I read a lot about sleep apnea, because of the link to heart arrhythmia, and was about to tell anyone who snores that they should get themselves checked out.
Well, I did the sleep study on Thursday night and I'd say, only do it if you have a real sense that it might be causing you a problem. My experience was interesting, to say the least, but I can't say that it was great. It was SO hard to sleep with the idea that you were being studied. I was aware of every inhale and exhale. It's a wonder that I slept at all. I think I slept for about 4 hours the whole night and I felt like I was awake for about 9. Okay, I was only there for 9 hours total, but it was a long night. The thing that cracked me up was that I got home, crashed on the couch and got the best sleep ever... EVER. Deep, REM sleep. Love it.
I don't know what they will turn up with their results, but either way, I'm glad it's over and I can get back to sleeping at home and waking up early for no reason. I love early morning coffee when no one else is awake.
Maybe sometime I'll give some details on what it's like to be studied while you sleep, but, right now, I'm just glad that it looks like I'm done with it.
Additional info: I started snoring this year. I've always been a back sleeper, like a mummy with no movement and my arms across my chest. My wife, Carol, noticed my snoring and made me roll over on my side, and it stopped. The cardiologist took this information and wanted to make sure that my snoring (lack of breathing) wasn't the cause of my heart arrhythmia. I hoped it was the cause, because that would be an easy solution... sleep on your side. Done.
I've been thinking about having this done too. My husband says that I snore and seem to stop breathing at times. I have no sensation of either or of the physical abuse he says he sometimes feels like he performs trying to get me to roll over. My excuse is that if I'm not willing to take the likely treatment (CPAP), why go through with the diagnosis?
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll post how your study turns out.
Kathy,
ReplyDeleteGlad this was relevant to someone! I will report on the sleep study. I'm hoping to find something out soon.
I know the CPAP is kind of objectionable, but the impact that obstructive sleep apnea can have on your health is also pretty daunting. I have a heart arrhythmia and this was one of the things to rule out as the cause. I don't seem to have many of the other possible causes.