Am I wrong? 11yrs of suffering, HGV Driver

[yorkie9668]

There must be something there, otherwise that would have been the end of it I suppose?

[Tigers Fan]

You don't stop it, you;ll worry yourself into something a lot worse than OSA!!

Can you try to chill?

TF

[yorkie9668]

Sorry that came across wrong lol

I found an article and posted a link to it, but it has to be vetted by the admin, it was quite good in regard why the Doc wants me to have these new tests, made things a little clearer to me

Don't worry about me I am chilled, if not a little worried what the future holds

[yorkie9668]

Finally received the letter from the Hospital, here is what it say:-

The results from your overnight oximetry test were within normal limits.
In view of your symtoms and occupation I have arranged for you to have a more detailed study, this polysomnography will hopefully show any sleep disorders.

I have just rung the Cadio-respiritory dept who have arranged for me to collect the equipment next Wednesday, fingers crossed this will finally get to the bottom of it?!

An article I found says that a Oximetry does not always show OSA, whereas a Nocturnal Polysomnography would, fingers crossed before I go stark raving mad :~}

[Richard]

Apnoea Questions

Hi Yorkie, it's a pity we don't have your name.

The home-polysomnography kit you're picking up on Wednesday will most likely comprise a digital finger-pulse oxymeter attached to something like a wrist-watch with a digital read-out and a small unit that attaches round your waist with one or two electrode that is sticky and is placed over your heart. There should also be a roll of micrpore bandage and some vaseline.

There should be instructions with the kit, and with everything in place you sleep through the night as you do. Take the kit back the following day and the hospital will analyse the readings and let you know their findings. Most likely, there will be a questionnaire to fill in asking how you slept, how long you slept for, etc.

To give yourself the best chance of getting an accurate reading, you should not drink alcohol before you go to bed.

This kit will give a reading of the number and depth of your apnoeas, your oxymetry readings and pulse throughout the night.

There is nothing invasive or painful involved and the readings the medics take will produce the CPAP machine and the settings that are right for your particular condition.

I hope it all goes well for you; thank God, that's another HGV Driver taken care of !! Next one, please!

Regards

Richard

[yorkie9668]

Sorry my name is Mark, excuse my manners.

I cannot stress how much I want it to be Sleep Apnea, but in a realistic world after the letter today, is it going to be any different with this new test?

Like I said I read that not all tests undertaken with just the finger Oximitry study show OSA, but I can't help but worry I will not show anything, and will be back to square one doh!

[Fredxx]

Oximetry really just measures the blood oxygen levels (often checking the pulse rate as well). Generally, when you have an Apnoea your blood oxygen saturation drops, so a record of this happening can be an indicator for OSA. Polysomnography will confirm if it is caused by Sleep Apnoea or something else.

Polysomnography is just the medical term for "Sleep Study" (don't you love the way they like to make it sound scarier than it is) and usually includes Oximetry, but looks at a lot of other things as well such as position and movement, breathing, Eye activity, brain activity etc. (go to Wikipedia and type it in). It will determine whether you are getting sleep, the type and quality of sleep and, most importantly for you, confirm if you have OSA and how many apnoeas you are having.

My experience of it is a little old - I did my test back 9 years ago, and it involved first going into hospital for a night for the Polysomnography, then back for a second night for a titrated Study - this one measured the same things, but added in CPAP therapy and measured the pressure needed to allow me quality sleep.

I know that now, the department I attend in South Wales now does the sleep studies at home - you go in late afternoon, get shown how to set yourself up with the machine, sensors and stuff, then sent home. You take the machine back the next day and they do a quick review of the readings, deciding whether to send you back to try again, or to do a titrated night, or anything else. They are also geared up so that, usually, if the OSA is confirmed and the pressure determined, they can send you away immediately with a CPAP machine. Not all clinics work this way.

[yorkie9668]

Well got the equipment to do the overnight polysomnography, thought there would be more to it.

Stomach Belt
Chest Belt
Nasel Canula
Finger Probe

That's it, no EEG, oh well lets see what happens this time, even the Technician who showed me how to use it all said the Oximetry more than likely failed because I did not sleep very well.

Fingers crossed this new test will throw up some truths!!

Will keep you posted, Mark

[Fredxx]

Good luck with it. Those tests should catch enough to confirm it

[yorkie9668]

Well all done and returned, roll on the waiting lol

Not my best nights sleep.

I downloaded an App from the appstore called Sleep Talk last night, it automatically records sounds at night while you sleep, it recorded 220 between 23.30 and 07.24, these were mainly me snoring, but there were quite a few where I sound to be gasping for air, it did not seem to pick up my breathing in between the obvious snores.

I played some of it to my Doctor this afternoon, and she said even if it shows I don't have OSA or CSA, she is quite positive I have an accute Sleep Disorder, and will be arranging for an overnight sleep study depending on the results of the Polysonogarphy.

Amazing the iPhone, theres always an app for that lol

Will keep you posted