Sleep, sleep. Why have you deserted me ??

[karzme]

My dr put in a referral for me to have a sleep apnea test done. I keep waking  up during night. And find myself having trouble gong to sleep and staying asleep. Has anyone had a sleep apnea test?? What all do they do?? Any advice will be apreciated. Thanks.  Karina

[Want to feel well!!!]

[Want to feel well!!!]

Oops...wrong key…

I have incredible,..over the top...insomnia.  I’ve had insomnia since I was a young child, but as an adult it is ridiculous.

A sleep apnea test was discussed at one of my neuro visits, but my husband told my neuro that I rarely snore and that I do not stop breathing.  (My husband went through the test last year, and he has sleep apnea but he could not tolerate wearing the mask, so nothing has been done, and it was very costly for absolutely nothing!)

This is just my opinion, but have you tried sleep meds?  There is generic Ambien, for which I pay $10 a month.  I was taking Rozerem but it did not work in my case, so I asked try Ambien again.  (I have posted somewhere before that Ambien made me feel tired the next morning, but it has not done that to me this time.  Also, with everything that has been happening to me, the Ambien might not have been the culprit.)

Having a good night’s rest really makes a huge difference!!  HUGE!!!  I am only suggesting this because of your financial situation.  I just know from my husband’s experience how much the sleep study cost us and how it didn’t even help my husband, and our co-pay was quite high.

If you have tried sleep meds, then the sleep study would probably be your next step.

Just a suggestion.

Good luck.

Wanna          

[oncetri]

Just wondering, but if sleep apnea is a concern of yours, maybe you can record yourself one night (sound record) and see if you do indeed snore.  That way maybe you can make a more informed decision.

If your not snoring, you cand do as wanna said, and if you are still concerned by snoring, you can speak with the neuro about testing.

I too have insomnia, ever since I was 2, according to my mom.  I asked everyone in my house if I snore, and I was told no, so I just try to exhaust myself every day, so I'm tired at night, or I break down and take an OTC sleep med.  Although, the drugs they have me on now, knock me out and I wait till night to take them.

[Annie62]

I've had the sleep study test done for sleep apnea.  You basically spend the night alone in a sleep lab room with a bathroom attached and they hook you up to lots of wires that monitor your pulse, respirations, brain wave activity, oxygen levels, etc., and it is all recorded on a computer that is monitored by a sleep lab technician who is in another room.  Nothing invasive, just uncomfortable trying to fall asleep with all those wires connected, especially if you already have trouble falling/staying asleep.  It will tell your doctor how many times you stop breathing in an hour (your RDI or respiratory disturbance index) and how low your O2 drops during apneic events--among other things.  The tech might try you on the CPAP device during the test if she/he suspects sleep apnea.  They can tell if you have obstructive sleep apnea or if you have central sleep apnea (I believe), which is more rare.  If you snore, are overweight, have a small jaw or thick neck--these things make it more likely you will get/have sleep apnea.  There are people who are not overweight who have it and people who are overweight who do not have it, but if you are overweight, losing weight definitely helps a lot--it did with me.  So, the test is nothing to get nervous about.  Just take a comfortable nightgown and you might want to bring your own pillow, though they provide them.  

[karzme]

I know I snore, I've woken myself up a few times in my life. Have been getting bad headaches lately! Short oxygen to brain or MS spasms??? I don't know.  I only decided to do it, because I read about bad side effects, if you have it and it goes untreated.      Karina

[Want to feel well!!!]

Good luck with your test.  Hopefully it will give you some sleep relief!  It awful insomnia is awful!

Wanna

[karzme]

I actually slept all night, last night. Was expecting to wake up alot, like usual. Was real nice, almost forgot what it felt like. A good nights rest is hard to come by these days.  I didn't care about why I snore. Was neuros idea. She asked me again at last visit.  So when can afford it, will get it done. Karina

[Want to feel well!!!]

In any case, sleep well.  We all need sleep.

Wanna

[karzme]

I agree. Thanks you too.      Karina