Sleep Study, Round 2
unlike the first sleep study, i had an idea what to expect. we had to be there at 9:30pm and since it was no longer an adventure, i was agitated because i so didn’t want to go. spending the night at the sleep center didn’t seem too bad, but hanging out there all day Saturday sounded like major suckage to me.
when we arrived, we were placed in the same room as last time. its familiarity was comforting, as was the fact that i had the same tech. because i knew what to expect, the preparation seemed to go quicker: slap gunk in my hair, fasten a wire, gunk, wire, gunk wire; tape more wires onto my face; pull straps around my torso. i thought i was doing the same test as before–you know, like a 2nd go. nope.
the tech called this one a CPAP Titration Test, which meant i would be trying out 3 different versions of that Darth Vader mask while i slept!
the one i’m wearing in the picture was Mask A. when he first put it on, the air was turned up so high, it was like being on the receiving end of a vacuum hose–i tore that thing off so fast. once i was settled in, it wasn’t bad, kind of like going under general anesthesia. thanks to my trusty trazodone, i crashed immediately.
two more times during the night the tech fitted me with Masks B & C. unfortunately, those pictures didn’t turn out. i don’t remember what the 2nd mask was like, but the 3rd was the worst. it was the largest of the 3, nearly covering my entire face. these masks are supposed to help people with sleep apnea get true, proper sleep. huh. instead of helping me sleep through the night, the last one kept waking me up! all that plastic pressing into my face was annoying so i’d try to rearrange it, but whenever i did, the masks weren’t placed over my mouth and nose correctly, so the frickin’ thing would whistle. whistle! you know, like when a booger’s stuck at the end of your nostril, but a million times louder!
we were awoken at 5am and told that the 2nd test (for narcolepsy) would begin at 7am. this one consisted of staying awake for 2 hours and then napping for 15-30 minutes. during the nap period, they monitor which of the 5 stages of sleep you go through, if you fall asleep at all. an indicator of narcolepsy includes going directly into REM (stage 5) sleep. after nappy time, you’re awoken, stay up for 2 hours, then nap again–4 naps total! and you can’t leave!
i would have gone completely nuts if it hadn’t been for the tech who conducted this test. she’s like your grandmother from the old country, accent and all. just like a grandma, she fussed over me, brought me apple juice and snacks. she also scolded me for sleeping with the pillow over my head–and again when i forgot–and for moving around so much during each set of waking hours that she had to refasten some of my wires before each nap.
what could i do? those 2 hours were ssssoooo boring! i wasn’t allowed to fall asleep during wakey time, and it was so hard not to, even though i alternated between reading and watching TV. at least Brian got to leave for a little while to feed the cats, get himself coffee, and whatever else.
i fell asleep the first couple of times, but i’m not sure about the rest. it was so tedious, but i’m glad it’s over with. the results should be in by the end of the week, then back to the ENT’s office for me.
Health/Fitness
They put the CPAP titration on me while I was in the hospital and I about had a fit before getting the thing off of my face. It was like trying to breathe under water to me. They finally gave up with me because I just refused to put it back on. They didn’t bring a different kind of mask or anything. I have to say one thing. Especially looking at the third picture in your post. I was taken aback at just how beautiful you are even with all that stuff on your face and in your hair. God gave you such beauty, take care of it. God bless.
March 20, 2006 3:53 pm
Fascinating! Although I can totally tell how bored you were. But your summary/encapsulation was really interesting, especially with the cool photos. I’m glad the tech was so good to you. :o)
March 20, 2006 8:51 pm
i tried cpap for ONE NIGHT and promptly returned it. there was no fucking way.
March 20, 2006 9:19 pm
Thanks for sharing this Barb. There is no way I would be able to sleep that stuff on my face.
March 20, 2006 11:27 pm
Crap that’s a lot of hard work. Seriously. You are determined.
March 21, 2006 12:06 am
I’m pretty sure I couldn’t do that. Yeah, I’ve got this whole face thing… those masks would make me freak out.
March 21, 2006 8:52 am
Thanks for sharing…apparently my MIL went through all that as well. I guess I could now have a little (only a little) sympathy for her.
March 21, 2006 1:35 pm
Wow, does not look like fun.
March 21, 2006 1:59 pm
I don’t believe I could sleep at all with that thing on my face. You poor thing! Yuck! I hope you get some good explanation about what’s going on after all this!
March 21, 2006 5:27 pm
I have a friend who wears the type 3 mask. Well, he’s SUPPOSED to wear it. When he does, he sleeps great.
When he doesn’t, it’s a complete mess.
It really is Darth Vader like in it’s sound though, isn’t it?
March 22, 2006 12:39 am
Wow, girl! I hope they can give you some answers soon!
Ooh! LOOKIE! You added clickie smilies.
March 22, 2006 1:32 am
Oooh all that would have driven me nuts, but hopefully you get some answers soon to help ya out!
March 22, 2006 7:43 am
They didn’t let you try a nasal pillow? I use one of those, and don’t get anywhere near as claustrophobic as I did with the masks. If the masks don’t work out, ask them about this option.
As for the CPAP itself — I finally got to use mine again after almost two weeks of head congestion. FINALLY! A good night’s sleep.
March 22, 2006 9:19 am
barb, i woulda flipped out with all of the gunk and masks… although i was highly amused with the photographs. that’s something i would’ve done!
March 22, 2006 12:54 pm
I can’t imagine wearing one of those. Reading this makes me realize what a very serious problem you have with sleeping. I, too, hope they find what’s causing the problem soon. Thanks for being so brave & sharing this with us.
March 22, 2006 3:20 pm
HEI BARB,,, THE PHOTOS ARE MORE SCARY THAN IT IS.
… HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!
March 22, 2006 5:33 pm
yes, going through all of that was a definite pain, and the only thing that kept me going was getting answers. and of course i shared my experience with all of you! it was like doing a documentary.
or a blogumentary?
i’m not thrilled about having to wear a CPAP. that’s why they had me take that test, i guess, because that’s part of the doctor’s plan. but if i can get some decent sleep and it helps my depression and anxiety, i’m all for it. i’m also tired of being tired! uncomfortable or not, if it makes my life better, i’m there! besides, if i get to sound like Darth Vader, that’s cool with me.
Joefish, if you haven’t yet, don’t ever watch Alien.
KG, you like?
OD, nasal pillow? hmm…if they did, i didn’t realize it.
gen, i know that you have long hair, too, and let me tell you, i had so much gunk in my hair that i couldn’t even run my fingers through it! i was wearing a ponytail, so most of it was on the hairs right above my neck. disgusting! at least it washed out easily.
March 22, 2006 7:05 pm