CPAP in the War Zone

Auricula · Post by **Auricula** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:20 am

http://www.salon.com/news/2007/03/11/fo ... newsletter

Soldier refusing to return to Iraq had developed sleep apnea since first deployment, now suffering from narcolepsy, unsafe to drive military vehicles. "Smith needs to sleep with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine pumping air into his mouth and nose. 'Otherwise,' he says, 'I could die.' But based on his last tour, he is not convinced he will be able to be in places with constant electricity or will be able to fix or replace his CPAP machine should it fail."

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:42 am

If you can't do the job, get out. The primary job of everyone in the military is Rifleman, from the cook to the F-16 jock.

Mickey Dees, needs more fry cooks. Jim 1st Inf, Viet Nam 1966.

cajapato · Post by **cajapato** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:17 am

God knows we need to get our troops out of Iraq. Don't get me wrong, we need a military posture against terrorism. But, we have no business fighting in somebody elses civil war.
That being said, I agree with goofproof. Military service is for the fit. You have to be ready to go into harms way on a moments notice. No questions asked. Being less than medically sound is not acceptable for a warrior.
If the above article is true and wounded/disable soldiers are being sent back, then it's time for our Congress to stand up to the President.
I don't glibly offer this opinion. I was in uniform for 21 years. I retired 16 years ago. I know the nature of uniformed service.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:12 pm

Not that I'm planning any bank robberies, but I wonder if people in prison are allowed to use CPAP. Whether its the military or jail, I can't see bunk mates being very accepting of it.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:24 pm

Anonymous wrote:Not that I'm planning any bank robberies, but I wonder if people in prison are allowed to use CPAP. Whether its the military or jail, I can't see bunk mates being very accepting of it.

Knowing the U.S. prison system, they probably all have APAPs. Jim

And good people in the military, in tight situations, look out for each other, that's what it's about. Two eyes aren't enough.

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Im2tired · Post by **Im2tired** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:55 pm

I wondered if SA was something that would exclude you from war. I'm too old to be drafted and I have other conditions that would keep me out anyway but just curious.

I also have wondered what would happen in prison with a CPAP. I don't lead a life that's likely to make me end up in jail - actually I just go to work and home - but still I've wondered how they would treat all of my conditions. The routine might be good for me but I'm sure the CPAP and insulin pump would be out. And when I was in the hospital for a day I realized that no institution is able to handle my medication schedule like I can and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't let me control my drugs myself.

Laurie

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:01 pm

Im2tired wrote:I wondered if SA was something that would exclude you from war. I'm too old to be drafted and I have other conditions that would keep me out anyway but just curious.

I also have wondered what would happen in prison with a CPAP. I don't lead a life that's likely to make me end up in jail - actually I just go to work and home - but still I've wondered how they would treat all of my conditions. The routine might be good for me but I'm sure the CPAP and insulin pump would be out. And when I was in the hospital for a day I realized that no institution is able to handle my medication schedule like I can and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't let me control my drugs myself.

Laurie

You wouldn't have to worry about it long, your roommate would trade them for cigarettes and drugs. Jim

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 9:33 pm

Yep ... this CPAP stuff sort'a blew my retirement plans ... I suppose I'll have to work a lot longer and forget about the prison pad.

curtcurt46 · Post by **curtcurt46** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:00 pm

First, I want to say I am retired from the U.S.Army and have quite a bit of experience deploying soldiers to war zones.
Any soldier with a medical condition gets evaluated prior to deployment. Soldiers take regular physicals that determine their fitness for deployment. Any soldier with a medical condition will go to a medical board to determine whether they can be deployed. In the case of the soldier on cpap, I must assume he was deployable with limits.
Unit commander do not make the call on medical conditions, it's only a medical doctor and in the case of serious injuries it's a medical borad. In the sleep apnea case I would think this would require a medical board and a physical profile limiting the soldiers deployabity.

Just a caution, many stories out there have a bisas.

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Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 2:26 pm

curtcurt46 wrote:
Just a caution, many stories out there have a bisas.

So True! While I have praise for our people in the service, that hold the line, it's too bad the people running the country, never passed history, or were placed in harms way, for nothing but feel good reasons. Jim

adam · Post by **adam** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:07 pm

hi my name is adam. i have been in for a little over 4yrs and i have been told that i need cpap. they also told me that i cant deploy. if anyone has any research on this please post it. thanks alot.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:45 pm

Goofproof wrote:
curtcurt46 wrote:
Just a caution, many stories out there have a bisas.
So True! While I have praise for our people in the service, that hold the line, it's too bad the people running the country, never passed history, or were placed in harms way, for nothing but feel good reasons. Jim

Couldn't agree more about the people running the country (in the ground) never being in harms way. Everyone of them's kids should be over in Iraq right now!

JeffH

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 4:15 pm

Their kids??? Why not the three who instigated this Iraqi war? They should have been in the vanguard, the very first "unit" into the war!! Supposedly one of them learned how to fly a plane in the National Guard. I wonder if that is why so many of our Guardsmen are over there???

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 5:10 pm

Anonymous wrote:Their kids??? Why not the three who instigated this Iraqi war? They should have been in the vanguard, the very first "unit" into the war!! Supposedly one of them learned how to fly a plane in the National Guard. I wonder if that is why so many of our Guardsmen are over there???

I suppose you are referring about the one that flunked Bar Stool 101. Jim

Too sad, but true.

tslon · Post by **tslon** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 10:57 pm

"But, we have no business fighting in somebody elses civil war."
What our own media perceived Civil war? http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/w ... 530526.ece (read it and find out what the Iraq's think. Poll by a distinguished and self funded polling group just this week)
"I suppose you are referring about the one that flunked Bar Stool 101."
You mean the one that stained the dress, liked cigars and interns? The one that destroyed the military and put a certain Al Qaeda leader back on the streets. The one that did not put the pressure back on Sadam. Or the one that started the Islamic terrorist movement (JC)?

I guess no one can ever heal from a disease (Bar Stool 101). Then no one suffering from apnea should ever be allowed to drive a vehicle. EVER! Because disease can not be treated right? So you are a sub human and can never be president because you are sick! Remember you don't get enough sleep so your judgment is clouded! What if the power goes out and the battery doesn't work? Is that the same as falling off the wagon? Remember you have not slept for 24 hours and that is like being legally drunk.

While none of us like the war, 83% of us agreed to it ( and 99% of the Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate). And the Clintons followed their own intelligence information so don't blame Bush for lies. So like everything in America, if it is not over in a week it is bad and America is terrible. WMDs? They were found. Explain the tons of yellow cake (used to making nukes) found in Iraq. The media won't report that either.

"it's too bad the people running the country, never passed history, or were placed in harms way, for nothing but feel good reasons." Yes it is a very big shame that President Bush is now left cleaning up the mess of BC and JC. At least he has the guts to face the world jealousy and threats to this country. Do you want to live like the Israelis? Would you enjoy walking down the street of your town and a suicide bomber pulls the cord at the corner restaurant? Go ahead and feel like you are safe! Our military is taking care of business in Iraq against Al Qaeda right now. It is not just about Iraq it is about your home town and mine! Yes our military is involved in local disturbances but they are part of the same issue (Iran).

I am not Liberal, Democrat, Republican, or Conservative. I refuse to affiliate with any of them. I know that our military is taking on our biggest threat on the front that now exists in Iraq. It did not before but that is where the US threat has decided to take us on. I feel safer and deeply respect the soldiers that are protecting my family by fighting in Iraq. I cry every night for the loss of life on both sides including friends.

Flame me as much as you want but I won't sit here at a Sleep Apnea site and listen to these political shots of one liners. Step up and enter debate on a separate thread more appropriate or keep it to yourself!

Now back to the thread. If this soldier has SA and is asked to support in the field then he should be excused from combat duty. He should go in front of a medical board with mission statement to determine fate.

Mask

Additional Comments: Equipment isn't correct, S9 ASV w/H5i