Good news I think

Well I went to the doctor today and I started to tell him some of the problems I am having at work like the stress of not being able to do my daily things, forgetting important reports, and I told him I get all stressed out cause I am trying so hard but then I make it worse, he ask me how my breathing treatments are going I said that I seem to not be doing it right, I am taking it off after 4 hours and still only sleeping for 5 hours tops, I told him that I just want to go part time cause I just cant seem to do my job anymore, he explained what my body is going thru and I hope this helps others out there, I had the thinking that I just cant do daily things anymore cause I was getting older, or heavier or well I was blaming myself, he said that I can not do my daily stuff cause I am not getting the breathing treatment at night and My body is reacting to not having oxygen at night, the weight gain, swelling, not thinking correctly, high blood pressure, so on, so he told me that I need to take a month off of work, stay home rest, and use the CPAP everynight, and all night, and he called the DME while I was there and told them to check my mask today, he wants this solved now, so I think I finally got it, it is my sleep apnea that is making things hard right now, not my thinking
hope this helps someone, I know it made my eyes open, i didnt realize how bad it could be, the doctor said I was on a verge of a stroke, blood pressure 150 over 100

Flightyone, sorry to hear about your troubles, but it sounds like you have a SUPER doctor! Listen to him and take the time off, rest, recuperate and, above all, every single time you go to sleep, take a nap or doze off, be sure to use your CPAP!!

Work with your DME and make sure you get the most crucial part of CPAP treatment....the right mask for YOU!

Best of luck.

Kajun

GREAT doctor!! He's a real jewel! KEEP him! Also inquire at work about FMLA for that month off. Its your doctor's recommendation that you take it off so he should be more than willing to fill out his part of the paperwork. Your workplace should provide the forms for you, altho I'm sure you should be able to find them online as well. There are some businesses exempt from FMLA but that info should be online as well.

The only bad thing with the FMLA is that it is nonpaid leave. That means that you won't get paid your wages while off. A couple of years ago I hurt my back and talked to the doctor and where I work and they were willing to oblige my request but let me know that it would be unpaid leave.

Just something to think about -- not wanting to rain on anyone -- just telling from my experience.

i can have up to 6 months off paid cause I am an union employee and as long as the doctor says that I need time off I will get paid for it and we do have to do the FMLA thing cause I am the one that does it for all employees, so I will be fine,

It sounds like you have a wonderful doctor. I'm glad you are heeding his advice. I have some suggestions for your time off.

1. Get yourself a new machine that is data capable and buy the software so that you can see what's going on. the machine in your profile is not a data capable one. Don't buy the machine from your DME, but online. cpap.com, our host is a great place, or you could try to get a used one on cpapauction.com. You have a ResMed, but the cost of a data capable machine from them is very high, so you might want to try a Respironics or Puritan-Bennet machine. Make sure the one you buy is FULLY data capable. Not all respironics or PB machines are.

2. Come back to this forum often and post for help in getting the optimal treatment. The advice here is much more useful than any DME I've heard of. Not that you shouldn't work with your DME to get the mask working, you should do that, too.