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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on March 3, 2011 at 2:24am

There is no such thing as garden variety insomnia. Insomnia is a sleep disorder that typically has a source. Eliminate the source and most likely your insomnia will begin to go away. In the majority of the people that I see apnea is the source of the insomnia.

 

I would imagine that this appointment is an initial consult which will be followed by a sleep study.

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Permalink Reply by Ernestine Webster on March 3, 2011 at 9:23am

thanks , i hope that would all it would be, kind of suppect sleep apena , my brother died from it so i know how serious that can be.

Rock Hinkle said:

There is no such thing as garden variety insomnia. Insomnia is a sleep disorder that typically has a source. Eliminate the source and most likely your insomnia will begin to go away. In the majority of the people that I see apnea is the source of the insomnia.

 

I would imagine that this appointment is an initial consult which will be followed by a sleep study.

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Elliott on March 3, 2011 at 12:52pm

They'll likely order a sleep study for you, especially with a family history. My first appointment was about 45 min long, getting my medical history and background. I had my first study two days later, second one (CPAP titration) a week later, and three weeks after that, my CPAP. So the whole process can take a little time, but with luck you can get the answers you'll need. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Sheryl J. Runyon on March 3, 2011 at 1:10pm

If you haven't done it already,keep a sleep journal for the next few days anyway. Anything you can tell your doc about your sleeping habits will help you to get the right diagnosis. Ask people that might know if they have noticed anything odd about your sleeping habits. For instance when I asked my sister if she ever noticed anything,she said once when I was napping on her couch,she said I just stopped breathing,and she said she watched and I finally took another breath. She said she thought it was odd but never thought to mention it,not knowing what sleep apnea was. That incident happened when I was in my early 30s. I was not diagnosed until I was in my 50s when it got so bad it sent me to a doctor for the first time. So you just never know. Of course as soon as I told the doc that story,he set up a sleep study for me,and within a week,I had my answer.
My first visit just consisted of a long appointment and a lot of questions. Nothing invasive or unpleasant.

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Permalink Reply by Patty Tucker on March 3, 2011 at 1:56pm

Hi Ernestine,

    Congratulations on taking a positive step toward better sleep health!    Usually the first visit with a sleep specialist is a lot of talking.  You may be asked to fill out some questionnaires even before you see the specialist so he or she can start to narrow it down quickly.  You will talk about your sleep schedule, how your sleep goes at night, how you feel during the day and what others have said who have seen you sleeping. You will also need to let them know about any other health problems and medications or supplements you take. Your sleep specialist may do a brief physical exam to look at your throat, maybe measure your neck, listen to your heart and lungs and get an accurate weight. 

After all that your sleep doc should have a good idea about whether or not you should have an overnight sleep study to find out if you have sleep apnea.  DO NOT be afraid to ask questions.  If there is anything you don't understand or just want to know more about  - ASK!  Your sleep specialist works for you... and the mutual goal is for you to feel better and be more healthy.  Be sure you are comfortable and informed at every step.

Good luck!  And please let me know if you need any more insight.

Best Wishes for Peaceful Sleep

Patty Tucker, PA-C

http://www.sleepofchampions.com

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Permalink Reply by Corinne on March 3, 2011 at 3:42pm

I went to see a sleep specialist after talking with primary care physician about my headaches in the morning and my fatigue.  My first appointment was just an initial consult and doctor asked me lots of questions about my sleep and sleep related things.  After she learn about my family history of sleep apnea and look inside my nose, she pretty much said I have obstructive sleep apnea but needed to do a sleep study to confirm.  After sleep study was done, I was put on CPAP therapy for significant obstructive sleep apnea. 

That great you are be proactive!  Ask the doctor lots of questions. 

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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on March 3, 2011 at 4:22pm

I suggest writing your questions down in order of importance.  You probably won't have unlimited time to ask questions so be prepared to ask what's most important.  Take a list of your meds and any signicant history- yours and your family  Try to be a good historian- remember what has been going on and for how long in regards to your sleep and any daytime sleepiness.

Good Luck.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Callahan on March 3, 2011 at 10:08pm

Ernestine, just don't assume your sleep problem is totally from sleep apnea. Your insomnia may also be to blame. And not all insomnia comes from sleep apnea. I definitely have both, the sleep apnea was easier to 'cure'. The machine has lowered my numbers to almost 0. The sleep apnea is relatively new for me. The insomnia goes back 40+ years.

But  still working at the insomnia with the doctor. The insomnia makes using the machine a bit harder than most, as the hose, the noise, the air all keeps one awake. Without meds for the insomnia, I would not be able to sleep at all. As it is I get about 4-6 hours of semi sleep every night. I say semi sleep because I am still quite tired during the day.

So make sure your doctor does not brush off your insomnia by blaming it on the sleep apnea until everyone is sure that is the problem. Speak up for yourself, as no one else will. And your doctor can only go by what you tell him, and to some extent the results of a sleep study.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Leslie Jalbert on March 4, 2011 at 7:50am

Hi Ernestine,

 

Besides the expected exam of ears, nose and throat I got a fiberoptic exam so that the doctor could visualize the inside of the nose and throat.  Just by doing this he could see that my lingual tonsils were huge.  He said that could account for the choking feeling that I always had and could obstruct my breathing at night.

 

He scheduled a barium swallow (which was awful) and a sleep study.  The sleep study is not the most comfortable situation but it's tolerable.  Once the study is completed and scored the doctor will be able to tell you whether you have sleep apnea.  If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea then he or she will go over your treatment options. 

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Ernestine Webster on March 4, 2011 at 8:33am

good morning mary, i do not know what is going on , the doctors office sent me a questionair to fill out about my sleeping habits and what illinesses i have and family history, i had went to a ear, nose and throat doctor about 3 years ago about a runny nose that would not clear up and found out i have a deviated septum , which i had no idea so i already know about that but the last couple of nights i have been sleeping alot better then i have in years without taking anything, it reminds me of when you decide to take your car to a mechanic it seems your car starts running better, went to sleep for me quickly and did not dream crazy scary dreams and woke up a couple of times but was able to go right back to sleep and did not wake up and feel like i was fighting a wrestling match all night long, felt really nice but i think i still need to keep my doctors appointment.         

Mary Callahan said:

Ernestine, just don't assume your sleep problem is totally from sleep apnea. Your insomnia may also be to blame. And not all insomnia comes from sleep apnea. I definitely have both, the sleep apnea was easier to 'cure'. The machine has lowered my numbers to almost 0. The sleep apnea is relatively new for me. The insomnia goes back 40+ years.

But  still working at the insomnia with the doctor. The insomnia makes using the machine a bit harder than most, as the hose, the noise, the air all keeps one awake. Without meds for the insomnia, I would not be able to sleep at all. As it is I get about 4-6 hours of semi sleep every night. I say semi sleep because I am still quite tired during the day.

So make sure your doctor does not brush off your insomnia by blaming it on the sleep apnea until everyone is sure that is the problem. Speak up for yourself, as no one else will. And your doctor can only go by what you tell him, and to some extent the results of a sleep study.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Ernestine Webster on March 4, 2011 at 8:43am

thanks mary, will write down my questions because if i do not i will not remember what i was going to ask and leave and then think about things to ask, will let you know after my visit

Mary Z said:

I suggest writing your questions down in order of importance.  You probably won't have unlimited time to ask questions so be prepared to ask what's most important.  Take a list of your meds and any signicant history- yours and your family  Try to be a good historian- remember what has been going on and for how long in regards to your sleep and any daytime sleepiness.

Good Luck.

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Permalink Reply by Ernestine Webster on March 4, 2011 at 8:48am

just what i needed to hear about the first visit being unpleasant,

have already started a sleep journal so thanks for the advise   

Sheryl J. Runyon said:

If you haven't done it already,keep a sleep journal for the next few days anyway. Anything you can tell your doc about your sleeping habits will help you to get the right diagnosis. Ask people that might know if they have noticed anything odd about your sleeping habits. For instance when I asked my sister if she ever noticed anything,she said once when I was napping on her couch,she said I just stopped breathing,and she said she watched and I finally took another breath. She said she thought it was odd but never thought to mention it,not knowing what sleep apnea was. That incident happened when I was in my early 30s. I was not diagnosed until I was in my 50s when it got so bad it sent me to a doctor for the first time. So you just never know. Of course as soon as I told the doc that story,he set up a sleep study for me,and within a week,I had my answer.
My first visit just consisted of a long appointment and a lot of questions. Nothing invasive or unpleasant.

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