Second Sleep Study

I just got back from my second sleep study, and it was an awful experience.  I tried to go into it thinking positive thoughts.  They tried a mask on me and I sat for 5 minutes with it.  I immediately didn't like it but thought I'd go ahead and try.  I don't know how long I was asleep before I woke up feeling like I was having a panic attack.  I felt like I was suffocating, not because there wasn't enough air, but because there was too much.  I hyperventilated and even started to cry a bit.  The nurse came in several times to readjust because it was leaking.  I could not get comfortable at all and the strap on the back of my head was pulled so tight, it was very painful to my neck & shoulder muscles.  I slept even worse than I did for my first sleep study.

I did get the results from my first sleep study.  I had 2 obstructive apneas, 8 central apneas and 188 hypopneas.  Because of the hypopneas, my score was 31.  I'm so disappointed to hear this.  So, I'm a shallow breather.  I really wish they'd stop pushing this.  There is no way I can use that at home.  I guess I'm going to have to talk to my doctor and see if we can just wait on it because with it, I'm not getting any sleep.  I would think shallow breathing during sleep is better than no sleep at all.

Caffeine Free

I am very happy to announce that I have been caffeine free for a little over five days. My plan to slowly wean off and gradually reduce my caffeine intake worked. Previous attempts have failed, leaving me with massive headaches that forced me to drink more caffeine. But, this time, I was able to overcome it. I have had a few headaches, but none as severe as previous ones. In fact, two Advil were enough to relieve them. I admit that I had a candy bar yesterday (I know, bad me.) Not long after eating my Milky Way, I got a headache. I'm not sure if that's some residual caffeine addiction or it could be stress related, because I have an awful lot of stress right now. But, it will definitely make me think twice about reaching anything that contains caffeine in the near future, whether it be a can of soda or a candy bar.

I'm not much of a water drinker. It's not that I don't like it, it's just inconvenient, believe it or not. The local water tastes nasty. Anytime I buy bottled water, my kids drink it all and my husband does not like to buy more. Our faucet is not equipped to have a filter on it. The only other option is a Brita or Pur pitcher, so I may look into that. In the meantime, I've been drinking decaf tea with Splenda and have been quite satisfied.

My consultation with the surgeon is tomorrow. I'm very much looking forward to it and have several questions. I got a letter today about my sleep study last week. It was a form letter and was addressed, "Dear patient." It went on to say that I had significant sleep apnea and suggested I come back to try a CPAP for another sleep study. I'm not really keen on that, so I'm hoping my surgeon will say it's not necessary. For one thing, I slept horrible for my first sleep study, so much worse than at home. I'm never really sleepy during the day. I am fatigued, with a general sense of being worn out, but never sleepy. I also sleep through most of the night, except if I have to get up to pee. So I don't really see why it's necessary. They told me while I was there that any sleep apnea I had was mild and they probably wouldn't recommend a CPAP. So I'm confused. I called my primary doctor to see about getting the report.

I guess that's it for now. I'm hoping tomorrow appointment goes great!