What's a Sleep Study Like for Someone with Fibromyalgia?
I have fibromyalgia (FMS), so - big surprise! - I have sleep disorders. I've dealt with insomnia and non-restorative sleep my whole life, but over the summer I developed a new one that had me so exhausted for awhile I wondered if I'd come down with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS). My productivity was cut about in half, on a good day.
After awhile, though, I realized I was waking up in mid-snore several times a night, and it would feel like something in my throat was releasing. I realized it was probably sleep apnea. My doctor agreed, and I recently had a sleep study - something I've thought for years I probably should have.
The sleep study confirmed apnea, and I'm now all hooked up (literally) with a CPAP machine, and a prescription for Ambien for "inefficient sleep." I learned a few other things, however - mostly, what I could have done to make the sleep study more comfortable. Or perhaps "less uncomfortable" would be a better term.
- I only took one pillow, when I typically use two. The ones they provided didn't help as much as I'd hoped.
- I didn't wash my face and brush my teeth at home, and had to do it while I was all hooked up to electrodes and cords.
- For my back pain (musculoskeletal, not fibro), I had meant to take pain patches. I forgot them at the store, and I should have gone back for them.
I did do a few things right, however (mostly by accident.)
- I got up extra early the day of the study and didn't nap so I'd be tired enough to sleep.
- I took several meds/supplements (muscle relaxant, pain killer, melatonin) with me in case I needed them - which I did.
- I tossed a granola bar in my bag, just in case I got hungry or meds upset my stomach. I hadn't considered that I'd be there for 2.5 hours after waking up, with no breakfast available.
While the sleep study itself wasn't exactly fun, and I had a perfectly miserable night's sleep, it was definitely worth it because now I'm treating my sleep problems, and that will help ease my symptoms and get me back to being functional. For more on what to expect from a sleep study and what questions to ask before hand, read:
Sleep Study for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Have you had a sleep study? What treatments work for your sleep problems? Share your experiences here or in About.com's Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome forum.
Suggested Reading:
- Supplements for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Your Diet for Managing Symptoms
- Exercise: How It Can Help Instead of Hurt
Comments
I haven’t had a sleep study, but strongly feel that I suffer from apnea (because I snore like a freight train per my husband). I also have restless leg and periodic limb movement disorder. I take meds. now that help me sleep through the night.
I’m curious about your treatment of apena. Are you comfortable sleeping with the CPAP? I’ve only heard from one other person who was on it and they didn’t care for it.
Thank you for sharing this information.
I’m actually doing very well on the CPAP. I expected to hate it, but it’s fairly comfortable and the white noise is even kind of soothing. I’m FAR better rested and feel immensely better, so I definitely recommend giving it a try!
Thanks so much for your response. I’ve thought about it before and it helps to hear it from someone who is actually using it.
I’m so happy that it is working well for you. **making a mental note to ask doc. about this**
I have had a sleep study, and I, too am on CPAP. It isn’t horrible, but it does change how you move around in bed. My husband and I have always slept with a fan on for white noise, so the very slight added noise of the CPAP does not register. However, there is a flow of air out of the mask, which has made it impossible to snuggle up behind him, because the cold air is a bother!
I also have restlesslegs. My sleep specialist prescribed meds, which helped. He also suggested that I take iron (specifically ferrous fumerate) with vitamin C. That has made a huge difference.
I have thought of having a sleep study, but I am awake almost all night. If i do sleep it is only 1 1/2 hrs. How can they tell much if you don’t sleep during the sleep study?
Cindy
I have thought of having a sleep study, but I am awake almost all night. If i do sleep it is only 1 1/2 hrs. How can they tell much if you don’t sleep during the sleep study?
Cindy
I had a sleep study done before I received any treatment for fibromyalgia, but after I’d been diagnosed by an out-of-town doctor.
I didn’t bring my own pillow. I remembered lying down and trying to sleep and I had a hard time and then I thought, “I usually sleep on my side…” So, I rolled over and I remember telling myself, “I don’t want this all to be a waste! I have to keep my eyes closed until I fall asleep!”
I thought I was laying there for an hour with my eyes closed… but then they woke me up. It was morning! I never felt like I slept at all… But they told me I had! Actually, that was pretty typical of how my sleep was before I got medication - I would close my eyes and next thing I knew, my alarm was waking me up and I felt like it was a cruel joke because I felt like I hadn’t slept at all.
I had one incident of apnea, but I snored a lot. I slept on my same side the entire night. My sleep efficiency was rated at 70% - bizarre, in that I actually felt like I hadn’t slept at all. As for the sleep stages, they were found to be consistent with fibromyalgia and I was referred back to a rheumatologist for further treatment.