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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Sleep - Do you get enough?


Next to food and water, sleep is one of the most important requirements our bodies need to stay healthy and function properly. Unfortunately, many people do not get the proper sleep their bodies require. Stress, family crisis, traumatic events and medications can all add to sleepless nights.  

For people, such as myself, who face long term sleeping problems often labelled Chronic Insomnia, (having trouble falling asleep, not being able to get back to sleep, waking too early or experiencing poor quality of sleep) are referred to a sleep lab.  That my dear readers, is where I spent almost 48 hours of my week-end.

Once you are introduced to the sleep prison guards polysomnographic technologist, who will be monitoring your sleep patterns. You then start the transformation to something  like that out of a Frankenstein movie. Probes are applied to your scalp via a vaseline like gope; and to your facial movement areas.

Sensors are also placed around your chest and abdomen. And a blood pressure monitor is attached to your index finger. And an oxygen like tube is was also placed in my nose (though no oxygen is given.. it's used as a sensor to monitor your breathing). This raised my anxiety a bit, as memories of this gadget flooded back during my time in CCU after my accident.

They even applied monitor sensors to my legs.

Fortunately, I was able to be in my own pyjamas... after all the wires and gadgets have been attached you are to sleep, "just like you would at home",
while in the lab area the technicians electronically monitor your brain activities and body systems. 

The study will monitor brain and body activity through the four stages of sleep; 
Drowsiness, Light Sleep, Deep Sleep and Dream Sleep.
Yes, you are also being visually monitored as you sleep.

Then at 6 AM you are waken up!! and most get to go home. Of course, since my challenge is that my energy level is limited throughout the the day ... I was held captive  had to stay for part of the next day.

Starting at 8:00 am I had to try and stay awake for 40 minutes at a time every 2 hours; while sitting in a chair in a darken room. Did I mention I was awaken at 6 AM? This is repeated FOUR times throughout the day... during the 2 hours between sessions, you are to stay awake reading or writing or just sitting 
NO SLEEPING !!!

It will be interesting to learn the results of these sleep tests ... I will meet with my Specialists in about two weeks.

Have you ever undergone a sleep study? 
Do you have trouble falling asleep? Staying Asleep? or find you are waking up too early? 
What has worked for you?





18 comments:

  1. That sleep study sounds very difficult for you to do, and I hope it has successful results for you. Sometimes I have trouble sleeping, so I can relate to how exhausted you might feel with a chronic sleep problem.

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  2. As a busy mom it almost sounds appeal to be somewhere all I have to do is sleep lol!

    Glad you survived the ordeal!

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  3. that doesn't look comfy at all! Think you have trouble sleeping before try sleeping with tape all over your face lol!!

    Would be neat to hear the results though!

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  4. I've wondered how people actually sleep in the sleep lab. I must get enough sleep, because I have no trouble falling asleep, and automatically wake up around 5:30 during the week, and 6:30 on the weekends.

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  5. Those tests sound brutal! Man I hope this won't be a too-often thing for you.

    I'm terrible, rarely sleep enough.

    Where do you get all these photos from? They make already-interesting posts even more so.

    xoxo

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  6. Dearest Celia,

    Wow, what an ordeal you went through... and that very close to our posh bed at the Radisson Plaza hotel. We had no problem sleeping and I usually don't have difficulty falling asleep. That is, when I don't drink strong coffee in the evening... that would keep me hyper till 3 or 4 in the morning!
    Let's hope they will get some worthwhile findings after all this wiring and taping for monitoring your sleep pattern.

    A tight hug to you and oodles of love,

    Mariette

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  7. pretty boy dolce groomerNovember 20, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    sleeping isn't a problem for me, C.
    staying awake!
    now THERES a problem!!!!

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  8. Wow - that's really interesting Celia! I'm off & on a good sleeper. Every now and then I'll go through stages of insomnia - but I've never participated in a sleep study. Interesting!

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  9. Very interesting post. I hope after all that you went through that they can find something that will work for you and help you to sleep better! I have no problem falling to sleep, but I don't get the recommended amount of eight hours, usually six for me.

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  10. Celia,

    As I have aged my sleep patterns have changed. Add to that, hormone imbalance and there are many nights that I wake up at 3:00 a.m. and pretty much lay awake until 5:00 a.m. at which time, I fall back to sleep until 7:00 a.m.

    I have never had to have a sleep study done but my sister has. I don't know how anyone can sleep with all those wires etc attached to you!! That in itself would be a feat.

    I hope that the results will bring about for you a peaceful night sleep.

    Kris

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  11. Celia, can't wait to see the results of your sleep study. I've always wanted to take part in one of these being a very light sleeper verging on insomniac. Luckily siesta time is an "acceptable" time to disconnect here in Spain. So if I have had a restless night, I usually have a power nap in the afternoon,wihtout feeling guilty, and it really sets me up for the rest of the afternoon/evening.
    Thank you for your lovely commenst over on my blog too Sweets xx

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  12. This is so interesting. I don't sleep well at all either. It affects so much as far as how one feels, concentration, etc. Perhaps we should skype in the wee hours of the night! xo

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  13. Ugh, that sleep test does not sound like a good time at all! Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep, but once I do, I'm down for the count. Unless one of my kiddos climbs in bed - which happens quite a lot these days. I never feel as if I get enough sleep, so on weekends I try to git a nap in whenever possible. :)

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  14. Wow! I've heard of the studies, but never knew exactly what happens. I pray they will be able to help you sweet friend.

    I'm at my daughter's giving her a break so she can get a few nights of uninterrupted sleep and I'm doing the night feedings for our new sweet grandson. I'm tired, but it's so worth it. I've loved every minute with him.

    I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with lots of yummy food, good friends and family and lots of memory making moments.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Hugs,
    Kat

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  15. WOW, that is wild! My mother had this done a few years back. I didn't realize the depth of it. I have a hard time sleeping as well as my children whom have been diagnosed with insomnia. I cure mine with wine:)

    I hope you get your results quickly & it's something that they can get taken care of.

    Many (((hugs))) and prayers to you beautiful friend for a blessed Thanksgiving!!

    XoXo

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  16. This is a very interesting read. I never get enough sleep. A sleep study sounds fascinating.

    http://foodfashionandflow.blogspot.com/

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  17. Celia! OMG.
    I totally wrote a post a few months back about my own struggle with insomnia brought on after I had Ms. Ava and she woke me every few hours.
    I've tried it all. Going cold turkey right now but still up at least a few times a night...will be SO curious to hear how this went.

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  18. Stay awake in a dark room for 2 hours? Yeah right!

    I hope some progress can be made for you with your results!

    Colletta

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