My Sleep Study

Are you at risk for Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea Puts People at Risk for Heart Trouble while Flying

This past Sunday night I went to my second sleep study. I've known for many years that I have sleep apnea. I've been a heavy snorer at least since my college days, and I am almost always sleepy in the afternoons. But for the longest time I didn't want to do anything about it. Terri has become accustomed to my snoring and says it doesn't generally interfere with her sleep. I have learned to deal with the tiredness, primarily by treating myself with caffeine. I just didn't want to endure the expense of the study and the ensuing treatments.

But as I've entered my mid forties I'm starting to think a lot more in terms of preventive health care. I've learned that sleep apnea doesn't just leave you tired, but it also puts a strain on your heart that can take a great toll over the years. In my first study last month it was determined that I stopped breathing 68 times each hour. Additionally there are many episodes where my airway is partially blocked, and even though I don't stop breathing, because limited air is getting to my lungs, my oxygen levels drop to levels that strain my heart even though I am breathing.

I first went to my family practitioner in February and told them I suspected I had sleep apnea. They referred me to the sleep clinic located near Henry Medical Center in Stockbridge, GA, but it was nearly a month before they could get me in for my first study. I went on a Thursday night, arriving at 8 pm. After being wired and strapped up I went to bed and spent one of the most miserable nights I could remember in a long time. I roll over a lot at night, and it's almost impossible to do so in your sleep with wires attached to your feet, your hands, your chest and your head. There was one sensor that was taped to my nostrils. On the rare occasions that I could fall asleep, the technician would need to come in and adjust some wire that wasn't picking up right. My mouth became very dry during the night from my snoring. Although that sometimes happens at home, it is not a usual occurrence.

The study was over about 5:30 AM. The technician came in and woke me up. I asked her what would happen next. She said that after the doctor reviewed the test they would call me and let me know whether I tested positive. I never had any doubt about that. I've caught myself waking up gasping for air enough times to know. I just needed an official diagnosis in order to begin treatment.

About a week after the study I got a call from the clinic confirming my self-diagnosis. We set an appointment for me to come back for a second night. On the second night the study is done wearing a CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) mask. Once again leads are attached all over my head, chest, hands and feet. But since I'll be wearing the mask this time, no annoying sensors on my nose. When I told the technician what a miserable night I had during the first study, I was offered a sedative. She brought me an ambien and a bottle of water. It still took me about an hour and a half to fall asleep, even with the medicine, but once I fell asleep I slept much better. I occasionally woke up to roll over, but unlike the first night, I easily went back to sleep. I'm sure part of my improved sleep was from the medicine, but I have to give the CPAP a lot of the credit also.

I'm told the next step is that a home health provider will call me and make an appointment to bring a CPAP machine to my house and show me how to use it. My only frustration is that I have to wait a couple more weeks. I first went to the doctor about this in February. I had to wait until mid March for the first study, mid April for the second, and now it looks like it could be early May before I have a CPAP in my home. That seems like a lot of time to get treatment for what I am told can be a fairly serious condition. I'd like to see the process streamlined so that patients can get from complaint to treatment in less than 3 months.

If you know you are a heavy snorer, wake up tired, wake up with a dry mouth or headaches, or have trouble staying awake during the day I strongly encourage you to discuss these symptoms with your doctor.