cpap the new chiropractic

Has anybody had this happen to them also. You go to the specialist "doctor" and they prescribe a sleep study and low and behold you have sleep apnea. Then you must get a machine from thier supplier and then the chiro thing begins......see me again in two weeks and they adjust the pressure "though they will not explain why it needs adjusting" then you go to the DME supplier you purchased your cpap machine from and they adjust the pressure....come back to see dr in two week and repeat. Hmmmmm. 21st century chiro rip-off if you ask me.

8 month on this machine and my sleep is worse than it ever was. I took myself off this stupid treadmill three weeks ago and feel better now. So long cpap foolishness.

Geez, you have aggressive Doctor's. I've never seen my sleep Dr., just a name on a piece of paper, and a different name every time.
I agree it's not always easy to get used to the machine, it takes time. I'm not feeling better yet at 3 weeks. However, I want to live to see my Grandchildren grow, to be there for my children when they need me, to run around the nursing home in my halter top etc. Just take control of your own therapy & don't let them make all those decisions.

Well, now. If "I" had all that money invested in a sleep evaluation I'd be wanting a copy of the full summary data, including graphs (about 5-6 pages) as well as the dictated results report (about 1-2 pages). And I'd want a copy of whatever it was the downloaded from the xPAP that I was using. They are part of your medical records and if you are in the US you have a LEGAL RIGHT TO COPIES of your medical records.

Do you even know which xPAP machine you've been using? Brand AND model? Do you have any idea of what data they are obtaining from your machine? If not, why not?

No one has a more vested interest in your health and your health care than you do. If the medical professionals aren't forthcoming with information, its up to you to pursue obtaining that information so that you can make informed decisions regarding your medical care. After all, YOU are the one to endure the consequences of any actions taken or not taken.

You're the one paying the bills whether thru insurance or out of your own pocket. YOU are the employER, they are the employEE. HIPAA gives you the legal right to be kept fully informed regarding your medical care including copies of your medical records.

Get those sleep study reports and the download data printouts, there are those here who can advise you on tips to get benefit from your xPAP therapy. Don't give up so easily w/o putting forth some honest effort to make xPAP work for you as it has for others.

It's too bad you feel that way. I personally love what my bipap has done for my sleep and my chiropractor has worked WONDERS with my back, as well!!!

Life is what you make of it. You weren't willing to take control of your treatment, good thing you have others to blame. Jim

marymoon wrote:It's too bad you feel that way. I personally love what my bipap has done for my sleep and my chiropractor has worked WONDERS with my back, as well!!!

While it is true that chiropractic can be beneficial for back pain it is also true that many chiropractors get their clients to come in over and over for unnecisary "regular" adjustments--even going so far as to recommend "regular" chiropractic for teenagers and kids.

However, thanks to data capable machines xPAP therapy yields quantitatively measured, real results whereas much Chiropractic is based on subjective impressions that are more easily influenced by placebo effect and by suggestion. Additionally, many chiropractors are of the type who promote the disproved notions that spinal adjustments can cure ailments such as infections, kidney disease and the like.

So, I think the OP can make a case that unnecessary, profit-generating regular DME and doctor visits can be compared to the like in chiropractic even though xPAP therapy is real and much of Chiropractic is pretend, though sincerely believed, theraphy.

I've seen my sleep doc twice in eight months. Once shortly after the sleep study, and then again about six months later. Only saw the DME once, at the very beginning, and then again when I was fitted for a second mask about a month later. That's over 8 months. I have called and ordered masks and filters, but never went back in and they never asked me to.

Although I feel some better on my machine, I'm still far from feeling good, but then again, I have other problems I'm working on, too. (Getting my thyroid replacement regulated, low ferritin, weight loss, etc.) My numbers say the machine is working, and I feel worse without the machine. (I just fell asleep this afternoon without it because I was trying to get rid of a sinus headache and had a heating pad on my face and back of my neck---And I feel horrible! Headache is somewhat better, but I feel worse in other ways because I went to sleep w/o the machine!)

I LOVE my chiropractor! Started going to him years ago when family-physician-prescribed PT and other things didn't help my neck and shoulder pain. (Also had headaches with the neck pain.) Chiro is the reason I can still type without shoulder and neck pain. He's the reason I don't have pain in my hands and wrists any more. He, along with physical therapy, is why I don't have to have back surgery for a herniated disc. He lets me decide how often I need to come in. He didn't do that in the beginning, and I don't know if he does that with other patients, but he's that way with me and my son. (If you go to one that says he can cure everything in the world with spinal manipulations, run the other way. They aren't all like that, though, believe me.)

Like others have said, we need to take control of our own health, not let others control it for us. I have even ordered blood work through an online source (done at local LabCorp) to get tests that a specialist didn't think were necessary, and that's been very helpful. I am amazed sometimes how un-knowledgeable some people are about their own health.

Pam

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME

I was advised by my sleep center to consider a national or regional DME if possible. That way, if you move or are in another town for a while, you can still drop by a local branch if you have problems with your equipment.

I was able to narrow down which DME by finding which would work with my insurance company and researching them on the internet. Then I asked questions. There weren't many choices, but I found one.

Most Chiro's I have ever been to say after a couple visits - "How do you feel? Come back when you feel the need to."

If I didn't feel like I needed it, I simply wouldn't go. But that's me, same with CPAP. In the beginning I didn't notice any difference, doc ordered an auto loaner, in 3 days I noticed the diff.

As others have said, You have to be your own advocate. After all, if you don't take care of you - who will?

It does take awhile to get used to something blowing in your face ALL night long. I don't understand why both the doc & dme's don't take the time to explain that and teach how to solve your own leak issues, etc. I also think it might be useful to try wearing the mask/pillows or whatever during the day or at some other point before going to sleep just to get accustomed to things. Starting off slow and increasing the time a little each day/night.

But if you are having apneas - don't just give up. I have seen what it has done to my father and others I know who simply are in denial about their situation and some who believe it is just a scam.

I have a friend, younger than me, who has diabetes, high bp, had a heart attack already. Brags about having had a snoring waiver in the Navy, if there is such a thing. But denies he has a problem, go figure. He thinks it is genetic, well yea they likely had apneas too. Claims to be intelligent?

His idea of multi-tasking is sleeping at a traffic light. But he has no problem.

May I ask, "Just how long CAN you hold your breath?"
GumbyCT

ApNoob wrote:

marymoon wrote:It's too bad you feel that way. I personally love what my bipap has done for my sleep and my chiropractor has worked WONDERS with my back, as well!!!

While it is true that chiropractic can be beneficial for back pain it is also true that many chiropractors get their clients to come in over and over for unnecisary "regular" adjustments--even going so far as to recommend "regular" chiropractic for teenagers and kids.

However, thanks to data capable machines xPAP therapy yields quantitatively measured, real results whereas much Chiropractic is based on subjective impressions that are more easily influenced by placebo effect and by suggestion. Additionally, many chiropractors are of the type who promote the disproved notions that spinal adjustments can cure ailments such as infections, kidney disease and the like.

So, I think the OP can make a case that unnecessary, profit-generating regular DME and doctor visits can be compared to the like in chiropractic even though xPAP therapy is real and much of Chiropractic is pretend, though sincerely believed, theraphy.

I used to think chiropractors were quacks. Then, 2 years ago my back pain got so bad I couldn't walk 5 feet without severe pain. For quite some time, all I could do was sit around the house and gain weight. My husband finally convinced me to see a chiro as a first step and I had planned on eventually seeing a 'real' doctor if it didn't work out.

In the beginning, I went 3 times a week and the adjustments hurt like hell. Then it dropped to 2 then once a week. After 2 months, I was able to actually walk a couple of miles for exercise without pain! I also have chronic ankle sprains that limit my mobility quite often, but now my chiropractor can adjust my ankle and knee and I heal much quicker than I even did before.

I go once a month for maintenance - my choice, chiro saya to come in whenever I feel I need to. Chiropractic care HAS done wonders for me and my health. I just had an adjustment Monday and was thinking about my first visit and how debilitating the pain was then. I'm sure glad I stuck it out and I plan to do the same with CPAP.

marymoon wrote:I used to think chiropractors were quacks. Then, 2 years ago my back pain got so bad I couldn't walk 5 feet without severe pain. For quite some time, all I could do was sit around the house and gain weight. My husband finally convinced me to see a chiro as a first step and I had planned on eventually seeing a 'real' doctor if it didn't work out.

In the beginning, I went 3 times a week and the adjustments hurt like hell. Then it dropped to 2 then once a week. After 2 months, I was able to actually walk a couple of miles for exercise without pain! I also have chronic ankle sprains that limit my mobility quite often, but now my chiropractor can adjust my ankle and knee and I heal much quicker than I even did before.

It's good to hear you have had good success with chiropractic. Chiropractic has been proven to have some benefit in reducing back pain. However, many chiropractor's are quacks. Some are "good" chiropractors and quacks. It can be hard to tell one from the other since one of the most important talents a chiropractor can have is a good rapport with people--which makes it very hard to think ill of them.

marymoon wrote: I'm sure glad I stuck it out and I plan to do the same with CPAP.

YOU go girl!!!

coyote wrote:Has anybody had this happen to them also. You go to the specialist "doctor" and they prescribe a sleep study and low and behold you have sleep apnea. Then you must get a machine from thier supplier and then the chiro thing begins......see me again in two weeks and they adjust the pressure "though they will not explain why it needs adjusting" then you go to the DME supplier you purchased your cpap machine from and they adjust the pressure....come back to see dr in two week and repeat. Hmmmmm. 21st century chiro rip-off if you ask me.

8 month on this machine and my sleep is worse than it ever was. I took myself off this stupid treadmill three weeks ago and feel better now. So long cpap foolishness.

I take it from your post that you are no longer using your CPAP?
If that's the case, YOU are the foolish one.

This therapy isn't necessarily about "sleeping".....it's about BREATHING better while you sleep.

Nope! Never had that happen.....
In my case, I only saw my sleep doctor about 3 times in total. I purchased a CPAP that records the nightly sleep data and the software to interpret it.
I haven't NEEDED my sleep doctor since I began my therapy.

You're not alone in being mis-treated by the medical professionals, but it is YOUR therapy and YOU need to take control of it.....and that doesn't include giving up.

Yes, there are "ripoff" artists out there, but the therapy itself is VERY important for those of us who have this condition.

If I misunderstood your post, please correct me/us.

Den

OK, I agree with what Wulfman Den just said. The sleep study is valid. The cpap treatment is absolutely valid. You need to do it.

Don't fight with the DME quacks. Just take care of yourself. Luckily, this is a treatment you can learn to manage for yourself once you get the equipment.

Come back to this board and get the help you need for it to succeed!