Just had sleep study done!

[h3llo]

It was a very hellish experience, kind of like torture, but mostly because i was sleep deprived , more so than i usually feel, and was trapped in my head, trying to think of what childhood event "fucked me up". man your brain is a powerful thing when messed with.

so first off i have the somnologram, i think that's spelt right. where you sleep just at night with all the wires and nose tubes. i had this really annoying helper/nurse, who was a little too intense. like when your tired all the time you can start to pick up people who have personalities you should avoid, this guy was one of them. too many questions, too intrusive. anyways i was so nervous being watched by this guy who was definitly on the ball, but too much. like i got up to stretch my legs out before i sleep and not 1 second passed and i hear "something wrong, chief?" grrrr....plus i had to have him come and undo the wires when i had to pee. so cameras, annoying nurse/helper man, my racing insomniac thoughts, and peeing made me get...probably about an hour of sleep. i can't stress how annoying the guy was though. when i wake up, hes still fucking chatty and perky, when i am unable to direct my moral compass to tell him to shove it. he was like "you always sleep like that? or is it the wires?" i'm like "uhhhhhhh...wires" people irritate me so much when i'm tired.

then i woke up i knew they couldn't of gotten enough data. i was crossing my fingers, hoping "SLEEP APNEA! SLEEP APNEA! PLEASE END MY QUEST FOR HAPPINESS/SANITY!" but i guess the doctor wanted more testing so i did the day study which was hell. 20 minutes of almost falling asleep, then being woken up by the PA system lady, then doing the move your eyes left, right, clear your throat...ARRRRRRR!! (not pirate....)

so all in all, i learned i hate sleeping and should just forget about it. maybe i can hallucinate like in fight club! but i see the doctor next week for the analysing. Just an hour ago, i was so tired of this shit i thought "if it turns out i have no sleep disorder, i'll have to kill myself. because i'm going crazy" i say that because i don't have the mental energy to keep up with everything, my mind keeps telling me i suck, no medication has helped, and i feel like i'm permanently day dreaming. ive always been all or nothing. if i can't take it all in, i'll take none. but it's not wrong to want someone to slap a diagnosis on you is it?

[AirMarshall]

Ok well sounds like they did a thorough set of tests with modern equipment. It is interesting that the doc ordered the day sleepiness testing, but again, good that he is covering all the bases. I know it seems like waiting forever, but at least you will have some answers from an expert next week.

cheers, a.m.

[h3llo]

i just wish i could better describe how i feel. i feel without purpose if i'm not searching for what's wrong with me...sigh

[andrea3821]

i just wish i could better describe how i feel. i feel without purpose if i'm not searching for what's wrong with me...sigh

I know that feeling. You're not alone. Sucks that the sleep study was a PITA but hopefully the doc will have some news for you at the reading.

[h3llo]

i just wish i could better describe how i feel. i feel without purpose if i'm not searching for what's wrong with me...sigh

I know that feeling. You're not alone. Sucks that the sleep study was a PITA but hopefully the doc will have some news for you at the reading.

for people who have done it, could the doctor get data even if you only sleep like 1 hour, or tiny bits of sleep here and there? i'm nervous that i failed this...lol. but i'm always nervous just this time i have a reason.

[Artemisia]

for people who have done it, could the doctor get data even if you only sleep like 1 hour, or tiny bits of sleep here and there? i'm nervous that i failed this...lol. but i'm always nervous just this time i have a reason.

I don't know what's needed for disorders like narcolepsy (I think a daytime sleepiness study would help with that one), but I think all they need to diagnose sleep apnea is evidence that your breathing ceases in your sleep. So if you're apnic, just hope that you weren't sleeping in the one position that allows you to breathe normally through the night... With all those wires, etc., you'd probably have to mostly stay on your back, which isn't the most breathing-friendly position in you have obstructive apnea.

[h3llo]

for people who have done it, could the doctor get data even if you only sleep like 1 hour, or tiny bits of sleep here and there? i'm nervous that i failed this...lol. but i'm always nervous just this time i have a reason.

I don't know what's needed for disorders like narcolepsy (I think a daytime sleepiness study would help with that one), but I think all they need to diagnose sleep apnea is evidence that your breathing ceases in your sleep. So if you're apnic, just hope that you weren't sleeping in the one position that allows you to breathe normally through the night... With all those wires, etc., you'd probably have to mostly stay on your back, which isn't the most breathing-friendly position in you have obstructive apnea.

it was basically torture, but for a purpose.

i usually fall asleep on my left side, i can't sleep on my back my sinuses or whatever make it hard to breathe, plus the way my spine is it's hard to sleep facing up or down.

so you guys are positive i will get results even if i only slept like twice, 30 minute naps, or just very badly? i mean it when i say i didn't sleep till 3 am and had to get up at fucking 6am...i feel so crazy! i wonder when i'm gonna hallucinate! (btw it is a bad idea to take ritalin if you have an anxiety disorder!!)

[LunaRufina]

I really think you need to take a few deep breaths.

This seems to be taking up your entire life. That's really unhealthy. It seems like a problem in itself, in fact. Your obsession with obtaining a diagnosis.

It's beyond desire.

You need to step back a little bit.

[AirMarshall]

i just wish i could better describe how i feel. i feel without purpose if i'm not searching for what's wrong with me...sigh

I know that feeling. You're not alone. Sucks that the sleep study was a PITA but hopefully the doc will have some news for you at the reading.

for people who have done it, could the doctor get data even if you only sleep like 1 hour, or tiny bits of sleep here and there? i'm nervous that i failed this...lol. but i'm always nervous just this time i have a reason.

(Saying this with the best of sympathetic intentions) Chill out man, you are vomiting anxiety all over the boards!

Yes they got enough information. If they hadn't they would have have rescheduled you. Despite what you think, you slept a lot more than one hour. It doesn't take 8 continuous hours of sleep for your brain to cycle through the differerent stages.

****YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE SLEEP TANK WAS ABSOLUTELY TYPICAL!!!!!*****

Nobody has fun; the technicicians are annoying as hell, you don't get through your normal routine despite the technicians encouragment to do so; the equipment is uncomfortable and inhibiting; and everyone gets up feeling upset and unrested; and you don't get any answers for a week or two.

Try to find something else to occupy your mind. As I said before, be happy knowing that you will see the doctor shortly and get answers to your questions.

Best, a.m.

[Artemisia]

so you guys are positive i will get results even if i only slept like twice, 30 minute naps, or just very badly? i mean it when i say i didn't sleep till 3 am and had to get up at fucking 6am...i feel so crazy! i wonder when i'm gonna hallucinate! (btw it is a bad idea to take ritalin if you have an anxiety disorder!!)

I think a continuous hour of sleep would be "nice," but I'm not sure it's required. If you can't sleep just because you can't sleep for whatever reason, a sleep study won't explain why you can't sleep. But it really should be able to pick up episodes of breathing cessation during sleep. Really.

I hate to tell you this, but if you do have apnea, you'll have to go back to the sleep lab to figure out the best settings for you on a CPAP (or similar) machine.

[Mayteana]

It's called a polysomnogram. Yes, it's almost always annoying. Unless they TOLD YOU that you slept for an hour, please don't assume that you did. People often don't have an accurate estimate of how much they sleep during an overnight sleep study. Is an hour of sleep long enough to get results? Sometimes - yes. Most of the time - no. As A.M. said, if you didn't get enough sleep - they would have called to reschedule the test.

The next study you had was a Multiple Sleep Latency Test. It's usually ordered when the doctor recognizes excessive daytime sleepiness, but does not really think that it is caused by some form of apnea. An MSLT is testing mainly for narcolepsy. It is also occasionally used to document excessive daytime sleepiness for insurance purposes if they are considering prescribing you something to help you "wake up". Again, please don't assume that what you think you slept is actually what happened. People's perceptions in a lab setting are often incorrect.

When they have results, your doctor will be able to tell you exactly how long you slept and what was going on with your body while you slept.

In the meantime, please try to - CHILL OUT.

I'm sorry you got a chatty person running your test (I don't like happy people either when I am tired), but please understand that if he was paying attention - then he was correctly doing his job. He's supposed to be paying attention and asking if you need anything. That is what he is there for: to be on call should you need anything, and to make sure the wires are connected as they should be.

I am not sure why you would WANT to have sleep apnea, but please be warned that should they find that you do have it - you will get scheduled for a second polysomnogram with ALL the same wires PLUS a mask on your face delivering positive pressure to help you breathe.

Perhaps, you shoud be more concerned that your anxiety is not being treated nearly well enough because it is so strong that it is seriously obvious, even over the internet.

Hoping you are feeling better tonight then last night.

~ May

[h3llo]

i just wish i could better describe how i feel. i feel without purpose if i'm not searching for what's wrong with me...sigh

I know that feeling. You're not alone. Sucks that the sleep study was a PITA but hopefully the doc will have some news for you at the reading.

for people who have done it, could the doctor get data even if you only sleep like 1 hour, or tiny bits of sleep here and there? i'm nervous that i failed this...lol. but i'm always nervous just this time i have a reason.

(Saying this with the best of sympathetic intentions) Chill out man, you are vomiting anxiety all over the boards!

Yes they got enough information. If they hadn't they would have have rescheduled you. Despite what you think, you slept a lot more than one hour. It doesn't take 8 continuous hours of sleep for your brain to cycle through the differerent stages.

****YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE SLEEP TANK WAS ABSOLUTELY TYPICAL!!!!!*****

Nobody has fun; the technicicians are annoying as hell, you don't get through your normal routine despite the technicians encouragment to do so; the equipment is uncomfortable and inhibiting; and everyone gets up feeling upset and unrested; and you don't get any answers for a week or two.

Try to find something else to occupy your mind. As I said before, be happy knowing that you will see the doctor shortly and get answers to your questions.

Best, a.m.

thank you! i don't have a very comforting family at the moment and to be honest, i think i'm losing myself. it's a seperate issue, but i question so many things that my mind is tricking me into disliking people based on their personality or like, if they're majoring in business then they're shallow and a possible sociopath, or basically i'm nervous all the time and nothing helps. basically i'm not grounded AT ALL i think soooooo much i can't stop. so anyways thanks. i need someone to shut me up. btw i don't know but it seems to me almost all mental illness can be caused by sleep problems! just take me for instance...i'm always in defense mode. but everyone is treating me like i still want to be a marine, like i'm still tough. ok ....im shutting up now.

[h3llo]

Perhaps, you shoud be more concerned that your anxiety is not being treated nearly well enough because it is so strong that it is seriously obvious, even over the internet.

Hoping you are feeling better tonight then last night.

~ May

[rex]

I had two tests. Interestingly, the diagnosis was restless legs, which were causing frequent waking events lasting no more than 10 seconds, preventing me from reaching level 3 sleep. The CPAP seemed to help, but my insurance wouldn't pay for it. Mirapex helped with the restless legs.

[null0trooper]

i usually fall asleep on my left side, i can't sleep on my back my sinuses or whatever make it hard to breathe,

This is one of the reasons I like Adderall so much - it's a kick-ass decongestant. And, since I can't take Wellbutrin anymore it's one of the few meds I can take on those nights when my brain won't STFU to knock me out. I just wanted to stick that in even thoughit doesn't help you one damned bit except maybe on the sinuses thing.

(btw it is a bad idea to take ritalin if you have an anxiety disorder!!)

It depends a LOT on why you're prescribed the Ritalin.

i need the freedom to feel like i'm not gonna be in a constant daze, worried i'll get in a crash (or mostly that someone i know sees me) that i'll say something i don't remember, that something unexpected happens, or the worst one, something that i was daydreaming about happens right then. like if someone calls me and says "your a fucking pussy, and we all hate your guts!" and i hear laughing from people i thought were friends.

That sounds like a hellish mix of OCD, GAD, PTSD, and maybe even a little inattentive ADHD, all mixed in with more PTSD and waaaay too little sleep. If I thought it would do any good I'd tell you to chill out... since you're on the internet anyway, there's always porn

[h3llo]

i usually fall asleep on my left side, i can't sleep on my back my sinuses or whatever make it hard to breathe,

This is one of the reasons I like Adderall so much - it's a kick-ass decongestant. And, since I can't take Wellbutrin anymore it's one of the few meds I can take on those nights when my brain won't STFU to knock me out. I just wanted to stick that in even thoughit doesn't help you one damned bit except maybe on the sinuses thing.

(btw it is a bad idea to take ritalin if you have an anxiety disorder!!)

It depends a LOT on why you're prescribed the Ritalin.

i need the freedom to feel like i'm not gonna be in a constant daze, worried i'll get in a crash (or mostly that someone i know sees me) that i'll say something i don't remember, that something unexpected happens, or the worst one, something that i was daydreaming about happens right then. like if someone calls me and says "your a fucking pussy, and we all hate your guts!" and i hear laughing from people i thought were friends.

That sounds like a hellish mix of OCD, GAD, PTSD, and maybe even a little inattentive ADHD, all mixed in with more PTSD and waaaay too little sleep. If I thought it would do any good I'd tell you to chill out... since you're on the internet anyway, there's always [link=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5430343841227974645" target="_blank]porn[/link]

i take vyvanse usually. but it's funny, the moment i stopped believing it was working was the moment i noticed i didn't feel any different on or off. just i didn't have much of an appetite. guess its like coke, without feelin good. i've also been on welbutrin, plus every antidepressant and mood stabalizer ever made. it'll be funny if my body and mind were over reacting to a sleep disorder. wouldn't doubt it...according to my diagnosis, i'm an actor. just like the psychiatrist noticed.

[h3llo]

hey everyone guess what? MENS ASSES!

isn't that from tourette's guy? not even a very creative appropriation of his questionable humor.

haha yeah it is, good eye. i guess if i wanted to free myself from anxiety i'd have to have sex, while people were watching. those two things, sex phobia and people phobia.

[dancesintherain]

haha yeah it is, good eye. i guess if i wanted to free myself from anxiety i'd have to have sex, while people were watching. those two things, sex phobia and people phobia.

you know, you can take those two things one at a time...there's no rule that you have to do them both at once!

[h3llo]

haha yeah it is, good eye. i guess if i wanted to free myself from anxiety i'd have to have sex, while people were watching. those two things, sex phobia and people phobia.

you know, you can take those two things one at a time...there's no rule that you have to do them both at once!

i was just joking...

[h3llo]

i have one more question: i had the sleep study done last monday. i had the follow up appointment rescheduled for the following monday, this upcoming monday, the 23rd, because i really want the results, or at least a doctors note for my work about why i'm so tired all the time. i read it takes weeks to interperet the data? they better hurry then, right? or will the doctor just say "sorry, didn't get it yet!" ?

[null0trooper]

haha yeah it is, good eye. i guess if i wanted to free myself from anxiety i'd have to have sex, while people were watching. those two things, sex phobia and people phobia.

Been there, done that. NOT recommended.

On a completely unrelated note: doctors' offices often run on military time. i.e., "hurry up and wait"

[h3llo]

haha yeah it is, good eye. i guess if i wanted to free myself from anxiety i'd have to have sex, while people were watching. those two things, sex phobia and people phobia.

Been there, done that. NOT recommended.

On a completely unrelated note: doctors' offices often run on military time. i.e., "hurry up and wait"

so...uh...that means ill get results when i see him? monday is the day. please give me good news doctor im tired of being tired and brain dead. i just want to reverse my age like benjamin button. ive missed so much life with this crazy brain fog and "i don't know what the fuck is going on" anxiety i just feel like god's fucking me and my famly in the ass. i can't trust anyone im just a stupid hypocrite who's scared to trust anyone because of NEVER TRUE irrational thoughtsand pussyness. there. im a pussy! i couldn't even tackle in football because im afraid of snapping my spine like i saw in this tv special. im so stupid and gullible! no wonder im fucking stuck where i am! please someone is there any practical advice that has just GONE fucking over my head?! anything very obvious that i'm missing? 19 year old, male, histrionic, unfocused, confused, believes everything in psychology, believe im unworthy, some other personality flaws and fears and sexual frustation and bullshit. i can't take anything seriously either. ahhhhhhh im spiraling i need to sleep.

[null0trooper]

so...uh...that means ill get results when i see him?

No - you get to hurry up to get to appointments on time while they wait until they're damned good and ready to review the results and maybe discuss them with you. I don't know about sleep studies, but for too many other medical tests bad news comes back much more quickly than good news.

However, I'm also told there are few things less comforting than hearing "Oh the test results! We would have called you if there's anything abnormal. Let's see ... oh. That's not good at all. But the ... that's ... um ... could I call you back after I ask the doctor something?"

[h3llo]

so...uh...that means ill get results when i see him?

No - you get to hurry up to get to appointments on time while they wait until they're damned good and ready to review the results and maybe discuss them with you. I don't know about sleep studies, but for too many other medical tests bad news comes back much more quickly than good news.

However, I'm also told there are few things less comforting than hearing "Oh the test results! We would have called you if there's anything abnormal. Let's see ... oh. That's not good at all. But the ... that's ... um ... could I call you back after I ask the doctor something?"

i have to leave class early to see the "sleep doctor" ( a part of me wants to just rain insults on this guy, hes too laid back, his name is dr. sak...lol)

well if you want i could (with exxxagerations and teen angst) tell my story of all the doctor visits and tests and diets and amalgam removals and hospitilizations i've been through. i've come this far, all in the name of getting laid...so i hope i get some fucking results. im tired of feeling...well i already bitched and moaned about it. i just hope wen im better i don't become so obsessed with self actualization my head explodes. oh well...haha im 19 i can do wahtever i want. sigh.

[h3llo]

here's something from another boad that COMPLETELY describes how i feel, but its all the time.

Derealization/depresonalization is one of the scariest things anyone can suffer. It can make you feel like you're going crazy, that you're schizophrenic or that you're stuck in your dream world.

Symptoms :

- Feeling dead or like a walking zombie.

- Feeling as if you're a spectator watching a movie or just watching the world go by and that you're really not in it.

- Looking at your body from the outside

- Feeling like you're looking at the world inside a bottle and cannot escape

- Spacyness

- Feeling as if it is a dream and that you'll be waking up anytime soon.

- Watching a movie or television and thinking that you're part of the program.

- Emotional numbness

- Feels like looking through the world through a veil, or you might have extra sharp vision (due to dilated pupils).

- Amnesia. This is a medical emergency, it is a symptom of DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder). Or it could signal brain damage or severe depersonalization.

- Dizziness, lightheadedness, sensitivity to light and sound and blurred vision.

Above are just some of the symptoms, do any of yours sound similar?

What Causes Derealization/Depresonalization

- Depression, with or without psychotic features (very common)

- PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) (very common)

- Panic disorder, symptoms during a panic attack (very common)

- Generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive (very common)

- Repeated trauma, with or without PTSD (very common)

- Street drug abuse, particularly LSD and marijuana (very common)

- Physical stress (common)

- Menses (common)

- Sleep deprivation, extreme drowsiness (common)

- Viral/bacterial infection (common)

- Racing thoughts (common)

- Neurological disease (common for over 50 but rare for those under 50 to be causing the symptoms).

- Thyroid disease (rare)

- Schizophrenia (common for schizophrenics. Does NOT mean you have schizophrenia! Dissociation is not schizophrenia.)

[Mayteana]

No - you get to hurry up to get to appointments on time while they wait until they're damned good and ready to review the results and maybe discuss them with you. I don't know about sleep studies, but for too many other medical tests bad news comes back much more quickly than good news.

However, I'm also told there are few things less comforting than hearing "Oh the test results! We would have called you if there's anything abnormal. Let's see ... oh. That's not good at all. But the ... that's ... um ... could I call you back after I ask the doctor something?"

The formal notification with sleep studies comes in the same amount of time good or bad. Sometimes with really nice people who come across as genuinely concerned with their health, I will hint if they have it bad (hinting is as far as I can go, only an MD can diagnose). Severe is easier to see then mild. It's just more obvious.

And, I hate that about test results!!! Drives me nuts. I called about results like two weeks ago to be told - oh, you have to see the doctor for that. Really? Then why didn't someone TELL ME THAT when I had the test, and make me another appointment!?!