Sleep Study

[PW_R]

I had a flare up at the end of Jan which I didn’t recognise as a typical flare up. Did NOT start as a typical cold/sore throat & turn to chest infection as normal (so I’m still not entirely sure what it was, although doc said bloods suggested viral/bacterial). Everything became very tight / dry in my lower airways & then all the mucus which I have from chronic bronchitis plugged up. Got worse & worse and because it didn’t start as a cold I didn’t seek antibiotics until much later (I’m still all abit more to this). I was continuing to do airway clearance, but on one occasion I may have overdone it & it felt like something changed. That lead to me being not able to sleep (specifically fall asleep). Basically just as I fall asleep I ‘jerk’ out of it. From research I’ve looked at, maybe the CO2 isn’t getting out, then building up & my brain won’t let me fall asleep. My consultant causally said ‘oh you couldn’t be a CO2 retainer’ but it does feel that way. My dlco is low (74%). The whole things has been horrible (included a week in hospital). I had no choice but to start taking a low dose sleep tablet which my dad had in the house during cancer treatment. This pushes me beyond the ‘jerking’ and I sleep soundly.

My question is for the purposes of the sleep study do I take the tablet or not?

[Bevvy]

I think you should inform the people carrying out the sleep study and seek their advice. It maybe that they don’t want you taking these tablets because it will affect the study. In fact I would be surprised if they didn’t. However they may say you need to have stopped a number of days beforehand….. but definitely they should be informed.

[Ern007]

I have COPD/ and other breathing problems and I take Zopiclone. However I was given these by a doctor and I am not doing a sleep study..

I think you should tell who does this study what you have been taking, sedative meds can alter how you breath so ant results could be wrong.

I also being you are such a poor sleeper tell your GP, and he could well prescribe a sleeping aid that is appropriate for you.

I am not a doctor and can't advise but, if you were a CO2 retainer- I doubt very much a sleeping pill would help, if that was causing you to wake upsuddenly.

It's not good when you can't sleep, but I would get GP advice before using sleeping pills.

I hope you get your problem sorted soon.