Okay, Liam, where are you????

Liam hasn't posted since the 9th of March, nearly a week ago. Anyone PMed him or otherwise heard from him? He's not usually this quiet.........

Shhhhhhhhh, He's sleeping.

I've wondered the same thing ! Hummmmm Has Jay Leno given him a ring ??

Since Liam's a singer, he needs to jump in here and answer Divajojo's question today regarding vocal chords.... where IS he?
lynn

And not one single Liam retort about my peeps!!
He's around somewhere. I had a Liam "sighting" briefly, so he's around, I'm sure of it.
The place seems a little quiet without Liam, doesn't it?
I sure wish he'd come back and play in the sandbox with us.
I know, let's all sneak over to his blog website and flood the thing with sappy messages!!!

Liam last posted to his blog on the 11th.

OK, I guess I'll log in...

Here's the scoop: I had the flu for about a week, during which, I had time and energy to do little more than think, and I kind of came to the conclusion that CPAP was not working for me. In the two months I've been at it, the only reliable sleep I've gotten (unrestful though it was) has been when I've not used the machine, or after getting frustrated and taking it off at night.

Now, there's been a fair number of potshots taken at me by "cowardly" guest posters, some of which seemed to believe that I was an egomaniac looking for attention, so I didn't feel like anouncing my departure would be seen as anything but a cry for more attention.

Additionally... I know there are a lot of people struggling. I know that it's human nature to need support and positive feedback when trying to make something work, and the last thing someone in that position needs is evidence that someone ELSE decided it was unworkable and decided to quit the therapy. I do not want to be even partially responsible for someone who might otherwise have gotten good treatment for their condition deciding instead to quit. FOR ME, since giving up on the machine, I've been sleeping a lot better. Not GREAT, I've never slept really well, but I can function again at the 75% level that I was previously at, instead of the 15% level I was able to when using the CPAP actively and trying to be fully compliant. But that doesn't mean it has to be that way for anyone else, and I don't want to influence that decision.

Now, I did see my sleep doctor on Monday, he insists that we try a few more sleep meds and see if we can find something that will let me get to sleep with the monster on my face, and so I may decide to give that a try before giving back the machine. I also intend to get a copy of my scrip, so if I decide in a few months to try again, I can do so.

But for now, I'm really feeling like spending 8 hours asleep to get the rest of about 5 is by far a better option than spending 8 hours awake in bed, or at best dozing fitfully, to get at best the equivalent of an hours restful sleep.

I have enjoyed my time here, and I think most everyone here is wonderful. I'd certainly welcome anyone who wants to continue e-mailing, or who enjoys my writing enough to continue reading my weekly columns on my blog. But I'd feel quite hypocritical staying on here giving people advice when I couldn't follow it myself, and I really don't need to leave myself open to periodic accusations that I'm symptomatic of what's "wrong" with the board (each time dropping me into a depression).

So I thought I'd just sort of fade away, and only came back to post this because of the number of concerned e-mails I've been getting, asking if I'm OK. Since the topic is here, I thought I'd post it.

Liam. Breathing at night is overrated, anyway.

Liam:
You are a dear person and a great poster, and you have to what you think is best for yourself. No one can beat you up, and shouldn't. Feel better, keep writing, we're out here for ya' ok?
Keep in touch, ok?

Your ''nightly'' wearing of the beast fellow 'pap-er',

Gailzee

Liam1965 wrote:OK, I guess I'll log in...

Here's the scoop: I had the flu for about a week, during which, I had time and energy to do little more than think, and I kind of came to the conclusion that CPAP was not working for me. In the two months I've been at it, the only reliable sleep I've gotten (unrestful though it was) has been when I've not used the machine, or after getting frustrated and taking it off at night.

Now, there's been a fair number of potshots taken at me by "cowardly" guest posters, some of which seemed to believe that I was an egomaniac looking for attention, so I didn't feel like anouncing my departure would be seen as anything but a cry for more attention.

Additionally... I know there are a lot of people struggling. I know that it's human nature to need support and positive feedback when trying to make something work, and the last thing someone in that position needs is evidence that someone ELSE decided it was unworkable and decided to quit the therapy. I do not want to be even partially responsible for someone who might otherwise have gotten good treatment for their condition deciding instead to quit. FOR ME, since giving up on the machine, I've been sleeping a lot better. Not GREAT, I've never slept really well, but I can function again at the 75% level that I was previously at, instead of the 15% level I was able to when using the CPAP actively and trying to be fully compliant. But that doesn't mean it has to be that way for anyone else, and I don't want to influence that decision.

Now, I did see my sleep doctor on Monday, he insists that we try a few more sleep meds and see if we can find something that will let me get to sleep with the monster on my face, and so I may decide to give that a try before giving back the machine. I also intend to get a copy of my scrip, so if I decide in a few months to try again, I can do so.

But for now, I'm really feeling like spending 8 hours asleep to get the rest of about 5 is by far a better option than spending 8 hours awake in bed, or at best dozing fitfully, to get at best the equivalent of an hours restful sleep.

I have enjoyed my time here, and I think most everyone here is wonderful. I'd certainly welcome anyone who wants to continue e-mailing, or who enjoys my writing enough to continue reading my weekly columns on my blog. But I'd feel quite hypocritical staying on here giving people advice when I couldn't follow it myself, and I really don't need to leave myself open to periodic accusations that I'm symptomatic of what's "wrong" with the board (each time dropping me into a depression).

So I thought I'd just sort of fade away, and only came back to post this because of the number of concerned e-mails I've been getting, asking if I'm OK. Since the topic is here, I thought I'd post it.

Liam. Breathing at night is overrated, anyway.

Well my friend.............Hummmmmm Not exactly sure what to say. .......I'm thinking ....................

OK...I'm ready to comment.
I struggled with that mean evil machine/mask for nearly a year !!! The first 3 months nearly drove me to the nut house....But I hung in there. The Sleep Doctor gave me Ambien. Ahhhh finally....sleep BUT I knew the day would come that I would have to go it alone (without meds). I had a hard time BUT all has worked out for the good.

******following comments are not intended as medical advice.

I think I would basically "start over". There's nothing wrong with taking a few steps backwards. Sometimes it's nice to see "where you've been". Take a look at the whole picture.....
Work with your doctor !!!! or Hey "get a new doctor"
Finally>>>>>>>>>>> I hope you change your mind on that "Fading away stuff". This is a "free message Board" and ....I think we still live in a free Country. We would certainly miss you !! AND To be very honest, I think you would miss us !!
Those who hurled "Potshots and insults" are like Message Board terrorists. They Hit and run....Spout their evil and scatter like dust in a wind storm.
I wouldn't worry about those people...........This Room is about Support.
We will support you my friend.

God Bless (oops.......can I say "God" in here ????)
See ya ....."soon"
Rich (53now)

Message Board Terrorists

Liam,

It has been a little too quiet around here. Please don't give up. Just refresh and try again. I would seriously consider the Auto and maybe this new Aura would work for you.

These "guests" who have come on here and been dinks obviously have way too much time on their hands. Maybe if they would get off their a.... and do something constructive instead of looking for fights and ways to make themselves look better--the world would be a better place!!

Stay with us and the treatment.

Heidi

Liam,

It has been a little too quiet around here. Please don't give up. Just refresh and try again. I would seriously consider the Auto and maybe this new Aura would work for you.

These "guests" who have come on here and been dinks obviously have way too much time on their hands. Maybe if they would get off their a.... and do something constructive instead of looking for fights and ways to make themselves look better--the world would be a better place!!

Stay with us and the treatment.

Heidi

Liam,
Please don't leave. The majority of us (the ones who sign in) like you and like your humor. The board just wouldn't be the same without you.
Debbie

Liam,

How 'bout trying an oral device? I have a friend who could not tolerate cpap who uses one.

Hi Liam, I second the recommendation to try ambien (though, I'm not a doctor!) as a way to help you transition into being more comfortable with wearing the mask. The 10 mg ambien pills will knock you out and I doubt you'd even notice you had the mask on! I guess I'm lucky in that I've been a long time scuba diver and caver, as well as wear a respirator for some part time work/hobby stuff I do, so I'm not claustrophobic in any sense of the word...I took right to the mask without problems...but if you're having trouble, a sleeping med short term may do the trick.

I've enjoyed reading your posts on this board! Where is your blog located?

Tired-in-Tenn