British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association

As you can tell from the title, I have received my appointment for the Sleep Apnoea clinic. I am a bit nervous because a) I am hoping hubby CAN attend with me (because he gets usually tied up with work or only he should suffer from ailments) and b) he tells the consultant " I don't know why she is making a fuss. Her snoring isn't THAT bad." I don't want to feel like I am wasting the consultant's time. So apart from dragging (if needs be) hubby and details of any medication, what else do I need for this appointment???

Nightwear and your usual war paint. Pop them in a bag just in case.

A good shampoo if they wire you up, they glue tiny electrode sensors to your scalp (comes off easily enough).
Depending where you are of course and how they do there tests.

Though they may do a home test or ask you to come back.
All depends how they work it where you are from and the clinic you are attending.

A savvy consultant will be able to read between the lines here so don't worry!

If you want to take a family photo or even your teddy bear with you to the sleep clinic do so with a light heart. This is not an unknown occurrence and if it will make you feel more at home, that's all to the good. Some people bring their own pillows.

i am not sure if it is an overnight stay.... i suppose I have a little chat with a consultant. No mention of an overnight bag in the letter. If anything, I probably need hiking boots and a compass to find my way around the hospital.

or maybe a GPS? Good luck!

when i went for my appointment i was given the home sleep study kit, what i would say is clean your ears out and listen lol cos it took me nearly an hour to truss myself up like a turkey before going to bed that night and parts of it didnt record properly !!!

Good luck

Amanda xox

I don't feel so "Yippee" today... Hubby tells me that I should cancel tomorrow's appointment as he wouldn't be able to attend due to work, which frankly I am not happy or surprised. Should I cancel or just go on my own? Perhaps i could ask the consultant if he could phone the hubby and have a little chat...

GO TO YOUR APPOINTMENT ON YOUR OWN!!

It is possible that your husband does have work commitments this time, but if you wait until you KNOW he'll be free and nothing comes up at the last minute to stop him attending, AND you have to wait to be seen, you'll be waiting far longer than is in your interests!!!

Your husband could always come to a follow up appointment ... or if the doctor is happy to speak to him directly (with your permission and authorisation) he could also contact your husband.

But it is YOUR health that is potentially at risk. And you owe it to yourself to have it investigated, a diagnosis made, and if necessary, for treatment to be started.

It has cost you greatly to have the courage to follow up your worries about snoring. Don't give up now on your path to knowledge!!

All the very best for your appointment! Don't forget that you can write down everything you want to ask and give it to the doc, if you're scared that you might forget something appointment at the actual interview. And we're here to help clarify anything that you feel the need for and to support you. GOOD LUCK.

Thanks "Al", I will go on my own. I want to find out one way or another.

To "etopicsufferer": As I will be going to the ENT department, I will be in the right place for an ear wash!

Tracey if you get no joy at the ENT department, ask to be referred to the Sleep Centre covering where you live.

i have spent more time waiting at the hospital than being seen, but here goes: i am going to receive an appointment to the see The Sleep Team. What I can make out, I am to be issued with a little gadget to go on my finger for one night only. Is this an at home test ? The very nice doc's words were" I'd be surprised if you haven't got Sleep Apnea". I was asked if I drive, I said NO. I had recently passed my test, but will not drive if I am NOT fit!!!!I have been given some leaflets regarding driving regulations and S/A, and also one about CPAP. Shame hubby couldn't make it, i spent about an hour on the bus to get home. I had to get the one where the driver was finishing his shift...

WELL DONE TRACEY!!! You have moved on and with great courage.

The little box thing is a recording device that you place on your bedside table. You slip a wire behind your ears rather like wearing a stethoscope with a tiny rectangle (which is a microphone) under your nose against the little ridge of skin above your top lip. Then you slip the finger clasp on your index finger and you're good to go. One night's sleep will give (or should give) sufficient data to see what's happening, and it really shouldn't stop you from sleeping and turning around in your sleep.

Next day give it back to the doc, and either go to see them on a follow up appointment or wait a bit and then you should know a great deal more.

This is a Home Test Titration Study - sounds far more scarey than it is. The box makes no noise and should not interfere with anything ... except going to the loo in the middle of the night!!

Once you are diagnosed (if you do have OSA) and have started treatment you will be able to drive and with better sleep your whole quality of life should improve.

Keep up the good work and don't hesitate to post for advice or encouragement or simply to let off steam. You're doing brilliantly.

Oh, i just saw the finger clasp, not the equipment that goes under your nose. Wonder if hubby will find me alluring then?

Is there a minimum number of hours I need to keep the stuff on? I get varying start and finish times on my shifts at work, so at times I am extremely lucky to get 6-8 hours sleep before getting out of bed!

I would think that 6 hours would do the trick, but at least 4 hours 'sleep' will give a good clue as to what's going on ... and you'll probably not realise that you've been waking up until the doc tells you your results!

You may not even need the 'micro' ... but it does give you a temporary 'tash'!!