extremely tired all the time. need advice.

[Julie]

We will tell you which machines and masks are good and which aren't. Don't let anyone tell you that Apaps cost more however - the billing code to the insce. co. is the same and they otherwise couldn't care less. What's hugely important is that you get a data capable machine that gives a lot more than compliance info... and btw, Apaps have a Cpap mode if you later choose to use it alone, but Cpaps won't do Apap.

Don't get any machine with Plus or Escape in the name as they don't do useful data - we call those bricks.

Find out from your MD when you go what are the ones on his shortlist so you can run them by us before deciding. Machines that will cost more are bilevels (bipaps), ASV and Vpaps, because their designed for either extra high pressure or central apnea (as a diagnosis, not just the few we all get when falling asleep and on wakening), but unless you fit any of those, you shouldn't have a problem. And we also can steer you to e.g. Secondwindcpap.com that has reconditioned machines (not all even need a script) at great prices.

Get your MD to write a script for "Mask of patient's choice" as well, so you don't get stuck with something you don't want or need... we can help with those too of course.

[Grace~~~]

We all fear that, dorlow ... and with LEGITIMATE reason.

I personally believe the quality of medical care is going down at a rapid pace.
Good doctors are being hamstrung and 'rule followers for profit' are being put in their place.

That is why you have to find a LOT of the answers on your own. Which is SOOOOOO hard when you
are already exhausted and a little sick.

*I* am searching along side you. Many here are ...
I am able to give cpap a chance because of the help and tips I've gotten here from the generous and wise.

...and believe me ... I still need help, but I have to take things a bit slower right now.
At least the mask is not driving me crazy. Things are tolerable and I am seeing a little improvement that I do not believe is wishful thinking or psychosomatic.


Often times the successes on the path are tiny as we work our way through these big problems. They build on each other. Never expect a doctor to care the way you care. Try to think of good questions for this cpaptalk group so they can understand where you are in your head and what you need.

Seriously, there are some VERY VERY VERY smart people around here who will help you if they can see that you are formulating good questions and moving forward to solve problems.

I am so sorry dorlow. Genuinely.

I wish every day that I could just quit all this stupid 'health' stuff and go back to my life.


...but there is a chance if you face it all head on you will conquer it.
Only a few really will ever conquer ... but you, dorlowm have all the earmarks of one of the winners.

(...and I don't know about you but I believe there are lessons everywhere and that many seemingly unrelated events in our lives are actually interdependent and solving a piece in one area can have rewards in places you would have never imagined.)

Get your machine and mask out, ask your wife for help too (I am serious about her wearing it a few nights so she understands and can give you feedback) and then ...

Ask cpaptalk and these super generous WINNERS here for help and pointers and about threads you should read.



I am betting on you.
That you will be totally ready to get the REAL answers you need within 1.5 months when you meet that doctor.
You will have the information which will lead to brilliant discernment.

It definitely could be something beyond apnea making you tired but at least get the apnea question answered as accurately as you possibly can so that you are clear to focus on another challenge should that occur.

Sometimes you get a LOT of SH#T all at once.

unfair?
or opportunistic blessing for enlightenment?

[Sylvia54]

And no insult to anyone here by what I am about to say but trying the CPAP again when it didn't work for the last year...

The definition of insanity is trying the same thing twice and expecting different results. I've tried it for a year. Why would me trying it again would I ever expect a different results.

I can't change any settings on it. I can change ramping time and humidity. That's about it. I don't use any ramping time because I feel like I suffocating if I can't get air. But I had those set right for me. The pressure is set by my doc. I can't change that.

Hi, I'm fairly new to cpap (13 wks in) and have had only slight off and on improvement so far in how I feel. Yesterday, I went back to the sleep clinic, gave my complaints and discussed options with an APRN. Then low and behold, he gave me his "blessing" and the clinic increased my fixed pressure from 7 to 8 and I'll have to wait and see what that does. He suggested I also try using my slumber bump belt that keeps me off my back on some nights to see if that helps. Not thrilled about wearing both at the same time but will try anyway. I bought the positional therapy belt on Amazon as suggested by my sleep doctor. So did you ever try and resolve your issues with the sleep clinic while using cpap all that time? If you did and they wouldn't work with you, then maybe you should look for a second opinion.

I also took my sleep study report to an ENT doctor. It shows I have tongue obstruction and he told me there's crowding at the back of my mouth. So we discussed the orthodontic work I had for crowded teeth when I was young. He gave me a brochure for "Somnoguard SP Soft", a custom fitted mandibular advancement device. He said insurance would pick up some of the cost only after trying cpap first. Total cost is about $500.

[dorlow]

problem I have still is all of this clinical stuff in the bedroom really doesn't make a bedroom too romantic.

[Sylvia54]

problem I have still is all of this clinical stuff in the bedroom really doesn't make a bedroom too romantic.

Okay, so take your pick; live with chronic fatigue and take risk of developing serious chronic health conditions, or take time and effort to improve your everyday life and future health. We've given you a number of suggestions. The choice is yours.

[JessieLC]

Dorlow.........

Sorry to be blunt but attitude is everything! You ASK for help but don't really want to KNOW the answers as you have made up your mind theres got to be another cause. You have already decided CPAP will not work for you .You dont use the one piece pf equipment that could give you some answers. Dont expect overnight success, it might take time, and study, and tweaking. The Sleep Study you had indicated you have some type of sleep disorder. Start fresh with a new attitude of I want to why this is happening! I want answers!

Sometimes a puzzle takes time to figure out.......you tiredness puzzle sounds like its one of those! Good Luck!

[Wulfman...]

problem I have still is all of this clinical stuff in the bedroom really doesn't make a bedroom too romantic.

What a pathetically disgusting, egotistical statement!

HOW OLD ARE YOU?


Den

.

[palerider]

And no insult to anyone here by what I am about to say but trying the CPAP again when it didn't work for the last year...

The definition of insanity is trying the same thing twice and expecting different results. I've tried it for a year. Why would me trying it again would I ever expect a different results.

I can't change any settings on it. I can change ramping time and humidity. That's about it. I don't use any ramping time because I feel like I suffocating if I can't get air. But I had those set right for me. The pressure is set by my doc. I can't change that.

using it doesn't mean it's working, just like putting on a pair of glasses with the wrong prescription won't make you see, now matter how long you wear them, if the cpap isn't tuned properly for you, you won't get much/any benefit from it.

you *can* change the settings on it, if you gave enough of a shit to learn.

[palerider]

problem I have still is all of this clinical stuff in the bedroom really doesn't make a bedroom too romantic.

why are you still here, crying like a baby?

[Wulfman...]

problem I have still is all of this clinical stuff in the bedroom really doesn't make a bedroom too romantic.

You're probably one of those men who think that women's feet are shorter so they can stand closer to the kitchen counters.
I'll bet you're the type who thinks they only need to snap their fingers and your wife will come running to fulfill your every wish.

"Macho man, macho man
I've got to be, a macho man"


Den

.

[SewTired]

Dorlow, if you are already doing what the previous sleep study said and there is NO IMPROVEMENT, you probably need to see a regular doctor and have more tests done. The problem of apnea may be hiding something else.

In my case, it was anemia, followed by high blood sugar (despite taking meds for both). Now that the fatigue is gone, I'm doing much better, but they KNOW that I have a slow heart rate and as such, have a low oxygen level. So while I'm not foggy, I do need a nap several days a week. I don't yet qualify for a pacemaker, so that's just the way it is for me. I think further work with a regular doctor may better pinpoint your issues. Don't let them push on being overweight as the cause.

[reecemj]

Wow he's over at another site....http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread ... eed-advice

[Grace~~~]

problem I have still is all of this clinical stuff in the bedroom really doesn't make a bedroom too romantic.

for *me* ... the best 'romance' is mental ... if you're super aroused and someone has your heart and mind pounding ...
well nevermind, I was thinking I would share about "this one time ..." but this is not the time or place.

...but you could try alternating the use of the cpap between you and your wife and ummm ... 'play games' from there?

Also, obviously, you don't need to use the cpap as part of the actual act (but I don't know why you wouldn't do a little of that? It lends itself so well to so many scenarios)

It only takes a few seconds to take it off or put it on?
So be romantic as usual and then put it on when you are "recharging", superman

I don't want to give up on you dorlow.
I just think you are frustrated and tired and just venting out the last blocks in your mind before you actually get serious.


Forget the 1.5 months. How about just one night?

Just have your wife wear the cpap tonight and TOTALLY please her just as a "proof of concept" ...
scientific research

[dorlow]

well, when using the cpap, we did get romantic on occasion. but extremely more rare than when I didn't use it. Low T can partially be caused by not having that constant romantic affection. so my cpap and the barrier it caused possibly contributed to my low T. When wearing it, I look like a crazy space elephant. how does that put anyone in the mood?

[mummmz]

Hey, crazy space elephants can be romantic! You've just got to be more adventurous. haha You know being romantic doesn't really start in the bedroom right? It's everything else that leads up to getting there.

I take it you don't have kids, do you? Having a kiddo or two between you in bed kind of puts a damper on things but people go on to have more kids so they must find a way.