My personal thoughts are, if someone thinks less of me, or thinks I'm 'weak' because I need a machine to help me sleep, then they aren't worth being friends with.

It's not a sham at all though and you should think of it as something that you need to live, literally.

There's no need to be ashamed of it.  I'm more ashamed and embarassed of the way I act and forget things without it, personally.  Although if your case is mild you may not be as dysfunctional as I am without it.


_________________
Brian
Severe OSA
19 cmH2O
Respironics M Series Plus
F&P Forma Full Face Mask

Duplicate post



Last edited by ApexAZ on Sun Sep 13, 2009 1:20 pm; edited 1 time in total
_________________
Brian
Severe OSA
19 cmH2O
Respironics M Series Plus
F&P Forma Full Face Mask

Sarge, I am so proud of you.  You swallowed your pride and tried again and that is WONDERFUL.  I understand your apprehension, believe me I was scared, embarrassed, upset, pretty much all of the gambit of emotions.  For now, relax, if hiding it brings you comfort.......wonderful!

My point is simply this........whatever it takes to get you where you need to be........do it.  What works for one person doesn't always work for another.  Who knows you may one day find yourself in a conversation with someone that is where you are now.  You may end up being a cheerleader for them!!  But for now, you are wearing it and bravo for that.

AND, never, and I do mean NEVER forget how important your job is........I simply LOVE my bug guy!!  And you are right we do depend on you......I once killed 24 black widows in ONE NIGHT in my back yard.  I never want a repeat of that night.


_________________
~ElleMarie~ One day at a time......are you kidding me?.....sometimes it's just one minute at a time.

Jun 2007 AHI 100.7 started cpap at 9** Oct 2007-11** April 2009 Bipap-15/10
Respironics auto M w/ Optilife nasal pillows

Well this should be my last post here. Thank you to all who have supported me. I will say that my wife works for the company that supplied my CPAP. I spoke with her resperatory therapist and was told that I didnt really need the machine,(just as I had suspected.) and that if I lost about 20 or so pounds I would be just fine. So I have decided to change my lifestyle and drop some of the gut I have developed over the years. It was wonderful to have someone ask me about my habits before, and during sleep and also during the day. I was open and honest with her and we basically figured that the reason I am so tired is I wait until midnight or after to go to bed and snack right before. Add that to me working like a madman as I am paid by commision on how many stops I can do in a day, it was no wonder I am so tired during the day. I will say that I no longer believe that CPAP is a total sham, however I do think it is WAY over perscribed as to make the insurance companies and doctors and companies that make the machines money. That is what makes the world go around. Sleep in peace. Now I am off to enjoy a cold beer and some NCIS before bed. ( I dont have to work tomorrow   ).

Sarge99 wrote:

Well this should be my last post here. Thank you to all who have supported me. I will say that my wife works for the company that supplied my CPAP. I spoke with her resperatory therapist and was told that I didnt really need the machine,(just as I had suspected.) and that if I lost about 20 or so pounds I would be just fine. So I have decided to change my lifestyle and drop some of the gut I have developed over the years. It was wonderful to have someone ask me about my habits before, and during sleep and also during the day. I was open and honest with her and we basically figured that the reason I am so tired is I wait until midnight or after to go to bed and snack right before. Add that to me working like a madman as I am paid by commision on how many stops I can do in a day, it was no wonder I am so tired during the day. I will say that I no longer believe that CPAP is a total sham, however I do think it is WAY over perscribed as to make the insurance companies and doctors and companies that make the machines money. That is what makes the world go around. Sleep in peace. Now I am off to enjoy a cold beer and some NCIS before bed. ( I dont have to work tomorrow   ).

HMMM the first time I read your orginal post I was kind of taken aback by your comments but figured I would hold my true thoughts and just offer you support. Now I take issue with you. Yes, you have the right to your beliefs but coming to a forum where people depend on a CPAP machine and basically tell us we are all a sham...well why would you do that? Do you think we all are stupid and just follow along like little sheep? We have a medical need, a proven problem which does have a solution. Oh and by the way not everyone with OSA is overweigt.

I wish you luck with losing the weight and changing your lifestyle. When you have become the first person to have cured your OSA with weight loss come back and let us congratute you.

I will say that I no longer believe that CPAP is a total sham, however I do think it is WAY over perscribed as to make the insurance companies and doctors and companies that make the machines money. That is what makes the world go around.


Did you read the whole post or just the words that offend you??

Sarge, I'm really glad you posted again.  What I'm worried about, is originally you mentioned your weight was probably a big factor in causing your mild apnea, which I agree could be the entire cause of it.  However, with the amount of weight you may need to lose in order to get rid of the apnea and knowing personally how difficult it is to lose weight,  I just wish you would use the cpap to treat your apnea until your weight comes down to the point where it may have worked... I would just hate to see you do irreparable damage to your health, when you know what's wrong, and you have the correct treatment available, and you have a plan to improve your health overall.

What's the harm in using it for a while?


_________________
ResMed Auto Set II w/hi4 Pressure 9 - 20 EPR at 3 SleepWeaver, Mirage Micro, Liberty, FitLlife
Orig AHI 30.4 RDI 36 & RLS/PLMB

Did you read the whole post or just the words that offend you??

Yes, I DID read the whole post. I still disagree with your opinion. I do not believe this is a money making venture. I bet if we put up a poll more would agree that CPAP is a necessary tool to treat a real condition and not over prescribed.

Again good luck with your weight loss and hopes it will cure your OSA.

Sarge... I am in the same way.... reluctant to give it a try like you, I was diagnosed at age 34 after many years of LOUD snoring and waking in panic in the middle of the night... sleeping at gatherings and like someone said... falling asleep at red lights... Over three years I went with very little sleep waking 5-10 times a night..

Infact when I went for my sleep study, I could not believe I slept the entire night and was wired for 4 days.

it takes a few days to get used to the mask (The first three weeks of my marriage, I ket taking my wedding ring off at night)

The health benifits are amazing... I have recently lost 30 pounds and feel pretty good. My Neck is still fat and i have to do special exercises each day to keep it firm (I still my tongue out to tighten the double chin)

I have been using the machine for almost 10 years and even though my insomnia kicks up from time to time... I feel great