sleep apnea test?
My doc wants me to have a sleep study done for sleep apnea, he suspects I have it, I don't think I do, but to rule it out, i will have it done–if my HMO covers it. Has anyone had one done in San Antonio and what is it like? I know they put electrodes all over you. How in the heck can you sleep like that?
yes, i know i have to do it, my doc has been right before, and that's what i pay him for, to keep me well. I have much to live for, namely 2 kids, 18and 4, and a Mom who lives with me and a sister and kids who need help from time to time. I hope i don't have it but if i do, at least they can catch it early.
Tagged with: electrodes • heck • hmo • mom • san antonio • sleep • sleep apnea • sleep study
Filed under: Sleep Apnea Symptoms
if you have sleep apnea you will never know but if your doctor says so, do it . there are 3 test of which i took (nothing big believe me) the first test they put a box on your waist to register the impulses on a 24 hour basis.
the second test they put the same little machine for 5 hours at nightime only while you are sleeping it registers your apnea points.
and last and not least they had me go to the hospital and sleep 4 5 hours while they were registering my apnea.
but if you can cure it sweetheart do it know because it can get dangerous.
I'm not in San Antonio, but I recently had the test done. Mine was an at home test. If you have an HMO that is probably what they will cover. The tester came to my house a half hour before the time I said I was going to sleep. He attached a bunch of small elctrodes to my face and scalp and cardiac electrodes to my chest and a respirator strap to count breaths. Plus one of those finger clamp things. this was all attached to a computer by my bed. The wiring was fairly long so I had a lot of room to roll in bed etc. what I did is arrange the wires so they sort of went straight up (like a candle wick) so I didn't get tangled in them. It was actually surprizingly easy to sleep in. Then the tester came back in the morning to collect the equipment. 3 weeks later we got the results.
I didn't think I had apnea either and it turns out I have rather severe apnea. At one point it showed I had stopped breathing for 93 seconds! I have just been fitted with my cpap machine and while its still a little strange, it has made a wonderful difference. I wake up feeling so much better. Hope yours turns out to be a good result!
I didn't think I had it either, but I got the study done and they were right. So get the study! and, if you do have sleep apnea, get treated! because untreated sleep apnea can damage your heart after a while. They stuck electrodes all over my head, with this gooey stuff to stick them on–you'll want to wash your hair first thing in the morning–and a few electrodes on, I forget, arms and legs I think. Plus a thing to measure blood oxygen–it's just something they slip over your finger. Yeah, it feels like you'll never get to sleep wearing all that, but I did. And it turns out I have sleep apnea, and now I sleep with the CPAP machine and I sleep a LOT better.
Sleep study is a very good tool to collect information about your sleep pattern and confirm if you have sleep apnea.
It's totally harmless and relaxing procedure, no pain or risk involved.
A number of electrodes and other sensors will be attached to your head and chest, like during a routine EKG. The study may take place in a specially equipped room called a sleep lab or sometimes may be performed in the convenience of your home.
Once you are in bed all the wires and tubings will be connected to the recording equipment.
Most people who have sleep apnea are sleep depraved and fall asleep easily.
Once the study is over all sensors and electrodes will be deattached.
If the study reveals that you have sleep apnea your doctor will choose the best treatment option based on the severity of your disease and other factors including medical insurance and personal preference.