Sleep study

When I went to my cardiologist, she said sometimes OSA can make pvc's worse and I needed to see a sleep specialist.  I have had sleep problems all my life and used to get by on 4 hours sleep total a day.  The past 5 years or so, I can't sleep past 2 hours at a time and they think this may be aggravating the problem.

I saw the sleep specialist yesterday and he said the back of my throat seems to be narrowed and since I had my tonsils out as a young adult the next step is for a CPAP machine. If that doesn't work then he would do surgery and take out the thing that hangs in the back of the throat (?) & shave the back of the throat.

Anyone ever have a sleep study done?   I'm going this weekend to have mine done.

[Jerry_NJ]

I suggest you make a post on the "sleep community":
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Sleep-Disorders/show/108

From the little I know about the body's need for sleep, you are severely deprived of sleep and that can't be good for anything.

I assume you have tried prescription sleep aids (pills).

[twinbee]

I have. When I was diagnoised with a-fib, one of the very first things my EP had me do was have a sleep study. And yes, I do have sleep apnea. I do use a CPAP machine. I have been using it since January 2005. It did help with my a-fib at night. Good luck with the sleep study. Wishing you well, and wishing you enough..

[Mom2four85]

thank Jerry I'll post there also

I've never used any medication for sleep problems - I really try not to take any meds with small children in the house, just in case they need me at night, especially with a child with special needs.

The cardiologist & pulmonary dr said there is a direct connection between sleep problems & increased pvc's, so that's why I posted here first :)  I'm in the midst of researching that connection.

I think they're just trying to find what if anything is causing so many pvc's.  I'm having the sleep study done Saturday; then a tilt table test before surgery to see if there's any connection with my case.

Twinbee I'm glad to know someone else has had success with the test & cpap machine.  I'm willing to try whatever I have to help with these dreaded things :P

[Mom2four85]

@twinbee - did you have problems getting your mask fit? I'm curious others reactions to having one fitted because I had a rare thing happen they said.

They got me all hooked up ready for the study and came in to fit my mask, told me all about them and showed me several.  I put one on and as long as it didn't "suction" on my face I could handle it.  As soon as they tightened the straps around my head and any of them were tight, I got lightheaded, couldn't breathe and sent my heartrate to 250 and within secsonds I was passing out.

The only one they didn't have was the full face mask - I'm wondering if this happened because I have sinus/allergy problems and I can barely breathe through my nose some of the time. If I close my mouth with them on; it makes me feel like I'm suffocating or drowning, but I can't breathe otherwise.

They finally just gave up and said they needed a baseline study and I'd have to go back after they got the results if I did have sleep apnea.

Did you have any problems with yours, how did you get adjusted to it if you did?

Thanks - Lisa

[twinbee]

Sorry it has taken me this long to answer your question. I just got back from vacation. I use a full face mask. I could not handle just the "nose" mask. I prefer the full face one also. I find it more comfortable. After the sleep study, my doctor made arrangements for a medical supply company to come to my house. The sales rep spent about 3 hours with me, trying on different sizes of masks. I was able to find the perfect fit.
I had no problems adjusting to my mask. It fit soo well, that it did not bother me. I did have to get use to being attached to a machine at night. But that really was not problem.
Good luck. Wishing you well, and wishing you enough..