#sleep study

Come True Anthony Scott Burns. 2020

Sleep Study 111 89 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H5, Canada See in map

maybe you were experiencing different difficulties while in bed, so you contacted a sex therapist to try and see whats wrong.

you were called into the neurology ward of the hospital, your partner asked to stay out of the room while they wired you up.

first an eeg. your scalp and face covered in tiny electrodes glued down. then two ecg wires and a couple belts across your bare chest to monitor your heart. then a pulse oxymeter and two more electrodes on each leg. finally, a nasal cannula and a wire with little prongs going also inside your nose, both secured to your cheeks with tape.

then your partner is asked to get into the room, naked as well. you are both told youll be getting recorded by a camera the doctors will use to study your case after, then asked to begin.

i pass out real early, almost as soon as the night hits, but i wake up restless and wet and at weird hours of the morning. my bed’s a wreck, my clothes are everywhere, and i feel like I haven’t slept at all. and I’ve been getting so worked up and aggressive every so often. I’m a little concerned. any tests you could run, make sure it’s nothing dangerous?

— 🦮

It sounds like you are due for a sleep study!

What time do you normally find yourself “passing out”? I’d ask that you come in at least two hours prior to your usual bedtime that way we can get you changed, wired up, and connected to all the necessary monitors. For patients with a history of sleep walking we use a system of restraints so our patients stay safely in bed, I’d like to do the same for you as it sounds as though you at least get up to take your clothes off overnight, I can’t have you removing any of your monitors while attempting to take off clothes you’re not even wearing! You’ll be given a gown to wear up until you get into the hospital bed. Then the gown comes off so we can get all the sensors wired correctly, don’t worry we will cover you with a sheet eventually, and if you get too hot or cold you can press the call button next to one of your restrained hands and a nurse can add another blanket if needed.

What you can expect in the realm of monitors will be an EEG which is a little over 20 electrodes on your head and face to monitor your brain activity. EKG electrodes along your chest and abdomen to monitor your heart. We will monitor your breathing through a mask over your nose and mouth. You will just be breathing air but this way we can keep an eye on how you’re breathing. There will also be EMG sensors on your arms and legs which record muscle movement and twitches. This is all standard for a sleep study but I’d also like to monitor your vaginal excretions and moisture which is not commonly monitored unless indicated. To do this we will have to catheterize you so we can ensure all the moisture we are measuring is vaginal secretions not any bladder leakage. A catheter is a good choice for a sleep study anyway so we don’t have to get you up and moving while connected to so many wires and machines! I’d like to insert a small probe vaginally which will detect changes in muscle tone such as clenching along with a moisture indicating monitor that will be placed inside your underwear almost like a pad you’d wear on your period. I understand how hard it can be to fall asleep in a new environment. Especially with so much equipment preventing you from moving around to get comfortable. If you find yourself struggling to fall asleep we can give you a small amount of a sedative through your mask, just long enough to get you asleep then we’d switch back to letting you breathe regular air at your own pace so the drug won’t interfere too heavily with our study results.

I am a little concerned about your aggressive and otherwise concerning behaviors while awake. With your consent I’d like to keep you for 3 consecutive nights of observation, this way we can keep an eye on your behaviors while awake during the day time as well. During the daytime you will be unrestrained in your own hospital room and will be able to bring a book or schoolwork, I know it’s difficult in a different environment but attempt to go about your day as usual and ignore the nurses and myself observing you.

Don’t worry, we will get to the bottom of your symptoms. You’re in good hands.

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