Hello all, I'm a new member and had my first visit with the sleep doctor this morning - he suspects sleep apnea based on my symptoms and our discussion.  So my first sleep study has been scheduled for this upcoming Friday.  I've gone over the literature they provide on what to expect but there's 3 things I still have questions on.  If anyone would please help answer them, that'd be greatly appreciated.

1) Lighting - are the lights out or low?  Or left on so that the videotape can pick up movements?  I'm used to no light at all or very, very low.  I don't know that I would be able to sleep if the lights are left on.

2) I'm accustomed to sleeping in either boxers and a t-shirt or just a t-shirt (yes, no bottoms).  Anything more than this and I get frustrated (and tied up) because I move so much during sleep.  Obviously this would be inappropriate for the study, but would boxers be ok?  If a male technician, I'd think it'd be ok since it's still more coverage than you'd see in a typical locker room.  Otherwise I'll have to go out and find some shorts or other suitable long-pants attire.

3) Lastly, bedcovers.  While I sleep w/out much on, I DO use sheets and a comforter which is typically thick.  Does a sleep study allow you to use the comforter or is it just sheets?  I'm seeing conflicting information on which way it is.  Depending on sensitivity of the camera, I would think a comforter might hide some leg movements.  Hoping that the comforter is allowed!

Thanks for any advice anyone can provide.

I'll do my best, since no one else has answered.  However, I suggest that you phone the clinic and ask your questions directly.

1) The lights should be out.  (But at the clinic where I had my first sleep study, the box of electronics was right beside my bed and it threw off enough light - and heat - to make the room only semi-dark.  I wouldn't accept that, if I were you).

2) I don't know about the boxer shorts but I suggest that something that gives a little more cover would be a good idea.  You may have, or may not, have a male technician, but there will likely be women around.  There is another site for technicians and I sometimes read the forums there.  One of the things they complain about is patients whose dress is not adequately modest.  

3) Well, what sort of covers you use will depend on how cold (or warm) the clinic is.  If it's going to be cold, they should provide you with a warm covering.  You will have wires taped to your legs to show leg movement so you don't need to worry about that.

Hi Caffn8d,

I agree with Frances on all points, especially about calling the clinic and asking your questions directly.
Every sleep study center is a little different, so it would be a good idea to ask.

And I agree, a little more coverage of clothing is wise.  Maybe go a little layered, that could give you options.  Plus, the temperature at sleep study labs varies.  

I work in the office of a sleep lab.  The labs use infrared cameras which show patients quite well on their computers even though it's darkness for the patients.  Most labs have rooms which have its own private bathroom.  So if you are the type of person who doesn't like it very dark, you might be able to just leave the light on in the bathroom and crack open the door.  Our lab has comforters only for show (it's a pain to clean them every night), but we have sheets and blankets.  

Good luck at your sleep study!


Linda


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When I did my sleep study, I had a split night study..  they also sent a list of things that I could bring to make the study more comfortable and suggested if you had a favorite pillow/blanket that you slept with to bring it. (I felt like I was moving in hauling an over night bag, pillow, blanket, ect!!)

They did ask that sleeping attire be two piece... but said it could be shorts and t shirt ect.  (I typically sleep in shorts/boxers and T shirt so it worked for me)

As far as the darkness I was quite shocked when I walked into my sleeping room, it was set up like a hotel room with a nice queen size (very comfy!!) bed, a dresser lamps, tv, ect. There was a window in the room but it was covered with a curtain, and the camera was placed up by the ceiling in about the middle of the bed. On the nightstand was all of the equipment they needed to complete the study. This area had a cover over it to block the light from all the different little doomahickies that emitted light. Before I even crawled into bed the Tech had me sit in the chair (after she hooked me up to all of her contraptions) and close my eyes and she  turned on all of the equipment on the night stand, (including the cpap machine) shut the lights off and went out of the room shutting the door behind her. She came back in a couple of minutes later and asked me if there was anything in the room that might bother me during my sleep, noises or lights ect.

For me once I am asleep you could blow up Fort Knox and I would sleep through it with out a twitch. It was the fact that she took the extra time to make sure that I would be comfortable and that my sleep would be as undisturbed as possible..

I was super nervous about going in for my study and have never been a "schedule" sleeper.. I have always gone to bed when I was tired and about to fall asleep. So my doctor prescribed a sleeping pill for me to take so I could go to sleep on "their" schedule not my body's. (which could have been anywhere from 10 pm to 2 am!) I took the sleeping pill just before I crawled into bed, Once I got settled into bed, she asked if I wanted the tv on before she exited the room. She turned it on to what ever I wanted to watch and set the sleep timer on it for 15 minutes, I don't remember much after that!

This is probably more info than you wanted, but hopefully your sleep study will be as "person centered" and something that the tech did with this study could help you with yours!  I agree with calling and asking them what they will allow and how they will handle certain situations. I stressed for a couple of weeks before my study.... a phone call may have relieved some of that stress!

Good Luck and Sleep well!


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1) Lighting - my room was DARK.  The room light had a dimmer on it.  I'm sure the tech would set it on low if I had wanted.  It was mostly for him when he comes in to cut me loose.  He put it on dimly so it didn't shock my eyes and later turned it up.

2) You could wear some gym shorts or a loose fitting bathing suit.  Shirt is optional, in my opinion.  There will be wires on your face/head/chest and legs.

3) They will be able to see your leg movements via the wires so don't worry about covering up as much as you wish.

Check with your clinic.  Many have a TV, VCR and DVD player WITH REMOTE!!!
Mine was set up just like a hotel room with a private bath.  The glue they use to attach the sensors will melt off in warm water so you may want to shower in the morning to get that bed look out of your hair.

My tech wired me up early in the evening, showed me a video that explained everything that was going on before hand.  After wiring me up, he said I could call him later to let him know when I was ready to go to bed and he would finish connecting me to the equipment.  At this point I was still able to walk around because the wires were just draped across my shoulder.

I just went ahead and got in bed and let him finish wiring and do his pre-sleep testing to make sure I was wired right.  Then I just laid there watching TV until I got sleepy.  Turned the set off and went to sleep.  He woke me at 5:30 AM, test was over.  After getting unwired, I took a shower and went home.  Repeated the whole thing a few weeks later for the titration study.

I know it's hard to do, but just relax.  If you think it's really going to be a problem, get your doctor to pre-approve a sleeping pill.  The tech can give it to you if you need it.  They usually work in about 30 minutes, I think.


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Welcome Caffn8d,

As has been suggested, make a list of questions, call the sleep lab and ask them directly.  They probably use an infared camera, which is very, very small and barely noticable so the room can be dark.  Ask if you can bring a comforter.  There really isn't any reason you couldn't since, as Alan noted, limb movements is documented by the attached wires.  The more you can make it like home, the more comfortable you will be.  My list includes, pillows, fan, water, stuff to read and until my doc took my advice and got one, a reading lamp.  Everything but a cat   .

Keep us posted on how things go!!

Vicki


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Friedrich must of had apnea.

For my last sleep study I just wore light weight gym shorts that are made out of material like a t-shirt is made out of.  They aren't much heavier or longer than boxers and they can be worn anywhere shorts could be worn.  Flannel boxers with the fly sewn shut should even be OK, I have a few pair like that and I wear them to take out the trash and pick up the mail.  It is better to not wear a shirt.

You may find this useful ~

http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?t=14615


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Caffn8d wrote:

Lighting - are the lights out or low?  Or left on so that the videotape can pick up movements?

My sleep lab (and I suspect most) had a video camera with an infrared light panel next to it.   Since all video camera's can "see" infrared light (even yours at home) and we cannot, the room is totally dark to you, yet the video camera picks up every thing just fine.

I recommend wearing shorts if possible.  Much easier when they attach/detach the leg movement sensors.

Our individual approaches to these studies are so interesting !

Quote:

I recommend wearing shorts if possible.  Much easier when they attach/detach the leg movement sensors.

For me, it was the exact opposite reasoning. I would recommend covered legs so that during sleeping movement feet and knees don't tangle or pull the wires.


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i too would say comfortable shorts, better for connections on the legs and i cover up to the waist and actually slept well.