Being used as a reason to not get a sleep study

[JohnBFisher]

So, would a 300% increase in the chance of dying young perhaps make your friend change his mind?

http://www.uwhealth.org/referring-physi ... rers/13986

It happens all the time. People die unexpectedly due to untreated sleep apnea. Sometimes family members even recognize it:

Tony Kaul, 64, passed peacefully on April 25, 2012, in Denver, where his loving family surrounded him. Death was due to complications caused by sleep apnea.

See: http://helenair.com/news/local/obituari ... f887a.html

So, does your friend want to have a similar article in your local paper?

[JohnBFisher]

Or how about a death he might have seen played out on TV:

The crew members will also mourn the death of another seamate this season. Justin Tennison, 33, a deckhand known as J.T. on the "Time Bandit," died in February of complications related to sleep apnea in Homer, Alaska -- four days after he returned from the sea.

This is from an ABC News article, titled: "'Deadliest Catch' Season 7: Danger and Death"

See: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/dea ... D6DKtauZuJ

It happens all the time. Does your friend want to become one more person that leaves family behind to wish that he had taken it seriously???

[tetragon]

He's still in his twenties, still in his invincible stage. He doesn't even wear a winter coat when most people would consider conditions to warrant one. I really do think that it will be a few years before he'll acquiesce to his doctor's recommendations and go for his night at the lab, and that he'll just have to get over his invincibility (I saw a chink in that façade a while back when he couldn't keep up with my walking, and had to go inside to warm up (and that wasn't even when it was cold out)).

He knows that he has problems with sleep, he just resists everything. Whenever he takes a sleeping pill, he has a worse night that his usual. Not, mind you, due to any effect specific to the pill, but rather his actively trying to go against any effect that it may have, to show how he is more powerful than them.

[Snore_question]

Some of the answers from some of the posters here might be a bit fear-provoking, even if they are medically correct facts. I suspect that someone who is afraid of wearing a mask might have a hint of a fear like claustrophobia, fear of medical tests, fear of medical diagnoses, or fear of how he looks in the mask in front of a partner. I suggest maybe not scaring the potential CPAP wearer further right now--just keep the communication lines open without increasing any negativity.

The prospective patient is opening up to the member about CPAP, and that's a good thing. I think the most positive and compassionate answer would be the best. Tell him how great you feel since wearing CPAP! Tell him at any point he can decide about the treatment, that he will always be in control. Tell him the more he knows, the better decision he can make and the sleep study is just to help him get more knowledge and he can decide about wearing a mask after that. I don't think scaring him is the best way to go. What you want to do is reduce his anxiety and negativity. Someone who might be somewhat anxious and negative about CPAP to begin with might be scared away entirely and that's not what we want. Just my opinion.

[greatunclebill]

Some of the answers from some of the posters here might be a bit fear-provoking, even if they are medically correct facts. I suspect that someone who is afraid of wearing a mask might have a hint of a fear like claustrophobia, fear of medical tests, fear of medical diagnoses, or fear of how he looks in the mask in front of a partner. I suggest maybe not scaring the potential CPAP wearer further right now--just keep the communication lines open without increasing any negativity.

The prospective patient is opening up to the member about CPAP, and that's a good thing. I think the most positive and compassionate answer would be the best. Tell him how great you feel since wearing CPAP! Tell him at any point he can decide about the treatment, that he will always be in control. Tell him the more he knows, the better decision he can make and the sleep study is just to help him get more knowledge and he can decide about wearing a mask after that. I don't think scaring him is the best way to go. What you want to do is reduce his anxiety and negativity. Someone who might be somewhat anxious and negative about CPAP to begin with might be scared away entirely and that's not what we want. Just my opinion.

wow. what, one post and already advising long term posters how to post? not a good start, pal. read, watch and learn first.

[JohnBFisher]

Some of the answers from some of the posters here might be a bit fear-provoking, even if they are medically correct facts... I don't think scaring him is the best way to go. What you want to do is reduce his anxiety and negativity. Someone who might be somewhat anxious and negative about CPAP to begin with might be scared away entirely and that's not what we want. Just my opinion.

Perhaps you are right. But in all honesty, it depends on the person that is hearing the message. Some folk really do need a wake up call. They need to know that those medically correct facts are can happen to you. I personally tend to be happier if doctors don't just sugar coat the message. And trust me, I know about hard messages to hear. I have a progressive neuro-degenerative disorder. I am much happier knowing the downside along with the positive. Most of us need both to make decent decisions. Just my opinion .. but based on dealing with a crap load of disorders.

[Xney]

Not that I've been here long, but a positive approach is a good thing. But you can't ignore the serious medical consequences of not getting it treated - they're very real! I think both are warranted - feeling better, but also being at a lot less medical risk.

[zoocrewphoto]

Perhaps you are right. But in all honesty, it depends on the person that is hearing the message. Some folk really do need a wake up call. They need to know that those medically correct facts are can happen to you. I personally tend to be happier if doctors don't just sugar coat the message. And trust me, I know about hard messages to hear. I have a progressive neuro-degenerative disorder. I am much happier knowing the downside along with the positive. Most of us need both to make decent decisions. Just my opinion .. but based on dealing with a crap load of disorders.

I agree. I've had high blood pressure for many years. It was at the high end of normal, so it would get mentioned at appointments, but not bother me. She also warned me that I could be at a higher risk of stroke, and I thought she was being dramatic. I was in my 30s. I've also known for years that I have sleep apnea, but I had it in my mind that it was just sleep deprivation from being awakened all night. I never registered that it was doing damage to me.

Last September, I went to the doctor for a checkup before a big trip with a lot of hiking. My blood pressure was in the 160s over 100-106. My doctor started me on medication. And really warned me that I was at a higher risk for stroke. I understood it, but didn't really accept it. Less than a week later, I woke up with severe vertigo. I couldn't even walk. I was in a hotel room, and I had to crawl over to the air conditioner as I was very hot, very dizzy, and I couldn't even keep a sip of water down. My blood pressure was 197 over something in the ambulance. The doctor in the ER did state that it was not a stroke, but I clearly took that to mean that he was considering that possibility and ruled it out. That scared me. Going to the ER scared me. Not being able to walk straight for a week scared me. When I got home, I went online to look up vertigo, and it is sometimes a symptom of stroke. And a few days later, it started up again. Back to the ER. Again, they ruled out stroke, but they did a CT scan too.

It was determined to be a virus in my ear which set off the vertigo, but it was a huge scare for me. I got serious about taking my medication. it didn't help. My doctor doubled the first prescription. Then added another. Then doubled that one. Then added a third. My blood pressure came down a little. It was still in the 140s to 150s over 90 something. Still too high. That was from September to March.

Somewhere during that time, a long time customer I do not like started coming in again with her husband. She looked like death warmed over. Grey, thinning hair, extremely thin, and silent. At first, I thought she was somebody different, but then I realized it was the same lady. I wouldn't wish that on anybody. After a month of so, she started speaking again, and it was barely speech. I realized she must have had a stroke. That could be my future.

In March, I saw a news item about sleep apnea causing high blood pressure, heart problems, and stroke. I had another appointment the next week, so I fessed up and told her about my sleep apnea. I was still afraid of the sleep study, the mask, and the machine. But I was more afraid of a stroke.

I had the sleep study. It went great, much to my surprise. The mask and machine is pretty comfortable. I've had some ups and downs, but overall, it has been very positive. I feel better. And my blood pressure is definitely responding. If I have a few good days in a row, my blood pressure is within normal ranges. Very nice. If I had a bad day or two, it goes right back to ugly. Positive proof that sleep apnea *IS* the cause of my high blood pressure. And I need it to be consistently good to keep my blood pressure down.

I had another appointment this past Monday. I had two rotten nights Saturday and Sunday night. Two hours and one hour with the machine. Both nights, I took my mask off and fell asleep the rest of the night. Prior to cpap treatment, I would have called them good nights. Over 8 hours each, and I wasn't awake much (to my knowledge). But now, I know better. I had severe sleep apnea all night both nights. And my blood pressure went back up. 150 over 90. My doctor referred me back to a cardiologist. (I went once 4 years ago, after a bad asthma attack caused an irregular heartbeat). I believe it went back up due the 2 nights without the mask. But my doctor wants to make sure that we aren't missing something. So, I go to the cardiologist in 3 weeks. I won't argue. I take my health seriously now.

I needed a wake up call, and two trips to the ER with vertigo and seeing that lady after a stroke was definitely enough for me. The cpap machine is nothing compared to that.

[john5396]

I sent my sister an email with one of the "effects of SA" type of articles. I repeated about once a month with a different piece of information.
My intent was to not pester continuously, but to not give up either.

She was one of those saying the doctor is recomending this just to get more money, yada yada yada.

Denile is more than just a river in egypt...

It took about 4-6 months, but she finally agreed to get the sleep study. She is now well treated with CPAP and thanks me for not giving up.

[lazer]

Show this bozo a picture of the hot babe in the Sleepweaver ad.
There is a reason why this mask has been promoted to truckers.

Link please?

[chunkyfrog]

Let's see if this works:
http://circadiance.com/sleepweaver-advance.php
edit: yep; if you click on the image, large views come up; hit the right arrow until she comes back --bigger

[lazer]

Let's see if this works:
http://circadiance.com/sleepweaver-advance.php
edit: yep; if you click on the image, large views come up; hit the right arrow until she comes back --bigger

That camo is sexy

[ems]

Let's see if this works:
http://circadiance.com/sleepweaver-advance.php
edit: yep; if you click on the image, large views come up; hit the right arrow until she comes back --bigger

That camo is sexy

A few months ago I was at a friend's house where I first read one of your posts and was introduced to your friend, the ant. I ran to get a rag or anything to get the damn ant off her computer, all the while telling her that it was time to get an exterminator. Ya know, if there is one...

She said her husband was too cheap to spend that kind of money so we went to the store to get a can of stuff to spray around her house. Well, when we got back, that ant was still on the computer screen and in the same place! She figured something must have spilled on the screen attracting the ant. She really tried to get it off because she certainly didn't want to spray the computer screen! I'm sure you know the rest of the story. We laughed for hours... honestly.

Ummm... plan on exterminating any time soon?

[zoocrewphoto]

My cat has tried to bite the ant too. Very entertaining

[Snuffle-nose]

Well you have do what best for YOU......People tell you to jump off a cliff,would you do it? Certainly not! But do the sleeping test so one can be treated as untreated sleep apenoa can cause death....As I fell asleep waiting for the walker light change to green and started walking, but was turning red! I Luckliy I had my friend to stop from crossing it as I nearly walked a path of on coming cars!!! Not only I was crumpling into a sleep pattern, my poor had to carry across the street and plonk me on the floor at the social club. When she told what had happened it scared the living daylights out of me!!!

I knew I couldn't wait for a month for treatment ,although on urgent list. I blurted to my GP,"I you gotta get my sleep specialist to act now to fix my problem now. I fell asleep and nearly walked into a path on coming cars and nearly killed myself!!!! If my friend wasn't there I won't be here talking to you. So a frenzy of phone were made, My sleep dr saw me with a week followed sleep test and after that treatment with cpap. They say I had trouble breath so to ENT I went and they fixed my nose, by shaving the tubinates.....opening the nasal cavity as it was blocked and made breathing impossible.