Anxiety, avoidance, isolation, fear, & the list goes on . . .

[nie]

I have to participate in a sleep study tomorrow night. I have to be at the sleep center by 8:00pm and possibly be there until 6:00pm the following day. I am feeling overwhelmed by it. I feel so much anxiety. Here is the list that I can even "vocalize" right now. I feel anxiuos about:

• sleeping in a strange place
• strangers watching me sleep
• sleeping without my husband
• being hooked up to machines
• no being able to "escape" (due to being hooked up to all of the machines)
• having my face covered
• have things attached to my legs (feeling like being tied down I guess)
• not sleeping in the same place (house) as my daughter for the first time
• the results not being accurate becasue of all of this anxiety
• forgetting to take something I need
• my husband not waking up if my daughter needs him in the night
• the nanny being late for my husband to go to work on Monday
• having nightmares
• freaking out the nurses

I am feeling overwhelmed with the anxiety, so I have been avoiding preparing myself. Logically, I understand this is not helpful, but I do it anyway. Frustrating!

Because I don't know how to deal with this emotionally, I am having isolation issues. I don't want to be around others or I mights have to address it.

I am afraid of the process and what the results may be and the actions that may be required.

I have been having nightmares again for the past three days. I woke up crying this morning. Now I feel like I have avoided it which has led to me running out of time to prepare for it. I really messed this up.

 

[nie]

Have any of you done sleep studies? What was it like for you?

 

[Sammy]

I have done about 3 sleep studies. The first, information didn't get to my PC doc (thank you military...). The second identified me as having sleep apnea and the third for getting the settings correct for the CPAP. It was the best thing I could have ever done for myself!! Sleep issues were identified and I got help. It wasn't easy getting used to the CPAP but now it is my best friend. It makes so much difference.

As for the test, it was a little weird but the people doing the test were completely professional and kind. They know you are not in your normal environment, etc and were willing to explain everything. They don't actually watch you sleep all night - the computers do. When I needed to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, I just said something, they came in me, unhooked me from the machines and let me go. They have it figured out to make it as comfortable as possible. They were very careful of privacy. The room was like a hotel room

Have you talked to your husband about your fears? if you have nightmares, that is important information, too.

It was a little weird but, not as difficult as I expected.

 

[Lionheart]

I have had one sleep study done and my experience was pretty much the same as Sammy's. The staff made me comfortable and it was like staying the night in a hotel room. The only thing I didn't like is the sticky tape-like stuff they use to attach the little electrode thingies. lol ...but it washed off the next day. :)

 

[AngelaMarie]

(((Nie)))

 

[The Albatross]

I've done 4... hope you made it through just fine Nie.

 

[missd84]

Good luck :)

 

[nie]

Getting ready to leave home for the study. I hope that I don't get diagnosed with apnea if the real reason I'm not breathing is anxiety.

 

[nie]

I'm here. Tech says we will start getting me hooked up in 45 minutes. I'm crying and scared. I hope he doesn't think I'm a lunatic.

 

[nie]

Made it through the night. Waiting to see if I also have to stay all day. Only one bad nightmare. When I shot up in bed it must of looked intense. The tech came on the speaker and asked if I needed him to come in. I said no and then ended up calling him in so I could have some light and regroup. My chest hurts, and I'm still tired.

 

[KP the nut]

Oh, nie. I wish you could have heard the cheer I just gave you. You were so strong and brave. When you get out you must reward yourself big time.

 

[Muzikluvr]

Just want to thank you for this thread Nie! I am feeling the same feelings right now... and it's great that you had an event to focus it on and write this thread so quick. So many things take months to work out... and it was just really great to read how you were feeling and how you had to force yourself to do the test, that you were crying a bit to start and worried, that you MADE IT THROUGH!!! YEA!!!! and that it wasn't like the perfect night's sleep, but you are on the other side of the event now. Idk... so nice to read a thread that builds up and releases all the feelings I'm going through.

So, thanks! And I'm SUPER PROUD of you for facing those fears and getting help!

Go Nie!