Sleep?? Study

Well, doing round two of tests for DUKE...   Monday night was the Sleep Study.  Not sure why they call it that when you don't sleep. Apparently, I qualified to wear this mask that blew air up my nose so hard, I felt like I was suffocating.  I said, "I'm sorry but, this just isn't going to work."  So, we tried another mask.  The tech said I did much better with the mask on than when I slept without one. I felt terrible when I woke up-unrested.  Tossed and turned all night. So, it's today now and the sleep study people call me to come in for a c-pap machine. I said, "Do I need one?? No one has told me I need one."  She said she'd sent the results to Dr. DeMaria (He had requested the sleep study--wonder if he'll be my surgeon??) and I that  should be getting a copy of the results in the mail tomorrow. The results show I could benefit from a machine Now, I'm just wondering....What if I don't want a c-pap machine.  Will DUKE see me as non-compliant?? Kelly :}

LOL....Sorry Kelly but I'm laughing with you! What a accurate description of the sleep study. I get my nose blown out every night now! LOL Can't help ya with the rest, sorry! Just had to comment on the study...LOL

I was the exact same way Kelly. I had 293 episodes in 3 hours according to my sleep study. My pulmonologist said it was the worst case he had personally seen in a long time.  Yes, they are going to expect you to wear it after the surgery.  They also needed to know that because of how they need to handle you breathing while under anestesia (sp?).  Not only will they tell you you have to wear it after the surgery, but they tell you to bring your own mask, the hospital usually provides the machine and they have someone come up and check on you in the middle of the night to make sure you wear it (at least my hospital did in Pinehurst).  I can tell you this Kelly, honestly. I refused to wear my C-Pap for 3 years.  I started sleeping on my stomach so my tongue wouldn't roll back.  Once I got scheduled for surgery, I knew they were going to make me wear it.  I am seriously clausterphobic and I get panic attacks when they put the mask on me.  So I got re-fitted for a smaller, better mask by the company who supplies my machine and such and started wearing it 2 weeks before surgery to get use to it.  I'm exactly 6 months out and I couldn't sleep without it.  I have to wear Breathe-right strips on my nose in order for me not to feel like I'm suffocating, but I am so comfortable with my C-pap now that I am asleep 5-10 min after putting it on.  Funny thing is - I hate to admit this, but they were right, I sleep so much better at night and get a deeper sleep that I feel so much more rejuvinated and rested when I wake up.  It really did take a couple of weeks to get aclimated and learn where to keep the hose draped for me to be comfortable, etc. Not to mention getting the right mask.

OMG! That was like reading ym own CPAP story. From the sleep study to the stubbornness of actually wearing it. I had the same number of episodes in the same time frame! Were we separated at birth??? (Maybe mine was 296...it was years ago.) Still, I love my "pappy" and not sleeping with it will probably be one of the hardest habits to break. It literally saved my life. I can't tell you how many trips to the ER I made thinking, for sure, I was having a heart attack. It took 2 years, if you can believe that, for the cardiologists to recommend a sleep study.  Anyway, just wanted to share... xoxo MARE

Hi Kelly, My first sleep study was terrible could not sleep much at all but enough to get results showing I needed a cpap. Actually I got a bipap the difference is the bipap you use water with it. Anyway when I was using my machine I had to have a mask to cover both mouth and nose. After getting my machine it was like a dream come true for me. I am talking about someone who had not had a good sleep for almost 30 years. The second sleep study I had where they put the machine on and set it according to the results from the sleep study was wonderful because I slept. When Lee picked me up the next morning I was elated because I slept and felt fantastic. If Duke did anything right for me it was the sleep study and ordering my machine. I do know Duke requires you to bring your machine to surgery. UNC does not require it in fact Dr. Farrell dosent want you to use the machine for two weeks after surgery because he dosent want the air flow to blow the new pouch out. I sure did miss my machine for those two weeks in fact right after getting my machine I would have fought anyone over my machine. My machine was a blessing for me. Sleep apnea is another co morbidity of being obese. Now I dont need my machine and sleep on my side and dont snore at night. I sleep at least a good 5 hours which I havent done in years.                                              Annie

Well Kelly, I have to say I'm with everyone else ,I could not live without my c-pap. I sleep soooo much better with it. actually i CAN'T sleep , now, without it. ...It is much easier to get used to it at home without all that equipment on you that the sleep study place puts on you!..also they don't use a humidifier on the one at the sleep study and I think that makes a  big difference.....there are all different kinds if masks and you have to find one that is right for you...hang in there , give it a try , if you cant stand to use it all night maybe just  start out a couple of hours at a  time....I had to have a sleep study done again also because i had gained weight since my last study and had to have my setting increased......I have been wearing a c-pap for 7 years!...hugs...~Mary~

ACK@!@ A mask that covers your nose and mouth!?! Egads! I would die!!!! I had that once.. LOL only once and I couldn't take it. It dried my mouth out and my lips were cracked and bleeding in the morning.

I love my nose mask. It's small - very small, but not too small like the small hose that you lay/ insert into the nose.
In fact, now that I mention it, March is my 6 months - time to get a new mask!

I could only do it with the mask that covered both my nose and mouth.  With the other one, I was huffing and puffing...not able to breathe AT ALL!!  You would think that with oxygen being forecd in, that you'd be able to breathe.  But, not me!! My big thing is with this larger mask....How am I going to talk to Keith with it on??  And...How am I going to roll over?? Kelly :)

Now that I think about it? I wonder when I should do the sleep study again.

I'm on the highest setting now (15). The c-pap works up to that in the night. But having lost 108 lbs, I wonder if it should be lower. But I still have another 150+ Lbs to go.

What is the difference between a Bi-Pap and a C-Pap with a humidifier? I have a small piece I add on where I can pu****er over a heating pad and set the level of warmth and the air moves over it and creates a little bit of humidity to keep from drying me out. That's with the C-pap.

Jennifer -

If you are having any difficulties with the mask/CPAP ask to have them do another titration study. That will assess the flow to ensure that it's adequate without going overboard. Generally, you can have a new assessment anytime you have a significant change in weight ... up or down ... If you aren't having any issues, it's probably not a problem. Eventually, you'll want to have it checked though.

Barb