New Member

Hi Folks, I hope to benefit as well as contribute to these sessions. I am a CPAP patient going on 17 years using a Resmed S9 VPAP (upgraded from an S8 VPAP in Dec 2013). I had been stable for many years but developed complex symptoms in February after a cardiac stint procedure. Have been with Beth Israel for 17 years. I am willing to share the ups and downs of this experience. Peace

Thank you for sharing your story Lou!

Hi Lou I am so glad to find a new apnea web site. 3 years a hose head and doing better once in a while slip back. My best to you

Hoser... hose head. .... apneatic....

Crusty old truck driver. .12 years on cpap now.

What do you call yourself as a cpap user?

Great news, found a super sleep doctor that resolved my problem. Guess what he did? Changed my settings from fixed to variable on my VPAP machine. I was shocked to find how much better my sleep pattern has become with variable settings compared to fixed. I discarded all the meds and what appeared to be complex apnea has been resolved. I am puzzled why this adjustment had not been recommended years ago. Amen.

Lou

I'm active with the American Sleep Apnea Association message board forums.

I see posts like yours all the time.

Imho part of long term success in dealing with sleep apnea is becoming an educated medical consumer. Knowing more about the problems symptoms and issues with your condition so you can advocate and ask questions of your treating sleep specialist.

Sometimes it knowing that it's ok to fire your sleep specialist and get a second opinion.

I am a new member and was recently told I have sleep apnea. I am waiting on my final results from the sleep lab study and my machine. I am having a hard time at work and making a lot of mistakes, could lose my job. I wonder how long after I get my machine will I start to see improvement.

Need2sleep

First I'm not a doc and we don't have your full medical history. There are a whole host of things that can affect how long it takes to feel better. It's going to take a few weeks at the minimum. You are getting over probably years of sleep disturbances. The sleep doctors call it sleep debt.

About your job... Sleep apnea is a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended. Talk to your human resources department. Temporary accommodations like a reduced schedule or times to nap until your treatment has things better are required if you request.

This is a news story about someone else in a similar situation. From working with truck drivers and ADAA issues the person in this story will win in court.

http://www.oregonlive.com/beaverton/index.ssf/2014/11/comcast_customer_rep_keeps_fal.html