The Sleep Test

I recently had a sleep test and I think my sleep flunked. The test was to see if I have sleep apnea, which would account for my heart problems. However, the results won’t be known for a few weeks yet.

For the test I was wired up like some sort of Frankenstein with wires attached to my head, upper body and a few other places. The wires were attached to a long small black box, which in turn was connected to other wires when I went to bed. The process of wiring me up took about 20 minutes. My sleep was filmed. (Perhaps to give to someone else who was having problems getting to sleep.)

I had to be at the sleep lab by 8:15 PM and was joined by two others, who were also there for a sleep study. Ironically the technician was late. (Slept in?) Each of us had our own bedrooms and toilets. A questionnaire was given before bedtime, followed by a general questionnaire about my health. Then I was weighed and my height checked. I was awaken (actually I was already awake) at 6 AM and had to be out by 6:30. Before leaving another questionnaire had to filled out.

It was an interesting experience. The results will be known in four to five weeks. If I have sleep apnea I’ll be called back to do a second sleep test. This time I intend to study for it.

Flu Fears

I was just starting to successfully deal with my fear when my body gave way. I got the flu. It was a Friday. Between 4 and 5 PM I went for a nice walk around the neighborhood with my girlfriend. By 7 PM I was in bed with the chills. My temperature was average, but I think the thermometer may have been broken. I put as many blankets on me as I could and jacked up the thermostat to 26 C.

The next day was spent in bed. I must admit this sure took my mind off my heart. I felt as if I had been physically assaulted. And you want to know the crazy thing about this? I had the flu shot. My girlfriend figures I got it while in the hospital two nights before as there was an old woman who was very sick.

The Sunday I got up, but I had diarrehea and probably became dehydrated. I learned the hard way what that can do to your heart and to your peace of mind. My pulse dropped off the scale. I figure it was somewhere between 32 and 37 beats per minute. My normal resting pulse is about 46-48. I managed to correct this by rehydrating myself with lots of fluids, like water and fruit juice. I also drank a bottle of Gatorade to restore my electrolytes.

And one more thing, my blood pressure dropped at one point to 86/52. My resulting blood pressure usually gets no lower than 96/57. Believe me this does not do anything to help one to relax.

It took me several weeks before I could relax again before going to bed.

I’m afraid, especially at night as my eyes begin to shut and I start to drift off into sleep. Afraid that my heart might burst. Afraid that my heart might stop. Afraid I might have either a heart attack or a stroke. Afraid of the unknown. Afraid that I might not be able to summon help. Afraid of being alone when something happens. Unless you’ve been through something like this you might not be able to understand it. What it gets down to is the fear of unknown.

I’ve suffered anxiety attacks. One night I became convinced that if I fell asleep I’d die. I had a tightness in the chest and my blood pressure was going up and down. My girlfriend called 911. They checked me out and I was taken to the hospital to be checked out. I spent the night there. Blood tests turned out okay.

A few hours later I saw my doctor again. I asked him point blank if I’m likely to die from my condition. He said that it was unlikely that I would. He decided to press the cardiologist to see me sooner rather than later, which gave me some relief for a short time.

However, I still have the fear at night. I feel when my heart skips. My heart seems to quiver and feels like Jell-O. I take my blood pressure and pulse several times to reassure myself before I allow my eyes to shut and my mind to go into dreamland.

Some say I’m too anxious and I agree up to a point. I know that my heart and my emotions start to play on one another. I try to relax and keep calm. It works up to a point.