Hi all... I'm a voice student here in Princeton, New Jersey. Yesterday, upon the recommendation of my vocal coach i went to see a ENT specalist because i've been having vocal issues for quite a while. The result of that visit was the concern of the doctor that i might have very serious sleep apnea issues. Frankly, i have never heard of it before (i'm 43 and a foreign student, who snores like a frieght train). So having filled out this form he gave me he told me that i should have a sleep study done as soon as possible - honestly, i'm afraid and dont quite know where to begin.  - where do i go? - how will i pay etc? - is it worth the whole thing. I do know that i am exhausted by 1:00 PM everyday and sometime when i get up i just wanna go back to sleep even after sleeping for more than 9 hours per night. - please give me some advice

Hey sounds like the classic syptoms of sleep apnea to me. I live in Canada so I am unsure about insurance coverage for the sleep test. But for your own well being you must have the sleep test done! I was terrified when I went in for mine, but knowing what I do now about this condition I am glad they found out about it before things started to get worse for me! Good luck and keep us updated on how you are doing!
Debbie

First off....DON'T PANIC.  Sleep Apnea is a serious condition but can be successfully treated.  Once it is, many suffers say they feel like a new person.
To start with I would do an Internet search for Sleep Apnea and educate yourself as much as possible.  Ultimately, you are responsible for your health and you need to understand your condition well enough to be able to discuss it with your doctor.
Ask you ENT to recommend a Doctor who specializes in sleep disorders (your ENT maybe a sleep specialist in which case you're already there).
The sleep specialist can set you up for a sleep study to determine if you have Sleep Apnea and if you do, recommend a course of treatment to correct it.  Note, I said CORRECT it not CURE it.  There is no cure but there is good treatment available.  You will learn this as you educate yourself.

Just slow down and take one step at a time.

Many universities offer very low cost health insurance for students, would be very worthwhile looking into that.  Also, "student health services" may be able to help you with a local referral to a low-cost sleep study, perhaps at a "teaching hosptial sleep lab".  

www.awakeinamerica.org  

is a source for free equipment.  If you have a sleep study, you can apply online for free equipment.  If you don't have a sleep study, you can request the "sleep strip, diagnostic strips"  Certainly a sleep lab based sleep study, referred to as a PSG, is what you truly want and need, when finances permit.  Using a sleep strip and acquiring an autopap if it is positive is about the cheapest way to begin treatment.