I have a question about sleep apnea. I've read the symptoms and I feel sure I have sleep apnea. How do you get diagnosed as having sleep apnea? Is a sleep study the only way it gets clinically diagnosed?

Linda

Linda you will need to go to a sleep study location to be diagnosed. They will have you stay the night to observe, probably twice.

Yes, you need to let your Doc know and they can schedule you for a sleep study. Sleep study is quite painless and I compare it to simply going for an over night stay in a hotel. Only difference is they hook monitors up to you and connect about 12-20 leads all over you. They also record everything audio and video. Like I said it is really painless. You have your own private room and bathroom. You just sleep and they collect all the data.

After the data is collected and analyzed and they determine you do have apnea then they schedule a second round which is completely the same as the first only this time they fit you with a CPAP machine that blows air up your nose or mouth (depending on your needs). As you sleep throughout the night the Technician will take readings and adjust your air flow as the night goes until they find the right setting you need to achieve maximum REM cycle.

After they determine your needs for a CPAP machine the doctor will typically write up a perscription for a machine from a supplier. Supplier will then arrange delivery of the machine and train you how to use it and clean it.

I have had severe sleep apnea for years and finally did something about it and I am glad I did. I sleep so much better now that I actually have dreams again something I hadn't done since I was a teenager. I refuse to sleep without my CPAP. I feel so much better and I don't fall asleep during the day anymore and the work day is no longer a struggle to stay awake.

Hope this info was helpful. If you have any questions let me know and I would be more then happy to answer if I can.

- Jim

I will not sleep without mine also. I have been sleeping so much better since I started using it. It has been about 3 years now. So easy to travel with, I just put it in the travel case and in the suitcase and off I go. In the hotels I usually have to unplug a lamp but its worth it.

I have/had sleep apnea. However, I never had to have a cpap machine. They only required it during surgery which baffled me beings they told me I was "waking up" 30 times an hour. Since losing the weight, I sleep sooooo much better. NO more naps for me. I self-diagnosed myself as no longer having it.