Variable Breathing always 60%+ - Concerned

[MrSandman]

We have some posters with medical credentials but I'm certainly not of of them. SAG seems to take your VB as a medical hint warranting further investigation. And he has excellent R.R.T. and R.P.S.G.T. medical credentials in addition to managing a fully accredited sleep center (that's better certification than a sleep lab).

Also, a reminder to ask for that easy 12-point fibromyalgia pressure test if you are so inclined. Hope your doctor listens to what you have to say. Man is it frustrating to receive a deaf ear in any medical interview.

I still think auto BiPAP with BiFlex can offer some pressure relief on those two points I had mentioned (PS helps with WOB, and exclusive FL &/or H clusters buy you lower EPAP compared to ordinary APAP). I did like Snoredog's idea about eventually sleeping in a chair to see how/if position affects VB. If VB plummeted after an experiment like that you could guarantee another few pages of medical conjecture and discussion from us folks in the peanut gallery IMO. I also like Jules' idea about at least considering the possibility of MCS (just may want to research that possibility before mentioning it).

Good luck tomorrow!

The sleeping in a chair is an interesting idea - guess I missed that one. That would eliminate the smashing of the diaphram and stuff and I have slept in the chair plenty of times without the machine. My Dr. doesn't believe in fibromyalgia but when I had migraines 15 years ago and painfull points all over my upper back the neurologist said I had Fibro and that if I had my wife massage real hard with her finger tips where the pressure points are they would go right away(and it did). But I didn't feel the lumps that I do now in my left rib cage but it was the same pain now that you mention it.

I stick with this thread because I think if VB actually pointed to something else physically wrong it would be very interesting information. I hope it isn't anything though.

Thanks

Browser doesn't think SAG will be posting in a Browser thread anytime soon...

[MrSandman]

Last time I brought up something on the Internet he said he thought I needed to spend less time on the Internet. It may be time for a new family doctor.

My previous doctor was the same way. When I told him I had read something on the 'net, he got really snotty with me. Then he got embarrassed when I explained it was part of my medical transcriptionist training, but still said "I guess nobody needs doctors now that there's the Internet." My new doc loves the 'net, and I love that about him. Good luck tomorrow!

We shall see...

Thanks

[jules]

As I have mentioned I have fibro. It was diagnosed officially by a rheumatologist back in IL, and it wasn't the first rheumy I saw. Even with this official diagnosis, it is sometimes hard to get other doctors to accept it. The local doc (who I left to see someone else) says he believes in fibro but won't diagnose it himself. He told my spouse he was sure he had it but that he wouldn't officially say it. However to get to the point, we both have a lot less pain since we added 3 inch memory foam mattress pads on the beds. I picked them up at amazon.com and this was the last one. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LQB264

It is good you are working on the sleep lab and doctor situation. However, there is this problem having a primary care doctor that isn't going to listen to you. Part of the reasons I left the local doc was he didn't know who I was every time I saw him and the last time I saw him, he should have been in bed asleep as he was so out of it. If these docs don't listen to us or know whether we are diabetic or not (my case not - he thought I was), don't have adequate records of tests performed (he has on his records I had a colonoscopy which I didn't), and don't even bother to check with us what meds we are taking, then they aren't doing us any good and we need to walk away. I go to someone now who advertises "we listen, we care" and will give me web sites to look things up. She might not be the best but this listening to me and accepting what I am thinking is a big plus.

However Mike, I want you to think about the possibility of an alternative medical provider in addition to your primary care person (MD, DO, NP, PA). The approach could be about the same but more open to not always prescribing drugs, or it could be radically different. I can't say you have MCS but you have described things that could be in that big group of MCS syndrome symptoms. They might be able give you better ideas on treating pain problems, balancing diets, and live a healthier life.

Again it is great you made the calls Monday to start setting up the sleep lab and seeing the sleep doctor. Those need to be done.

[StillAnotherGuest]

Browser doesn't think SAG will be posting in a Browser thread anytime soon...

Don't be silly! Just been a very busy time with the "fall cleanup", getting ready for the holidays, pending visit from "the little one", and not to mention trying to rid the kids' computer of an extraordinarily pesky heap of Malware (did you know that kids will often visit "unsafe" websites?) that not only made all the anti-Malware programs unloadable, but blocked visits to those software sites and prevented re-installing the software. Turns out that part was something of a "faux", the programs were actually running in the background, and just needed to find and kill the "cloaking" program.

Meanwhile, like every keystroke is sending SAG to a "You Need To Purchase This Software Or Your Computer WIll Explode" site. Malware Programmers are big fans of "irony" with their "Buy This Malware Remover" Malware.

And he has excellent R.R.T. and R.P.S.G.T. medical credentials in addition to managing a fully accredited sleep center (that's better certification than a sleep lab).

Don't forget RCIS and "The Other Thing". While the study of sleep is interesting, it don't put gas in the Lexi.

Now that you mention it Creed was one of the 10 music CDs I was going to pack for Marsha's suggested exercise in exile to a punitive desert isle.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35886&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... 15#p309362

Awright!! Nothing like a 120 dB "Power Chord" to clean all those cobwebs out of the ol' noggin!

SAG

[GumbyCT]

Gumby likes to use Firefox (FF) along with a host of other Freebies to Prevent Malware from getting a grip. On Gumby's list for every computer is SpywareBlaster which doesn't need to be running all the time to prevent the nasties. Found at http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html

Gumby also uses (installs) Spybot, Adaware, Zonealarm, AND McAfee Site Advisor which lets you know if you're at a bad site. Oh not a Freebie but Gumby recommends Pest Patrol. In case, any nasties come in then Gumby can just update.

All with a good viri scanni - when using Norton, Gumby only loads the Virus Scanner and not the other frilly things that seem to mess up his pc. Tho Gumby must admit he hasn't loaded any on his Vista machine yet

So far Gumby has never had a problem with Malware taking down his pc and feels if a site won't work with Firefox, Gumby doesn't need to be there.

Gumby thinks using IE is like a bait crop used by farmers. Just as long as there is IE the bad guys will leave his FF alone for the easy pickings.

Gumby is an avid listener of http://www.computertalkwithtab.com/index.html
Check out their links section so you don't download more malware from a bad site. And don't forget their segregated and categorized forum when you need computer help. They have more Mods then AssA, some might feel at home there.

Gumby says Good Luck.

[MrSandman]

-SWS wrote:
We have some posters with medical credentials but I'm certainly not of of them. SAG seems to take your VB as a medical hint warranting further investigation. And he has excellent R.R.T. and R.P.S.G.T. medical credentials in addition to managing a fully accredited sleep center (that's better certification than a sleep lab).

Browser is curious where sleepydave's center is and why a center is better than a lab?

[MrSandman]

Gumby likes to use Firefox (FF) along with a host of other Freebies to Prevent Malware from getting a grip. On Gumby's list for every computer is SpywareBlaster which doesn't need to be running all the time to prevent the nasties. Found at http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html

Gumby also uses (installs) Spybot, Adaware, Zonealarm, AND McAfee Site Advisor which lets you know if you're at a bad site. Oh not a Freebie but Gumby recommends Pest Patrol. In case, any nasties come in then Gumby can just update.

All with a good viri scanni - when using Norton, Gumby only loads the Virus Scanner and not the other frilly things that seem to mess up his pc. Tho Gumby must admit he hasn't loaded any on his Vista machine yet

So far Gumby has never had a problem with Malware taking down his pc and feels if a site won't work with Firefox, Gumby doesn't need to be there.

Gumby thinks using IE is like a bait crop used by farmers. Just as long as there is IE the bad guys will leave his FF alone for the easy pickings.

Gumby is an avid listener of http://www.computertalkwithtab.com/index.html
Check out their links section so you don't download more malware from a bad site. And don't forget their segregated and categorized forum when you need computer help. They have more Mods then AssA, some might feel at home there.

Gumby says Good Luck.

Browser NEVER has malware issues although he has fixed many of these issues in his career and EVERY issue Browser EVER fixed concerning malware, EVERY SINGLE ONE, was due to the user browing porn sites or illegal download sites or illegal free movie watching sites or other non-mainstream sites.

[echo]

.... (did you know that kids will often visit "unsafe" websites?) ....

Browser NEVER has malware issues although he has fixed many of these issues in his career and EVERY issue Browser EVER fixed concerning malware, EVERY SINGLE ONE, was due to the user browing porn sites or illegal download sites or illegal free movie watching sites or other non-mainstream sites.

I'm guessing SAG's kid(s?) would NEVER visit such sites. Probably they visit the unsafe sports sites like skydiving or base diving.

(reminds me of a similar story about my cousins, their PC, some 'unsafe sites' and lots of malware)

Browser - good luck with getting the appointment. Jan 2 is actually pretty much right around the corner, so that's not too bad.

Also consider that the caffeine might be wrecking your sleep more so than you realize (sorry, this was probably said a million times already). I read somewhere that it takes caffeine 36 hrs to exit the body.
Watch out for the caffeine headaches if you decide to cut down or cut it out completely! I went through caffeine withdrawl once about 10 years ago, I was drinking about 1 large pot of drip-coffee a day while studying, and I went cold turkey during the Xmas holiday. Damn it was harsh for a couple of days, but after that it wasn't an issue. Since then I drink mostly caffeine-free tea and coffee. (ps I'm smokeless now for 6 days now , woo hoo).

I have had the same problem with Doctors that you report - if I go in there with too many issues, then it's too much. If I talk about "i read this" or "i heard that" (on the internet but also possibly in the news, or from a friend), then of course they don't take it seriously.
stacia - if only we could all have doctors like yours Just because information is more widely available doesn't mean experts are no longer needed!

[ozij]

I wouldn't cut caffeine "cold turkey" - the headaches can be terrible. Give it about 2 weeks of about 1 cup less every day.

O.
P.S. echo, we really have to change this "turkey" theme in our dialogue...

[echo]

I agree O, going "cold duck" is not the nicest experience in the world.. cutting down slowly is probably more gentle on the body.

[jnk]

1. Congrats, echo, on going cold rooster-from-india with the smokes!

2. I have been caffeine free for three weeks now.

3. Now if I could just lose some pounds/kgs/ozs/grams! I may have to go cold-rooster-from-india on food.

jeff

ps-Hey, I figured if I was gonna make an off-topic post in our friend Browser's thread, I might as well make it a hat trick and get it over with!

[echo]

jnk:

1. (twitch cough)
2. (twitch, twitch, twitch)
3. Try getting sick, it works wonders. (take your pick: flu, pneumonia, diarrhea, dysentery, vomitting....). Yeah, that's right, DURING the holiday season. Preferrably only 1 illness at a time.

p.s. Just to bring it back on topic, a congrats to Browser for going cold rooster-from-india (cold duck is just easier to say) with the smokeless tabakie. Nicotine is addictive in any format (damn nicotine grrrr).

[-SWS]

Echo, echo, echo... Clever move!

...Trading cigarettes for "cold duck".


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Broswer- I believe SAG's sleep center is based up in the New England states. Here's text describing the differences between a sleep center and sleep lab:

A sleep center can help detect and treat any sleep disorder that may trouble you. A sleep center may be organized in the following three ways:

1. hospital based
2. university based
3. privately owned or "freestanding"

The AASM sets strict rules for centers and labs to follow. The mission of the AASM is to assure the highest quality of care for patients. The AASM accredits two types of sleep disorders medical facilities. Both types of operations must meet the same high standards.

1. Sleep Disorders Centers

A center must provide testing and treatment for all sleep disorders.

2. Laboratories for Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders

The focus of a laboratory is on sleep-related breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea. For other sleep disorders, you may be referred to a sleep disorders center.

STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION

Standards that the facilities have to meet in order to receive accreditation from the AASM include:

* Their medical director must be a physician who has been licensed by the state.

He or she must have a proven expertise in sleep disorders medicine. This person is in charge of the overall patient care for the program.

* They must have on staff a sleep specialist who has been certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine.

Also known as a Diplomate of the ABSM, he or she must have an MD, DO or PhD degree with a doctoral specialty in a health-related field. His or her job will be to certify the results of all sleep studies and train the technical staff. He or she needs one year of full-time training in clinical sleep disorders or equivalent. His or her experience must include the evaluation of at least 400 patients. A center always must have a specialist on its staff. In contrast, a laboratory may have a pulmonologist (lung specialist) with expertise in sleep medicine.

* Their testing rooms must provide for the privacy, comfort and security of patients.
* All staff must continue to take classes on an annual basis.

This will further their working knowledge of current technology and procedures.

* All fees and billing must comply with both federal and state regulations.
* They have to adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations for the operation of a medical practice.
* They also must follow the American Medical Association’s “Code of Medical Ethics.”

http://www.sleepcenters.org/index.aspx

[jules]

Echo, echo, echo... Clever move!

...Trading cigarettes for "cold duck".

Yeah that was the kind of "cold duck" I was thinking about - we used to get Paul Masson years ago.

[-SWS]

Yeah, my wife and I won't drink cheap wine any more. If the wine box doesn't look fancy, we just take a pass and keep shopping...