DreamStalker wrote:I debated whether or not to respond to this post because lately a few have opined that I should lay off poor Matt.
Hey just to reiterate something I mentioned previously - I have zero problem with good discussion. In fact it's what I hope for here. It's the [not directing this at you by the way] pot shots that I do dislike and ignore. The comments like 'DME companies lie' and the like that don't contribute to a conversation. Comments that are intended as jabs rather than fact. There might even be one in this very thread, for example.
DreamStalker wrote:..It is unfortunate that he had to endure 9 months of inadequate treatment.
Hopefully, you were able to wade through that mess I posted above but just to reiterate: I did NOT 'endure 9 months of inadequate treatment'. Not by any mesaure. It HAS helped, just not as much as I would have hoped. And the delay was entirely my own choosing while I tried other things.
DreamStalker wrote:It just goes to prove that everyone should be issued an APAP from the start in order to fine tune treatment as quickly as possible.
See, I still disagree. In fact I would even say this hits again to what I started with, with me practicing what I preach.
I still
FIRMLY believe it is our moral obligation and fiscal responsibility to start with the least expensive treatment first and THEN work our way up to the most expensive.
Let's all face it - diet and exercise ARE two of the biggest things that would contribute to most of us finding better success with our treatment. And not just for OSA but for every facet of our lives.
I personally chose to work with those for a couple months before moving in other directions.
Now I did use the tools at hand - a smart card and also an overnight oximetery to at least double check the equipment. I was NOT having AHI issues so I saw ZERO reason to want to move to a more expensive treatment.
To be honest, I really don't have much reason to think the auto will provide much benefit over the CPAP. I hope I'm supprised, but I don't expect to be. I still think that if I lost 50 pounds and got in better shape I will see a much more dramatic benefit than anything else I could do.
DreamStalker wrote: Furthermore, I agree with Chuck’s philosophy that apnea patients should not only be provided with -- but encouraged to try out the different APAP machines to determine which algorithm is best.
This I would agree with under the following conditions:
1) Change AUTO to just 'PAP'. See above.
2) Start with one. If after say, 2 months, the patient doesn't respond then move to another. No need to change if things are working well.
DreamStalker wrote:Finally, Bill is absolutely correct that it is these types of unfortunate failures in the current professional treatment practices that result in apnea patients giving up with their treatment.
I couldn't disagree more. For one thing, 9 months is hardly dramatic but even this long has been entirely my choosing. See long rambling post earlier.
Also, I do VERY much believe that the majority of failures are simply due to patients not being willing to put much into it. Let's face it - this is NOT an easy treatment.
I also have the benefit (or drawback) of seeing all sorts of failures on even easy treatment due to people just not caring enough. Hell, let's look at ourselves. Most of us need to diet. We KNOW this. All it really requires is us not putting food in our mouths. That's it. How successful are we at this? Yet we find fault in our doctors and healthcare providers for someone else not sticking with a program where they strap big chunks of plastic to thier faces and shove air down thier nose?!
Are you kidding me?!
Now obviously, we both (Doctors and us) DO bear a lot of responsibility to make things as easy as possible and as effective as possible. That is OUR moral and fiscal responsibility.
However, I can very honestly tell you that the majority of failures I see on a daily basis come down to someone simply not being willing to try. After a week they just give up and say 'I'm don't care'.
mattman
