Sept. 10, 2002

Well, I had my sleep study last night/this morning. It was something of a dud.

Since it was a split night study, they planned to have me sleep a couple hours to confirm my suspected apnea and then use a CPAP, adjusting the pressure the rest of the night to see what works (see My Health for details on apnea, my symptoms, etc.). Before trying to sleep, I wore a CPAP mask for awhile to get used to it. I was supposed to wear it for 45 minutes but only used it for about 10 minutes as I tolerated it well and there wasn't any air leaks. It was a piece of cake. In fact, I actually liked using the CPAP.

However, when it came time to sleep, I didn't. I only slept a couple hours with all the stuff hooked up. I never really slept until the end. It was the worst time I've ever had trying to sleep - great timing. I was supposed to be woken up at around 5 or 6 AM, but since I finally went to sleep around then they decided to let me sleep until 7 AM to try and get some sleep data.

I don't know if they got enough data on which to base a meaningful diagnosis. I have to wait 3 or 4 weeks for a follow-up appointment with the Pulmonologist to discuss the results. If there wasn't enough data to make an accurate diagnosis, I guess I'll have to take another polysomnogram. I assume it will take another three to four months to get a spot on the roster. This would make it after the new year. If there was enough to show signs of apnea in the little sleep I got, I guess I'll still need another polysomnogram to wear a CPAP and do the titration (see what air pressure is needed to end the apneas/hypopneas). If there are little or no signs of apnea in the data, I guess I may need to have to try it again to make sure I don't have apnea and/or I may have other medical tests to see what is causing my problems.

I'll post a note after seeing the Pulmonologist in a few weeks on what's next.

-- Sleepless in Everett