SLEEPING LIKE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS

Well since I have been having issues with my heart

and complaining to the dr. about my fatigue he decided

to send me for a sleep study. I have been reading about

how people with heart arrythmias like mine are susceptible

to all sorts of other disorders and sleep apnea is one of them.

I first met with the dr. doing the sleep study and he

talked with me and told me what to expect when I

came back to stay all night for the sleep study.

I made my appt. for my fun filled sleep over.

Before I had to go I had to fill out this long questionaire

about my sleep habits and had to chart a week of my

sleep pattern showing all the times I wake up in the night.

I arrived at the sleep center at 9:30 at night with my pillows

and my overnight bag packed. I was a little anxious about

sleeping in a strange place and bed. They finally called me

back to my room and I had to change into my pj's and get

comfy in a chair for the hour long hook up with all the

wires and straps. I felt like Hannibal Lector in the movie

Silence of the Lambs.

I asked them how in the world am I suppose to sleep with

all these wires hooked to me and it was hard to get comfy

in the bed. They had me take an ambien sleep pill to help

me get to sleep. Now I am not one that likes to take sleeping

pills and especially ambien because I have heard stories

from people how they did weird things in their sleep when

they take it. I told the nurse that if I start doing funny things

in my sleep like say maybe dancing around the room then

I hope they would wake me up or something instead of

just sitting there laughing at me. She assured me I would

be ok and just relax and go to sleep. I was still thinking

about how hard it will be to sleep with all these wires

attached and also having someone watch you sleep

all night that is kinda creepy.

I finally got to sleep and before I knew it they were waking

me up saying I did good. They finally unhooked me which

took almost as long as hooking you up. I had alot of sticky

goop in my hair where they stuck electrodes in my scalp

to monitor the brain waves while you sleep. I wonder if

they could see what I was dreaming LOL?

I was thankful they did let you shower there to wash the

goop out of your hair. I asked them if I did anything

strange in my sleep from the sleeping pill and she said

no I slept good.

I had to wait a week for the results and the dr. called

me and said I had a mild case of sleep apnea which

he said that I stop breathing about 10 times an hour

briefly and I wake myself up about 15 times an hour.

He said since I have heart issues that I would need

to wear a cpap breathing machine at night to help me

to sleep better. I was assured that by using this machine

I will feel so much better during the day and not be so

fatigued. We shall see about that.

I had to return to the sleep center again last week and

be monitored while I slept with the cpap machine. So

now I will have trouble sleeping there with being

hooked up to all the wires and also hooked up to

this breathing machine with a face mask which is hard

for me since I am claustrophobic and being watched again.

I had to take another sleeping pill so I could fall asleep and

it was hard getting used to all that air being forced in my

nose all night. They assured me I would get used to it

when I sleep at home with it. I am now waiting for the

medical supply place to deliver it to me. Hmm I wonder

if those face masks come in pink or purple LOL? might

as well add some color to my night look.

We found out that they will be sending Bobby soon for

a sleep study and I know that he definately will need

to have one of those cpap machines to sleep so we

will be a sight at night with both of us hooked up with

breathing masks on our face. I think we might just

scare the dog.

Here are a few pics of me at the sleep center.

me waiting to go to my room.

starting to get sleepy waiting.

all hooked up and ready for bed.

I didn't get a pic with my cpap mask on but when I

start using one at home I will take a pic of that.

I hope that it will make me feel some better during the day.