I just now got back from a sleep study. I did a home test last March that indicated I stopped breathing 24 times an hour. When this happens, your heart is trying to find oxygen to keep your brain alive and working like you were climbing Mt. Everest.
I still have the glue in my hair from the sensors they stuck on my head. I believe it was 6 actually in my hair but 12 altogether just on my head.
On the 20 mile drive home, I thought about the feelings of panic I felt a few times.
The had me wear a nasal mask to sleep in with an air line to it, sensor on my finger, etc...
The point is, you can't move freely, you are being assisted with your breathing and you cannot open your mouth. It is not what you are used to in any way shape or form. Kinda like going from smoking to not smoking.
The thought in my mind was "you just gotta relax and get through it. if you don't, you're going to have to do it again."
It was 6 hours of the unknown.
Near the end, my nose was getting stuffy and I felt like I wasn't getting the same volume of air (No Mans Land) the only way I could breathe was through my nose because if I breathed through my mouth it was even more difficult with the air being pushed down my throat by the nose mask. There is no clock so you have no point pf reference. you don't know if you've been sleeping 10 minutes or what portion of the 6 hours of the minimum test time required. Thus more panic
My mouth was very dry at that point. My mind became wide awake.
I asked the technician for a sip of water. she said, "we can end the study if you want."
I was out of No Mans Land
People, YOU ARE HERE FOR A REASON. REMEMBER THAT REASON.
Do Not Give Up!
There is an end in sight where you aren't thinking of smoking.
Dont Give In!
WE WILL HELP YOU IN YOUR MOMENTS OF PANIC
Stick With It! Get through!
And Then, GET ON WITH LIVING
SMOKEFREE!
