sleep test

[novamay]

Hi all, I've been reading a couple of posts this morning, and there's been reference to a sleep test, for sleep aponea???

I don't normally have trouble sleeping - apart from when the pain in my hips, back and knees keeps me awake! Does everyone have to do the sleep test and use the CPAP machine before they have the surgery? I'm horrified of those CPAPs as my dad was on one before he died and they always make me shudder when I see them on tv hospital programmes.

 

[cherry]

hi i think its how you done on your questionare when you go for your first appoinment, if you score high enough for concern you are suffering with this then they ll do the test xx

 

[Tracey ( eyore)]

well i went right up to pre-op then they decided to do mine but it depends on the individual.
i only had a score of 4 and i have no probs sleeping in the way of waking up struggling to breateh , i sometimes have alot of pain as i have fibromylagia and taht sometimes stops me sleeping.
i didnt have a c-pap when i done teh test i have a square small box attached to my belly elastic belt and it had wire that went to other parts of body and had another 2 smaller elastic belts put on me.............these sent signals.
also had two small tube s that just sat in the nostrils of my nose they felt fine after a few mins x
i also had a infra red light on me so i could be watched x

 

[shelbell]

Not everywhere does the sleep test, and you only need to use the cpap if you have sleep apnoea, to make it (much) safer for them to do the surgery. Anaesthetics with untreated sleep apnoea are very dangerous.

 

[farzu]

Hi,
I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea 2 months ago and i have been using the CPAP machine from last 1 month. I still feel uncomfortable when i put the machine on but after few mins its all better. I never wake up at night, not even for going to the loo. and my snoring is totally off. Dr told me i used to get up 37 time per hour buti never felt that lol.

 

[Grace]

Hi all, I've been reading a couple of posts this morning, and there's been reference to a sleep test, for sleep aponea???

I don't normally have trouble sleeping - apart from when the pain in my hips, back and knees keeps me awake! Does everyone have to do the sleep test and use the CPAP machine before they have the surgery? I'm horrified of those CPAPs as my dad was on one before he died and they always make me shudder when I see them on tv hospital programmes.

Novamay they only do the test if you score high on the daytime sleepiness questionnaire, which is a good indicator of you having sleep apnoea.

When I scored high I kept saying, "but I have ME, of course I'm tired! doh....."

In York (who manages my sleep apnoea) they give you a little device to use at home to test...it's just a clip on your finger and a box attached to your wrist. You wear it at bedtime and then take it back the following day. It shows if you have sleep apnoea.

My sleep specialist nurse was CONVINCED that I had from my history and she was right. I have very severe sleep apnoea which with ME is very tough, no wonder I'm shattered!

Now I have my cpap machine I sleep really well, no waking up even to go to the loo, it's great!

Farzu take heart, I hated it at first as I'm very claustrophobic. But now about 7 -8 months in to using it, I love it, it's one of my best friends!

hope that helps Novamay and try not to worry. They won't give you one unless you need one...oh and by the way...sleep apnoea is a CAUSE of obesity!

It has to do with how the body stores sugar as we sleep and the poor quality of sleep...technical but the basic fact is untreated sleep apnoe makes you fat!

 

[novamay]

Makes you fat, hmmm maybe I do have it then, but just dont know it...

I'm worried now thinking about it, I've always been a bad sleeper (I was bullied at school so couldn't rest fully at night for fear of the next day); also I wake up several times every night - at the moment I think it's the pain in my joints (one of the reasons I finally decided to go for the op - its excruciating at times) even on nights when I've had my painkillers I still wake up. Also my husband says I am starting to breathe shallowly but noisily/heavy, but I don't feel like I'm gonna stop breathing.. and I can fall asleep during the day if I'm not mentally occupied - not good when I'm taking minutes in a meeting - I've felt myself nodding off almost slipping off the chair... but this could just be because I am not sleeping well at night because of the pain....or because they are talking rubbish in the meeting.

Maybe I should have the test to be on the safe side?

 

[Grace]

Makes you fat, hmmm maybe I do have it then, but just dont know it...

I'm worried now thinking about it, I've always been a bad sleeper (I was bullied at school so couldn't rest fully at night for fear of the next day); also I wake up several times every night - at the moment I think it's the pain in my joints (one of the reasons I finally decided to go for the op - its excruciating at times) even on nights when I've had my painkillers I still wake up. Also my husband says I am starting to breathe shallowly but noisily/heavy, but I don't feel like I'm gonna stop breathing.. and I can fall asleep during the day if I'm not mentally occupied - not good when I'm taking minutes in a meeting - I've felt myself nodding off almost slipping off the chair... but this could just be because I am not sleeping well at night because of the pain....or because they are talking rubbish in the meeting.

Maybe I should have the test to be on the safe side?

Hi Novamay

honestly it sounds suspiciously like sleep apnoea. Like I said, i had no idea. My snoring was legendary but other than that I just knew I woke up a lot to go pee, think, shuffle about coz of pain, etc.

But it's more the daytime sleepiness which is the indicator.........and what your husband notices.
The test is a breeze...so just have it and then hope it comes back negative!

 

[zns]

It does sound like you need the test. Its an easy test nothing too scary. You may not need CPAP even if youdo have sleep apneoa, I have it but very mild and dont need CPAP.

 

[IRJ]

I had severe sleep apnea and stopped breathing 86 times an hour!!! i used the cpap machine which was a god send for 3 months prior to the op then 2 months after before trying without which ive now done for 6 months, trust me the cpap machine will be 1 of your best friends if used correctly and you will feel 100 times better when you get used to it

 

[angelicheart]

Hi there sweety
I did the sleep test last month, first the scoring chart been done by my doctor, and i had to fight with her to referme to the lssp center as it will help with my surgery, any way i went to papworth and got the machine, i think some of the cool friend in here were calmnig me down as i was sooooooo worried, i didnt sleep well that night, i too the machine the next day, and the doctor form the sleep center start asking me some questions, like do i feel tired all the time, legs twitching and movments that my legs keeps me up at night, do i fall a sleep watching TV duh i do all the time lol, my scoring was 23, quite high, and the machine recorded that i have woken up in matter of less than 5 hours sleep over 8 times, i vist the loo about 2 time within the hour, so doctor said i hvae sleep aponea and make oppintment to stay over night to work out the Capa machine, i think my daughter will be so happy when i start using the machine next month.
So with the great help from everyone in here you will be just fine. wishing you all the best. plz do excuse my poor spelling

 

[farzu]

its nothing to be worried for. its a very normal test. I had problems the night i was having the test as i couldn't sleep properly but they just needs few hours of your deep sleep. At first i felt like the test was not done properly for lack of sleep but its was all fine at the end.

 

[kurvykaren]

Hi
For years I was tired, even when I was slimmer. It was a running joke in my family that I could fall asleep literally anywhere! In meetings at work, while using the computer (thank god I had an understanding boss) usually when I was inactive. Finally got referred to hospital and after sleep test was told I have severe apnoea and now use a CPAP machine.
It does feel a bit strange when you put it on but it's an absolute godsend! I feel so much beter, even after the first few days. I'm having quality sleep, not waking up, and my poor hubby is also getting a decent nights sleep now that he's not listening out for when I stop breathing to give me a shove to breath again!
Ok it's not the most attractive thing in the world but I still think it's so worth it! Good luck with your test, and don't worry.