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Working with Sleep Apnea? Has anyone gone back to their normal routines?
#11
RE: Working with Sleep Apnea? Has anyone gone back to their normal routines?
I would also say that since your hubby has a "high-powered job" that indicates to me you have the funds to pay for DME (durable medical equipment) on your own. I would definitely try to work with your doctor and avoid insurance as much as possible, they slow things up to the max and dictate therapy based on cost, not your benefit
Get a prescription for a data capable APAP machine after reading the reviews on this site, then buy your equipment and supplies online from one of the suppliers in the list above (I use #1). Get Sleepyhead or one of the other data reading programs discipline on this board and take control of your own therapy (your husband in this case). Above all read all the forums here, you will be much better informed when you get your sleep study results (demand a copy from the doc) and you will see how poorly functioning most brick-and-mortar DME providers are.

This is not an expensive condition. It will not take many thousands of dollars to provide the therapy, even over a lifetime.

Do it and do it now, this therapy and apneaboard changed my life for the better.
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#12
RE: Working with Sleep Apnea? Has anyone gone back to their normal routines?
He might consider taking a weeks vacation when he first starts cpap therapy. It takes some time to research and to adapt.
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#13
RE: Working with Sleep Apnea? Has anyone gone back to their normal routines?
Commercial drivers, once diagnosed with sleep apnea, have to have their data card read to keep their medical certification.
They are able to continue there careers by being compliant with CPAP.
Admin Note:
JustMongo passed away in August 2017
Click HERE to read his Memorial Thread

~ Rest in Peace ~
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#14
RE: Working with Sleep Apnea? Has anyone gone back to their normal routines?
(11-25-2015, 10:26 PM)HorseLady Wrote: My question is this. If he is treated with a CPAP or Bi-Level machine (not familiar with what they are called). Will this fix the problem and allow him to get a good night's rest and return to work?

Yes. If he's willing to work with it, it will fix his problems. There's a bit of fussing-around type stuff initially, like finding a mask that he likes, that doesn't leak, and getting his pressures adjusted, but yeah, it's pretty much a Magic Bullet for Sleep Apnea.

(11-25-2015, 10:26 PM)HorseLady Wrote: He typically works 60-65 hours a week. He is terrified that it would be career ending. He would be devastated if that is the case. If it would fix the problem, how long does it take or is it an immediate thing?

Sleep Apena can be career (and life ending).

Fixing it can easily set his clock back 20 years or more. I feel better now (late 50's) than I did when I was 30.

Good luck! Tell him to stop by the board and say "Hi!"

Also, although he'll need to get a doctor involved to get the machine initially, and probably once a year after that, chances are good that he'll get more, and more useful help here.

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#15
RE: Working with Sleep Apnea? Has anyone gone back to their normal routines?
Hi HorseLady,
WELCOME! you and your husband to the forum.!
Hang in there for more responses to your post and much success to you both, your husband with his CPAP therapy and you as his support.
trish6hundred
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#16
RE: Working with Sleep Apnea? Has anyone gone back to their normal routines?
Your husband will be fine, once his treatment starts and his sleep deprivation gets under control. I am a doctor, have has sleep apnea for 29 years, and used a CPAP for 10 years. I held the highest level in State government for my specialty for 18+ years, have travelled the world with my machine, and the apnea never interfered with my work as long as I used my machine faithfully.

My only caution is NOT the apnea; it's regarding the overall stress of a high pressure job. Adequate sleep is vital, but so is blood pressure control, and general care for his health. It is true that stress DOES kill; addressing the apnea is one part of overall health. When I decided to retire recently, a massive amount of chronic stress left my shoulders, and it probably extended my life. Be mindful of both of your lives, and the unintended consequences of an "important" job.

Good luck, and don't worry. You're both on the right path.
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#17
RE: Working with Sleep Apnea? Has anyone gone back to their normal routines?
Thank you all so very much. I feel so much better now. I was literally about to flip out. I am so happy that I stumbled across this forum. The information that you have provided is priceless. I will ask him to sign up for an account and stop in to say hello. He was really worried about the outcome, but now his mind is at ease. He is looking forward to feeling better.


(11-26-2015, 09:54 AM)Snowbird47 Wrote: I would also say that since your hubby has a "high-powered job" that indicates to me you have the funds to pay for DME (durable medical equipment) on your own. I would definitely try to work with your doctor and avoid insurance as much as possible, they slow things up to the max and dictate therapy based on cost, not your benefit
Get a prescription for a data capable APAP machine after reading the reviews on this site, then buy your equipment and supplies online from one of the suppliers in the list above (I use #1). Get Sleepyhead or one of the other data reading programs discipline on this board and take control of your own therapy (your husband in this case). Above all read all the forums here, you will be much better informed when you get your sleep study results (demand a copy from the doc) and you will see how poorly functioning most brick-and-mortar DME providers are.

This is not an expensive condition. It will not take many thousands of dollars to provide the therapy, even over a lifetime.

Do it and do it now, this therapy and apneaboard changed my life for the better.

I agree. He has excellent insurance, but his doctor did say that the insurance approvals can take time. We will probably end up skipping the insurance, if it becomes a problem and definitely if they wont penny up for the right machine. That way he gets what he needs without all the bickering and red tape.

He cannot wait to get to the study and get started with treatment. I feel that it will be life changing for him. I cannot imagine what any of you have gone through having sleep apnea. Hugs to all of you. I am VERY happy to hear that the CPAP works and life can go on as usual. Thank you again. I am truly grateful. Thanks
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#18
RE: Working with Sleep Apnea? Has anyone gone back to their normal routines?
Couldn't work first six months of this year, and I work at home. My work involves talking, and my voice was shot. It's getting better but still can't work much. Hoping CPAP will help.
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#19
RE: Working with Sleep Apnea? Has anyone gone back to their normal routines?
Hi Horselady

On am on holidays till next year now, so it was a good time for me to start my CPAP therapy. It has been 12 nights and my blood pressure has come right down. I have a high pressure job also however I do not work the long hours that your husband does - when does he sleep?

I hope I dont go back to my normal routine because my abnormal routine became my normal routine - I have been told that I have probably had Sleep Apnea for 10-15 years - I feel like I had increasing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome all this time.

The difference in 12 days has been amazing for me - some days I still feel a bit tired and some days I am powering away - so different from what I was feeling just 12 day ago.

CPAP is a life changer however, as was said before you still need to be aware of stress management and stress illnesses as well.

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#20
RE: Working with Sleep Apnea? Has anyone gone back to their normal routines?
(11-25-2015, 10:26 PM)HorseLady Wrote: We figured it was just him getting older. He's 54.

I'm 54 now, been on CPAP since 2010. I felt like I was 64, back then, and feel like I'm 44 today.

Quote: He has also never had any problems driving up until this past weekend. He was weaving in the lanes on our vacation. It freaked me out, I kept saying "hey, what is wrong?!" I ended up driving the entire trip due to this. He couldn't figure out what was wrong. He said he felt fine, but got sleepy as soon as he got behind the wheel. I called my daughter on the phone and explained what was happening and she said I bet it's sleep apnea! So, when we got back from the vacation he went straight to an emergency appointment with a sleep specialist. She was correct.

How often do you drive with him? It could just be that you haven't beem in the car long enough to see - I speak from experience. Microsleeps are a symptom, and often you don't notice them. I was so bad I'd nod off in the middle of a conversation, and not know I was doing it.

Quote:My question is this. If he is treated with a CPAP or Bi-Level machine (not familiar with what they are called). Will this fix the problem and allow him to get a good night's rest and return to work? He typically works 60-65 hours a week. He is terrified that it would be career ending. He would be devastated if that is the case. If it would fix the problem, how long does it take or is it an immediate thing?

People are different. For me it was one night. Period. I slept 9.5 ours the first night, woke up refreshed, didn't get up 3 times a night to go to the bathroom, didn't nod off once at work the next day, watched *all* of a movie that evening, etc. Haven't looked back since.

Quote:I appreciate any information anyone can provide. At this point we are both scared to death. We have been together 23 years and now I am not sleeping at night due to worrying of what our future holds.
Don't take that the wrong way, we are married for life. Wink
Thank you!

Don't be. The hard part is over. The only challenge now is to get set up with the correct machine and mask, and to learn what your options for treatment are. You've found the right place for a lot of that information.
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