I completed my 23 hour sleep study (nighttime and daytime MSLT(?) test). It was awful, I hightly do not recommend! Reason for study is because my doc and I suspect apnea. Sorry if this is long--kind of a big deal to me right now, and all my questions are pretty speculative in nature.

The nighttime portion was awful. The facility sucked, and the nighttime tech had her b***h hat on. I finally fell asleep around 1am, and was woken up (for the last time) at 5am because the pulse ox stopped working. Test ended at 5:30am, and I was woken up, felt like I had been hit by a freight train as usual. I'm worried that not only did they not collect much meaningful data (4 hours?) but that I didn't get a chance to put on my usual apnea show and now the doc won't be able to make a diagnosis. I've heard sometimes they initiate CPAP the same night...There was not even mention of it, but there was a machine next to the bed.

Do you think this is because there wasn't enough time, or because whatever apnea going on wasn't severe enough? Or maybe no apnea?

I made friends with the daytime tech and expressed my concern about the nightime data. She was friendly enough to say that yes, there was very meaningful data when I was asleep. No, I didn't get a lot of sleep, and YES there was good data that supported the reason the doc ordered the test. She asked if I had another lab appointment scheduled after my follow up (next week) to which I said no. She said, "Oh, well get ready--you are so coming back, it's not even funny! We'll probably be seeing you back here real soon." She also confirmed that "most of that data was collected while (I) was on (my) back." I asked her if I should strap a tennis ball on my back while I slept until i can return for treatment and she said "I've heard of people doing that before, and it may be helpful."

So, I'm suspicious of obstructive apnea. Honestly, don't care what it is as long as it's treatable and I can finally sleep well enough to feel good and have energy. Obviously I will confirm with my doc at the follow up appt. Would the second lab appointment after reviewing results (likely) be for CPAP titration?

The MSLT(?) daytime portion was very interesting. I'm never a daytime sleeper, although I am generally a zombie from waking until bedtime, but I'll never nap. 3-4 times a week I'll crump on the couch when I get home from work and wake at 2am, then move myself to bed though. I warned the tech that I hated daytime naps, I don't sleep during the daytime, this will be very hard, will it even be meaningful if I can't sleep? RRARRR!

When I completed the tests, I had surprised myself. I estimated I fell asleep on 2 of the tests, but not for very long--5 min or so, "dozing." The tech told me, I was in "conk city" once I fell asleep on EVERY test! Stage 2 sleep achieved on all but the first, and on the questionairre, I noted there was heavy construction across the street that kept me awake. All 4 tests I completed on my stomach. It took me between 5-15 minutes to fall asleep on each test.

I have no idea what this means other than maybe I didn't get a good night's sleep? Or, maybe my body is trying to compensate for a lengthy history of sleep deprivation?

At any rate, I left the facility at about 4pm yesterday and I haven't felt that refreshed in MONTHS. If I have apnea, I can only imagine how I'll feel once I get some form of treatment. Those daytime naps REALLY helped though. I felt like I could concentrate better, see better, hear better...maybe it's just a psychological effect, but one thing is for sure--I had energy!

Thanks for your help/support...This next week waiting to get hard data back is going to kill me. I feel like there's hope...I've been wanting to know why I've felt so awful/sleepy for so long.

My guess is that you did sleep long enough for them to see you have sleep apnea, but not until it was to late to do a titration on you.  If you slept as long as you thought you did at night they should have plenty of good data.  You slept a lot longer than I ever have in a study.

I can't help you with the day time study, I don't know what they are looking for.

Good luck, hope your next visit goes well, and you start feeling better soon!

Mark

fivespeedg wrote:

Do you think this is because there wasn't enough time, or because whatever apnea going on wasn't severe enough? Or maybe no apnea?

It was most likely because your doctor didnt prescribe a split study and/or your apnea/O2 levels weren't in the "liability" danger zone.

Four hours could be more than enough time to make a diagnosis.

fivespeedg wrote:

I asked her if I should strap a tennis ball on my back while I slept until i can return for treatment and she said "I've heard of people doing that before, and it may be helpful."

It will probably just give you a sore back.    The best thing you can do is schedule your second, titration visit and get on the hose!

fivespeedg wrote:

Obviously I will confirm with my doc at the follow up appt. Would the second lab appointment after reviewing results (likely) be for CPAP titration?

Definitely...thats what it is.

fivespeedg wrote:

When I completed the tests, I had surprised myself. I estimated I fell asleep on 2 of the tests, but not for very long--5 min or so, "dozing." The tech told me, I was in "conk city" once I fell asleep on EVERY test!

The same thing happened to me.  I though MAYBE I slept an hour and the tech said I slept close to 5.  It was just my usual un-restfull sleep.

fivespeedg wrote:

I have no idea what this means other than maybe I didn't get a good night's sleep? Or, maybe my body is trying to compensate for a lengthy history of sleep deprivation?

It means you gave them a true representation of your sleep habits, which is the point.  If we all went into the lab and got a great nights sleep, they wouldnt be able to pinpoint the problem.

fivespeedg wrote:

At any rate, I left the facility at about 4pm yesterday and I haven't felt that refreshed in MONTHS. If I have apnea, I can only imagine how I'll feel once I get some form of treatment. Those daytime naps REALLY helped though. I felt like I could concentrate better, see better, hear better...maybe it's just a psychological effect, but one thing is for sure--I had energy!

Wait until the morning after your titration.  You will be bouncing off the walls!

Pro-activly call your doctor and ask if you should schedule a titration visit.  I will bet they say yes and you can spare yourself the 10 minute (and co-pay) visit just to hear the Doctor say "Yes".  You can then call the sleep lab and get on the cancellation list.  Chances are they can squeeze you in quickly as many people back out due to conflicts.

You should also call the sleep lab and ask for a copy of your complete study.  They must give it to you by law, and you can read up so you will know the right questions to ask your doctor.