Being used as a reason to not get a sleep study

[tetragon]

I am in a bit of a situation right now. One of my friends recently used me the reason why he shouldn't experience the fun and joy of a sleep study when his doctor recommended it. Why me? It's because I had a sleep study and ended up having to wear a mask after it.

From what I can tell, he is a bit squeamish about nasal pillows, and he saw a portrait of me wearing my night-gear (which will not be posted to the "Triple-dog Dare You" thread, that photo is outdated and doesn't include the chinstrap). I've mentioned the existence of other options, ones that don't contact noses, but whether or not he goes in is his own decision. I doubt that he'll do that any time soon. Sigh.

[kteague]

Any excuse will do, eh? Like the person with an obviously gangrenous foot who refused to go to the doctor because everyone else whose foot looked like that who went to the doctor got their foot amputated. So then when he did need his foot amputated, his comment was that he knew he shouldn't have gone to the doctor because all they want to do is cut. Sometimes ignorance is a choice.

[brucifer]

Ignorance is when somebody just doesn't know any better. It's okay to be ignorant at times because that means we still need to learn. However, if someone who was formerly ignorant knows better but choose to continuing doing the wrong thing, then it becomes stupidity. And, we all know that you can't fix stupid. I don't waste my time with such people.

[Goofproof]

Natural selection, Help for when the Red Neck Genes, in the family take over. Jim

[RogerSC]

I would say that you should do what you can do to persuade the person, and point out what the consequences of untreated sleep apnea can be. That's about all you can do. You can't make people go to rehab, either (unless you're a judge).

[purple]

I had acquaintances who obviously needed sleep apnea treatment who found reasons to delay being tested for sleep apnea. (IE: I am going to lose weight and will not need the Sleep Apnea Treatment. I will get this this plastic thing I saw on the TV, that is a lot cheaper. Doctors are just going to rip me off, and the all that stuff is so expensive.) By the way. A lot of sleep apnea will not be cured by losing weight. It takes a long time to lose weight, all the time still having the stress of sleep apnea. Almost no one loses weight and keeps it off. Even if weight loss were a cure for sleep apnea. The stress of no sleep causes one to gain weight and keep it on. If one wants to lose weight, get sleep apnea treatment. Those little plastic dental things work for very few people. They are the waste of money. I do not think of any of those I knew every got one of those things either. And doctors and DME's - equipment are expensive, but what they provide can work.


I asked the RT at the Sleep Lab how I could convince them to get into treatment. She said, "Those who come in here because they are pushed into it by spouses, family, friends often find reasons to quit, to be non-compliant."

Like smokers and alcoholics, it is like they have a death wish. Intellectually admitting that they need treatment, but using their intellect to find a reason not to try. Emotionally refusing treatment like a child - who refuses an afternoon nap.

On the other hand. Many of us can tell stories of how much we suffered to get our treatment to work for ourselves, the frustrations Yes, even pain. We have never slept all night in the mask of some one who qit and known just how much they suffered.

EDIT: One of the most interesting reasons someone gave was a disabled vet. He was sure he would not wear the mask all night. If he got to the point where the VA doc prescribed the treatment, and he could not show compliance data. Then the VA would stop his disability payment. He would not have a way to pay for food or rent. He would become homeless, as an older man, he would die. This is the shade of insurance to come. Either do what the Doctor says or benefits will be terminated. Then on into others lives. No doubt denying employment to those who do not take blood pressure medicine, or whatever. Then those who are obese will be found not in compliance with what the doc says. Or is someone going to stop it? Not if book keepers run our medical insurance system.

[DiverCTHunter]

EDIT: One of the most interesting reasons someone gave was a disabled vet. He was sure he would not wear the mask all night. If he got to the point where the VA doc prescribed the treatment, and he could not show compliance data. Then the VA would stop his disability payment. He would not have a way to pay for food or rent. He would become homeless, as an older man, he would die. This is the shade of insurance to come. Either do what the Doctor says or benefits will be terminated. Then on into others lives. No doubt denying employment to those who do not take blood pressure medicine, or whatever. Then those who are obese will be found not in compliance with what the doc says. Or is someone going to stop it? Not if book keepers run our medical insurance system.

I can't help asking if comments like this are stupidity or ignorance.

Brucifer - I'll send you the extra-large CLUE-bat if Tetragon agrees to do her patriotic duty as a Canuck and helps hold the twits who perpetrate the "death panel" idea down.

Edit: <Grammar Nazi>I'm calling dibs on the ones who perpetuate the myth.</Grammar Nazi>

[tetragon]

Brucifer - I'll send you the extra-large CLUE-bat if Tetragon agrees to do her patriotic duty as a Canuck and helps hold the twits who perpetrate the "death panel" idea down.

I'm not quite burly enough to do that on my own, but if you supply the immovable objects, I have some velcro cable ties that were liberated when some servers were consolidated.

[chunkyfrog]

Show this bozo a picture of the hot babe in the Sleepweaver ad.
There is a reason why this mask has been promoted to truckers.

[acdodd]

Show this bozo a picture of the hot babe in the Sleepweaver ad.
There is a reason why this mask has been promoted to truckers.

OK I had to go look.
She is a babe but I suspect it's a CG image.
I would need to see her nekid, ie no mask.

[chunkyfrog]

Oh, you are WICKED!

[SleepyToo2]

Any excuse will do, eh? Like the person with an obviously gangrenous foot who refused to go to the doctor because everyone else whose foot looked like that who went to the doctor got their foot amputated. So then when he did need his foot amputated, his comment was that he knew he shouldn't have gone to the doctor because all they want to do is cut. Sometimes ignorance is a choice.

This person is lucky to only need their foot amputated. My mother had been receiving treatment under the UK NHS and they told her that she needed a lot more than her foot amputated. She said, at only 82 years of age, "over my dead body" and passed that night. The person avoiding using the mask is risking having to wear a death mask - or living a life worse than death after a stroke. Dramatics? Sure, but so are the antics some people use to try and avoid wearing a mask while they sleep. I put mine on just before I go to sleep, and take it off as soon as I wake up. I never wear it in public - my wife and son are NOT public!

[kerriberri]

I am in a bit of a situation right now. One of my friends recently used me the reason why he shouldn't experience the fun and joy of a sleep study when his doctor recommended it. Why me? It's because I had a sleep study and ended up having to wear a mask after it.

From what I can tell, he is a bit squeamish about nasal pillows, and he saw a portrait of me wearing my night-gear (which will not be posted to the "Triple-dog Dare You" thread, that photo is outdated and doesn't include the chinstrap). I've mentioned the existence of other options, ones that don't contact noses, but whether or not he goes in is his own decision. I doubt that he'll do that any time soon. Sigh.

Hi, Tetragon--

Maybe NUMBERS could convince him. My hubby was having a hard time adjusting to CPAP UNTIL we bought a recording pulse oximeter. Once he saw how sleeping without the machine affected his blood oxygen levels and heart rate, he was an instant convert (and Evangelist) : )

Here's a post that might give him food for thought: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=80463&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... 60#p739944

But, in the end, there's only so much you can do for someone else.

Dick Cavett once quoted this helpful little line: "A man convinced against his will/Is of the same opinion still." Good luck!

[Mary Z]

When his symptoms get bad enough maybe he'll go for the study. The trouble the is real killers associated with OSA are silent killers. You would be wasting your time trying to convince him to have a sleep study. Good luck to both of you.

[chunkyfrog]

A significant medical event generally is the turning point. (and must be considered so by the subject)
Intervention can be of little value if the subject does not believe he is in trouble.
Claustrophobia may also be a factor. Some people are so afraid of "the mask" that they would prefer to die.
One fear must outweigh the other.