Written by Angela Ingram, May 2003.
For anyone about to have sleep studies done I recommend this "dry run" to get you in the mood:
Your Sleep Study "Dry Run"
- Dig out your just recently put away Chrissy tree lights.
- Either superglue or tape them to yourself (preferably both since that would be more realistic) not forgetting to stick some under your chin, a few on your scalp and a couple over your eyes.
- Find a new clothes peg and insert your right index finger until you are just on the verge of wincing and clip it onto one of the leads from the lights.
- Next take two bum bags (or fanny packs which my Canadian husband is now realising he CANT say) fill them with small marbles and wrap one around your stomach and the other just below your breasts. Likewise attach those to the Chrissy light leads as well.
- Find that old yoga mat, wrap it in a tarp and place on the kitchen table - simulating the depth and height of the "bed" and find that threadbare cotton blanket you now use as a drop sheet.
- Turn your air-conditioned on to subarctic and if you don't have aircon, just open up all the doors and windows so you feel like you are outside.
- Wear "what you would normally wear to bed". So since I normally don't wear anything - find the most concealing, constrictive pair of crinkly, twist around you pyjamas you have, remembering to drag all the leads up from your legs, out through your waist band, up over your chest and out the neck hole.
- Now sit and act "normal" for as many hours as you need to feel ready for sleep.
- Give up on trying to feel normal and get onto the "bed" far earlier than you would ever dream of sleeping (hah that was a funny) and get someone to tape the loose ends of the leads to a point which gives you enough room to turn over ONCE and only in one direction.
- Remember they want you to feel comfortable, relaxed and secure so you have a typical night's sleep.
My "Real" Experience
Basically the above but in a different setting.
Oxygen saturation at commencement 99%. Luckily it didnt drop below that all night. I snore apparently on all sides, including stomach. Apnoea is minimal. Dreamt all night - vividly!! Died three times - ie I pulled the finger probe off three times in my sleep and registered O2 saturation zero and set off the alarm! (haha). It had no effect on the snorer from hell on the other side of my ensuite.
Woke up 5 times wondering what time it was. Pulled finger probe off deliberately to get a technician in to ask what time it was, used that as a good chance to go to the bathroom and flushed x 3 to try to disturb snorer from hell. It was 2am.
Since I went to bed at 9pm the five restless hours seemed adequate to me. However willed self to stay.
Was awoken at 5.30am. Paraphernalia removed, breakfast tray arrived, another questionnaire to fill out, one sip of coffee, one mouthful of toast and advised to shower and dress. Returned to room to find breakfast tray had been removed. Got dressed, put face on since I was going straight down in the lift 4 floors to my office. Was at work at 7am. Totally knackered!
Personal Findings
Angela likes her own bed. Suffers from separation anxiety. Is a bit contriving (borderline nasty). Will never be a morning person.
Clinical Findings
Have to wait five more days!
