Cpap Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Is sleeping 5-6 hours per night normal with cpap therapy?
   I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have been using a cpap machine for about a year and a half. Since that time I have not slept longer than 7 hours a night and most nights I only sleep 5 or 6 hours. Is this normal for people most people using this type of therapy?

   • ANSWER:
     It depends a lot on your age and weight, as well as your fitness.
     If you are Joe average, and about 30 years old, I do believe 6 hours sleep is adequate, if you are really active, maybe not enough, if your weight is over nominal guidelines, it should be ok.
     The important thing to consider is how much REAL sleep did you get prior to using the cpap, and how much are you getting now.

2. QUESTION:
   How long does it take for CPAP therapy to start relieving sleepiness?
   I have major daytime sleepiness, doc did a sleep study and said I have moderate apnea. They started me on a CPAP about a week ago. How long does it take before I get some relief? I'm sleeping fairly well with it, occasional leakage.

   • ANSWER:
     Some people have instant relief, other a couple of weeks, others a couple of months.

     Best wishes

     www.sleepnet.com

3. QUESTION:
   Does CPAP therapy even work if your mouth is open?
   I use a nasal mask but my dad says he sees my mouth open. And it seems like it never worked the wonders I hear other people talk about when they use CPAP.
   I use the nasal mask

   • ANSWER:
     Having your mouth open definitely decreases the effectiveness of a nasal CPAP mask. There are two possible solutions:
     1. Get a full face mask
     2. There are soft gel-silicone chin straps that you can wear that are pretty effective at keeping the mouth closed.

     You should see improvement with either of the above. Some people just can't tolerate full face masks and for them I always prescribe the chin strap with a nasal mask

     Hope that helps

4. QUESTION:
   Question about CPAP therapy for sleep apnea?
   My husband is going to have to have CPAP therapy for his sleep apnea and everyone says he will have to shave off his beard when he has to wear this contraption... He has had a beard for 20 years and both he and I love it. It is a short beard (not like ZZTop or anything like that) but it is part of him and he really doesn't want to shave it....does anybody know anything about this??

   • ANSWER:
     There are different types of masks including ones that look like oxygen canulas. It would be easier to shave but he may not have too. Go to sleepnet.com. They have message boards and tons of ideas on this topic.

     http://www.sleepnet.com/apnea102/messages/424.html

     http://www.cpap.com/simple-find-cpap-products/cpap-masks/cpap-masks/nasal-prong.html

     Best wishes

5. QUESTION:
   What's the timeline for feeling more energy after starting CPAP therapy?

   • ANSWER:
     You should notice a difference in about a week. Don't try to notice a difference from one day to the next, but compare how you feel on Friday with how you felt the previous Sunday.

6. QUESTION:
   Using sleeping tablets while on cpap therapy?
   I have been diagnosed with Obstructive sleep apnea in Dec 06 after I went for a sleep study. Oxygen levels drop to 65% and stop breathng for 57 seconds 400 times a night. In January 2007 I went in for sleep to test pressure for CPAP and it is 8cmH20. I have received my cpap machine today and would like to know if i can use sleeping medication just to get used to this machine, cause dr actually told me that sleeping tablets made apnea worse.

   • ANSWER:
     I know it is very hard to get used to it. I have slept with one now for 2 years (note to self do not fall asleep on couch without it) What I did was for a while stayed up till exhausted so when I put it on I was just simply tooo tired to care what was on my face. Do that for about 3 weeks and you will get used to it.

7. QUESTION:
   Nauseous after CPAP therapy?
   Is it normal to feel nauseous after CPAP therapy the first few times? I was just put on one and as soon as I take it off and for a while in the morning I feel a little sick. I assume its because the air pressure all night, but Im wondering if Im imagining it, or if its real and you just get used to it.

   • ANSWER:
     you can be'

     do no eat for several hours before cpap

     i takes time to get use to-- around 1 month

8. QUESTION:
   I started my cpap therapy 2 weeks ago. And the first week I felt great.?
   However this week I feel like Ive crashed. Like I'm sleepy most of the time. Not so much tired but sleepy. Is this normal? Will I feel better later like I did the first week? I am using a cpap machine set on 11 1/2. Thanks

   • ANSWER:
     If you use a nasal mask you may be opening you mouth at night. This will make the treatment ineffective. If you are opening you mouth at night you may want to look into a full face mask or a chin strap. Check to make sure that when you lay down your mask is not leaking.

     You may want to discuss with your doctor about doing an autoset trail to see if your pressure needs to be adjusted. This would be using a CPAP that tries to adjust itself to your needed pressure and the doctor gets a report on how the test went. Make sure your adjusting well to the mask before doing the autoset so it can be most accurate.

     Make sure you follow-up with your supplier until you can get it right. We all want you to get a good nights sleep! Especially people that may be driving near you when you are sleep deprived.

     If you have any other questions let me know and I will get one of my Respiratory Therapist to respond to them for you.

9. QUESTION:
   Anyone using Hydrogen Oxygen Therapy with their CPAP humidifier? I have 17.5% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide?
   If so, how many drops of HP are you using and what percentage of HP? I heard that breathing HP is good for lungs, sinus', etc as long as it's Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide. I want to put it in my CPAP humidifier and breathe it in that way.

   • ANSWER:
     Food grade is the only type that's safe to use internally (for sure)! Yes, there are many benefits, and I have heard of it before.

     Just make sure you dilute it to at least 3%!!!

     Other than that, have fun!

10. QUESTION:
    Obstructive Sleep Apnea: CPAP Machines vs. Oral Appliance Therapy?
    My father has Obstructive Sleep Apnea and will be going in for a sleep study soon so I am looking at CPAP Machines and doing research.

    My father came across an add for this "Oral Appliance Therapy" thing and I am wondering if you have any info on if it works or if it is a scam.

    Oral Appliance Therapy

    http://www.tiredofcpap.com/

    I'm looking at the CPAP Machines and if you could share your stories with me, I would greatly appreciate it!
    Obstructive Sleep Apnea Info:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obstructive_Sleep_Apnea

    • ANSWER:
      The first thing to do is let your dad get his polysomnogram done and find the results of how severe his sleep apnea is.

      CPAP is the gold standard for the treatment of sleep apnea, because it can be titrated or individually set on the optimum pressure to preserve your father's upper airways at night. The brand of CPAP machine isn't as important as having a quality titration done to arrive at the proper pressure for him, and finding the right mask type that makes him the most comfortable and likely to wear the system consistently all night, every night.

      Oral devices are for very mild cases of sleep apnea. However, I would be very wary of any devices that are mail-order/internet. These devices are usually prescribed and fitted by a dentist or ENT specially trained in their use. Any device that is 'plug and play' without being fitted is a scam.

11. QUESTION:
    Can I use a CPAP machine without consulting a doctor?
    I am in chronic pain and my doctor said I should get a sleep study to see if I have sleep apnea. But to consult a specialist will run me 0 and then the test is probably going to cost a bunch too. I figured for 0 I could get a cpap machine and a mask and just try the therapy and see if it has a positive effect. Is this a good or a bad idea?

    • ANSWER:
      CPAP machines are medical devices. You can't get one without a doctor's prescription.... and even if you could, you can't get it set to the right pressure setting unless you've had a sleep study.

      My wife had oral surgery, and they added on a special procedure to eliminate sleep apnea, which was great for about a year, until her medical condition caused her to gain a great deal of weight.

      She loaned her machine to her brother, although it didn't do him any good as it was set to HER needs, and not his. We mentioned this to our doctor who smiled, but told her never to do that again. It's illegal as it is practicing medicine without a license.

      So - Bottom line is that it's a bad idea. Sorry, wish it was cheaper and easier for you. You really need the sleep study to figure out your needs.

      If you snore regularly while sleeping and especially if it is loud enough to annoy people around you, it is almost certain you have sleep apnea. If this is the case just suck it up and get the test.... it will be worth it.

12. QUESTION:
    Do you know anyone that lost weight using a CPAP for Sleep Apnea?
    When I have my sleep study completed I will probably get a CPAP. The doctor kept saying i will lose weight with this therapy. Has anyone heard of this happening or do you know someone that lost weight from CPAP?

    • ANSWER:
      Dear Brett, CPAP masks are specially designed to overcome sleep disorders and breathing trouble.They have nothing to do with losing weight and other issues.

      http://www.yourcpapmask.com/

13. QUESTION:
    What happens iIf I do not use the cpap machine?Can I make lifestyle changes which can help?
    I am finding it v difficult to exhale,and am unable to fall asleep when the mask is on.Pls help i am confused?I feel I sleep much better without the mask!I am willing to try alternative therapy...how did you get used to cpap mask?
    I am able to sleep reasonably well, the issue is my loud snoring which affects others

    • ANSWER:
      Since apnea can be life-threatening, depending on your insurance you might qualify for a maxillo-mandibular advancement, which can "cure" the apnea altogether...the surgery isn't any fun, and you will lose a bunch of weight because you "eat thru' a straw" for several weeks after, but it is well worth it to be able to actually sleep again!

      Ask your doctor/insurance company about it...

14. QUESTION:
    Blocked nose with CPAP?
    Im on cpap therapy - that is for obstructive sleep apnea, my nose was repaired during DEc 06, but again I suffer with breathing while I have mask on. I know I have to adapt first, but this blocked nose is irritating more than the mask or cpap. Is there something I can do to improve it?

    • ANSWER:
      You need to see a doctor!

      Obviously if you can't breath through your nose, you can't use a CPAP with a normal mask.

15. QUESTION:
    My Staple diet has been Rice. I am 75 y.o. Can I switch to Noodles as staple food in order to reduce my BMI?
    I suffer from Sleep Apnea and have improved following CPAP therapy, but reduction in
    weight is recommended.

    • ANSWER:
      Rice & noodles are both high glycemic foods that trigger insulin, the fat storage hormone. I would bet noodles would be a worst choice instead of better. I would suggest vegetables as a much better choice. I highly recommend ground flax seed and chia seeds for nutrition.

      I have started adding ground flax seed or chia seed to about everything. They are both incredibly nutritious. Chia seeds swell up when soaked and remind me of tapioca with a strawberry seed inside. They really have no taste but I love the texture. No other whole grain compares on a nutritional level, and it has an Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) that is greater than blueberries on a per-gram basis (80 micromole TE/d). I let them sit on the counter to soak for 12 hours this "sprouts" them and raises the ORAC level 2.5x higher.

      I think they are much more nutritious raw and add them to salads & tuna as well as making faux tapioca regularly. I also add them to cooked food for bulk but prefer to use flax seed for cooked food. Flax seed has a slight taste to it but chia seed is tasteless so it doesn't change the flavor of foods the way flax seed would. In Mexico, they add chia seed to lemonade and call it chia fresca and it is addicting. I was getting 400% of my daily requirement of fiber by drinking this and have to regulate my intake, but it is fun.

      I have been making a "porridge" every day lately as suggested by Dr.Mercola. A low carb whey powder & water, I add ground flax seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, coconut milk, tahini (ground sesame seeds) & raw egg. All seeds & nuts are raw & soaked to germinate them.

      Chia seeds sound so expensive but 1# will make 10# food - Amazon.com has couple lbs. for shipped to you. I buy in bulk (24#) from getchia.com for # with free shipping.

      Chia seeds - 3.5 oz is nearly 500 calories, half calories from fat (high in Omega3 fatty acids) 38g fiber 151%DV & 16grams of COMPLETE protein for 6grams carbs & 63% DV Calcium - 95% Phosphorus - 23% Zinc - 9% Copper - 108% Manganese.

      Faux tapioca - 2 cups of water, 5 scoops of low carb whey protein powder, stir together & add cup of chia seeds, after they have started to absorb the water, add in 2 cans of coconut milk & sweetener if you like and mix it all in. Can be eaten after an hour but will be better tomorrow. Cream a pkg. of cream cheese into a can of pumpkin and add to the faux tapioca for an even more nutritious pumpkin pie pudding.

      Ground flax seed (2 Tbsp) 1/4 cup water, artificial sweetener, mix in a raw egg - let sit 10 min. to absorb liquid, put some cream cheese in the middle & nuke 2 minutes. For daily fiber needs.

      Flax seed - 3.5oz - 534 cal - 65% calories from fat (high in Omega3 fatty acids) for 2gram carb - 27g fiber 109%DV - 26% DV Calcium - 64% Phosphorus - 29% Zinc - 61% Copper - 124% Manganese - 36% Selenium - 98% Magnesium - 32% Iron - 110% Thiamin - 9% B2 Riboflavin - 15% B3 Niacin - 24% Vit.B6 - 22% Folate - 10% Vit.B5.- 39% Potassium

16. QUESTION:
    Using a CPAP cause sleep apnea if you may no longer need to use one?
    When I was first diagnosed with sleep apnea in the summer of 2005 I eighed 280lbs and smoked 1 1/2 packs of cigarretts a day. I had 117 episodes per hour. I was given a CPAP machine set at a pressure level of 10. Since then I have quit somking, over a year know, and now weigh 225lbs on my way to 200lbs. I am still using the CPAP though set at the same pressure. The problem is I am starting to feel tired again during the day. Not to the level it was before I started therapy, but I can feel a difference. I made an appointment with my doctor but the earliest she can see me is July. I was wondering if anyone knew if I am actually causing sleep apnea or something similar by using the machine?

    • ANSWER:
      In general, no if your CPAP machine is too high it will not cause you to have obstructive apneas. It could be causing you to have more arousals. And this is differently the reason that you feel more tired than normal. I don't understand why your doctor can not get you in to see her until July, I would call and request to talk with her. B/c it seems that you would need to have a CPAP Retitration to firgure the amount of cm you need. Congratulations on quiting smoking.

17. QUESTION:
    Central Apnea/ Bipap or Cpap? Medical advise please?
    Now I am worried. My doctor just put me on a bipap machine,was on cpap for 8 years. I just read where central Apnea is pretty serious and could indicate something life-threatening . I have multiple sclerosis with brain stem and other lesions. This bipap therapy sounds like it's the wrong type for this. They say it makes the apnea worse. Any help please.

    • ANSWER:
      You ask an excellent question. Unfortunately, central sleep apnea (CSA) due to neurologic disease is a very difficult topic. There is very little evidence available to guide us in proper management.

      Most CSA trials were performed on patients with underlying heart failure. In these patients, CPAP is generally the preferred approach. As you mentioned, BIPAP may worsen the apnea. However, in a limited trial of ALS (Lou Gerhig's Disease) patients, BIPAP was superior to conventional treatment.

      Adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) holds promise but large trials have not been performed. To date, ASV is not recommended for CSA.

      Unfortunately, not enough is known about the best way to treat CSA due to neurologic disease. You should discuss your concerns with your doctor, and possibly seek a second opinion if unhappy with his/her advice.

18. QUESTION:
    Do you have sleep apnea I do?
    You people that think you might have sleep apena you may have.Talk to your doctor there are thing you can do .You can use the CPAP therapy system.It does help.I know

    • ANSWER:
      I have used a CPAP system for years. It really works! I have also convinced many people to get a sleep test. If you snore, are tired a lot, fall asleep at your desk or even driving, PLEASE go and get tested! It only takes one night in the sleep center and is not disruptive to your schedule..

19. QUESTION:
    78 Year old woman refuses to use CPAP or nebulizer.?
    My 78 year old mother has COPD and sleep apnea. She has been prescribed a nebulizer, which she refuses to use. She also has been given a CPAP machine that she will not use either.

    She has severe difficulty breathing even a few steps. I do mean severe difficulty breathing. She has also been given oxygen therapy via a nasal cannula. Unfortunately she becomes so terribly out of breath that she breathes through her mouth so the oxygen is of no real benefit. She becomes so weak that she nearly collapses.

    What are the repercussions of not taking these nebulizer treatments or using the CPAP machine?

    She is unable to sleep in her bed because if she lays down she cannot breathe. She has not been honest with her doctor about any of this. He evidently believes she is taking her breathing treatments and using her CPAP machine.

    She has severe pitting edema as well, for which she has been prescribed lasix with no significant relief.

    I anticipate that she will have an episode one day of respiratory failure. I am needless to say at my wits end trying to figure out just what to do.

    I do not think she understands just how significant these treatments are and the repercussions that this could all cause. Any suggestions?
    I should have stated that she does indeed have a BiPap. She flatly refuses to use the BiPap machine. She does not believe that she has Sleep Apnea. She feels that everyone that goes for a sleep study is automatically diagnosed with sleep apnea. I have tried to talk to her on numerous occasions about this to no avail.

    She uses the oxygen but it really isn't doing her any good considering she is unable to close her mouth to breath through the nasal cannula.

    I tried once again to convince her of the benefits of using the nebulizer yesterday but she is adamant about not using it either.

    I am contemplating contacting her physician without her knowledge to see if perhaps he could intervene and get her to understand the severity of her condition. Thanks for your responses. It helps to know that I am not on the wrong track with this and that my suspicions are accurate.

    • ANSWER:
      So sorry to hear this, and like the other poster has implied, it's a severe risk to her mortality! When you say your mother refuses to use her nebulizer and CPAP machine, do you mean she 'won't' or feels she 'can't'? It could be because she's feeling so ill, weak and sleep-deprived that she just feels she has no energy to even help herself, plus she's probably depressed.

      I'm no expert regarding nebulizers, but I do know that with COPD and Sleep Apnoea, CPAP can be very hard to tolerate as she'll feel she can't breathe against the pressure. People with COPD are normally given a BiPAP machine with oxygen as well, so if she hasn't, then this needs sorting out, as well as a good talk with her doctor to point out the seriousness of both COPD and Sleep Apnoea.

      Best of luck......!

20. QUESTION:
    Has any one used light therapy for sleep apnea?
    my cpap dealer is selling this..

    • ANSWER:
      Light therapy sounds like a bunch of BS to me. How can it help you when sleep apnea is caused by the fact that you stop breathing a zillion times a night.

21. QUESTION:
    To those w/ sleep apnea...?
    I am on cpap therapy and I use a full face mask. Whenever I keep the mask on (im prone to ripping it off in my sleep), I wake up with a red mark on the bridge of my nose that stays with me for a good portion of the day. If I loosen the mask anymore it will leak. I cant change masks because I've already been through so many (the nose tubing w/ chin strap, the nasal mask, the mouth mask (the one that looks like a pacifier)). Do you have any tips or ideas to either hide this red mark or stop it from happening? I sleep on my back or my side so I dont think its my positioning.

    • ANSWER:
      Sometimes placing a little sheep skin under the area that is bothering you will help. When you can get a new mask, be sure to get one with adjustments for the bridge of your nose. You can move them out away from the bridge of your nose thus stopping the pressure indentations. Resmed Mirage Quattro is one of the best full face masks out there right now. Good luck.

22. QUESTION:
    I awoke last night seeing red...and I know I was awake?
    I awoke last night watching Jackie Brown and my screen was red, like blood red. I know Jackie Brown is not a scary movie and no way near as gory as Q. Tarantino other movies but for some reason my screen was red. I changed the channel to something else and the screen went back to normal. I changed back and it was that same red. I decided to get up to ensure that I was indeed awake.

    As this ever happened to anyone else?

    I should add I'm going through sleep therapy and was using a CPAP machine which I took off.

    • ANSWER:
      I guess I don't know anything about the sleep therapy stuff. But I have seen things upon awakening that were not there. When it happens, it takes a long time to convince myself that I didn't see it. I have a fear of insects, for example, and sometimes I see one very close to my face when I first wake up, but it's not really there (usually). But it's enough to make me yelp and jump out of bed. I think that sometimes shortly after we awaken, our minds might still be partly still in the dream state. I feel like that's all it can be, although perhaps there is a medical cause for you seeing red. If you are not getting the right sleep, your sleep-cycles might be disturbed, thus causing your mind to still be partially dreaming upon awakening. Because I have trouble sleeping also and wake up frequently, that could explain why I have something like that happening to me, too. You should discuss this with your doctor.

      Jackie Brown rules, btw.

23. QUESTION:
    Is 5-6 hours of sleep normal?
    Now for some information. I recently underwent a sleep study for sleep apnea and after being sleep deprived for most of my adult life (I am 46) I am now using a CPAP machine. Since beginning this therapy I can't sleep more than 6 hours per night and usually only 5. I awake refreshed and need no more sleep throughout the day. Is this common for people who begin using CPAP machines and will I require more sleep as time goes on. I have been using this for 6 months.
    If you are using CPAP therapy I would appreciate your answers.

    • ANSWER:
      I get 6 and half hrs every night.

24. QUESTION:
    Depression that wont budge?
    I started having low-grade depression around age 12, then it deepened into more serious "suicidal ideation" depression around age 21. Now I'm 28 and it is still here.

    I have been seeing various mental health professionals since 2003, and nothing has helped. I've tried MANY depression meds, a few anti-anxiety ones, a few mood stabilizers (usually for bibolar), and even a few stimulants. A couple worked for a few days, but quickly faded and the benefit could not be duplicated. I've tried tons of talk therapy with multiple different people, and even group therapy. Eventually the psychiatrists that I've seen ran out of ideas and started having me re-try meds that I had already tried without success. Tired of the lack of results I started seeing a naturopath and have changed my diet to be excellent, I've started exercising, but the dark outlook still won't go away. I've even done a sleep study to test for sleep apnea, but was unable to tolerate the CPAP machine. I've had a CAT scan and my brain looked fine. Hormone tests reveal everything is in the normal range. No thyroid problems. I don't know what else to try. Therapy, meds, diet, exercise - I have not found somthing that works yet. I would rather not have to deal with the constant irritations of life, but continue to live only because my parents would be devastated if I decided to end things.

    Is there another option I should try that I am missing?

    Note: I do not consider prayer/religion a viable solution for myself - so please avoid suggesting spiritual ideas.

    • ANSWER:
      You have not mentioned a social life or network, or job or hobby satisfaction. These are crucial to keep depression at bay. It is easy to say "go get friends and a hobby" but quite another thing to actually do so if you do not already have them.

      I am a long term depression sufferer (survivor at this point). I have found recently that posting here has lifted my depression quite a bit for two reasons:

      1) I am able to write, which I do quite well, and enjoy, but which I can not earn a living with or use as a hobby.

      2) I am able to find areas of expertise that I can share with others, and it makes me feel useful.

      3) Occassionally, I find something very funny. I always read what's cooking in the Royalty section, because there are some very, very funny people there posting some very, very funny (sometimes sick) things under the names of various royal figures. If you are not British, you may have to google what they're talking about to get the joke, but it's funny stuff. You may find similarly entertaining things in other areas of ya ans's.

      4) It keeps my mind off of my depression, giving my brain the break it needs every day to start healing. I believe the brain develops ruts from constant depressive thoughts that just run over and over until they start taking over our brain, bit by bit. I believe it is essential to fill those ruts with anything we can, and then once there's a smooth brain to work with, we can build positive connections instead.

      So, just being here has helped me enormously, since I am puzzled exactly how to build up areas of my life that have eroded when my mind won't stop racing with negative, depressing, self-defeating thoughts. I imagine in time, I will move from here to doing the same kind of self-improvement activities in real life, like I did when I was much younger, before I became depressed (at about age 18). I expect you can do the same; fill in the ruts with some productive, harmless distraction for a few hours a day until you can get back to feeling the way you did before the depression kicked in. Once you have that feeling back, you will have the energy and resources to make things happen in the real world that may seem daunting to you now.

      The internet can actually be a place to take respite in a healthy way when real world interactions are not what they should be. I don't think it happens on facebook, or myspace, or youtube, or match.com, but it can happen here.

      Stay away from the ideation boards, no matter what. They will suck the life right out of you.

25. QUESTION:
    Can I possibly have something my doctors are not finding?
    I have been to 2 doctors. Each confirm that I have Hypertension and I take meds for that. They did an MRI and found 2 bulging discs in my neck. They say they aren't that bad yet but the pain I feel by days end is very real. I have attended therapy for them and I continue to use the methods they taught me to help with the pain. I am also going thru menopause and sometimes get so depressed i just sit and cry. Then there are the headaches. So severe when they strike that I have to stay in bed. For that that they given me topamax. I also have sleep apnea and use a CPAP. They have also prescribed xanax for sleep and a mild muscle relaxer. I feel like I rattle when I walk taking so many pills. I was stung by a wasp most recently and by nightfall, I was swelled so, I looked like the marshmallow man. I called the doctor on Monday morning, was told the only thing I could do was take benadryl, which I had been already. By Wednesday my head was hurting so bad that my husband had to drive me to the doctor without an appointment. I was crying from the pain, the nausea, and just the feeling that I would pass out just from standing. They gave me 3 shots and sent me home. I missed a weeks work and was fussed at from the doctor for not being there on Monday. he didn't want to give me an excuse for the first 2 days. I know I have a high stress job and I know that I work long hours at it. Somedays I feel like i am going to lose my mind. I hurt, I am depressed, I don't want to live sometimes. Then when I tell these things to the doctors, I am looked at like a druggie looking for a fix. I never asked for any of the meds they have given me, only begged them to help me figure out what is causing the pain. Can the discs be pressing against nerves to cause the headaches? The pain and numbness down my arm? I am always so tired. I mean bone tired like I have been wrestling an alligator all day. I am as tired when I wake up as I was when i went to bed. I have good private insurance. So, that isn't a problem. Why can't they help me? If not for my family, I would have laid the gun to my head long ago. I am so tired of being sick and hurting. I am at my wits end. Now, they want to wean me off the pain meds that they prescribe to start with. I am not sure what I will do then since that is the only relief i get and even then, somedays I hurt so bad they don't help. I know this all must sound crazy but if I don't get some answers soon, i don't what i am going to do. It's affecting my life, my marriage, my general well being both physically and mentally. If I am crazy, they should lock me away. I know the pain is real, and I know how I feel all the time. They just give me more meds and shots and send me on my way. The only test so far they have run is the MRI and that was only because they suspected I had a mini stroke. That's how they found the discs bulging. Even with meds, my blood pressure is high at times. I check it often and can tell when my vision blurrs. My eyes water all the time. No matter what. They say that is just allergies and prescribed singular for that. I have a total of 10 regular meds. I am only 46. Is there anything known to man that can cause a person to feel this way? I really am tired of it all and grow more tired of fighting it everyday.

    • ANSWER:
      Usually I don't even read long, lengthy questions, but something in yours caught my eye.
      Menopause may be your problem. For sleep try magnesium about 45 min. before bed.
      They told me I needed a CPAP too, but I did some research and found that magnesium
      would help. Try it to see if it helps you to sleep. Headaches are common at this time
      of life. Migraines sometimes mimic mild stroke. The blurred vision and watery eyes could also
      indicate migraine. Do you drink enough water? Dehydration sets off some headaches.
      Disc problems could cause the arm tingling. I had numbness on the side of my face. Still do
      at times. I have arthritis in my spine too.
      You need to calm down. Try reading or some calming music. Keep occupied.
      Go talk to a therapist. It helps many.
      I had a very difficult menopause. I know how you feel. In my case I developed a
      seizure disorder. It was very frightening. I honestly didn't think I would make it.
      I'm fine today. Don't give up. Good luck to you.

26. QUESTION:
    US Navy Administrative Discharge?
    I am an enlisted navy personnel, an E-3, AD for 1.5 yr now. I was on LIMDU and medical board for 4 months before I was returned to duty by my military psychiatrist. After RTD, I undergone a sea duty screening and was found to be "assignment limited." In addition to that, my psychiatrist also recommended an administrative discharge. I was diagnosed to have been suffering from Depression, Anxiety, Psyhcoses and Somatization disorder. Right now, my command admin is waiting to receive the PERS 40BB direction about my separation for them to start the discharge process. Before my military psychiatrist made the recommendation, he referred me to a Sleep Study Doctor for my insomnia, and the result came out lately; I have an obstructive sleep apnea. With this result, I don't know how will my treatment program with the sleep medicine will continue. I still have 3 more sessions with my sleep medicine doctor to complete, but it might not happen anymore as the discharge order may come out anytime in the next few days. Right now I am using a CPAP machine as part of the treatment. Also my military neurologist referred me to a civilian clinic to undergo physical therapy and rehab for my chronic dizziness and unresolve vertigo. I also have on going consults with hearing loss and tinitus with a civilian doctor as per referral by my neurologust. I know all of this will be stopped once the admin discharge comes to the fore. I am thinking of consulting my military PCM about the latest findings and my current treatment programs. I don't know if he could make it to put me in LIMDU or Medboard due to the new medical findings. And if he would do so, would it prevent the decision of the PERS 40BB to administratively discharged me? Are there other ways to have my treatment and consult completed using tricare insurance after the discharge? I shall greatly appreciate any information you will share. Thank you!

    • ANSWER:
      you would not be eligible for TRICARE at all. all your treatment will be through the VA..and only those ailments that the Navy determines were caused by or worsened by your service.

      the MINUTE you get discharged you trot on down tot he VA and submit a claim.

27. QUESTION:
    Where can I buy an endoscope to look up my own nose?
    I have sleep apnea. I have had ten surgeries on the inside of my nose, my soft palette and my throat. I sleep with a CPAP machine. My nose is still stuffy despite having somnoplasty four times, deviated septum repair, bone fractures to enlarge the nasal space, and more. What the hell is going on in there that the doctor's can't fix! I want to see for myself. Plus I'm taking pre-reqs for a respiratory therapy program anyway so I should study this.

    Can I buy a rhinoscope and look for myself? Where would I get one and how much would it cost? Internet searches are mainly turning up products for looking up drain pipes and such. Thank you kindly for any information.

    • ANSWER: