Nine years ago, I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. For those who don't know what this is, it is not snoring. It is that the person gets so tired, that s/he falls far enough into sleep that the body stops breathing. I have grown to depend on my CPAP machine to go to sleep, and take it with me whenever I plan to sleep away from home.
Recently, my CPAP machine has displayed a message that it is past its predicted life span, and that it is on its last legs. This meant that I had to schedule an appointment with the sleep doctor, and then an appointment to take a sleep test. Last night was that sleep test.
- - - - - -
Before I went to the hospital for the test, I bought a set of men's PJ's (aargh!) to wear during the test. Last night, I packed up my PJ's and a full change of clothes to take with me for the next morning. When I was finally wired up, I found out that this would be a diagnostic test to see if I had sleep apnea, and not the test I'd need to get a new machine script. (The doctor was starting from scratch to be safe.) And it took me 2 hours to fall asleep for the first time this evening.
I was awakened around 3 am to fit me with a nasal mask (presumably to see if my breathing improved with a CPAP device), and I was able to get to sleep much quicker than I did the first time. I was awakened again at 6:30 am, and proceeded to get showered, dressed and out the door. While on my way out, one of the reception personnel and I chatted a little before I got into my car and drove away for a breakfast sandwich.
- - - - - -
My question is: When should I contact the doctor's office for the next step in this process? What were the results of this sleep test? Will I need to get a new CPAP machine? Inquiring minds want to know.
