ES2 -
You bring new meaning to the phrase; "I'm half the man I used to be."
Congratulations.
Sabby –
If your dad is in his second year with minimal success he can request a new study and a new machine. BiPAP or CFLEX may be subscribed. Or maybe he just needs an adjustment and a new mask. Just call the HMO to find out what percentage is paid. If the bill comes in higher than it should be, call the sleep clinic and let them know they are obligated to honor the agreement they have with the HMO.
Litfuse -
I think weight loss is topical, but as you've pointed out; this is LightChucker's thread so I'll be careful not to veer as well. CPAP is a treatment. Weight loss can be a cure if being overweight is the cause as sigp6, ES2 and turbodog have indicated. I don't advocate being on a machine forever.
83Venture -
Have they indicated that your GERD has caused some scar tissue to form and that is the obstruction?
Let me give you some advice about the sleep study and xxPAP machine: Be stubborn. Go with your instincts. If you think something ain't right, say so. You've already overcome one big obstacle by getting a PCP that recognized you needed a sleep study. That's large.
The next obstacle is having a good study. It's cool. No pain. Some folks have told me two studies is a standard but I just had one. I brought water, crackers, cookies, peanutbutterjelly sandwich, milk, pajama bottoms, boxers, a big T-shirt, house slippers, toiletries and two flashlights. Each person will experience something different. For me the sleep study was unpleasant only in a few areas. The glue they use to stick the electrodes to you isn't nice but I didn't notice until the next day. It can cause some mild irritation. The lady that applied them had gentle fingers.
They may decide to try a CPAP early on. The idea of having a hose/mask hooked up to one's face while lying in a hospital bed can be disconcerting and claustrophobic. It wasn't so much for me because I found the technology to be interesting. I immediately keyed on the infrared light and camera. I kept wanting to shine a flashlight back at them but NO FLASHLIGHTS. Crap! When that blast of air hit me I thought, "This is way too much. It's a Hurricane." But I quickly relaxed and began breathing and found it to be relaxing. Innnnn with the good, ouuuut with the bad.
The mask leaked a couple of times and a tech would come in and adjust it. It dawned on me that they knew exactly when I was dreaming by reading that I was in REM sleep. I wondered for a moment if the cute technician knew what I was dreaming about. A little after 3 a.m. they got the pressure dialed in and gave me a second 5mg Ambien (I had already been prescribed Ambien by my PCP) From 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. a slept like log.
I was awakened by a very nice R.T. before the alarm went off. I felt like 8 billion dollars! After she peeled off the electrodes, coffee was served and she went over my graphs and explained all the details of the study. I took a quick hot shower then I was given a very nice breakfast. Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuit, OJ, milk, pancakes. Mmmmm pancakes.
I felt so good I went on to the Durable Medical Equipment Company to get my BiPAP. Here's another good place to be stubborn. Make sure the Respiratory Therapist programs the pressure just right. If you don't like the mask reject it and try another until you get something that is comfortable. I've heard the Activa and the Breeze are even better than my mirage ultra.
Next, off to the grocery store to get distilled waster for the humidifier. I've since quit using the humidifier. Try hard to be compliant to the treatment until you go back to the Sleep Doctor maybe 15 to 30 days later. Insurance pays for renting the machine. If you haven't made a strong effort to use it the MD has no choice but to record that. They'll know because they'll read the card from your machine. This is when you tell them the pressure wasn't right or the mask didn't work. If you aren't reasonably compliant to the treatment the Insurance Company may elect to not pay for you to own your machine. You want to own your machine.
Yes, I've had some battles with the DME, the techs, the therapists, the nurses, the masks, the MD, the insurance company and my pillows but from what I understand this is normal. I still haven't found the perfect pillow and mask and I'm still not compliant to the treatment all the time but when things go well I feel great. My big breakthrough came when one of the experienced R.T.s told me I just needed a proper adjustment on the machine. From her home she walked me through how to program it over the phone. She also got me the MirageUltra mask. Much, much better. What a life saver.
Things you can look forward too:
Increased energy.
Increased memory and cognitive ability.
Increased Oxygen levels in your blood.
Lowered blood pressure.
Calm.
Loss of weight.
More active immune system.
Clearer skin and eyes, healthier hair...in general a more youthful appearance.
A generally vibrant self.
Increased sexual drive and performance. You are 21 again.
Probably TMI for you but I wish I had known about all this long ago. I would marry the cute technician but GF said no to that.
My apologies for the long post. I just wanted you to know the study and the machine aren't that bad. In fact, I look forward to hooking up now because I know how good it can make me feel.
- Jeff
