amazed at this person quitting therapy

[wolewyck]

Of all people, my fantastic dentist was diagnosed with apnea maybe a year ago. Today I see him and ask how it's going-- he tells me that he has quit therapy! He says is is just such an active sleeper that having a mask on his face is problematic, and like many, found it so disconcerting that he has given it up. I don't know everything he's tried-- it's kind of hard to have a detailed conversation when someone is poking around in your mouth. Also, he said his wife complained-- not of noise from the machine, but from the exhalation blowing on her/being noisy.

Get this-- his wife is a DOCTOR.

I was just appalled.

He said he'd been mulling over the dental appliance option but has had patients whom this has caused them significant bite problems, so he's reluctant to try. And also not interested in surgery... eek. I pointed him towards this group as people who may be able to offer practical tips on how to adjust, given his particular issues, but... geez. Talk about the last person I would have expected to reject treatment. It's distressing.

[apneawho]

Being a doctor doesn't make you immune to bad judgment and it is hard to be objective about oneself.

[ameriken]

Of all people, my fantastic dentist was diagnosed with apnea maybe a year ago. Today I see him and ask how it's going-- he tells me that he has quit therapy! He says is is just such an active sleeper that having a mask on his face is problematic, and like many, found it so disconcerting that he has given it up. I don't know everything he's tried-- it's kind of hard to have a detailed conversation when someone is poking around in your mouth. Also, he said his wife complained-- not of noise from the machine, but from the exhalation blowing on her/being noisy.

Get this-- his wife is a DOCTOR.

I was just appalled.

He said he'd been mulling over the dental appliance option but has had patients whom this has caused them significant bite problems, so he's reluctant to try. And also not interested in surgery... eek. I pointed him towards this group as people who may be able to offer practical tips on how to adjust, given his particular issues, but... geez. Talk about the last person I would have expected to reject treatment. It's distressing.

If it were me, I'd be telling him I'm finding a new dentist. I wouldn't want someone in my pre-CPAP condition operating dental knives, needles, picks, and drills in my mouth. Seriously.

[xenablue]

My dentist told me at my last visit that if I did more hard cardio workouts, I wouldn't need the CPAP at all!!!

I asked my neuro about this and she scoffed and said no amount of cardio or weight loss will change whether one needs XPAP or not in almost every case.

Cheers,
xena

[rested gal]

Again, again, and again...it's all about the mask, imho.

The mask is the biggest stumbling block of all to being able to "do CPAP" comfortably enough to actually sleep.

The mask is the #1 key to being able to "do CPAP."

The mask is the #1 reason for most CPAP dropouts.

It's not the pressure, it's not the sound of the older machines. It's not whether "data" is available. It's the mask.

Sure is a shame that a dentist (of all people) and his doctor-wife (of all people) can't figure out how to make CPAP work for him.

IF he's willing to give it one more try (if he's not secretly glad to "give it up") and if he doesn't have to wear a FF mask to handle mouth breathing/mouth leaks, then here's the mask that might turn everything around for the good for him:

The Headrest nasal pillows mask by Aeiomed. It will look crazy, bulky, and heavy to him in pictures, but it's not. It's very lightweight and comfortable. Very good for sleeping in any position, including tummy sleeping. The best thing about it, from his wife's standpoint, is that the exhaust vent will NEVER hit her. Or hit his arm, or the bedcovers, or the pillow, or anything. The position and direction of the Headrest's vent (up on the forehead, venting straight up like a little chimney) is a marvel.

If he will get the Headrest mask and rig up a way to keep the main air hose overhead, he can toss and turn all night without feeling "tethered. He may need to add a soft, stretch homemade strap to cradle the nasal pillows to steady them, if he is an extremely active sleeper, but that's a simple fix.

If he buys a Headrest mask and still "can't do CPAP", I'll buy the used Headrest mask from him for $80. That's the cheapest price ($79.95) with free shipping that I've seen online lately -- at cpapshopper.com

cpap.com also has that mask at a higher price (cpap.com will price match) but he'd have to add more to his order to qualify for cpap.com's free shipping ("$100 order.")

[chunkyfrog]

Still another argument for a 3D database of face shapes; correlated to mask styles and brands that fit (or not).
I know--the frog is ranting--again!

[rested gal]

It's fun to watch the frog rant. Such a cute little frog.

[archangle]

Get this-- his wife is a DOCTOR.

Maybe he has a really big life insurance policy.

[busylady]

Love the life insurance comment!!!

[GumbyCT]

If it were me, I'd be telling him I'm finding a new dentist.

Before you do that buy his machine

I wouldn't want someone in my pre-CPAP condition operating dental knives, needles, picks, and drills in my mouth. Seriously.

Me neither, think about it.

[BrianinTN]

There are a couple counter arguments here. Not everyone feels awful with their apnea. Some people lead normal lives without much fatigue and otherwise feel unaffected by their condition. If the impact of using xPAP is to lower their quality of life, then it's not completely irrational for them to choose to discontinue treatment -- even given the health risks. Not everyone takes to xPAP therapy like a fish to water, and a lot of people try many variations on machines and masks over a long period of time before giving in to the exasperation. I don't think the decision to give up necessarily reflects "bad judgment" -- just a different set of weights on the various factors.

[Mike6977]

The mask is the #1 key to being able to "do CPAP.

It sure is for me.

With 50% of patients ultimately rejecting xPAP, you'd think someone other than just Acurest would see a tremendous potential in custom masks.

Or maybe R&R are just waiting to see how Acurest does in the NA marketplace.

I know that the margins on pre-made masks are fantastic.

EDIT: 3D scanning could cut costs greatly, just like it does on "custom" jeans.

[tonycog]

I don't think the decision to give up necessarily reflects "bad judgment" -- just a different set of weights on the various factors.

A doctor and/or a dentist should be among the first to understand the ramifications of constant, nightly oxygen deprivation - whether they 'feel fine' or not. This seems like one of the definitions of "bad judgement" to me.

Tony

[BamaBoy]

You would think that his wife being a doctor would know the dangers with this! Thats just crazy!!

[nanwilson]

You would think that his wife being a doctor would know the dangers with this! Thats just crazy!!

Bama
My family doctor admits he doesn't know enough about sleep apnea. Since he disn't know the answer, he sent me to a specialist.