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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 20:03:36
Now my new pdoc wants to do sleep studies on me. Why can't they understand that I am an extremely light sleeper, and awaken even if my husband gets out of bed during the night. Once I'm awake, my little brain begins the "worry game" and I require the other half of my sleep meds to go back to sleep. Don't they understand that it's expensive? Time consuming? And who could go to sleep all wired up without meds? I just want to be left alone and let me take my meds. What would they see except sleep apnea [which I don't have}? Does anybody know? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by Glydin on February 23, 2005, at 20:33:39
In reply to Why Do They PDocs Want Sleep Studies?, posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 20:03:36
I have a friend who's a Polysomographer - there's a mouth full. It could be a helpful part of just sorting things out. Not all of the problems are just linked to the apnea factor. The following can be linked to sleep disorders:
Associated Conditions
Other conditions which might be associated with a sleep disorder include:
o Excessive weight gain
o Excessive sweating at night
o Depression or anxiety
o Chronic pain
o Morning headaches
o Abnormalities of the facial bone structure
o Hypertension
o Heart failure
o Elevated blood count
o Memory and concentration problems
o Ankle swelling
Posted by rainbowbrite on February 23, 2005, at 20:35:07
In reply to Why Do They PDocs Want Sleep Studies?, posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 20:03:36
I don't know, but I have the same problem as you and I did do a sleep study and was told after words that, get this....that I was a light sleeper. I was so irritated!
As far As I know they don't give much more info than sleep apnea and the type of sleeper you are. Please anyone correct me if Im wrong.Oh wait that jerking disorder maybe?? they could find that out.
I hope this helps
rain
Posted by Jakeman on February 23, 2005, at 20:42:03
In reply to Why Do They PDocs Want Sleep Studies?, posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 20:03:36
My pdoc recommended one too, after a year of trying every kind of medication. What I need is a comprehensive assessment that would analyze hormone levels (cortisol, adrenalin, melatonin,thyroid, etc) not just obstructed air-ways. Do sleep studies look at everything?
thanks, Jake
Posted by Nixon on February 23, 2005, at 20:42:08
In reply to Why Do They PDocs Want Sleep Studies?, posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 20:03:36
> Now my new pdoc wants to do sleep studies on me. Why can't they understand that I am an extremely light sleeper, and awaken even if my husband gets out of bed during the night. Once I'm awake, my little brain begins the "worry game" and I require the other half of my sleep meds to go back to sleep. Don't they understand that it's expensive? Time consuming? And who could go to sleep all wired up without meds? I just want to be left alone and let me take my meds. What would they see except sleep apnea [which I don't have}? Does anybody know? Thanks Phillipa
Hi Phillipa,It seems like you have a good routine. If you are not complaining about your sleep and the meds are working I don't know why the PDoc would require this testing. JN
Posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 20:43:34
In reply to Re: Why Do They PDocs Want Sleep Studies? » Phillipa, posted by rainbowbrite on February 23, 2005, at 20:35:07
So, the only problems that I have are the memory, anxiety, and depression. And they already know that. So how would that change my treatment. And of course, as I said, I know I'm a light sleeper. I use ear plugs, and I "sense" when my husband gets up. I also lived for 5 yrs where a train went by each night and blew his whistle at about the same time each night. That's where I think the problem started. And I excercise every day. Fondly, phillipa
Posted by anastasia56 on February 23, 2005, at 22:08:19
In reply to Re: Why Do They PDocs Want Sleep Studies?, posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 20:43:34
i had the sleep study done too and they found that i had that 'restless leg syndrome'.
as it turns out restless legs can be exaserbated by some a/d's. practically every a/d i've been on has made the leg thing worse. when i'm not on anything the leg thing is so minor it doesn't affect my sleep. when i am on an a/d i need ambien to counteract the jumping/rocking of my legs or i would never get to sleep.
ana
Posted by fires on February 23, 2005, at 22:43:03
In reply to Why Do They PDocs Want Sleep Studies?, posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 20:03:36
I think sleep studies should be done on every patient with Depression. I went from 1976 to 2004 without one. When I had the study it showed I have PLMD (periodic limb movement disorder) , aka RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) -- at least if you have it during the day.
Since I've never been married (no one to complain that I kick in my sleep), and don't have RLS during the day, I never complained enough to get a study -- and no pdoc ever consider one for me!!
They Dxed me with somatization NOS and didn't even consider a sleep test. :(
Negligence in my opinion. It took a Neurologist to have the wisdom to order the test.
Posted by Chris O on February 24, 2005, at 1:09:31
In reply to Why Do They PDocs Want Sleep Studies?, posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 20:03:36
Phillipa:
I've done a "home sleep study" twice. In southern California, where I live, there are several companies that make machines which give you many of the same readouts as those inpatient studies, but at much less cost. I did not have insurance when I did this study the first time and it cost, I think, around $500 dollars, US. I believe that's less expensive than the in-patient studies, which are like, what, $2,000? Um, I'm guessing by your post that your insurance will not cover the study? I actually have some type of mild sleep apnea/night panic, so I requested my sleep study. The thing is, in my opinion, the home study was probably not too good for that...because...I thought it would have been better to have someone looking at me, or filming me. But for you, as you feel fairly good about your sleep, it seems your doctor could hook you up with one of those home study machines. Anyway, whatever happens, I hope it works out for the best.
Chris
> Now my new pdoc wants to do sleep studies on me. Why can't they understand that I am an extremely light sleeper, and awaken even if my husband gets out of bed during the night. Once I'm awake, my little brain begins the "worry game" and I require the other half of my sleep meds to go back to sleep. Don't they understand that it's expensive? Time consuming? And who could go to sleep all wired up without meds? I just want to be left alone and let me take my meds. What would they see except sleep apnea [which I don't have}? Does anybody know? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 24, 2005, at 10:20:41
In reply to Why Do They PDocs Want Sleep Studies?, posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 20:03:36
I don't know about other things, but in addition to apnea, they might want to rule out Restless Leg Syndrome or Periodic Limb Movement Disorder. I had a sleep study done and it wasn't too bad (though my insurance did pay for it). I was told to bring my meds and proceed with my evening routine as closely to normal as possible. So I took my Ativan (which I was taking at bedtime at the time) and it was OK. I mean, I wouldn't want to do it every night, but it was OK.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on February 24, 2005, at 10:32:43
In reply to Re: Why Do They PDocs Want Sleep Studies?, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 24, 2005, at 10:20:41
> I don't know about other things, but in addition to apnea, they might want to rule out Restless Leg Syndrome or Periodic Limb Movement Disorder...
Oh! And the study should give some idea of your sleep architecture. There are certain patterns that "normal" sleepers go through (depending mostly on your age) and a sleep study can indicate which stages of sleep you're hitting and when. This might influence treatment choices.
Someone else mentioned cortisol. When I went through my 15 months of agonizing insomnia, I went to sleep OK, but would awaken every night between 1 and 3 a.m. Some nights I would practically be having a panic attack, and other nights I would have almost racing thoughts or plain old anxiety. I told the doctor it almost felt like someone had come in and given me a shot or something... like a drug was in my bloodstream. Well, I was ordered to do a 24-hour urine test and lo! my urinary cortisol was twice the normal amount, which might have indicated Cushing's Syndrome.
Shortly after this -- I was "managing" with a mood stabilizer (I'm BP2) and benzos alone -- I couldn't stand my daytime depression anymore, so my pdoc RXd Cymbalta. Once my anxiety and depression were under control (took 3-4 weeks), I started sleepin WAY better. Long story short: I think I may have had what's called pseudo-Cushing's, which results from un- or under-treated depression.
Posted by Spriggy on February 24, 2005, at 12:40:48
In reply to Re: Apnea, RLS, sleep architecture, cortisol-Whew!, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 24, 2005, at 10:32:43
Ya know what is interesting Philippa??
After ALLLL these tests I've had done lately; MRI ( yeah.. you THINK you aren't closterphobic until they put you into that little tube and you can't move!), Cat skan, echo gram, EKG, EEG, X ray's, blood work out the ying yang, etc..AND they still insist that I have a sleep study done.
My father has obstructive sleep apnea and is bipolar. He has been on his CPAP machine now for 2 weeks and his depression has almost disappeared. The doctor insists it's related.
I occasionally wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air. It's as if somebody stuck a sock in my throat. I have to sit up (sometimes even stand up) and try and catch my breath. My heart is then racing 100 beats a minute and I'm sweating.
I don't snore, I am not overweight, but they think I have a narrow passage way (can't remember the medical term).
So anyway, I'm in the same boat. I have an appointment March 9th.
I better find out if my insurance covers it, I hadn't even thought of that part yet. Yikes.
Anyway, I would suggest to go through with the study if you can at all. It has really, really helped my father.
Posted by fires on February 24, 2005, at 14:39:08
In reply to Re: Apnea, RLS, sleep architecture, cortisol-Whew!, posted by Spriggy on February 24, 2005, at 12:40:48
Yes! Have the test. Sleep deprivation, even if mild cause all kinds of psych. symptoms.
Remember the first thing cults do, as well as military units, is to deprive their "captors" of sleep.
Posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2005, at 15:45:52
In reply to Re: Apnea, RLS, sleep architecture, cortisol-Whew!, posted by fires on February 24, 2005, at 14:39:08
Thanks Guys! A lot of valuable information. I'll be sure to check on the home study too. If you can take your regular sleep meds, I guess I would be okay. But, I picture this person without meds at 3am saying" okay now what?" In other words, what if I'm awake all night. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by anastasia56 on February 24, 2005, at 17:13:26
In reply to Re: Apnea, RLS, sleep architecture, cortisol-Whew!, posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2005, at 15:45:52
that's exactly what happened to me. the hospital sleep clinic instructed me to take no meds so there i was laying there alllll night unable to sleep. i think they said i finally fell asleep for the last 45 minutes which would have been 5:15am.
Posted by Dinah on February 26, 2005, at 9:15:07
In reply to Why Do They PDocs Want Sleep Studies?, posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 20:03:36
They had me take my regular medications, and I slept like a baby.
The results showed that I went into REM sleep too early, but not early enough to qualify as narcolepsy. And that I have central apnea as opposed to obstructive airway apnea. I just forget to breathe.
The neurologist prescribed the sleep study, and he diagnosed me with a sleep disorder and prescribed Provigil. I'm not sure about the sleep disorder, but the Provigil is the only thing standing between me and unemployment, so it was money well spent.
And it's good to know what isn't wrong as well as what is.
Posted by Dinah on February 26, 2005, at 9:16:11
In reply to Re: Why Do They PDocs Want Sleep Studies? » Phillipa, posted by Dinah on February 26, 2005, at 9:15:07
Oh, and I spend way too much of my sleep in the light stages, and not nearly enough in the deep refreshing stages.
Posted by rainbowbrite on February 26, 2005, at 10:15:47
In reply to Re: Why Do They PDocs Want Sleep Studies?, posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2005, at 20:43:34
Do you have one of those white noise things. A wave machine? something like that can be really helpful, it takes time to adjust to the new noise but once you have made it part of your sleep pattern it is so soothing. It might help block out any noise your husband makes.
I also meant to add before that they wouldn't let me take my sleepimg pills when I did the study, I tossed and turned all night! I think at about 6:30 am I passed out, which was werid for me to be able to sleep. I was woken about an hour later saying OK your done the doctor will contact you. they won't even let me get my sleep.
Posted by Phillipa on February 26, 2005, at 10:48:40
In reply to Sleep Suggestion » Phillipa, posted by rainbowbrite on February 26, 2005, at 10:15:47
That's pretty funny! My white noise is the heat and air conditioning system when it's on. I find it very soothing. The wierd thing is that I'm having very vivid dreams about my ex-husband, and the theme you're getting old. I don't like it . Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by TamaraJ on February 26, 2005, at 12:39:48
In reply to Re: Sleep Suggestion » rainbowbrite, posted by Phillipa on February 26, 2005, at 10:48:40
My lung specialist had me undergo a sleep study years ago. I agree with Rainbowbrite - it's hard to sleep! All these wires and probes glued to your head and your body, somebody sitting right outside your room and having to sleep in a puny little single bed!. Not really conducive to falling asleep. And, every time I had to go to the washroom (I always wake up a few times in the night), I hated having to let the technician know. Yoo-hoo - me again! Oh ya, and when I left the next morning, they barely gave me time to get the glue off my face! But, it's worth going through if you are waking up a lot in the night and find you are not getting restorative sleep.
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