Well.. just got home from a night of "sleep" at the local sleep lab. Concerned/confused/question what the tech said after the test. Found this group and thought maybe I coud get some educated info.
First a little background info. I am over weight,etc etc etc. The last year maybe a litle more I have woke up during the night gasping for air and needing a few deep breathes to bring down to normal feeling. I have also woke up after having a dream that I am having problems brething. Again needing a few deep breathes. Doctor wanted sleep test. Oh I have a noted snoring problem not only from wife but when grand kids are here I will fall asleep in the living room chair only to wake myself with a gasp and loud snore.
It has been to the point I have actually felt afraid to go to sleep.
Now the recent info. a couple of weeks ago I had a mild panic attack. The doctor gave me a librium drug which I only used a few days as it made me so sleepy and I feel good as far as the panic attack. I have not taken any of that for about a week. BUT I noticed over the last week or so I have not had any wakings as noted above. Anyway, did the sleep study. The tech (which ( know can not say much) when I asked did you learn anything said oh yeah. I said well give me a hint. He said looks like you slept well (don't feel that way) and have a very mild problem. I said oh yeah what about snoring. He says I did not snore at all. He said he even turned the microphone up and checked othing..THAT is way different then normal as even my son in two bedroom away always teases me about keeping him awake from my snoring. My mouth was very dry this morning as normal so I figured I snored.
Then when I pushed the techa little he said well I do notice that when you fall asleep your oxygen levels go down and stay down pretty much the entire time you are asleep. I said what does that mean he says "same thing" might be your muscle in your throat is not totally closing.?? Can anyone give me their opioin? Do I have slep apnea? Will the doc put me on a cpap mask? I am very tired during the day and meet the symdoms and I guess my big concern is was the study some how masked by my taking of the librium meds even though a week ago. As I mentioned snoring heck I have even woke myself up <g>
My doctor appt for results is not until 3/20 (going to push to get that changed) but I just wonder did I waste my night? Why woud I not snore when that is my normal by everyone's account? Thanks for any ideas...

Hello ddpelp, and Welcome to the Forum,

Most of the symptoms that you describe are common in people with sleep apnea. I and others have also experienced panic attacks. See FAQ at http://sleepapneafaq.wikispaces.com/Sleep+Apnea+and+Panic+Attacks

Naturally you are concerned and your questions are important. However, most of the answers will be found in the sleep study report. All the data results of the study are compiled in a sleep study report. That report should be available within two weeks, hopefully sooner since you mentioned an appt on the 20th. Feel free to post some of the data from the report here w/ your questions.

I don’t know about the librium meds. Your doctor should be made aware that you were taking it.

Don't spend too much thinking about what the tech said. Remember that snoring is just one factor. For example the EEG will show the number of arousals and the time you spent in each stage of sleep. The blood oxygen level is another key indication.

Here is another helpful link “What does my sleep study report mean?� http://sleepapneafaq.wikispaces.com/Sleep+Study+report

I recommend that anyone who suspects they have or has been diagnosed with a sleep related breathing disorder get at least one of the books from this site - http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/books.html
These books may also be available at your local library.  The first two explain symptoms,  sleep studies, understanding sleep study report, treatment options etc. Very helpful to have on hand as a reference book.

First thanks for the reply. I guess my main concern is I have the symtoms so servere at times I am afraid to return to bed. I normally get up sit at The doctor knew about the lirium and suggested I not take it if I can she said "toss" one in your pocket if you need it while in the study. That is why I stopped for the last week.. thinking it would be out of my system. The main concern the study has to be inaccurate since they said I did not snore. As mentioned I have snored in a daytime nap in a chair and gasp for a breath. Many times...

One think I wish I had thought of actual two things after thinking about it all day. 1st. I slept on my side during the test .. that is my normal but I do sometimes sleep on my back and during the study since I was so restless I never laid on my back. Did this affect the study?

then question number 2 is due to a recent cold I had been taking up to the day of the test a cold/cough prescription strength liquid called "Codituss Dh Syrup". I looked on my pharmacy site and here is what it says (could this of affected the study?:

Decongestants constrict (shrink) blood vessels (veins and arteries) in the respiratory passages. By decreasing blood flow to these areas, decongestants decrease congestion, and airways are opened up. Commonly used decongestants include pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine.

Antihistamines block the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in the body. They help to treat watery, itchy eyes; sneezing; itchy nose; nasal congestion; itchy skin; and hives. Commonly used antihistamines include brompheniramine and chlorpheniramine.

Many cough-and-cold combinations contain a pain reliever and fever reducer such as aspirin or acetaminophen.

Cough-and-cold combinations may also contain a cough suppressant such as dextromethorphan, carbetapentane, codeine, or hydrocodone. Cough suppressants suppress an area in the brain that causes coughing.

In addition, some combinations contain an expectorant such as guaifenesin. Expectorants loosen mucous in the head and chest.

I am really stewing over this test. It irks me that I did not snore I now wonder if the liquid med somehow help open my throat.. Sorry for sounding like a big baby here but I really thought they were on to something to have the study I pulled info before the study and another thing is my attiude I am NOT the most friednly person to be around in the house very bog mood swings. Now with the tech saying "you might have a problem but very very mild" I think I am going nuts .. anyway thanks for listening . and I am reading the links you provided..

In my personal experience I mainly snore when I am on my back and that my be when you do most of your snoring.  The fact that you slept on your side during your test may affect that and I am surprised they would not highly encourage you to sleep on  your back at least for part of the test.  When I had my sleep study the tech specifically asked me to try to go to sleep on my back and would have woken me to change position if I had not been on my back at all.


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DONNA - TEXAS

SOMETIMES YOU'RE THE WINDSHIELD, SOMETIMES YOU'RE THE BUG!

M Series Auto
Activa

I am also waiting for the results of my test. My appointment isn't until the 30th, but in perusing this site I've learned not to take what the Tech says without grains of salt. They really can't tell you much, and I'm gaining the opinion they really don't know that much.
I did the first test and about 2:30am the tech burst in with a nasal pillow device and put it on me telling me I won the grand prize for the night.
Ok -- I can deal with that, but having had no previous idea of what it was about, I had mouth leaks, I tried to sleep in different positions to make the thing "comfortable" and generally had a bad time of it. Thanks to this site -- I now know better!!!
In the morning the only thing the tech really said was that she noticed that I had problems while trying to sleep on my side -- ok fine......sleeping on my side is my normal position and this thing you hung on my face wasn't really all that comfortable......
I guess bottom line of this is to let you know you're not alone. And to not fret too much until you talk to the doc. That's where the true info will come out and be prepared for further testing. I've just ordered a couple of the books at the suggested site (First two on the list sounded pretty thorough). I've also studied the machines and masks available and as I have facial hair have asked for advice from this group.....I guess the best advice -- educate yourself!!!! Learn everything you can about the affliction and the treatments.
Like you, I'm facing the future with the diagnosis. I await the results and will deal with it as it comes....
take care!!!!
cheers
goose

Most sleep labs want about 10 days to fully analyse the results, they compare the graphs showing oxygen saturation with the graph mapping arousals, and then they see how that fits in with the different positions. Then they look at how long the apneas were, ansd how that ties in with ferquency of sleep interuption. They map the different stages, and correalte them to AHI and oxygen etc. It is a lot of work to produce a full sleep test result, and even though it is computerized they do review it all by human being. I don't know if they really have to do such a thorough job, but it is still the norm in good sleep labs. So your doc will not want to have a follow up visit until he gets the fuill result. Thats why you are being kept waiting, if he gets it earlier he probably would see you soone so keep calling his office.


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Arthur
Sleeping with a curvaceous blonde autoPAP (Resmed autoset). Hope springs eternal.....

I think sleep techs are fairly knowledgeable.  They run the test equipment all the time and are very familiar with the results but they're not supposed to say much to the patient.  Mine told me only that she would be seeing me again, which at the time, didn't mean anything to me as I was ignorant about OSA. Now I know that she was aware that I had severe sleep apnea and would be back for titration. Thank goodness for this site.  It's too bad that all sleep doctors don't send people here before they are sent for a sleep test.


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