I am going in for my first sleep study tonight. From reading this board I know what to expect, but I am still a little nervous. It is going to be weird having all of these wires connected to me and a camera on me the entire time. Once you are all wired up is it easy to go to the bathroom or do they need to unhook everything?

Hi there kveille,

Don't be shy if you need to go to the bathroom, and don't wait until the last second.  I think you can either call out to the tech or hit a button to get the sleep tech.  All the wires are attached to something that looks like a remote control, and that is connected to the computer next to your bed.  The tech just unplugs the part connected to the computer, and you get to carry the remote with you to the bathroom.  It's weird, but it can be done.  I did it twice!  Thank god sleep study centers give you a private bathroom, because  you'll look rather silly.   lol

And even though there's a camera on you, you still get to sleep in the dark.  It's only used by the tech where they monitor the computer in another room.  It's just a tiny window on the computer.  They use it to try and minimize the number of times they might have to wake you.  It helps them sometimes to understand the graphed information on the computer.  

It helps to go with a sense of humor.  How often do you get to be wired up like Frankenstein and be able to tell the story to family and friends?  
Good luck, and let us know how things go.


Linda

It's not that bad...here I am getting ready for what actually was an interesting night.

The remark about sense of humor helps.  Remember the sleep techs see this every single day, so you're nothing new to them, no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed at all.

The thing in my nose tickled...  

  


_________________
RemStar Pro M-Series with C-Flex jamming 10 cm H20 down my piehole And finally getting a good night's sleep...every night!!!! I'm a 45 year old FMAWG...and proud of it.

At least you didn't have a PES monitor down your throat!  I did, ack.  No pictures!  It wasn't pretty.

--pseudonym

Hey wheres all the leads in your hair?...you should see my pic....at the time my hair was down to my waist...the glue was so annoying.  BTW...you had to sleep in a hospital bed?  Do i remember correctly that you are service?  All the centers i have gone to have nice, attractive queen sized beds...with cheap sheets that are itchy!


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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

The leads were all there...the ones on my head were towards the back on the sides so you can't see them.

I did this at bethesda NNMC.  They use little hospital rooms...pretty spartan, but what does it really need?  

I was active USN then, now am retired USN.  I brought my own pillows with me.  

They had itchy chicken feather pillows that make my nose run and would stick you through the pillow case.  

What is a PES monitor?


_________________
RemStar Pro M-Series with C-Flex jamming 10 cm H20 down my piehole And finally getting a good night's sleep...every night!!!! I'm a 45 year old FMAWG...and proud of it.

kveille wrote:

I am going in for my first sleep study tonight. From reading this board I know what to expect, but I am still a little nervous. It is going to be weird having all of these wires connected to me and a camera on me the entire time. Once you are all wired up is it easy to go to the bathroom or do they need to unhook everything?

All the wires hook to a single connector.  They just unplug you, and you carry the whole mess off to the bathroom with you.

BGSMSHR wrote:

What is a PES monitor?

If you don't know, don't ask!  You might get one!!!  Shhhh....!

http://www.websciences.org/cftemplate/NAPS/archives/indiv.cfm?ID=19979386  and
http://www.websciences.org/cftemplate/NAPS/archives/indiv.cfm?ID=19979624 and
http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/full/162/2/406

Are good articles on the use of PES and the study of UARS.

I came away from my study at Stanford with a Dx of OSA in the form of all hypopneas, and UARS thanks to the PES.

The PES catheter is snaked up one nostril and fed down past the back of the throat and into the esophagus.   (They give you a glass of water to drink, on each swallow the tech gives it another "push".  Ack.).  

After getting into bed and lying down for the night, the catheter is hooked to a pump similar to what is used on an IV line, and a couple of tests are made to determine that the liquid is being delivered.   IIRC it is just saline solution.

During the night at intervals the saline is discharged and the pressure is monitored.

It was not painful but was extremely unpleasant.  My throat was sore in the morning from swallowing on the catheter all night long.  I tend to roll from side to side, and the tube flopped around in my throat  pffffftttt   It was a relief to get the thing taken out in the morning.

Blessings,
--pseudonym

Ok, I'm chuckling over the photograph.  Pretty darn funny.  
  ... and cute!


Linda

When I go back for my titration, I will have to remember to bring my camera and also a blanket.  Those cheap hospital blankets are so annoying b/c they only cover your legs or your torso, but not both at the same time.