What to expect during a sleep study?

patwil73 · Oct 15, 2008

I'm a total night person and a chronic insomniac that has been on every OTC, prescription med, etc. I also snore and raise the roof...no one can stand to sleep with me or be around me when I'm sleeping. Oh and I forgot to ask the nurse if I should take my regular sleep med prior to the test....oh, no medical advice....well whatever advice someone CAN give me, I will appreciate it!
Blessings, Michelle

The sleep studies at my hospital involve you being hooked up to a lot of monitors - attached to head and face and chest. This monitors and records the brain waves, hr and respirations during sleep.

Our doctors have a few standard medications ordered - two of which are sleep aids. The tech will call me and I will administer to those who need it.

If you have taken your regular sleep med - unless the doctor orders you to have both I will refuse to give you another one (this is because I am not actually monitoring you - it is the techs and I have enough of a problem with that without giving multiple sleeping meds to someone).

This is just at my hospital so others might be different. Hope this helps.

Pat

Eirene, ASN, RN · Oct 15, 2008

Hey Michelle,

I have sleep apnea. The first sleep study will have electrodes all over your head and some on your face. You'll wear a pulse ox and be videotaped the whole time. This study will determine if you have sleep apnea.

If it is determined that you do have sleep apnea-- you'll have to come in for another sleep study-- this time with a CPAP. All of the above applies to this study, except you'll have a CPAP on.

I had the same issues for years about snoring, a mild form of narcolepsy, and feeling tired all of the time. I am a much better person with my CPAP! It makes all difference of the world when you get a better nights sleep.

Mommy&RN, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2008

Call the center about what meds to take.

The other thing that wasn't mentioned is that you are able to call out for help if you need to go to the bathroom. They have to unhook some of the monitors so you can get up.

tvccrn, ASN, RN · Oct 15, 2008

Hey Michelle,
I have sleep apnea. The first sleep study will have electrodes all over your head and some on your face. You'll wear a pulse ox and be videotaped the whole time. This study will determine if you have sleep apnea.
If it is determined that you do have sleep apnea-- you'll have to come in for another sleep study-- this time with a CPAP. All of the above applies to this study, except you'll have a CPAP on.
I had the same issues for years about snoring, a mild form of narcolepsy, and feeling tired all of the time. I am a much better person with my CPAP! It makes all difference of the world when you get a better nights sleep.

I was scheduled to go in for a sleep study as I snore loud enough to wake the dead according to my family (I have never heard myself snore, so I'm inclined to disbelieve them. :lol2: ). Anyway, I cancelled due to the fact that I had an infant and was worried that I wouldn't be able to hear him cry at night.

Are the CPAP machines that loud?

NursesRock!! · Oct 15, 2008

My hubby just had a sleep study done. He has SEVERE obstructive sleep apnea. He had a combo study done (where they put the CPAP on the first night). His apnea is sooo bad his pressure is set @ 15! The machine itself is not loud at all, the only things you may hear is if you take the mask off then you hear the air forcing through the tubing. My advice is to get the sleep study done to the previous poter and use a baby monitor if your worried about hearing your baby cry. It has amde the world of difference in everythign about him. No more naps, bad moods, sleep disturbances, and nocturia. Good luck!!!

magnolia60 · Oct 15, 2008

I worked as a sleep tech while waiting for my license over here. Yes, you will be hooked up to EEG wires to measure your brain waves and monitor what stage of sleep you are in. You will also have EKG monitoring, leg wires to see if you kick at night, wires on your face to see eye movement and if you grind your teeth, mini mic to hear snoring, belts around your chest and abdomen to detect breathing effort.

Each Dr is different about sleep meds. Contact them or just take your meds with you to your sleep study and they will be able to tell you.

You do not always have to do 2 studies. They may do what is called a split study: Monitor you for a few hours and if sleep apnea is evident, start you on CPAP for the rest of the night.

Home CPAP machines are in fact now very quiet - nothing like hospital ones.

Hope this helps and good luck.