Hubby has been on a full face mask CPAP for about 2 months and has not seen any benefits.  He's yet to sleep full through with it on, typically waking up and taking off because he's sick of it.  And he's regress a bit in the amount of time he wears it, going from about 5 hours down to about 3 per night. When he is half asleep with it on he finds he'll hold his breath with it on, which he says he doesn't do it when he's sleeping w/out the CPAP.  He doesn't think it is central apnea either.

Due to the Army I don't live with my husband, so I can't gently pressure him (*nag* *cough* *cough*) to wear it all night.  Nor does he currently have reliable internet access to check this forum.

They are sending him to Iraq with his machine soon.  I'm afraid he'll give up on the machine before he's used to it, especially with out me around to encourage him.  I am very worried they are sending him to a war zone without having sucessfully treated his apnea first.  It will be enough for me without his apnea to worry about.

Coud he be avoiding it for another reason, beyond the fact he's not used to it?  How did you get used to the mask?  I'd really appreciate any help you guys provide.

It sounds like he isn't getting used to it.  It took me a good month to feel comfortable with my cpap.  How does he feel though?  That has been my motivation is how exhausted I am.  They shouldn't be sending him over to Iraq until he is properly treated.  With lack of sleep you aren't as alert and your reflexes are slower.  That is a hard one.  There isn't anyone to encourage him.  Like us we come here to get support and find out new information or what might work better for us.  Even if he feels ok now it is the long term health problems that should motivate him.  I would just have a heart to heart with him and tell him how important it is to you that he stick around for a long time.  Hang in there.  I don't know what kind of religious beliefs you have but I would pray.

Stacey wrote:

They shouldn't be sending him over to Iraq until he is properly treated.  

This is today's Army after all.  They intend to send him regardless.

I've talked with him about his apnea and the CPAP, seriously several times.  He's not blind to the issues or my concerns.  What I can't give him is advice or help, because I've no experience with the CPAP.  

He's yet to feel any improvement with the machine, nor have I seen any change in his sleepiness.  I'm starting to fear that if he doesn't see the benefit, he'll stop.

Again, any tips are appreciated.

That is too bad they are sending him in that condition.  I should know my husband spent 3 years in the army.  I have had my machine for 3 and half months and for the first 3 months was on the wrong pressure.  I got a little better but than got worse.  Now I am still exhausted and we are trying to find what works for me.  It is possible that the machine isn't titrated right.  Does he have leaks from his mask or breathe through his mouth?  It does take some people longer to feel better than others.  I too am not feeling good yet.  If he doesn't keep at it the sleep deprivation will get worse.  Mine got so bad that I was in bed asleep for almost a week.  Your body will sleep one way or another.  It may take years or it may take months it just depends on the person.  Is his mask comfortable for him.  He needs to address any of these issues if they are bothersome.  Once he goes to Iraq they won't be able to follow his treatment.  Like if he needs another sleep study or a pressure change.  Attitude is a big part.  Being positive and decide to work with the machine even though it isn't easy.  I hope I can help you guys.  Keep in touch.  You can learn much from this forum.  It is wonderful to see how supportive of him you are, he is really blessed.

try to tell hubby that he needs to use the CPAP in order to live longer and to stay more alert in iraq
assuming he snores loudly without the CPAP this will be an encouragment to avoid having his fellow soldiers  who sleep near him  being annoyed with him
you could kid him that maybe they would let off a bomb under him for some peace and quiet
if he doesnt use it

Wish I would have seen this support forum earlier.

I am a soldier who uses a CPAP BUT was found undeployable due to its use.

First off, they told me that if the machine was rechargeable, then I was deployable.  Then, just a few days ago, I was told I was un-deployable except to Kuwait.  No Iraq, no Afghanistan, no Germany (believe it or not).  They cited a new memo from Army Med that stated the use of a CPAP in a combat zone is forbidden.

That is interesting.  I know a guy who deployed with his CPAP, but I think he did not get diagnosed via the Army, nor was he profiled.  Unlike myself, I am profiled on my PUHLES scores.

Hope he's okay and not keeping his fellow soldiers up at night

B.Personnel who suffer from SLEEP APNEA, and require a breathing assistance (CPAP machine) ARE NOT deployable under Army Regulation AR 40-501. You may be given special consideration only if you have a doctor's statement indicating that you can function without the CPAP machine.

hope this will help out ..

I'm so glad you military folks are posting.  We've had a bunch of soldiers being deployed to Iraq lately who have been having problems with the same kind of issues.  Hopefully your posts will be helpful!

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

turtle141 wrote:

B.Personnel who suffer from SLEEP APNEA, and require a breathing assistance (CPAP machine) ARE NOT deployable under Army Regulation AR 40-501. You may be given special consideration only if you have a doctor's statement indicating that you can function without the CPAP machine.
 
hope this will help out ..

 
The Army didn't follow its regulations in deploying my husband.  I've verified it.  The doctor changed his profile and deployed him, even though the sleep study said "significant apnea."  And he can't function with out the machine - I've seen him nearly fall asleep during dinner after a day of moderate physical activity.
 
I'm afraid of the real political consequences if I make a fuss.  My husband doesn't want to be singled out, and would not be happy if I pressed it and made his life difficult.  His unit and his buddies have not been very understanding.  His company commander got involve in the situation before he deployed and probably pressured the doctor, and the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate won't do anything unless I talk to the commander first - because to get a lawyer involved would probably be worse.

So I'm stuck not being able to do a damn thing and thankful he's in a relatively secure location, at least compared to last time.  Thank god he let me talk him into sending his CPAP.

SFC Cruz Fort Hood Tx waiting for dedployment,research AR 40-501,Chapter 3, 3-41 PG 33 and FT Benning and Ft Sill deployment Centers soldiers that used CPAP Machines are not deployable but the Army really dont care if you deploy , they only interested in numbers and evaluations. My Appt for my machine is on 7 Jan 07 and after 24 years of service and numerous deployments is time for me to stay home and retired but like i said the Army really dont care about my life or my health. I had been in Korea 2002-2003, Honduras 2003-2004,Colombia 2004-2005 just returned on MAy 2006 and the great Army has plans to send me to Irak even know i only been at home for 10 months the last 3 years. But Like I say Commanders are only looking for numbers to deploy and good evaluations after they return from Irak. JUst a few questions for my doctor in case i have to deploy in Jan: 1- What happen if my machine needs adjustment or breaks in Irak? 2- What happen if the treatment with the machine is not able to fix my problem? 3- Who is qualified to take care of me in Irak if my sleep apnea get worse, are they have sleep centers in Irak? 4- What happen if a kill some of my fellow soldies becuase i can stay awake while at work? 5- And how 12 hours shift for a year are going to improve my sleeping disorder? Sorry if I am to rude or I disrespect anyone with my comments but i defend this great country for the last 24 years and know this great Army dont want to take care of me.

bluejeans wrote:

I'm afraid of the real political consequences if I make a fuss.  My husband doesn't want to be singled out, and would not be happy if I pressed it and made his life difficult.  His unit and his buddies have not been very understanding.  His company commander got involve in the situation before he deployed and probably pressured the doctor, and the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate won't do anything unless I talk to the commander first - because to get a lawyer involved would probably be worse.

The question here is what consolation would it be to you if you lost your husband because you were not willing to "make a fuss".  If he's not deployable and was deployed because his records were altered, then I would think you have an extremely good case to get him sent home.  

But if he signed some sort of waiver stating he wanted to be deployed nonetheless, or simply wants to be deployed, despite the risks, then he's a big boy and has made his decision.

You can't make him use his machine if he doesn't want to use it and, unfortunately, he's not in a place where he can go to the local DME supplier and try out different masks, or have another sleep study to see if any adjustments need to be made.

My two cent's

Trish

SFC CRUZ wrote:

SFC Cruz Fort Hood Tx waiting for dedployment,research AR 40-501,Chapter 3, 3-41 PG 33 and FT Benning and Ft Sill deployment Centers soldiers that used CPAP Machines are not deployable but the Army really dont care if you deploy , they only interested in numbers and evaluations. My Appt for my machine is on 7 Jan 07 and after 24 years of service and numerous deployments is time for me to stay home and retired but like i said the Army really dont care about my life or my health.

Get copies of your records.  Get a second opinion from a civilian doctor (using TriCare).  It's your life.  If you are not deployable and do not wish to deploy, it's up to you to make sure they follow regulations.  Don't expect your superiors to stick up for you, you are going to have to stick up for yourself.

My two cents

Trish

drquest86 wrote:

Wish I would have seen this support forum earlier.

I am a soldier who uses a CPAP BUT was found undeployable due to its use.

First off, they told me that if the machine was rechargeable, then I was deployable.  Then, just a few days ago, I was told I was un-deployable except to Kuwait.  No Iraq, no Afghanistan, no Germany (believe it or not).  They cited a new memo from Army Med that stated the use of a CPAP in a combat zone is forbidden.

That is interesting.  I know a guy who deployed with his CPAP, but I think he did not get diagnosed via the Army, nor was he profiled.  Unlike myself, I am profiled on my PUHLES scores.

Hope he's okay and not keeping his fellow soldiers up at night

can you please research for me the memo from Army MEd , i will love to have the number of the memo, thanks

time to call your CONGRESSMAN    


_________________
jerry

ResMed S8 Elite With EPR / ResMed HumidAire 3i
ResMed Mirage Quattro FF Mask / Ultra Mirage FF Mask / liberty FF
Optimum Pressure 10 cm
Oxygen Saturation W Events 82% / Oxygen Desaturation 8.33%
Ahi-7.0 / total # of A & H- 49 / Plms 60 /

They are trying to send me with my cpap to Iraq even though AR 40-501 clearly states that you are not to be deployed with use of the CPAP. Can  you give me any guidance on this or maybe a contact to help me out. I don't mind going but don't want to be at risk because of my own condition.

drquest86 wrote:

Wish I would have seen this support forum earlier.

I am a soldier who uses a CPAP BUT was found undeployable due to its use.

First off, they told me that if the machine was rechargeable, then I was deployable.  Then, just a few days ago, I was told I was un-deployable except to Kuwait.  No Iraq, no Afghanistan, no Germany (believe it or not).  They cited a new memo from Army Med that stated the use of a CPAP in a combat zone is forbidden.

That is interesting.  I know a guy who deployed with his CPAP, but I think he did not get diagnosed via the Army, nor was he profiled.  Unlike myself, I am profiled on my PUHLES scores.

Hope he's okay and not keeping his fellow soldiers up at night