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[Treatment] What's Going On? [Aussie struggling]
#11
RE: What's Going On? [Aussie struggling]
At no stage did I have my licence taken off me.
The extra report from my sleep doctor was to the state for my public passenger driver authority.
After the age of 60 you have to have a medical assessment yearly to keep your driver authority. It was just before this that my GP and I knew he would be required to tell Transport NSW of my sleep apnea.
I guess it was down to my GP if he wanted to report me as unfit to drive before.
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#12
RE: What's Going On? [Aussie struggling]
Hi All,

Sorry for being slow to report back.  A big thank you for all the feedback and encouragement it really helped me a lot! Things have worked out in a way I am comfortable with.

On Monday I received a stern letter in the mail from the sleep physician at the initial sleep clinic quoting the Austroads legislation and warning me not to drive. Also on Monday I purchased a full face F20 mask to reduce leakage. (I did try a chin strap Sunday night but found myself blowing raspberries!)

I had been ringing most of the specialists in Western Sydney trying to get a quick appointment as I did not want to return to the initial clinic and the million dollar merry-go-round. I found most of the physicians booked through to next year. I finally managed to get an appointment with a lovely sleep physician in Penrith who agreed to meet with me before work hours yesterday morning. Following a physical examination I handed over the initial sleep report and then the Resmed S9 SD card with 4 days of data. He uploaded the info ummed and ahhhed for a few minutes and then announced that my treatment was working fantastically, the machine was setup up perfectly, and he would see me in 1 years time! I asked about the driving and he said I was free to drive while continuing to user the CPAP machine. YAY!

My use of the CPAP has improved in the last 4 nights. With last night as an example: usage 7:17, AHI 0.6. Leakage 0.0, median pressure 8.4
I only woke up once last night noticing the mask and my better half has stayed in the bed the night through!

Being a boy scout I have a few follow up questions I would love to get feedback on:

* The sleep physician advised that statistically I would have sleep apnea for the rest of life. He encouraged me to lose weight and improve my life style but said I would likely need to use the machine indefinitely. Does this correlate with the experience of forum members?

* I am a twin. My brother, who suffered from tonsillitis, recently had his tonsils and adenoids removed resulting in an improvement in his snoring. When I asked about getting the same done, the physician said that in the past they would do this first, but have since realized that the procedures have little long term effect in improving sleep apnea. Does this correlate with the experience of forum members?

* I will upload a report in the next post but I would like to know what CPAP machine targets I should be aiming for with my machine and should I look into oximetry measurement (to be honest I am enjoying the technical aspects of this journey).

 Thanks again for the information and support provided by this forum.

-Granti

BTW Holden 4th...thanks and congratulations for Bathurst!
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#13
RE: What's Going On? [Aussie struggling]
I forgot to mention how I have been feeling. I cannot say that the heavens opened and I heard the sweet voices of singing angels. But I have been wide awake the last nights at 10PM (normally I'd be in bed before the kids) and yesterday and today I had a nervous energy at work (without any increase in coffee consumption). What can I expect over the long term?
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#14
RE: What's Going On? [Aussie struggling]
[attachment=3899]Hi All,

Here's my latest data report.
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#15
RE: What's Going On? [Aussie struggling]
Great to see that you found a good sleep physician (and one who wasn't going to rip you off (or medicare). Also great to see that your treatment is already working very well. This in itself is exceptional as many struggle for a while to get the results they need.

To answer your questions:

Yes, OSA is probably with you for the rest of your life. The fact that you are treating is prolonging that experience as your body is under far less stress due to effective treatment.

From what I've read, surgery has not really helped that many people with OSA.

Download Sleepyhead from the menu at the top of the page so we can take a detailed look at your data.

Sleep well!
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#16
RE: What's Going On? [Aussie struggling]
Figures look good, only concern is the leaks, unfortunately Resscan does not show time in large leaks but I suspect your mouth breathing, so I hope the full face mask helps. 

I am only a month into my treatment and trying a FFM rather than a nasal mask due to persistent mouth breathing and I did not recall want to add on the paraphinalia of a chin strap/collar or Tape. My first night on the FFM and leaks dropped to a max of 4ltr rather than regularly crossing the 24 Ltr red line. Although the 95th was well below the leak line. 


I have other issues so I am seeing an AHI of 8-10 mostly of clear airway events, discussed that with my sleep nurse yesterday so we will see where that goes. (There was CA’s in my home study as well so unfortunately for me not pressure related.)

Jason
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