Sleep Study
I've been recently diagnosed with COPD, this past Memorial Day weekend to be exact. I did a sleep study with a watch like device and finger probe. It turned out my oxygen levels got in the low 80's for about 20 minutes, so I need to be on night oxygen. I am now going to do a sleep study to determine if I snore. My pulmonologist asked me if I snored, I told him my dog would not tell me, lol. I am highly claustrophobic, there will be no way I will be able to use a C-Pap machine. My pulmonologist said that during my sleep, if they determined I need a mask, they will put one on me. I politely told him I will come off of that mattress swinging, pack my things and leave. Thoughts? TIA
Hi again,
- I hear you! Sleep studies for diagnostic purposes are fairly common these days. Your first evaluation (over Memorial Day), revealed that your oxygen levels dropped significantly during sleep. As you are aware, that is why you have been prescribed supplemental oxygen on the overnight. Do you find you are having a more peaceful/restful sleep now during the nighttime hours while using oxygen?
If you are able to tolerate the next sleep study, let's wait and see the results before you put on your 'boxing gloves'. I know a good number of patients (like you!), who swore they would not, and could not, tolerated CPAP or BiPAP therapy. For many of them, they now use it because of the benefits it provides when they do. They still complain, but they do use it!!
Once your results are in and explained, let's see what the next step will be? How does that sound?
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)I honestly do not see that happening. I would go the surgical route if it comes to that. Have a great day! Thank you as always. Susan Hi again, Susan - as always, I hear you! Naturally, this will be your choice moving forward. When the time comes, you'll no doubt, make the correct decision for yourself.
Have a great night!
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
SusanK,
I do not have a C-PAP, but my wife does. I do not how she sleeps with that thing on her face. My pulmonologist asked if I wanted to do a sleep study and I declined. At such time when I am having breathing problems at night and without a C-PAP I could easily die, I would do it. But at no time before that. I do not wake up in the morning with brain fog, or with headaches, and I have never woken up in the middle of the night gasping for air. So, until these things happen, I just say NO to the C-PAP or the sleep study. Just my 2 cents. Take Care and God Bless!I really appreciate your input, I'm going to do the sleep study, but as I said, if you come at me in the middle of the night while I'm sleeping, be prepared to get smacked!
Hi Leon, with the oxygen at night, I must say I dread bedtime. I can barely handle the cannula in my nose, so I must say my sleeping is not better. It's rare that I get a good night's sleep due to the fact that I cannot seem to turn off my brain, nothing to do with breathing. As I stated, I'm highly claustrophobic to the point that I cannot sit in the back seat of a car, and barely make it as a passenger. I have been prescribed medication for this, but I take it in emergency cases only. I do have an appointment, we'll see how it goes. Thanks 🙂
thanks for your reply. Very interesting article, I'm praying that I won't have to use a Cpap device, I'll keep you posted. Hope you have a great day! Hi again, Susan, and thanks for acknowledging my response to you. It's understandable just how challenging these various treatments can be (for you) because of the claustrophobia, as well as such an active mind! I see my good colleague, , has made some reading suggestions as well as lent her own support for what you are experiencing right now. I do hope you have an opportunity to look over the material for which she provided links.
Like you - I will wait and see how your appointment turns out. Please do let us know following seeing the doctor.
Good luck!
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
I had trouble doing the sleep study in house. After 2 attempts because of my anxiety they let me do the home test. I have both OSA and CSA. I have to use the full face mask. I too thought I would get too claustrophobic. It takes time and the right settings on you CPAP machine to straighten that out. When I started mine I was so angry because I wasn't sleeping. But I kept at it. I tried to use it one hour at a time. One hour the first night, 2 the second night and so on. Ran into a snag and had to wait til I was too exhausted to see straight to finally sleep with the damn thing. I was averaging 4 hrs a night. As time went on I was getting 6 hrs. Now I get 7 to 8 hrs a night and sometimes more. I have a hard time getting to sleep without it. Had to keep fiddling with the settings for the first 3 months to see what was going to work. I do think I need to purchase the bigger mask cuz the small one is a drag.
Hope it goes well for you. Just don't let it get to ya and hang in there.
Thanks so much for sharing about your CPAP journey. I think there's a lot of mystery surrounding it for some people, and it's really helpful to have someone talk about it. It sounds like you're doing a great job! There's absolutely a period of adjustment when it comes to sleeping with a CPAP, and it's OK to take your time. Using it for part of the night is a great start, and even an hour or two can improve how you're feeling in the morning. There are several different options for masks. I wanted to share an article with you from our sister site that focuses on sleep apnea. It's got some good general tips, as well as guidance on how to find the mask that suits you best:
https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/living/cpap-new-user-tips
Your encouragement and support is really appreciated. Keep taking good care of yourself! -Melissa, team member
