Introduction of dsg

[dsg]

Oh yes, neversleeps, I have absolutely no doubt that CPAP has saved my life, or at the very least extended it. Colorado Jan, it's interesting that you're married to a doc who underestimated your condition. He's hardly alone. My dad's a cancer surgeon, and my experience, especially the immediate "cure" afforded by the CPAP, really impressed him. He started to pay much closer attention to the issue, and in speaking with colleagues subsequently realized that startlingly few people in the medical community understand sleep disorders or recognize their severity on patients' lives. Of course I had to give dad the little dig, given the nature of oncology, "What would you give for a cancer treatment that was as immediate, completely curative and absolutely free of side effects as I've got for OSA?"

The cascade of disorders that arise from untreated, severe OSA reads like a laundry list of Things Nobody Wants: insomnia, depression, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes....and that's assuming you don't die from falling asleep at the wheel on the highway!

I was struck by the frequency of my O2 sats falling into the 60's. Somehow of all the bad news in my overnight study, that was the one that shook me the most, since it illustrated that my whole body was starving for oxygen.

I am one grateful hosehead.

[Ron]

Welcome to the site. I'm another 5 year hosehead, and read this message board for over a year before actualy joining it. You have come to the right site for advice, knowledge, and support.

Welcome again,

Ron

[Sleepless on LI]

David,

We've already spoken, but I will repeat my welcome to you. You will make a great addition to this forum. Nice to have you aboard. You have an extremely good attitude and sounds like you've done a lot of homework already. And anything you don't know, you can get answered here, not to mention so many caring and wonderful people who will just be here for you if you just need someplace to vent, rant or rave. Hopefully that won't be the case, but we're all here if need be.

[Jere]

Funny, it was the same sorta thing that tipped me over the edge and sent me to the sleep lab. I had appendicitis last spring and my sat level was extremely low in the ER (before they diagnosed why my gut was on fire)! After the surgery the nurses were not going to let me out of the hospital until I could raise my level over 90.

[dsg]

I had appendicitis last spring and my sat level was extremely low in the ER (before they diagnosed why my gut was on fire)! After the surgery the nurses were not going to let me out of the hospital until I could raise my level over 90.

Funny you say that, jere. Last month my mom was in intensive care after cardiac surgery. Coming from a medical family, I've gotten good at understanding the electronic readouts that abound in the modern hospital. Because of some post-op complications, her O2 sat's were in the high 80's to low 90's, and the nurse commented that she wanted that number higher. I shrugged and said "I can remember a time when I would have given my right arm for a sat like she has now". The nurse gave me the strangest look! I smiled sheepishly and said "sleep apnea. Long story, sorry."