Biguglygremlin

Hi Mark,

Do you mind my asking a question? I suspect that most western countries have similar pharmaceutical practices but there are differences, so it would be interesting to know which country you hail from.

Hi,

It's me, or at least I think so. :P

There are a few other bonuses with nasal pillows that you may benefit from if you are not already using one.

They tend to deliver the same results at a lower pressure and they still function quite well when you sleep on your side.

I would never have the courage to apply Sierra's method with the taped mouth. I find the entire experience with CPAP way too degrading and intimidating without that, but I have found that the nasal pillows almost never fail, especially with the judicious use of antihistamines and nasal sprays.

There was a time when I would wind up the pressure a tad if I had serious congestion but I don't bother anymore and certainly do not recommend it without professional advice and supervision.

Seems like Catch 22 or at least a self fulfilling prophecy. By the time I am able to safely seek medical help it will be too late and I will have quit driving of my own volition because of the severity of my untreated illnesses.

I made a number of appointments some weeks back including a sleep specialist but when I prepared a brief medical history and realised how many potential red flags could be invoked I cancelled most of those appointments.

I figured that the odds were stacked against me and the more people I consulted the more likely it was that one of them would tick the wrong box and I would lose my license, especially after I read this article.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/unpaid-fines-no-longer-the-main-reason-for-drivers-licence-suspensions-20180226-p4z1qo.html

I left the neurologist appointment in place because I have to get some help, regardless of the risk, but I will need to be cautious in how I answer his questions, which does not bode well for effective treatment.

Anyways, enough of my whining.

Who has been through this already and how did you deal with it?

Let me start by stating that I am highly dubious about the entire industry.

When money is a real issue I believe that in many countries you can rent testing equipment overnight (I rented one for less than $100 from my local chemist) that will give much more detailed info than you have described. This data is then sent to an 'expert' and you receive the results some days later. (This service was included in the original cost)

There is the added advantage that you get to sleep in your own bed. :)

I took my results to the sleep specialist at our local public hospital and was immediately issued with a CPAP machine without any further testing or studies.

It can be that simple. Obviously individuals, circumstances, practices and countries differ.

Since then I have personally known of many who have gone through the "proper" processes at considerable expense in both money and time with very little in the way of discernible benefits.

I am not seeking to counter the information and advice above, just broaden the horizon.

The statement I referred to was by a marketing company within the CPAP industry, so yes I agree that it is unlikely and probably misleading, but often people give credit to sources that I mistrust and that is their right so all I was really offering was another search parameter.

How do you deal with the risk that you might lose your license if you seek treatment for sleep disorders?

What experiences have you had or heard of in this regard?

I live in Australia and have very severe sleep Apnea. When I first sought help the doctor considered restricting my license but decided not to take action at that time, presumably because she felt that if the treatment was effective it might not be warranted.

I have other issues revolving around sleep that I should seek medical help with because once again effective treatment might help me be more functional in all areas of my life including driving, but I am concerned about the potential consequences.

This is a big country and I have responsibilities so having my licence under threat at the whim of a pen stroke in the wrong box is a serious disincentive. Yes it is necessary for the greater good and I should be responsible and accountable but I believe I am and will continue to act with care and caution but I do not trust strangers to make these decisions on my behalf. I understand that there is some consultation in the process and that there is an appeal system if I was prepared to take months to fight an excessive restriction through the local courts but that sounds like a very unpleasant way to spend my time and I doubt that the outcome would be any different.

So, am I just imagining these potential issues or are they real?

Is there a way to consult with doctors, sleep specialists and neurologists, to get the treatment I need, without putting my license at risk?

I hired a device to do my own sleep study.

CPAP machines are available through the hospital system here, so I saw a sleep doctor (15mins) to authorise my first machine and a technician (5mins) to pick up that machine. I haven't seen anybody since.

That was over four years ago.

I am not recommending this approach. Independence and initiative can be overrated and sometimes just plain stupid but that's my story.

Hi Franco, I lost my crystal ball somewhere back in time but if it solves a significant problem it should bring significant benefits so hopefully you will notice the improvements. Even if it fails to deliver the exact results you desire there are long term health benefits to overcoming Apnea. My caution in responding is because my instincts tell me that problems are rarely singular or isolated and if you have serious problems you may have to resolve more issues than just Apnea. I certainly hope that you get the results you want and need.