Will I lose my license?

[hobbs]

DON'T be like my Grandfather! He died in his sleep, while the other people in the car were screaming.

[Goofproof]

I think this is a New First, being in DeNile, before treatment. Talk about a Bummer for success!

Jim,

Not necessarily. He's here. He's asking for help. He's scared. That counts for a lot.

I mean, geeze, I was recovering from cancer surgery, for ghu's sake! Then I get handed an apnea diagnosis after a miserable PSG in which I sneezed and coughed and shivered all night because I was allergic to the sheets on their bed, and the temperature in the room was beyond frigid!

I'm claustrophobic to the point it's taken me almost 9 years to get used to light reading glasses. Sleep with a mask? You have got to be kidding!

I was crying when I came out of the doc's office, clutching the titration prescription.

Then I came here, and started asking questions. Just like Chris is. I'll have been on my machine a month as of Friday -- have not missed a night, and have not had less than 6-7 hours any night -- and in some cases 8-10 hours. So don't assume someone's in De Nile just 'cause they're scared witless!

I like you got my diagnosis less than two months after a quad-bypass that didn't go well, was set up with a pressure of 14.5 cm, wondering if it was going to blow my opened chest apart. No chance for me to swim in DeNile, I had to make this treatment work, and like you I did. Wallowing in DeNile, wasn't going to fix anything, or be productive in any way. Can do, does, Can't doesn't! We had a saying where I worked, "Can't Do, Can't Stay" These are the rules for most people, might as well get use to it.

When I left my doctors office I was crying, when are you going to get my machine in, I want it now! (It took a week and 4 phone calls & 2 visits) The squeaking wheel gets his XPAP machine.

Maybe it was tears hitting the shore, I mistook for DeNile, but if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, I'll bet it bakes like a duck. I preferTurkey anyway. Jim

[ChrisC]

Thanks for the comments, guys. I'm not being strictly in denial: I'm quite aware that I probably have terrible sleep apnea.. just wasn't aware that it was a life-threatening issue. I thought of it more as an inconvenience. Like I say, in the past I've chalked my fatigue up to working shift work: a year later, working straight days, I'm finding myself more tired than ever.

At any rate, I have taken comments made here very seriously.. I've made an appointment for tomorrow AM with my doctor.

Ironically, I work IN home healthcare. Day after day, I deal with clients who have been prescribed medical devices and just don't want to wear them. I've been fighting with a 96 year old patient who desperately needs to be wearing compression stockings, but refuses to have someone come in to help her put them on in the AM. I have other patients that are at great risk for falling/injury without a walker, but refuse to get one (even though the government funds the majority of the cost). I work in a pharmacy, so I am extremely aware/sensitive to compliance issues: just never thought I'd be the one with the issue!!

I think, like these patients I deal with on a daily basis, I'm just plain scared. Knowing that this is a dire problem though, I'm taking it seriously.. I probably don't fully appreciate how much this is affecting my health: hearing comments from those of you who wish they would have tackled the issue earlier, I know I'm *LUCKY* to be taking it seriously now.

[sepool]

Chris,

I appreciate your candor. I hope you will get the treatment you need, and I know I will appreciate your special insights you will be able to bring here.

Good luck!

[DreamStalker]

Yep ... understand.

I lived with OSA for a long time without knowing. The last 5 or so years before being diagnosed and starting treatment I just accpeted the health problems and pains as a part of getting old. After starting treatment I got lucky and hit a home run and felt about 10 years younger ... that's what I call quality of life. Not everyone hits a home run but you can't hit one if you don't play.

Welcome to the forum Chris ... glad you joined.

[Kiralynx]

I like you got my diagnosis less than two months after a quad-bypass that didn't go well, was set up with a pressure of 14.5 cm, wondering if it was going to blow my opened chest apart. No chance for me to swim in DeNile, I had to make this treatment work, and like you I did. Wallowing in DeNile, wasn't going to fix anything, or be productive in any way. Can do, does, Can't doesn't! We had a saying where I worked, "Can't Do, Can't Stay" These are the rules for most people, might as well get use to it.

Right -- but it doesn't hurt to find out if the cry is out of shock or DeNile. I mean, my chief reaction to the cancer diagnosis was "How can my body betray me like this?" Having had a surgery seven years ago which did not go well -- very bad reaction to the anesthesia -- I was freakin' terrified of major surgery. CPAP is not what I wanted, but at least it doesn't involve being sliced and diced with a Ronco Kitchenmatic!

When I left my doctors office I was crying, when are you going to get my machine in, I want it now! (It took a week and 4 phone calls & 2 visits) The squeaking wheel gets his XPAP machine.

Took me a bit longer... sleep clinic took three weeks to fit me in, then a week before I could see the prescribing doc, then another week (fortunately, they had a cancellation) for the titration, then another week for the report to come back, and then being told it would take six weeks before I could see the doc to GET the report, let alone get the equipment ordered!! Uh-uh! I harassed the doctor's office, got a cancellation, the doctor asked me what kind of equipment I wanted, and I had NO idea, 'cause I wasn't expecting complex apnea! I just specified that it had to be a bipap and a fully data capable machine. The Apria RT here is very good, and recommended to the doc that I have the Bipap Auto SV, so I started out with exactly the machine I needed. But I had to stamp on the doc's office (not the doc, I hasten to say -- I like her, but her office staff are ditzes!) multiple times. Luckily, the office is across an alleyway from my water therapy, so it was no trouble to harrass them. From initial consultation to machine, 2.5 months. Most of it twiddling my thumbs and waiting on reports and waiting on medical scheduling.

Maybe it was tears hitting the shore, I mistook for DeNile, but if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, I'll bet it bakes like a duck. I preferTurkey anyway.

Uh-huh. Turkey, almond flour dressing, brie spinach, apple-cranberry-pecan compote, homemade cranberry sauce, mock sweet potatoes, almond muffins, and egg nog ice cream. The ice cream is because my folks say my pumpkin pie is just too rich after the rest of the meal!

[Hawthorne]

I live in Ontario as well. I was diagnosed 6 years ago with severe sleep apnea. My Sleep Specialist said that I would NOT lose My Driver's License IF I got treatment. He told me he was obligated, by Ontario law, to send a letter to the Ministry saying that I had been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea but that I was complying with my treatment and, in his opinion, I was fine to drive. I have a copy of that letter in my files.

The Sleep Specialist followed up, twice in the first year ( by reading my card - which, in those days, only showed compilance) to see that I was using my cpap.

I did not hear from or see the Specialist again until I requested another sleep study this year. Had the study - nothing said about driving at all.

I never heard anything for the Ministry and have been driving all that time.

No need to worry about your license but DO get yourself to Specialist and have a sleep study.

Get going on your treatment, if prescribed, or there is a very strong probability that you will have an accident (or several) that may be very severe and you WILL lose your license!!

[roster]

........
I never heard anything for the Ministry and have been driving all that time.

...........

In the U.S., a high percentage of our elected officials and government employees have sleep apnea. We don't have to worry about a law being passed that would stop sleep apneics from driving.

[Guest]

Ontario here

I was diagnosed with mild apnea, 16 stoppages per hour, but a champion snorer, so said the Dr, the Wife, the friends, and the neighbours, and like you born from a family with a long history of sleep issues. ( Only champion snoring in their case, as far as we know, since they never sought help for it)

Discussed the fact that I would sometimes have these weird episodes of highway hypnosis, where I would for a second or two lose focus of my driving and almost become like a spectator instead of a driver. Every once in a while I had to give my self a shake and concentrate harder. The Dr. had some other word for it, but it was from being over tired, etc, etc, .

He did not consider taking my license at all but worded my ability to continue driving in a way that I understood that I needed to continue with prescribed treatment or ELSE !

I am 10 months in to the program and there has been no pressure from his side to see me, or my results.

Don't worry about losing your license, get the help as soon as you can, your wife will love you for it !

Max

[Goofproof]

........
I never heard anything for the Ministry and have been driving all that time.

...........

In the U.S., a high percentage of our elected officials and government employees have sleep apnea. We don't have to worry about a law being passed that would stop sleep apneics from driving.

In the U.S. we can't even get them to quit drunk driving. Jim

[congahands]

ChrisC,
I am glad that your here. You are now aware that sleep apnea is much more than just snoring. One thing that I have found since starting treatment, a little over a month ago, is that I am not nearly as warm at night as I used to be. I used to wake up covered in sweat. I don't anymore. Now I realize that I was working so hard to get oxygen that I was getting a workout every night. This is not a healthy thing.

I am really glad that you are seeing your doctor.

There can be a bunch of emotional "crap" to wade through between now and the day you start your therapy. This is a great place to be to deal with that as well as adjusting to the therapy itself.

[colorado gal]

Chris
If you have been diagnosed with OSA, treatment isn't an option. 2 years ago I started having symptoms of OSA, which I ignored until I literally had to sit up to breathe. I was recently diagnosed with OSA and put on CPAP, what a difference!! Unfortunately I had other symptoms, and an Echo Cardiogram diagnosed Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, which has been atributed to the strain on my heart from the OSA. Good news is the CPAP may reverse it. It could have eventually ended in heart failure without CPAP. It's not just a matter of death, but quality of life. You'll have so much more energy! I've just been using it for three weeks, and I'm amazed at the difference.

[john_dozer]

You may be culpable during the period between your diagnosis and you receive you treatment. Giving a few weeks between a diagnostic sleep study and a titration where they determine your pressure and possibly a week or so before you get your equipment from a DME, it could be month.

If you are truly unaffected while driving, then say so on any questionnaires the doctor offers. That may or may not matter, but its better than having documentation admitting you knew you were impaired.

Ask if they can do the diagnostic and titration in the same night. This might shorten the window between diagnosis and treatment. From what I understand, you might not need a prescription to get a machine in Canada, but at the same time you may have to pay out of pocket. Perhaps you can get/rent a loaner right away after your titration and start treatment until your equipment comes in.

[OldLincoln]

Uh-huh. Turkey, almond flour dressing, brie spinach, apple-cranberry-pecan compote, homemade cranberry sauce, mock sweet potatoes, almond muffins, and egg nog ice cream. The ice cream is because my folks say my pumpkin pie is just too rich after the rest of the meal!

Uh.... Hon, what time's dinner??!!

[ozij]

Welcome, Chris!
O.