I really should have taken a pic of myself once all wired up at the sleep clinic (it really is a sight!) They put wires everywhere... on your face, beside your eyes, on your cheeks, all over your head, under your jaw... even a weird thing inside your nose (kind of like those oxygen nose things - but no oxygen). They also have wires and bands on your chest, abdomen, and legs....and you're supposed to sleep with all that!
I'm not complaining, the place was nice, the people/technicians were nice... but really, there should be a better way to monitor sleep problems because this way really doesn't induce normal sleep. But... I guess it must work as they continue to do it.
Anyway, I got there about 8:30 pm, wired up about 9, read until about 10:30 or 11 and did fall asleep until 3 am. Then I was awake, and don't think I slept again until the tech came by at 5am to remove the wires.
She was nice though... and young. Asked her how she liked what she did. I imagine it was 'interesting' work. She said that it wasn't her first choice. I asked what was, and she said, "working in the ER... and that this was a good job, juat a bit boring... watching people sleep". I guess I can understand that... only for me research is much more interesting than the fast pace of an ER would be.
So, that was the sleep clinic adventure. Actually I'd done it before - a few years ago. The doctors suspect that I have a form of sleep apnea, and I agree... but last time they didn't diagnose it. Nothing has changed in the procedure... now it's just a matter of if anything has changed with me (besides being older and my smart phone telling me I have mild to moderate hypopnea - shallow restricted breathing - every night).
It will take a few days to get the report. If it is a form of sleep apnea, then I think I have to go in for a conference. If not, the report goes to my doctor, and I go back in to see him for possibly more tests (yahoo!). So, we'll see...
Not much else going on. But I did order an ionizer recently. I already forgot the name of it (think it was IonPure). Anyway, I thought since I cough, sneeze, and blow my nose so much in the house that perhaps I have some allergy to something in the air? Anyway, I saw this advertised and ordered - just one to try. They plug into the wall... and are supposed to eliminate airborne particles like dust mites, pet dander, and toxins from the air?
My question: Anyone out there use something like this?
Ok, well that's all my news for this week. I will leave you with another favorite meme:
Hugs (virtually),
Rian
(One of the little kittens has been coming by him/herself to eat and sleep on the cat tree every day. I so wish he/she would let us get near... has semi-long grey hair that could use a good brushing.)
I don't think I could ever fall asleep in that environment! I hope they can get some answers for you.
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice room... kind of like a hotel room... but the wires do make it difficult.
DeleteMy daughter has been through the sleep studies several times, she has been diagnosed with sleep apnea and has to wear one of those loud machines at night.
ReplyDeleteHer husband has moved to their guest room ...lol
Hopefully you won't have to go that route.
Hugs,
Jo
I hope to not have to do that again, Jo. But I do have friends on the c-pap that say that it really does help them. Didn't know it was loud...
DeleteRian your sleep clinic story was fascinating, I've always wanted to do this--do you have a real problem sleeping? This was tied to your lung issues, right? I hope you hear from someone regarding the ionizer, I'd love to know if they're truly effective. I remember my boss getting one from a downtown electronic store (Sharper Image) in the 1990s and told us he had to clean it a lot.
ReplyDeleteThe answer to your question about having a problem sleeping is no, I sleep most nights from 10pm to 8pm... waking up maybe 2-3 times to use the facilities, but go right back to sleep. My problem is two-fold (as far as I know anyway): on occasion I wake up with a headache, heart beating fast, and trying to catch my breath. It used to scare me. Now I know if I just relax and do the inbreath through my nose to the count of 4, then hold it, then breathe out... several times, my heart beat and bp relaxes. But even though I don't do this every night, my smart watch tells me that I do have hypopnea every night. So, is this a form of sleep apnea? Is it something I should be worried about? Is it related to my chronic cough or lung scarring/nodules? This is what we're trying to find out. (possibly just another adventure into aging?)
Deleteooooh the old sleep study, i can't even imagine. i have had eeg's and i think the attire is similar. all of my doctors always mention having one and i change the subject. i have never used an ionizer...never heard of it, keep us updated if you think it works!! have a great weekend!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie. I really hope I'm finished with those sleep tests. As for the ionizer, I don't know whether they are effective or not. Would like to find someone who has tried them... but we'll see.
DeleteI had that test many years ago. There was a large fan on the floor to make "white noise". I must have been tired because I did fall asleep. But I had to get up several times to use the bathroom.
DeleteSleeping in those conditions would be very challenging indeed. Let us know how the ioniser works for you.
ReplyDeleteI do hope that kitten does allow itself to be brushed.
Will do, EC... should get the ionizer in a few days. As for the kitten, I think he/she is too feral to allow us close, but we'll see.
DeleteFirst, I've had 3 sleep studies over maybe 20 years...and use a C-PAP every night...a newer model that is geared for my apnea (when I have moments of stopping breathing and then jerk with a deep breath.) Fortunately the jerks have stopped. Ionizer is something my landlord provided when I lived in a basement apartment. I kind of liked it. I also have slept in a room with an air purifier for a week while visiting my son. I think that's what I'll get next...which does have a filter that's either washable or changeable (don't remember which.) Today I just got a little fan which I plan to use to dry out the bathroom after showers since the fan in the ceiling is pretty useless. Let's just keep on breathing!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting, Barbara. I too jerk with a deep breath sometimes. Never knew what caused it, but have wondered. But I have to say that I don't want any more sleep clinics if I can help it...
DeleteI predict that little kitty will soon come to you and let you brush that hair. I look forward to finding out if they discovered anything in that test.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right, DJan... but don't think he/she'll will allow it. As for the test, I guess we'll find out soon enough. But I will let you know.
DeleteI have two air purifiers, one in my bedroom and one in the living room. I sneeze less. I swore I didn't sleep at all in my sleep study because of the wires. They said I did, but didn't breath on average one-fourth of the time. My CPAP is so quiet my grown son even checked once to see if I'd put it on, when we were at a family vacation. Most body parts like continuous air and oxygen. I have weird dreams if I don't use my CPAP. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. This comment was a big help. I cough and sneeze a lot too... and also have weird dreams lately. Maybe the ionizer will help. As for the CPAP, I have friends who use them... no one has told me theirs was noisy... only that it really helped them sleep.
Delete