Have you talked to a doctor about getting a sleep study done?

Typically what happens, if the doctor feels you need a sleep study, one will be scheduled. Sleep labs can be affiliated with a local hospital or as a stand alone sleep lab. Our hospital has a small sleep lab in it and they opened up a stand alone sleep lab in a small community 30 miles away. We have one sleep doctor in this area so it can be difficult to get in to see them. This doctor serves a radius of approximately 75 miles from where I live.

I talked to my primary care doctor and she set up the sleep study at the hospital sleep lab. This consisted of an overnight stay in that part of the hospital. The lab was small and had 2 or 3 sleep rooms. The sleep rooms in the hospital were set up more like a hospital room. Each room had one bed, a television, a table and chair. Once you check in the nurse will take you to your room and will have you get ready for bed. Once you are ready for bed they will attach the sensors to you -- on your forehead, face, throat, etc. They use a soluble glue to attach them that washes off with soap and water. A belt sensor goes around your abdomen. Sensors are also placed on your legs and feet to monitor leg movements as well. You are hooked up to the monitoring device and then try to sleep. The monitoring device is remotely monitored in another room. Many doctors schedule what is called a split study and if you sleep long enough they will come in a hook you up to a cpap if you test positive for sleep apnea. I was unable to sleep long enough for a split study and thus had to go back for the titration study.

The results were then sent to my primary care physician.

There are some articles and discussions on sleep studies with photos so you can see what it entails in more detail.

I would encourage you to talk to your doctor about getting a study done.

Some doctors will allow a home study. The home study is not as in depth but can still provide valuable information. I do not have any experience with this type of sleep study though.