What you should know before participating in a sleep study.
Our goal is to make preparing for your sleep study as simple as possible for you, so that you're able to relax and get a full night's sleep for us to evaluate. To remove some of the stress that you may have about preparing for you sleep study, we've answered some of the questions you may already have. If you have other questions, please call the Sleep Disorders Center.
What should I bring?
You shouldn't need anything more than what you would take if you staying away from home for a night. Common items that people bring include:
Should I take my medications?
Unless the doctor that has set up your sleep study instructs you to do otherwise, we want you to take your medications exactly as your doctor has prescribed them. Many medications can alter your sleep, so it is important for us to see how any medications you normally take may impact your sleep. Please bring all of your medications with you to the sleep center even if you do not take them nightly. If you have a list of your medications, please bring that as well and your technologist will make a copy for our records.
What if I already have a CPAP or Bilevel PAP machine?
If you're already using one of these devices, we want you to bring it and your mask and tubing to the sleep center. We can check to make sure your machine is running properly and make any adjustments if needed. This can often save you a trip to your durable medical equipment (DME) company to have your machine checked and/or adjusted. Please be sure to let your technologist know which DME provider you are currently using, so we can help make those arrangements should your CPAP or Bilevel PAP equipment need service that only a DME can provide.
Is there anything I shouldn't do?
To help make sure you're able to sleep during your sleep study, please do not take any naps during the day of your study, and avoid caffeine after 4 p.m. on the day of your study. Otherwise, we want you to have a normal day prior to arriving for your sleep study. You may participate in your everyday activities and we want you to have a normal dinner (without caffeine) before coming to the sleep center.
Additionally, we ask that you do not bring any bedding such as blankets or pillows to the Sleep Disorders Center. To protect you and our other patients, hospital policy does not allow personal bedding. We will provide these items, and be glad to get additional pillows or blankets at your request.
