CPAPtalk.com

Hope1952 wrote:... and I'm trying to figure out how to add my equipment. ...

First, let me also welcome you! Greetings young Grasshopper!

Here's a link on how to register your equipment in your user profile:

wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile

Hello All,

First thank you for your continuous advice, it has all been very informative.

My current approach is to define if I have a permanent condition that needs a permanent treatment, or a temporary condition that requires a short term solution. I do not want to commit to a long term treatment if I have only a temporary problem, and at the same time I do not want to delay treatment if I do have a permanent problem. My first step is to remove all causes that can be managed.


Quick update:

I just ordered my oximeter and out of curiosity a sleeptracker watch. The oximeter will be here on Wednesday. The Sleeptracker watch was on back order and will be here on a week. They will help me monitor is there is an improvement or if I am simply delaying the inevitable (boiling the frog).

From Monday to today, I increased the hours available to sleep and it has increased my energy and awareness level significantly. It was hard to adapt as I was used to work until late hours every night. I fact I am catching up on work now. (this is the main reason why I have not posted)

I changed my diet to reduce my carbs and increase my vegetables. I also reduced my caffeine intake. It also increased my energy levels. Once I catch up at work, I will return to exercise routine.

I started on allergy medications over the weekend and it cleared up my sinus, it feels like a rush of air is available that it was not available before.

I think that it is working as for the first time in a very long time I took a restful nap without snoring.

I will keep updating on the progress.

Beyond Talking Points wrote:Hello All,

From Monday to today, I increased the hours available to sleep and it has increased my energy and awareness level significantly. It was hard to adapt as I was used to work until late hours every night. I fact I am catching up on work now. (this is the main reason why I have not posted)

I changed my diet to reduce my carbs and increase my vegetables. I also reduced my caffeine intake. It also increased my energy levels. Once I catch up at work, I will return to exercise routine.

I started on allergy medications over the weekend and it cleared up my sinus, it feels like a rush of air is available that it was not available before.

I think that it is working as for the first time in a very long time I took a restful nap without snoring.

Well if this "scare" has meant that you are taking charge of your life instead of it taking charge of you then it was worth it.
Keep on top of it. Allergy medicine cleared up my snoring at first too. The problem is it wears off or you become used to it. It also made me either dopey or hyper.
Remember the "Boil the frog" metaphor and keep checking the temperature of the water.

I agree. Over the last 20 years I went from taking care of my health and push well beyond the limits on key exceptions. To go beyond the limits regularly and on exception taking care of my health. I am very strong, but not invincible.

In case you are interested on an update: I have increased my available sleep hours (from four to six on average), continued with exercise, reduced work stress, eliminated coffee after 11:00 am, started to take allergy pills, and improved my diet. I have continued to monitor my oxygen levels and they are on the healthy range. As a result my snoring has significantly been reduced. I have not repeated the sleep study, but my oxygen meter has not detected any apneas. As a side benefit I have experienced a 15lb weight reduction

The only negative side of this lifestyle change is that I also needed to cut on alcohol ; even a beer will make me snore again.

Again, thank you all for your guidance and advice. You ALL have guided me on a way to develop a customized way to manage my own health. My improvement is directly related to your good advice and though inspiring comments. Thank You.


Yours sincerely,

Actually, I don't think you can categorically state that cpap causes congestion. In my particular case, cpap CLEARS my congestion so that I can breathe better. I actually have LESS congestion now than before cpap. Any congestion caused by cpap can usually be dealt with simple measures, such as using a neti pot a couple of times a day to rinse allergens from the nasal passages, or adjusting humidity to optimal levels. Using a neti pot can also reduce the number of viruses you have if you follow the practice religiously. More recalcitrant cases of congestion might require a nasal steroid or something similar depending on the root cause, or possibly treatment of any allergies or non-allergic rhinitis.

Beyond Talking Points wrote:In case you are interested on an update: I have increased my available sleep hours (from four to six on average), continued with exercise, reduced work stress, eliminated coffee after 11:00 am, started to take allergy pills, and improved my diet. I have continued to monitor my oxygen levels and they are on the healthy range. As a result my snoring has significantly been reduced. I have not repeated the sleep study, but my oxygen meter has not detected any apneas. As a side benefit I have experienced a 15lb weight reduction

The only negative side of this lifestyle change is that I also needed to cut on alcohol ; even a beer will make me snore again.

Again, thank you all for your guidance and advice. You ALL have guided me on a way to develop a customized way to manage my own health. My improvement is directly related to your good advice and though inspiring comments. Thank You.

Glad to hear you're well, Jason Bourne!

Beyond Talking Points wrote: The only negative side of this lifestyle change is that I also needed to cut on alcohol; even a beer will make me snore again.

Faced with a choice between beer and snoring, my wife would be getting a nice pair of those Bose noise-canceling headphones for Christmas.

Hello
Good questions, really the way the world is today if your not a little skeptical about stuff your in big trouble.
My Uncle Bud started using his machine in 2000, he could shake the roof of with his snore in the middle of the day, he would nap alot and always had as long as I can remember.
last Thanksgiving he and another Uncle who were staying at my Mothers house, had something to tell me when I came out for Breakfast.
We have something that will change your life !

I knew of their history with the CPAP machines and since they had both stuck with it and swore by it well I was ready to jump in with both feet.
I did snore, I knew that I scared my gal when she said I would quit breathing at night and she was ready to roll me over and start CPR !

So I did my consultations, I did my sleep study, I did my CPAP titration test to find my correct settings, I got my machine.
I stuck with it, even though it dried me out and made my nose and sinus feel like crap for the first two weeks.
Then I figured out my humidity levels for comforts and after 90 days I had no problem with it.
Well maybe those dreams where your in public talking to someone and you realize you wearing your mask and should take it off because there staring at you and can't understand what your saying while it is on. LOL

Go ahead and wait 10 more years like I did, let the sleepless nights listening to the radio build up, let the afternoons that you just have to hit the couch and take a two hour nap steal your life away, hopefully the low oxygen levels or adrenalin jolts to your heart wont do to much damage.
Or you could take a leap of faith and just go for it, and if you do please stick with it.

I have a lot of friends that hear me talk about it and some are on it too, some are young and can't imagine being married to it, or want to know how they can just order one online and try it cheap with out going through a doctor and testing because that sounds like a hassle.

Good Luck
& Good Health
And God Bless.