Maybe snoring really isn't so bad

A couple weeks ago I made my second trip to the sleep center to undergo another sleep study. This second study was different from the first. My first test was done to see if my loud snoring is caused by sleep apnea. I had slept at the center overnight hooked up to a bunch of electrodes that were connected to my head, face, chest, finger and legs. Following the test it was determined that I had mild sleep apnea. The second test was performed to determine how much air pressure would be needed to correct the sleep apnea. This test was called a CPAP (or continuous positive airway pressure) titration. Like the test before, I had to sleep overnight at the center while connected to a bunch of electrodes. However, what was different this time was that I had a mask over my nose that was connected to a hose and a machine that blew a steady stream of air into my nose, sort of like a vacuum in reverse (see image).

NOW, PEOPLE, IMAGINE BREATHING IN AND OUT THROUGH YOUR NOSE WHILE AIR IS BLOWING INTO YOUR NOSE (with a mask attached to your face and electrodes connected all over your body). NOW TRY TO IMAGINE SLEEPING LIKE THIS. NOW TRY TO IMAGINE THE EVIL TECHNICIAN IN THE NEXT ROOM SLOWLY INCREASING THE AIR PRESSURE THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT WHILE YOUR TRYING TO SLEEP LIKE THIS. Can you imagine this? I can because that was my reality and let me tell you, folks, I'd rather snore because I've just discovered a new form of torture.

Ok, I'm exaggerating... a little.

But it was one of the worst night's sleep I've ever had and I did at one point during the night wake up gasping for breath and feeling as though I couldn't breathe. The technician immediately stopped the air, gave me a chance to get myself together (because I was freaked!), and then started the process over again... Fun, fun.

I learned later that reactions to this test vary widely. Some patients get headaches, some get nasal congestion (I got this too), some get nauseous, and some have to stop the test altogether because they're too uncomfortable. The unlucky folks who can't finish the test have to get a prescription for a sedative and come back later to take the test. My test results were a little fuzzy after my freaking out episode, so I may be one of those unlucky people who have to come back and take the test again. I pray this doesn't happen because I might have to tell my doctor that I'll just continue to snore... Just kidding.

Oh yeah, Derrick told me a few days after my test that he had had his BEST night of sleep while I was in the hospital having my WORST night of sleep. Ain't that something?! My snoring is out of control! Wait until he finds out I have to sleep every night with that contraption on my face. He'll REALLY lose sleep then.

So not sexy!