I have noticed for many years now that I do wake myself up gasping for air because I felt myself not breathing. My question is this, I notice it more if I am sleeping on my left side. Does this make any sense???

Dawn

Severity of apnea can be postional.  It doesn't matter, take the snore score test (find it in the links to the left of the forum index) and get treated if you think you may have apnea no matter what position you sleep in.

Vicki

I asked my husband and he said I hardly ever snore. Only heard me actually snore maybe a few times over the last 18 years. I just thought that I'd throw that out there because its just one of those things that I feel when I lay on my left side that, that is when I always notice that I am not breathing.
  I am not a person that sleeps well at other places AT ALL. So thinking of taking the test gives me anxiety that they will have trouble monitoring anything. I dont sleep on road trips, I hardly ever slept when I would ever be in the hospitals for surgery....well post surgery. I'm just not comfortable sleeping anywhere except my bed. Do they do or give you anything to make you sleep? or help you sleep?
 My doctor suggested the test over a year ago and I keep putting it off. No particular reason other then I hate going to doctors and taking time out to do things like that. Just being stubborn I guess. But, when it happens more and  more often, then I get concerned. I know very little about it, what causes it, or anything.

Hi Dawn,

There is a lot about Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) at this site.  This site is run by the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA), for more info. about OSA or the ASAA, go to the ASAA home page.  The link is at the far left directly under the forum title.

Good sleep labs make every effort to make you comfortable.  Good ones have rooms like motels with all the medical stuff being unobtrusvie.  You do have to get wired for sound however and it can take a bit to get use to the 22 or so leads on almost every part of your body.  But if you think you might have apnea (take that snore score test I mentioned before), ask the lab a lot of questions and bring whatever you need to to feel relaxed and comfortable.  My labs let me bring anything but my cats.

You generally don't want to take any meds. during a sleep study that you do not normally take, but ask your doctor about it and tell the doc and the lab about your anxiety.

Remember, this is only one night, then you are back to your own bed.  I play a little game with myself.  I tell myself that if I relax and just do it, I can go back to bed when I get home in the morning.  They kick you out pretty early.  If you have apnea, only one night that would have a positive effect on the rest of your life.

Vicki

Guest....I hardly ever snore, but I still have sleep apnea.


_________________
*** Linda ***

Thanks for your help and tips. I made an appt wednesday to talk with the doctor. I would defiantely want to take my own pillow and maybe my own blanket. I cant even sleep good at motels. I want my bed, my pillows and my blankets. lol  I also want my hubby and chihuahua with me.  lol  ok, I'll try to be a big girl about it.   :)

Thanks again,
Dawn

Welcome Guest,

I also don't sleep well anywhere but home.  However, at the sleep lab, I was exhausted....from the anticipation of it all..... and actually had no trouble falling asleep.

My lab tech offered to give me something to relax me, but I didn't need it.

Don't worry about the experience.  It's very interesting and the ultimate goal is to help you.

Good luck!

Guest,
Taking your own pillow and blanket is something I agree with you on.  I know it will be hard to sleep at the lab (supposedly a lot of people think they won't sleep and then end up sleeping fine), but hang in there.  There is an option of a limited sleep study (at least where I live) where they strap a little box on you and send you home, but if you have any choice, go for the full PSG.  I ended up with the limited study and I am pushing for a full PSG because there is so much information that I want but don't have.  I know how tempting it is to take the limited study, go home to your own bed, and return to the clinic the next morning, but try to resist.

Hello,

    Personally as much as I hate the idea of sleeping in a lab, I wouldnt wear a box and come home with it. I feel if I am going to go through the trouble to see a doctor, then go through setting appointments, and all the rest of the details, that it would just be best for me to get it completely done and over with at one time. So, hopefully that will be enough to find out everything so they can determine all that they need to know.
   My regular doctor appointment is in the morning so I should hopefully have more details soon of what and when.
  Thank you all so much. I am a work at home mom and I by mid afternoon I am always so tired and my work isnt hard. It's just by the afternoon I am wanting to go lay down for a nap. And I know its from not sleeping well at night. I want to be able to go all day and do what I need and want to do and not struggle with the low motivation.
  Again, Thank you,
                          Dawn

Hello everyone,
    Well, I went to my family doc and she set me up an appt for this coming Wed to see a sleeping specialist (not sure what you call them).
   She also gave me a perscription to take before bedtime. BOY DO THEY MAKE ME LOOPY!!!!

     So, we shall see whats next. Thank you again,
         Dawn







www.dawnsvision.fourpointmoms.com