Long time CPAP user - still very tired - Pls help!

Sleepwalker · Post by **Sleepwalker** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 2:07 am

I just discovered this board. Thanks - its exceptional. Please help!

I have been a CPAP (machine set on 12) user for 8 years. My problem is, I am still very tired during the day and have occassionally fallen asleep while driving (just a few seconds but enough to be troubling). I have decided to do something about this once and for all. But what do I do? Is there anyone else out there with this experience, what did you do? Where do you suggest I go for help?

I have an HMO for medical coverage and they have been so busy with people needing help its hard to get the help I need. At this point, I am willing to go into my own pocket. Anyone have any suggestions? How do I find a good sleep/diagnostic center? Is this where I should start? I am in Northern Californa, the San Jose area.

Any advice that's given would ge greatly appreciated.

Have a safe New Year.

Sleepwalker

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 8:32 am

sleepwalker wrote:I have an HMO for medical coverage and they have been so busy with people needing help its hard to get the help I need.

You are one of the people they should be busy helping!

There are many things that can be done beyond the treatment prescribed for you 8 years ago. Ask your primary Doc to submit for pre-approval based on the fact you are falling asleep while driving. Or if you feel the sleep lab available to you through the HMO is not top notch, find a good one and pay out of pocket.

Good Luck!

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 8:42 am

i think you should go into the doc on an emergency basis because you are falling asleep. Maybe your machine pressure is to low. I d probably ask for a auto machine with software so you can see for yourself whats happening.I d suggest also that you be wary about telling doc about driving problem. Some states have very restrictive license policies.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 3:55 pm

I think I wouldn't mention the falling asleep while driving either, for the reason loonlvr mentioned.

If you cannot get the HMO to go along with approving a sleep study (surely they should, after this many years since you had one) and you end up having to buy something out of pocket, then try to get any doctor to give you a prescription with just one word on it - autopap.

Armed with that one word on a prescription (it doesn't even have to say what pressure) you can buy yourself an autopap from an online store like cpap.com. Online stores give you a clinician's manual as well as an owner's manual. While you're at it, also buy these things that don't require a prescription at all:

software for the autopap (so you can take control of your treatment)

heated humidifier

As for the mask to get...what mask are you using now and do you like it (as much as any of us can "like" a mask.)

If you don't leak treatment air out your mouth and are able to breathe freely through your nose when lying down, you might like a Breeze or a Swift. Both of those are "nasal pillows" interfaces - very comfortable for many people.

Another excellent mask of the more traditional type - nasal mask (covers the nose) is the Activa. Almost leakproof on most people and is worn with the straps amazingly loose.

Sleepwalker, you asked: "what did you do?"
Speaking just for myself, I did not bother to have a sleep study at all. (Have no insurance.) Instead, I simply got an old family doc to give me a prescription for an autopap - no study, no exam of any kind. I spent my money on the best equipment I could find - chose an autopap with software so that the machine could vary the pressure throughout the night depending on what I needed while I slept. I didn't have a clue as to what pressure I'd need - so I definitely needed a machine that would find it for me. Kind of like a poor man's (well, I'm a woman!) mini sleep study at home, every night. The software let me download the data each morning to see how it was going. Goes very, very well for me. Best of all, I no longer get sleepy driving - at all. Hope things go better for you, too!

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Thu Dec 30, 2004 7:55 am

rested gal wrote:I think I wouldn't mention the falling asleep while driving either, for the reason loonlvr mentioned.

I'll concur not to tell your Doc about dozing in the car. I mostly said it out of sarcasm, knowing that it would 100% for sure get a rise out of your Doc.

Although for the same reason I would be CAREFUL! There are others out there you could hurt, not just yourself.

Give your Doc one more shot (soon) and then follow rested gal's advice... she knows how to get it done.

Good Luck!