A Reply To Leejgbt and Rooster

modistee wrote:How many people on this forum have had problems associated with adjusting their own pressures????/ I am just curious.

I have a huge problem with the fact that I cannot trust or respect the 'professionals', but rather have had great success in using the information and education supplied through this forum to achieve quite often 0 to .5 AHI, with minimal leaks. Does that count??

That is what I thought Grandmma. And hey I am a Grandma too. I also do not trust Doctors etc anymore. I wish that wasn't the way it is but after the hell I have been through the last three years and all they could tell me was I was depressed and needed anti depressants. When in fact I guess I needed a cpap machine more than anything else. Take care guys.

Modistee

leejgbt wrote

The people here that change their settings I hope are doing this in conjunction with a sleep physician. Would you change your blood pressure med dosage without getting your doc's opinion? Would you know all the risks? If you feel better afterwards does it make you right or just lucky?

1) I don't think so - although my Sleep Dr. acted like he was God so he may be hiding in my closet monitoring me while I sleep.
2) No, I would get his opinion and, if I disagreed because I was an informed patient regarding blood pressure medication, I would tell him why I disagreed. If he had more facts and knowledge than me, I would listen to him and consider his recommendations. If not, I would see another Dr. or go it alone, similar to what I did with my CPAP-enabled therapy (1 was an apathetic Sleep Dr., and one was an incompetent but all-knowing Sleep Dr.)
3) Yes, if I were to change my blood pressure medication, I would know all the risks and weigh them carefully.
4) Right not lucky. I don't depend on being lucky with my health care. I acquire the knowledge that I need to make an informed decision.

Thanks for asking.

leejgbt wrote: Would you change your blood pressure med dosage without getting your doc's opinion? Would you know all the risks? If you feel better afterwards does it make you right or just lucky?

Comparing apples and oranges again. Compare it to insulin - doesn't every diabetic who injects adjust their insulin based on their readings?

LinkC wrote:. The primary risk of pressure too high is central apneas, from what I've been told.

But if I have a data capable machine which I check every morning I will see the AHI's, just like my mother doesn't randomly inject random amounts of insulin without reading her monitor first. And it is very very simple to tell that to a patient. It can be written in the manual - you know the one we don't get.

GumbyCT wrote:I think it's illegal for a DME, RT or sleep professional to even bother with a "User Forum". Esp. w/o ever providing any proof of credentials. ...........

It's the law.

rooster wrote:

GumbyCT wrote:I think it's illegal for a DME, RT or sleep professional to even bother with a "User Forum". Esp. w/o ever providing any proof of credentials. ...........

It's the law.

State law no doubt --- after all the state has to renew our " user " licenses every year

GumbyCT wrote:...Remember the Vietnam War? That was my fault too.

Gee, I just knew someone hadda be responsible for that mess

Hi Everybody

I was going to post my thoughts about what I have learned in this thread, but by the time I was finished about 20 more posts had appeared.

Everyone appears to be having so much fun I did not want to spoil it by going off-topic
So I will post my thoughts in a short while when this thread has calmed down.

But I cannot resist adding my own twopennorth.

My current sleep doctor runs what may well be one of the best sleep clinics in the Southern Hemisphere. He is happy for me to monitor my progress, and make adjustments as needed. If I have trouble with RLS he wants to see me again straight away, or anything else that might worry me, otherwise I will see him early next year. He spent one and a half hours with me on our consultation, and he is a very busy man.

I have read on this forum of many doctors who are happy for their patients to monitor their own progress, and make changes accordingly.

So what I would like Leejgbt to consider, have all these other doctors got it wrong, or are you, perhaps, wrong in your generalised statement. Perhaps - some - possibly most - patients want complete direction in what they do - others want to know how best they can look after themselves. We live in both worlds.

And I think we all know that many who want, and get, complete direction, often get third-rate treatment.

cheers

Mars

Muse-Inc wrote:

GumbyCT wrote:...Remember the Vietnam War? That was my fault too.

Gee, I just knew someone hadda be responsible for that mess

damn it -------- it isn't your fault - my brother clearly and repeatedly blamed me for it ----

I knew I was powerful but I think he overestimated my abilities. But then it was all part of that course he took in med school called becoming a Medical Deity.

I guess RT and other lesser DME employees also have such an oath in their profession or that called occupational therapy.

rooster wrote:

GumbyCT wrote:I think it's illegal for a DME, RT or sleep professional to even bother with a "User Forum". Esp. w/o ever providing any proof of credentials. ...........

It's the law.

Rooster liked your 1st post better to the letter.

BlackSpinner wrote:

leejgbt wrote: Would you change your blood pressure med dosage without getting your doc's opinion? Would you know all the risks? If you feel better afterwards does it make you right or just lucky?

Comparing apples and oranges again. Compare it to insulin - doesn't every diabetic who injects adjust their insulin based on their readings?

Hi Leejgbt

I do not think your statement above is worthy of the original open-mindedness that you showed me.

BlackSpinner is correct, you are using a false analogy to support your arguement.

Just respond with facts - not opinion.

And do not forget you accepted my comments about Doctors and DME's at the beginning of this thread.

And you have yet to respond to my response to your response

cheers

Mars

BlackSpinner wrote:But if I have a data capable machine which I check every morning I will see the AHI's

OK, since you really want to pursue this...

How do you know whether those apnea events are obstructive or central? Is there something elsewhere in the data that would tip you off? If not, do you bump pressure up, or down? Or leave it alone? And upon what do you base that action?

GumbyCT wrote:

rooster wrote:

GumbyCT wrote:I think it's illegal for a DME, RT or sleep professional to even bother with a "User Forum". Esp. w/o ever providing any proof of credentials. ...........

It's the law.

Rooster liked your 1st post better to the letter.

Glad you got to see it before I edited it out. Let's fancy that one up to look very official and blow some arrogant DMEs off the forum at a future date. Thanks for the idea.

GumbyCT wrote:Gumby - who is a 44DD on the internet.

Any plans for an anatomically correct avatar?

rooster wrote:

GumbyCT wrote:Gumby - who is a 44DD on the internet.

Any plans for an anatomically correct avatar?

Aw, Rooster, you are soooo baaaaaaad!