Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Julie
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Re: Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

Post by Julie » Sat Jul 08, 2017 3:41 am

And you could get hit by a car tomorrow crossing the street. You have made it this far, one way or another, so like the rest of us you'll probably make it a bit farther, surgery or not. Your anxiety is as likely to get you as anything and I'd work on that for now. I do wish I knew what you meant by "risk everything for surgery" though... has a dramatic ring to it, but doesn't actually mean a lot if you think about it...

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49er
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Re: Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

Post by 49er » Sat Jul 08, 2017 3:49 am

jwongy wrote:Can someone give me some tips? I too am suffering badly.

I have sleep apnea, pacemaker, high blood pressure, possibly vision loss.
All my doctors tell me they can't isolate what is wrong with me because symptoms are
multi crossed. All they do is refer me to other specialist because it is not their department. It is to the point where I don't want to goto anymore doctors, I see
the bills even with insurance. The bills; the doctors charges are huge!

I've been out of work for a year. And I too like the first post person need the sleep
apnea cpap therapy machine for life. I can hold out just a little with savings,
but my situation is not good.

Would you risk everything for surgery if you were in my shoes? I fear I may need
a risky surgery, like surgery for heart failure. Even those surgeries have risks!
I just fear that even with surgery my condition may not be fixed.

Appreciate any help you can give. Thank you
Hi Jwongy,

Regarding having the heart surgery, in spite of your limited finances, are you in a position to get a 2nd opinion? I know you said you are sick of doctors which I definitely understand as someone undergoing chemo treatment. But getting one might help you make a decision as to how to proceed.

Having anxiety is definitely understandable and normal. I have coped in the past when having procedures under general anesthesia by making sure all my questions get answered. I know that might require another doctor visit but if it helps you make an informed decision about the surgery, it would seem worthwhile to me.

What are you expecting from us regarding your other issues? Do you want help with optimizing your pap therapy?

49er

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robysue
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Re: Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

Post by robysue » Sat Jul 08, 2017 11:11 am

jwongy wrote:Can someone give me some tips? I too am suffering badly.
Unless you tell us what kinds of problems you are having when trying to use your CPAP equipment, you won't get many tips on how to make it any easier.
I've been out of work for a year. And I too like the first post person need the sleep
apnea cpap therapy machine for life. I can hold out just a little with savings,
but my situation is not good.
There's nothing particularly "bad" about needing a CPAP for the rest of your life. Once the machine is paid for, it's not even that expensive. I pay far more for medication per year than I do in CPAP supplies, and that's with good coverage for drugs and a lousy 50% copay on CPAP supplies.
Would you risk everything for surgery if you were in my shoes? I fear I may need
a risky surgery, like surgery for heart failure. Even those surgeries have risks!
I just fear that even with surgery my condition may not be fixed.
Surgery for what medical condition?

Surgery to "fix" the sleep apnea? No, I would not do that if I were you. Read about UPPP surgery and pay special attention to the definition of "successful surgery". It's possible for the surgeon to declare UPPP a "success" and still have an AHI that is high enough to be diagnosed with sleep apnea and get a CPAP.

Surgery for heart problems? That depends a lot on what the problem is and what the surgery is. And what the risks are versus what the expected benefits are. That's a question we here at a CPAP forum can't even begin to address.
Appreciate any help you can give. Thank you
In order for us to help you with your CPAP therapy, we need to know what specific problems you are having with CPAP. It's not enough to generically say, "I can't stand the machine."

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jwongy

Re: Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

Post by jwongy » Sat Jul 15, 2017 7:42 am

How is BoxedIn, the person who posted Post #1, doing? Are you okay, still suicidal?

I can understand having needed a cpap machine for life. The first time I saw my brother with one I said
to myself it looks like he is on a respirator. That can be scary.

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Julie
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Re: Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

Post by Julie » Sat Jul 15, 2017 7:52 am

Hasn't been heard from since '13, so I will imagine he's fine.

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Goofproof
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Re: Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

Post by Goofproof » Sat Jul 15, 2017 10:58 am

Saw him in Wal-Mart the other day, he was with a group of people telling them about a web site he used to visit 4 years ago. They were all laughing about all the people cruising the dead threads on the site, and posting on them instead of starting new threads of their own, that would be more applicable to their problems.

Good thing, they all were laughing and having a good time. Jim
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!

"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire

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Goldie54914
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Re: Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

Post by Goldie54914 » Tue Jul 18, 2017 4:51 am

Jwongy: I have learned that surgery doesn't always correct everything or make things better. I don't know your financial situation, you mentioned that you haven't worked in a year, Have you thought about applying for disability through Social Security? You have numerous health problems, I'd think that you would be able to get on it.

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CT

Re: Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

Post by CT » Fri Jul 28, 2017 11:01 am

Oh my gosh. I thought I was the only one. I can barely hold down a job. I'm at least an hour late every day. I could sleep 11 hours and still not feel rested. I'm on the exact same machine as you. Same with coffee. Same exact story. I'm on meds for depression but they interfere with sleep, but what do you do when you're suicidal and trying to survive. If you found an answer, please let me know. My pressure is 12. I'm not even overweight! I'm average.

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ChicagoGranny
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Re: Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

Post by ChicagoGranny » Fri Jul 28, 2017 11:09 am

CT wrote:If you found an answer, please let me know. My pressure is 12.
Which model machine are you using? Do you know how to read the data from the display? What is your AHI? Leak level?

We need to know whether or not your CPAP therapy is effective.

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robysue
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Re: Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

Post by robysue » Fri Jul 28, 2017 11:55 am

CT wrote:Oh my gosh. I thought I was the only one. I can barely hold down a job. I'm at least an hour late every day. I could sleep 11 hours and still not feel rested. I'm on the exact same machine as you.
If you want our help, you have to give us a lot more to go on. ChicagoGranny's questions are the starting point:
  • What is the exact make and model of the machine you are using?
  • What mask are you using?
  • If your machine records efficacy data, what is your treated AHI? What do your leaks look like?
  • Are you using your CPAP all night long, every single night? If not, why not?
  • Are there comfort issues that you are dealing with?
I'm on meds for depression but they interfere with sleep, but what do you do when you're suicidal and trying to survive. If you found an answer, please let me know. My pressure is 12. I'm not even overweight! I'm average.
If you are suicidal, you need to call a suicide hotline. You also need to work with the doctor who prescribed the anti-depressant medication. There are always choices, and suicide is always the worst choice you can make.

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Machine: DreamStation BiPAP® Auto Machine
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: PR System DreamStation and Humidifier. Max IPAP = 9, Min EPAP=4, Rise time setting = 3, minPS = 3, maxPS=5

jwong

Re: Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

Post by jwong » Fri Oct 13, 2017 1:49 pm

This is along the same lines of what BoxedIn said in the first post.

It's like I have all the compounded medical problems. Pacemaker, aortic dissection, cpap machine, high blood pressure. It may or may not be under control. Now when I walk 3 to 4 blocks I get intense chest pains, numbness in my right arm. The doctors (and my friends) can't tell which is affecting me. A lot of the problems have overlapping symptoms. Without even more detailed expensive tests it is hard to get them to make a firm diagnosis and get disability.

This is cpap related because the cpap is like an artificial form of life support. For life. Aren't cpap machines suppose to be cpap therapy? Therapy isn't for life.

Maybe BoxedIn is right all along. I am becoming boxed in.

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Julie
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Re: Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

Post by Julie » Fri Oct 13, 2017 2:04 pm

Do you think you need to change doctors? Sometimes that helps. Or not.

You have serious cardiac issues and should be seen regularly by a cardiologist who talks directly to you on occasion.

Maybe you shouldn't be walking 3-4 blks, but when's the last time you actually talked directly to any doctor about the particular experience rather than spin around in your head (or on this forum that's not in a position to help you much now)? Your problems can't be solved here beyond our making little suggestions re using Cpap, but in your situation Cpap may be the least of your worries and you need to get all coordinated by either your GP or cardiologist. And then listen to what they advise.

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Re: Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

Post by Guest » Fri Oct 13, 2017 2:06 pm

jwong wrote:This is along the same lines of what BoxedIn said in the first post.

It's like I have all the compounded medical problems. Pacemaker, aortic dissection, cpap machine, high blood pressure. It may or may not be under control. Now when I walk 3 to 4 blocks I get intense chest pains, numbness in my right arm. The doctors (and my friends) can't tell which is affecting me. A lot of the problems have overlapping symptoms. Without even more detailed expensive tests it is hard to get them to make a firm diagnosis and get disability.

This is cpap related because the cpap is like an artificial form of life support. For life. Aren't cpap machines suppose to be cpap therapy? Therapy isn't for life.

Maybe BoxedIn is right all along. I am becoming boxed in.
No, it's not necessarily "an artificial form of life support".
It's "therapy" in a similar way that eyeglasses help you see. Or, like canes or crutches to help you walk.
CPAP machines "splint" your airway open with a little air pressure to allow you to keep breathing (better) while you sleep. For all intents and purposes, CPAP IS "for life" (short term and longer term).

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AMESS
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Re: Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

Post by AMESS » Fri Oct 13, 2017 4:30 pm

Anyone who speaks of suicide needs mental health help. I suggest you call a crisis line in your area..right now. You may have sleep apnea-but you have other bigger issues. There are people that via phone can suggest how you can get help in your local area. Do that first then come back about the sleep problem.

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Julie
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Re: Trying Hard Not to Commit Suicide

Post by Julie » Fri Oct 13, 2017 4:37 pm

And maybe you need to read the whole thread (taking into acct who's speaking and how diff. people responded) before the knee-jerk response you just gave... it's not a bad idea of course, but ... you don't know the history and haven't taken other things into account.

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