01 July 2012

Storytelling Sunday..A Better Night's Sleep




     I had a sleep study done in November. I wanted a solution to my snoring, I can snore like a freight train at times and although the Chosen One rarely complains (he says it's not all the time) I am very self concsious about it. I have anxiety when I have to share a room with friends because it's so unfair to them (I must say all but two have been very gracious about it but of course even two makes you more anxious about it plus I am already sleeping like dog poo because I am so self aware) I went to a certified sleep specialist and assured him (more than once) that I was sure I didn't have sleep apnea but wanted something to do about the snoring.  Well after a night "sleeping" hooked up to a pulse ox meter, 24 brain, eye and leg sensors and a chest and abdomen strap I got the results right after Christmas.  Ummmm yea I was wrong....my snoring was classified as moderate and I have moderate to severe sleep apena with 46 "events' an hour lasting up to 33 seconds each.  36.5 minutes of REM sleep the whole night. Now REM sleep is when your brain renourishes itself. All those things you've put in short term memory during the day are moved into long term during REM, the connections are made ... well!! that explains a lot, like how I was so surprised at every gift unwrapped at Christmas, gifts that I had bought! Seems Level 3 wasn't happening a lot either and that is when the physical body renews itself ...hmmmm.
     I spent another night at the sleep center with a CPAP machine on but the tech was very wary of whether they had gotten enough deep sleep recorded. They talk to you during the night over any intercom and she would say "Mrs E, you're not sleeping, could you try to sleep?" At 5:15 "Mrs E, could you try to sleep on your back?"  Evidently that is when sleep apnea is the worst and if they can calibrate the CPAP  for those "events" they know you are covered for anything. 6:00 "Mrs E, you aren't really sleeping, should we conclude the study?" Conclude?!?! that would mean I might have to come back and do another night. Just telling you, the rooms are lovely, the team super but I don't want to spend the night with them again!  "No, I'm not sleeping because being on my back is killing my knees and my lower back is aching" (I don't think I adjusted the sleep # on that side bec the time before they had me sleep on the other side) "Okay, get in any position."  6:15 "ummm I'm wide awake, there's no chance I'm going back to sleep so I guess we might as well stop." :(  For the next ten days I dreaded getting the call that would say they didn't have enough data and I needed to return for an overnight. Finally, the call came from Erick but no he didn't want me to spend the night, he wanted me to come in for my training session with my machine. I was soooo excited!!!
      On a rainy afternoon I spent 45 minutes with Erick learning all the very, very cool features of my machine. The most important one being that it has a memory stick that is recording all the important stuff while I sleep. When I go in all I do is take the stick for Erick to analyze while I have my exam, by the time the dr and I are sitting in his office we have the data printout. Cool beans! If I say "It's been going well but the other night, Tuesday, I had a rough night sleeping" the doctor can look at the data and say "oh, well that was January 10th and at 2:17, 4:29 and 5:03 you had apena events" Really, isn't that cool?!  I think so!!
      So I have the CPAP and have adjusted to it pretty well. There are a few small issues but nothing major.  It is really quiet, the Chosen One only barely hears it. My  6 month checkup and data report showed marked improvement from pre CPAP. It seems my physical and mental components are reaping the benefits of the Chosen One having this vision of lovliness to say "good night, sleep tight!" to every night.


May I just add that no one can ever say I don't keep this blog real lol Really, what kind of nut willingly post pics of themselves like this @@

     
This story is shared with you as part of Sian's Storytelling Sunday. The first Sunday of the month women from around the world (so far no men) share stories on their blogs and link up over at  from high in the sky Grab a drink, get comfy and read a few or more, they are always a treasure. If you do, consider leaving comments, it's always a bonus to know someone actually enjoyed your tale  :)

22 comments:

  1. I think you are brave to go and do something about this. I know you were probably feeling quite desperate, but still, it must have been scary to kick it all off and follow it through.
    So glad it's helping, but surely you won't have to sleep like this for the rest of your life - is this some kind of lead-up to a permanent solution?
    Happy slumbering! X

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    1. Thanks, Lizzie, it wasn't scary at all just one of those pain in the #@@ things. There is a good possibility that if I lose a significant amount of weight this may no longer be an issue. Even after 10% weight loss they they do an assessment to see if there should be adjustments in pressure, etc.

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  2. I'm so glad that you've found a way to get some sleep - hope that it helps and that you can then remember the Christmas presents in a few months :)

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    1. It is incredible how much my memory and overall brain health has improved :) It didn't kind of bring a childlike excitement to present opening time though lol

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  3. So glad to hear it's helping,Beverly.

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  4. Aww, so glad you are sleeping a little better now. I am not a happy bunny if I don't get my sleep, sometimes I wake myself up with the snoring, how funny is that? Not for the hubby:(

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    1. lol I only do this if I fall asleep in a chair or on the couch (like this afternoon!)

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  5. Lack of sleep is a killer - so glad you have found a solution.

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    1. tks, Karen! I was surprised to learn that it can actually lead to death 0.0

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  6. Bless you for sharing this. I am sure a lot of people might not know about this treatment and have been suffering for ever. Hope it's not too uncomfortable and you are getting those well deserved zzzzzzzzzzz.

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    1. It really isn't uncomfortable just a bit odd feeling sometimes and I am definitely getting much better zzzzs :)

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  7. I love the realness of that photo & I'm glad to hear the sleeping is getting better. We bought a new bed last month because our mattress was getting too worn out for Robbie to sleep comfortable. So far that has helped a lot, but we may be doing a sleep test soon.

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    1. I highly recommend doing it. Check with your insurance. Mine, my BILs and a friend's all paid 100% of the studies and equipment except $25 co pay for office visits and we all 3 have diff ins. companies.

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  8. I smiled at your honesty and sharing... hopefully this may be helpful to others as lack of sleep is not good for mind or body. Hope you feel a big improvement.

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  9. Glad to hear things are improving for you, and admiring your bravery and persistence! Very nicely told too - I was gripped!

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  10. I hope the sleep is getting better. One of the best things I ever did was go to a sleep specialist.

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  11. Lack of sleep is no joke..glad you seem to be improving!
    Alison xx

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  12. I have a friend who got one of those machines before Christmas and she is a new person. She has so much more energy and thinks straighter all day long. I am happy that it is going well.

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  13. I'm so glad you've found a solution to your sleeping problems. I'm usually able to sleep pretty well but I can certainly tell the difference when I've had a bad night, so I can only imagine how much better you feel, both physically and cognitively, by getting a restful night's sleep.

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  14. I had no idea that a "sleep study" involved all of this. Thanks for sharing it - I loved reading about this from your viewpoint. LOL - great photo at the end! xo

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  15. Wow, this is really interesting. I'm taking a break from my holiday unpacking becasue I coyuldn't wait any longer to get stuck into the stories - and this one has given me lots to think about. I'm so glad that things seem to be improving for you - I'm sure your creative mind enjoys a better night's sleep!

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YOU ROCK! Seriously, I love getting comments, so know that you have put a bit of added sunshine in my day. Thanks so much and I hope your day is glorious!