Update

[CharlesVer]

My appointment with the specialist is June 1.

My chest & throat still have pain, but not as bad as before. Doctor said, IF it gets worse before specialist appointment, to come in and he'll take me as a "walk-in" and give me a Chest X-Ray and EKG.

Still tired (I do have sleep apnea, after all!) but not like the total sleep deprivation I had on CPAP.

I can't really spend as much time here as I did, but wanted to keep everyone updated!

Best wishes to all!

[Julie]

Hi, Charles I'm glad you're getting seen to. I tried to write you previously (on the forum) but my note never made it through. It was a suggestion to try what a lot of people with GERD do, and that is to raise your bed (from the head end, of course) by about 6 inches, on blocks, bricks, whatever, and see if that helps, as in fact it seems to for many people - acid can't run upstream and even 6" seems to really help. Good luck.

[DreamStalker]

I didn't realize you were in one of those socialist healthcare systems.

You won't have any symptoms by then. ... they will say you are fine, collect their fee, and the whole cycle starts all over again.

Oh well, good luck anyway.

[roster]

Charles,

Please consider this:

I would like to make you aware of "positional sleep apnea" (PSA). It is thought that 40% or more of patients have PSA.

PSA means the apnea is much worse in one sleeping position (on the back) compared to other sleeping positions.

You should definitely try to avoid backsleeping until you get some resolution on your diagnosis. Sleep on your sides or your tummy. If you need tips on how to do this, just let us know.

If there is any indication of GERD, I would do as Julie suggests and raise the head of the bed by at least four inches, ideally six inches.

Good luck,

[DreamStalker]

Just don't use Viagra before going to bed cuz then you won't be able to roll over on your tummy.

[elg5cats]

My appointment with the specialist is June 1.

My chest & throat still have pain, but not as bad as before. Doctor said, If it gets worse before specialist appointment, to come in and he'll take me as a "walk-in" and give me a Chest X-Ray and EKG.

Any reason given for the scheduling the appointment so far out? Chest pain is a symptom that bumps a patient up on triage and need to be seen. I would be concern my symptoms were not being taken seriously with the current plan. Also, not only is there a delay in assessment of chest/lung pain and any treatment needed, there is further delay in treating your sleep apnea. Why not at least go ahead with some diagnostics as a precaution, not only if you push the issue by reporting you feel worse.

Just a thought, what's the message being conveyed with current scheduling plans? You'll either be better and if something potentially life threatening, you'll could be dead with the present level of concern!

elg5cats.

[BlackSpinner]

Why hasn't he scheduled the xray and ekg ahead of time?
This is nothing to fool with!
This is taking far too long to deal with. I would have gone to ER long ago with your symptoms and this would have been done - not scheduled for a few weeks from now!