Sleep Apnea, to treat or not to treat!!!

[cyklopps]

Lizistired, The Oxygen concentrators can be had for $300 to $500 but my insurance pays to rent one for me. Weezy, your point is well taken.
Something else I wanted to add. I have had high PSA for years but never any Prostate Cancer. But due to my seeming higher risk for prostate cancer I have read a lot about it. Talk about options and trade offs!!!!!!!!!!! I hope I never get the real thing!!!!! But here too, there is a big debate over risk-benefit on how to treat men with this cancer. Everything from watchrul waiting to removing the prostate which is a big deal. The trend seems to be tilting recently toward not being so aggressive.
Does anyone know of animal studies concerning sleep apnea? Do other creatures get this? Phil

[SleepingUgly]

But if I were to find a study showing that my lifespan might be impacted by only a year or so by not doing CPAP or only the Oxygen I would
have to consider it.

What kind of study could test that? We'd need a prospective cohort that we would randomize to NO CPAP vs. CPAP, and then wait to see when they died! I am pretty certain this would not pass any ethical review boards because how could you ethically put anyone in the NO CPAP group?! Also, they'd have to be matched for other variables that kill people, and they wouldn't be because probably the No CPAP group would start to amass other health problems, in part because they may gain more weight, and in part because they would develop more diseases that also impact longevity.

If you were content with the oxygen, and your doctor thought it was efficacious, why are you considering CPAP? It sounds like a win-win situation if it works.

BTW, there are people on this board from all over the world, and I've read studies from various countries. CPAP is the treatment of choice for OSA everywhere, including countries with socialized medicine.

[NotMuffy]

But if I were to find a study showing that my lifespan might be impacted by only a year or so by not doing CPAP or only the Oxygen I would
have to consider it.

What kind of study could test that? We'd need a prospective cohort that we would randomize to NO CPAP vs. CPAP, and then wait to see when they died!

The early studies pairing weight loss (HAHAHAHAHAHA) and tracheostomy did exactly that.

[NotMuffy]

Meanwhile, looks like we got some upsets cooking in the brackets tonight.

Although Kentucky can hardly be called an upset.

Now where's that sometimes Kentucky fan?

[BlackSpinner]

I am also curious as to how the public health systems of other advanced nations deal with sleep apnea. I tend to respect what the Brits or Germans or Canadians for instance are doing in that they do not have profit driven medical systems. CPAP clearly is a godsend for those suffering various bad symptoms. But I have also heard especially for adults over 50 that a high percentage if tested would be found to have sleep apnea. Where is a reasonable line here. Potentially fifty million plus Americans on CPAP!!! How about cost verses benifit ratios.
I may well get my equipment set up properly and use CPAP. But if I were to find a study showing that my lifespan might be impacted by only a year or so by not doing CPAP or only the Oxygen I would have to consider it. We make these trade offs throughout our lives in many ways. Phil

Putting people on cpap is much cheaper then heart surgery or caring for stroke victims or complications due to diabetes. Preventative medicine is much cheaper in the long run. Plus you want to prevent the damage already done to those suffering various symptoms. And much nicer then caring for stroke victims, I have watched my mother going from an intelligent competent woman in 4 years to someone incapable of speaking a complete sentence, in a wheelchair and diapers due to strokes. So if you don't mind taking that risk for those final shorter years then think about the stress to your family.

[NightMonkey]

Anyway I want to clear up a few things. First, I am a 64 year old MWM in good health, physically active, low bood pressure, low cholestoral, 6 feet 150 pounds. I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea in 2009. My sleep study showed 39 apneas 85 hypopneas, with oxygen desaturation of 81%.

If it were me, I would want to know how many arousals are occurring while using supplemental O2 without CPAP.

[SleepingUgly]

If it were me, I would want to know how many arousals are occurring while using supplemental O2 without CPAP.

Why? If he feels well during the day, what are the implications of untreated arousals that cause no daytime symptoms?

[DoriC]

Just the thought of not receiving available treatment to extend and improve quality of life would be a frightening scenario to consider. If you have a wife and family consider their anguish and grief if your life is shortened or they are left to become your caregivers and all while there was a valid diagnosis and successful therapy out there.

[NotMuffy]

Whoa, stick your head outside! The Supermoon's tonight!

[carbonman]

W/a little ingenuity, perseverance and attitude adjustment,
cpap is just too easy for the benefits it brings to quality of life.

[kempo]

Cy, if you decide not to use a xpap load up on life insurance. Your wife and her next husband can pull up to the grave yard every 6 months in the motorhome and put some fresh plastic flowers on your marker.

[jnk]

Now where's that sometimes Kentucky fan?

Is this my cue to gloat and do my happy dance?

I'm surprised they made the Sweet. Good reflexes, plenty of talent, but a weird attitude. I can't put my finger on it.

[NotMuffy]

Butler over Pitt, unbelievable.

[-SWS]

Butler over Pitt, unbelievable.

The on-topic translation for newcomers:

Butler= well-served by CPAP
Pitt= dark hole in the ground (for the wooden casket thanks to no CPAP)

[cyklopps]

It must go without saying from a few recent posts that many on this forum never ever eat too much, exercise too little, chat on a cell phone while driving, exceed posted speed limits, much less participates in any risky sport. Risks that could kill us are all around and we all pick and choose. Phil