Preparing for an appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor. You might then be referred to a sleep specialist.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

• Bring results of prior sleep studies or other tests with you or ask that they be sent to your sleep specialist.
• Ask someone, such as a spouse or partner, who has seen you sleeping to come with you to your appointment. He or she will likely be able to provide your doctor with additional information.
• Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment, and when they began.
• Write down key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes.
• Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you take, including doses.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

For central sleep apnea, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
• Are there other possible causes for my symptoms?
• What tests do I need? Do these tests require special preparation?
• Is this condition temporary or long lasting?
• What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
• How will treating or not treating my central sleep apnea affect my health now and in the future?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?
• Are there brochures or other printed material that I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

• Have your symptoms been continuous or do they come and go?
• Can you describe your typical sleep schedule?
• How long do you sleep, and do you sleep soundly? How many times do you wake during the night?
• Do you know if you snore?
• How do you feel when you wake up? Are you short of breath?
• Do you fall asleep easily during the day?
• Has anyone ever told you that you stop breathing while you're sleeping?
• Are you short of breath when you wake up at night?
• Do you have heart problems? Have you suffered a stroke?