whats the best way to go for a sleep apnea test ? tired/awake ?

[brett30]

doea anyone know whats the best way to go for a test i have been thinking about this loads and have seen doctors push peoples dates back by 2 months if they have sleep apnea.

even tho i would rather know if i have it or not and be cured before my op.

is it best to go when your tired so you sleep heavy ?

is it better to get up extra early so when u go you go to sleep early ?

or do you just go with it and do a normal day and sleep as normal ?

im bad i dont sleep till 3 am sometimes later however im up most mornings at 9 or so ... they would not make me try and sleep at 9 pm or something ?

do they leave you to it and you go to sleep when u like ?

so many questions lol ..

and would i be able to take my laptop to watch movies before i sleep cause this is the only thing that helps me to sleep ..

thanks all xx oh and happy new year xx

 

[voluptuouschick]

Hi there,
I am so pleased you asked that question as I would love to know too as I am waiting an appointment for a sleep apnea test too & no idea what will happen or what I need to do!!
love n hugs
Vicky
xxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Silversurfer]

Hi Both

I had sleep apnea pre op, though it wasn't diagnosed i was really aware i had it, i'd wake up sleepy, fall asleep sitting on the loo, or during meetings and had no energy to do anything, plus i snored like a chainsaw at night !

Sleep apnea isn't a condition that can be fixed, other than by weight lose ! if your diagnosed with apnea your given a C pap (not sure if thats spelt right) machine to use at night, this basically forces air under pressure down into you to keep your airways open, the machine hums and the mask you wear looks a little like a gas mask ! - its not very pleasant !

I'm unsure how you go about seeing a specialist, though i suspect this may be something your GP would have to refer you to.

The good news is though, that post op your breathing and apnea will get better, and eventually go, its the first health issue that improves, you'll sleep better at night, wont snore, and wont feel tired out though out the day ! if your op date is really close i wouldn't worry to much, just make sure you tell the aneshatist at the hospital when you meet him/her that you think you may have sleep apnea, they will then monitor you more closely post op and may chooce to use different pain drugs post rather than morphine, which slows respiration as a side effect !

Hope this helps a bit

 

[phatgirl]

Warning! This is not expert advice just my little opinion.

Firstly, if you think you have sleep apnea, it is a good idea to have the test, it makes you safer. Secondly, from other people's posts and my own experience, the first procedure in testing is to get special equipment from the hospital to take home. I personally would recommend being tired before using it as it is a bit annoying having the nose tube, finger monitor and the breath recorder on your chest. It is very easy to use so don't worry. It is recommeded that you try to get 6-8 hours of sleep to assure they have enough data to read (the time when you go to sleep & wake up don't matter).

Best of luck and hope it all goes well for you.

 

[brett30]

thanks for that ...

im guessing your like me vicky .. i have to have the test done at the hospital that are doing my surgery its one of the things they tick off before your op..

i dont think i have it im almost 100% sure i dont as i sleep fine i never wake with the feeling of not being able to breath ..

and i never feel i need more sleep after waking on the morning.

my other half said i snore a little but not huge and i dont make loud noise's that wakes me or chokes me awake..

i was under the impression they make you take the cpap home for a few weeks to train your lungs to cope while having your op...

i worked as a nurse for many many years and worked in ICU too and cpap are nasty things they force the air in to you..

but thanks for letting me know what you know ..

and good luck vicky xx