatigue is explained by the fact that we don't really rest when we sleep. I wish you all the best in finding out what's going on with you. Many blessings.

It will be interesting if they can tell you any more at the doctor's appointment. The report does help support the diagnosis of CFS. I am curious about whether a person with CFS goes through all the different levels of sleep. Keep us informed.

Triunfadora, there were so many wires! It took the tech a good 45 minutes to get me hooked up! :) But I took a sleeping pill too and that helped.

2DanceAgain, I do remember waking up at least 2 times and I did dream. I'm anxious to find out too about all the levels. I will definitely let you guys know.

Have you all noticed the vast numbers of sleep clinics popping up, usually as part of a hospital system? Here in California it is the new thing and I'm sure most doctors do want to find something. They have to pay for those sleep clinics.

I'm interested in your sleep phases, so please let us know.

I'm not going to do one for the same reason triunfadora isn't, I'm sure I wouldn't sleep all night. Also if they did find sleep apnea, there is no way I would wear those CPAP machines every night. Can you imagine the energy it takes to clean one daily....and if it's not pristine you can get a bacterial infection.

Terrific that you don't have apnea, you're a rare case these days!

I've had two studies. One before cpap and one after. The difference was dramatic. But even sleeping more soundly hasn't really helped my fatigue all that much....

Those who worry they won't sleep... if you need to have it ask about the at home sleep study. It's not quite as extensive as the one with all the wires but tells the basic story of if you stop breathing, obstructive sleep apnea. it's a headset type thing you wear for the night right at home. You would most likely need to see an ear/nose/throat doc or a pulmonologist to get one. Most pcps wouldn't have it....

I did a sleep study as well. DX 5 years ago, finally able to get the study done. Things I found out:

1. No sleep apnea
2. My sleep followed a really odd sleep pattern.

There are 5 levels of sleep
1. Light sleep - drift in and out (for me, I think I'm still awake here - I hear what's going on around me, can carry on conversation with people)
2. this 2nd level usually lasts approx 20 minutes. Still a light sleep, but beginning to slow the brain waves with bursts of brain activity
3 & 4: Both of these stages are deep sleep. no muscle movement, harder to wake.
5. This is REM sleep: this is where dreaming occurs. The brain is working like it does when you are awake. This is very important and the "normal" REM time is something the body will work to try and make happen.

Adults spend nearly half of sleep time in stage 2, about 20% in REM and the other 30% is divided between the other three stages. (statistic from sleepdex.org)

What my sleep study showed: is that I spend:

90% of my time in stage 2.
7% is in stage 1,
3% is in REM sleep.
I have no level 3/4 - which means I am not able to enter deep sleep at all - where the mind and body are still. Where you are able to repair muscles and refresh the mind and body.

I am still aware of what is going on around me in stage 2 - which causes me to feel as though I really didn't sleep at all. The place I had the test done was very comfortable for me, and I don't believe being there was a component of my sleep stages.

What can be done? Not sure... Dr. said maybe switching the meds I take to help me fall asleep. (Clonazepam). Otherwise, I have the info - don't know what I should do about it...

I hope this info was helpful for those of you who haven't had one done. I'm curious if other people who have had it done see similar results?

Squeak, I just wanted to put in a plug for Doxepin which I've been taking for over 20 years. I gives deep sleep and many doctors tell me it's good for me and the immune system in general.

I've known that I had sleep apnea but resisted getting a study because I didn't want to sleep with a machine. I finally did the study because of my doctor encouraging me to. I now have slept with the machine for nearly one year. It took me about three months to get used to it. I use the nose pillows with a chin strap. If I don't use it I will definitely be worse the next day so there must be truth to us needing sleep for healing. I don't like having the machine, but I don't like the way I feel without it a lot more, so I usually will sleep with it. As far as cleaning it. I was told to clean it weekly with soap and water and then a mixture of vinegar and water. I have not had any problems with bacteria. I did hear that before, but never had a problem. It's really easy to clean, just more of a hassle than anything. Anyway, hope this helps.

Squeak, very informative. Thank you!

I thought my appt. was today but it's next Tuesday. Bummer. I really wanted to hear what he had to say.