7-year old twins and sleep study

[CdnYankee]

I have 7-year old twin boys who are being referred for a sleep study. The reason for this is that they have snored for a number of years, they wake multiple times per night for no apparent reason and they both grind their teeth (bruxism). They are also both a good bit shorter than the majority of their classmates.

Earlier this year, they were both diagnosed with ADHD (from a questionnaire their teacher answered and the concerns I raised). A huge THANK YOU has to go to Dr. Brandon Peters from About.com: Sleep Disorders for bringing the connection between snoring, stunted growth and ADHD to my attention!

Dr. Peter's mentioned a study that also mentioned that children whose parents have OSA are also at higher risk for sleep disorders (my dad snored horrendously but was never diagnosed with OSA - he had all the symptoms).

I guess my only concern is how my boys are going to respond to sleeping at a clinic with all the wires attached and whether or not I'll be able to stay with them (where will I sleep with my own CPAP?). I refuse to leave them there by themselves - they're only 7.

[sleep talker]

I would think that they would test one boy at a time and not try to do both the same night? As far as the wires, it really doesn't hurt to have this done and the boys need to be told this and assured it is alright. Probably more of a problem sleeping in a strange place in a very dark room. I would be at a loss, though, to accurately comment on the whole problem of obstructive sleep breathing at an early age. Seems to be a serious issue, yet on the other hand, a blessing if they can discover this at an early age and have it treated or corrected before damage is done. Quality of life really goes up when you discover and treat a sleep disorder. It goes even higher when you discover what foods you shouldn't be eating and to never eat heavy or high on calories before bedtime.

[CdnYankee]

I've already explained to them that it's not going to hurt (no needles)and they're fine with that. I actually told them they would look like aliens with all the wires on their head and face and they loved the idea (they're typical boys). I've been to at least 4 sleep studies since they were born (was diagnosed when they were 1). I guess I'm just concerned that they won't let me sleep in the room with them (where would I sleep otherwise?).

[sleep talker]

I think they should allow you to sleep on a cot in the same room, just so you don't get in the way with what the techs need to do. Call ahead and talk to them about it. I don't work in the business, but I've heard the averge sleep lab comes across many unique problems associated with patients and their sleeping needs. Yours would not seem to qualify as something that unusual for a child patient. Just so you being there isn't a modification that makes the test results invalid.

May I also suggest home monitoring equipment - not as a substitute for what you're going to do but as a suppliment.

http://www.semedicalsupply.com/cms-50e.htm

I don't use one of these, and this is not a test to diagnose sleep apnea, but it is an example of a device that can monitor blood oxygen levels at home during sleep and possible catch a bad case of apnea if blood oxygen goes down during the night.

[CdnYankee]

Well, the clinic called today to set up MY follow-up appointment so that I can get a new prescription for a cpap. I initially thought she was calling about the boys so I asked her if they had received the referral for the boys from their doctor. She said "Oh, those are your twins? We've never had twins here before. I thought the name looked familiar. " I had to laugh - we're the only family in all of Ontario with our last name (as far as I know).

They are scheduled for their sleep studies on December 3 & 4. They get separate visits and I will be allowed to sleep in the room with them, but on the futon that is there - which is fine by me. Oh, and because I'm on the futon and not the bed, I'll have to bring my own CPAP...I'll be too far away from theirs.

Thanks, Sleep Talker, for letting me vent.

[Tracy]

Cnd:
Also wanted to mention that I know sleep labs who work with kids. Most have the kids come in for a day time tour before their appointed night so they can be familiar with the surroundings. and I think you are right, your boys will probably be fascinated with the whole thing and think its really cool! Call your sleep lab and see if you can arrange that!

Do let us know how it goes, I'll be thinking of you and the boys!

Tracy

[CdnYankee]

Actually, they were with me the last time I was there during the day trying to get a follow-up appointment, so they've at least seen the beds and won't be unfamiliar with the place.