Sleep Apnea Treatment

Question by Barney Blake: Best Friend Denies Heart Problem…?
My best friend (age 52) had a heart attack 2 years ago. After that time, he quit smoking, but refused to follow any of the other medical advice given to him.
In the past year, he has gained about 100 lbs, he has pitting edema in his arms and legs, abdominal distention, shortness of breath, crackles and wheezes when laying down, suffers from long periods of sleep apnea, has clubbing of his fingernails, pale skin, he sweats profusely after little exertion, he can only walk 100 feet before having to take a rest, and his resting pulse averages about 100 beats per minute. He is on blood pressure medicine, though his pressure is all over the place even with the meds.
Due to his prior heart attack, he has a stress test every year, and he just had one in July which said everything was okay.
But, being a nursing student, I see the signs of impending doom, I don’t know why the stress test would be inaccurate, but why would a doctor dismiss all the signs and symptoms because one test was okay? I have insisted to my friend to go for a second opinion, but he trusts his doctor and flat out refuses to believe that anything is wrong.
So, am I correct that this is right sided heart failure? How long can these symptoms go on before he has major damage? What exactly will happen if he doesn’t get treatment (besides the obvious answer of death)?

Best answer:

Answer by duparq
It sounds too as if he might be diabetic as he seems to have, at least, prediabetic health signs. Needless to say that your friend is foolish but as we all are our own executioners then allow him to follow his own chosen path to the gallows. He probably appreciates your friendship but not your advice; to him you are only the ‘carpenter’s son’!

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Question by little big boots: Help I have sleep apnea. The problem I am having is that the masks they have fitted me with are too big.?

Best answer:

Answer by Casperia
I had the same problem. The respiratory therapist kept coming back to my house and running out to her van to bring in a couple of more to try. Finally the pulmonary doctor wrote me a prescription to go back to the sleep disorders clinic and said that they always had old styles they’d forgotten about tucked away in cupboards here and there. He was right. They scurried around for an hour finding this and that, and finally one that fit.

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Question by asa h: whats is the best cpap machine for sleeping apnea problem?
i have about 15 to 20 stop bteathe in an hour. thanks you all for helping me

Best answer:

Answer by Prophet 1102
I use the Resmed – it’s very good – very quiet, get the humidifier attachment and the gel mask. The humidifier tank detaches and is easy to fill and clean (a lot of them are difficult to clean).

http://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/resmed-s8-autoset-II-cpap-machine.html

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Question by miraclethree: Can a sleep clinic diagnosis heart problems? (please note, sleep apnea is NOT the problem)?
My three year old niece was sent to a sleep clinic because sleep apnea was suspected. After the test the nurse told her mother she saw no signs of it. A few days later she received a call that she must come in April 9 to discuss some serious results. My niece has a heart murmur so we’re wondering if the test could have detected problems with her heat.

Best answer:

Answer by Lindsey G
I think you are better off going to a cardiologist

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Question by bucktail_44: I have sleep apnea and CPAP isn’t working any more anyone else have this problem?
been using CPAP almost 2 years the last 6 or 7 months been slowly getting worse again tired all the time can’t sleep all night

Best answer:

Answer by tony
i lost a lot of weight and exercise now, i have no episodes unless i sleep on my back, train yourself to sleep only on your sides, and lose weight and start a slow exercise program to make your heart healthy again!

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