Wednesday, October 25, 2006

sleep, perchance to dream

Guess what...I spent last night at the sleep study clinic. Honestly, though, I don't think I slept for longer than an hour at a time. I feel very groggy but I will try to give you a report.

You would not believe all of the nodes and tubes and instruments they attached to me! There were electrodes connected to my legs to measure leg jerks. There was an instrument attached to my nose and mouth to measure the heat of my breath. I had EKG nodes attached to my chest. And all over my face and in my hair, they attached electrodes with paste to measure my brain activity. I had two belts strapped to my body, one at my chest and the other at my waist.

The biggest problem through the night was the room temperature. They had to make sure that I didn't get too hot and perspire else the electrodes wouldn't work. Well, I like to be very warm when I sleep. I had flannel pjs on (the very same that Rosanna sent me last week with candy decorating them).

After about an hour or two, the technician, Lindy, came in and turned down the thermostat to make the room cooler. A little later she turned on a ceiling fan that was going so fast it could easily power a small helicopter. Then, sometime in the middle of the night, she came into the room and took all of the covers, leaving the high power fan on and the air cooled to arctic.

I woke up many, many times through the night. Geezy pete, I'm tired. At about 5 this morning Lindy woke me up to take all of the nodes, prods, and tiddlywinks off. She couldn't tell me anything about the results. I do know that I don't have sleep apnea, thank goodness. Otherwise I would have to sleep every single night for the rest of my days with some sort of machine connected to my nose to pressurize the air I breathe. Lindy did say that I slept very lightly.

I think sometime around 3 this afternoon I will collapse into a drooling nap...the kind you awake from in a shaky, confused state.

10 comments:

Waterfall said...

What a strange sleep study, making it so you can't sleep.

Naps are good, so have a good nap!

Saucy said...

I hope you manage some rest today. I would be worried to sleep in front of anyone because I am a "mumbler".

I believe that you are a light sleeper because you are dreaming of dollhouses and nice things to do for people.

M said...

My goodness, how on earth do those people expect a girl to sleep in those dreadful conditions??!! I think house calls might work out so much better!! Have a lovely nap, Amy :)

Anonymous said...

They really must come up with a better way to do these sleep studies! No one can sleep all wired up in a tangle with 'copter blades whirling overhead! I hope you enjoy a good, long nap, sweet Amy!

Lena said...

Hmmm, well I'm thrilled to hear that you don't have sleep apnea for one. My step-mom does and she sleeps with the machine and it's often not a pleasant experience for her, although it has made a difference in her rest and to her health with is greatly improved.
My doctor recently recommended that I participate in a sleep study, but seeing as have I have slept lightly my entire life, I'm not sure they will learn much. I think some of us just have a harder time than other letting go of our "awarenes". I don't think I would have slept at all, so you've done really well. Hope you get some extra rest today...filled with the sweetest of dreams Amy!

Tiffany said...

Turning on a fan and taking away my blankets...no way! I'd be so cranky, I'd be throwing things at people!

I sleep in knit pants and a hoody with a down comforter and a quilt...and a dog that radiates heat sleeping next to me! I so couldn't do a night like that. I can't even sleep in the same room with someone who snores!

I hope you catch some zzzzz's soon!
Tiffany*

Debi Ward Kennedy said...

I just wanna know one thing:

Did you dream of CUPCAKES???! ;o)



Just wait, Miss Amy...one day, you'll hit menopause, and then you'll NEVER be cold again!!!!! YOu'll fall in love with ceiling fans and portable fans and handheld fans. (It really really sucks!)

Maija said...

You are fortunate not to have sleep apnea! I have to wear one of those hideous machines at night to sleep! I love it only because it helps me sleep and I wake with out a headache. However, not very sexy....I feel like Mrs. Darth Vadar! My husband justs laughs.......

Anonymous said...

My husband, just today, had the preliminary interview for a sleep study he's to have in Dec. For years I've feared he does have sleep apnea - tho not all the time. He'll be ok for months at a time, then there's months of incredibly loud snoring and episodes of not breathing! Which I can't sleep thru at all..

I don't understand how they can really study how you sleep tho, with all that stuff hooked up to you, in a strange room.

I hope it helps both you and him! Sleep is important! (for spouses too!!)

Anonymous said...

Wow, that sounds like a huge pain! I have found , now that I have small children, that if I am woken up by others too frequently in a night, I get so very crabby. Did Lindy mention if you sleep lightly because you just do, or because she bothered you in the most annoying ways all night? Took your covers off? Horrible! I hope they find out some good information for you.