Zzzz...ack-ACK-ACK: No more!

In case you were wondering, that's the sound of me snoring, stop breathing, and semi-waking up. If you've been (un)fortunate enough to hear me sleep you know I'm a snorer. I've inherited this uncanny talent from both parents. In the past I've awaken with many a sore throat due to a snore-laden night, and recently I've awaken more tired than when I went to bed. Also, while I was in the boundary waters I was told I snore so loud that earplugs were required to get a good night's sleep and that I probably have sleep apnea.

So when it came time for my regular checkup I mentioned the morning/daytime tiredness, the sore throat, and incessant snoring. To which my doctor replied, that sounds like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We scheduled a sleep study to definitively determine if this is the case.

Last night was the test. I drove down to the hospital (not Mayo, if I went there I'd still be waiting to schedule the appointment) where the sleep technician hooked me up. The tech was a nice lady; she went through her spiel describing what each electrode was, why they were measuring that datum, etc...but we also talked about our dogs and homebrewing (she just bought her son a begin-to-brew kit). When we finished I looked like one of the Borg.


Next we calibrated each electrode and gathered some baseline readings. Then, lights out. They offered a sleep aid but I declined thinking, I'm tired, I'll fall asleep quickly. I was wrong. During the sleep study, they request you sleep on your back, if you can. This maximizes your chance to snore/stop breathing. I do not sleep on my back. I tried for what seemed like 30 minutes, but I just couldn't do it. I switched to my side. It's quite the hassle to turn over when you have twenty-odd wires connected to your body. But I just couldn't sleep.

After what seemed like hours of drifting in and out of sleep, the technician came in and asked me to use the restroom and come back...we were going to try the mask. CPAP works on the same principle as what keeps the Metrodome inflated; pressure pushes against your soft palate keeping your airway open so you can breathe while asleep. Lights out.

CPAP is a unique experience. Instead of working to breathe in you must exhale against air pressure. After what seemed like a few minutes I finally fell asleep.

And I slept like I haven't slept in a long time.

For the first time in months I slept without waking up in the middle of the night.

When the technician roused me to end the test she told me my sleep dramatically improved once I wore the mask. She told me the mild arrhythmia I experience lessened as well. Then she explained she waited to wake me because I was in what's called "restorative REM" sleep. When someone doesn't sleep well/doesn't stay in the deep levels of sleep (REM), and finally reaches it while using CPAP, they stay in REM for much longer periods because the body lacked the rebuilding properties that REM provides.

And you know what, that's the best night's sleep I've had in a long time. In a few days my results will come back from the sleep specialist and my physician and I will discuss the next steps. I may need a CPAP machine for the rest of my life. But with the increased risk of heart attack, adult-onset diabets, and daytime tiredness OSA causes, I'm willing to make that sacrifice.