Sleep Apnea Treatment

Question by Sherry: How can an untreated aneurysm last for over eleven years without bursting ?
A close friend of mine claims an aneurysm was discovered on an X-ray in 1999 after a car wreck. He has not had surgery or treatment for it. If this is true, how is it that it hasn’t disected.

He also has had for many years:

Congestive heart failure
Severe asthma
Cellulitis of the legs
Sleep apnea
Obesity (well over 300 pounds)

Given all these conditions at once, how has he survived for so long. Since 2002 he had kept telling me his time was “short” until two years ago. He is now 65 years old. He has stopped telling me that because he knows I won’t believe him. Am I wrong in being suspicious about his sicknesses.

Best answer:

Answer by herblaura
sounds like he has obesity-related problems, but is also a bit of a hypochondriac

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Question by Popcicle: How can I treat my sleep apnea without a C-pap?
I am not overweight. Surgery is not an option (if you have researched it, you’d know why). I have feverishly tried using my C-pap on and off for the past 5 years and always have to eventually stop using it because I’m not getting any sleep. People say “if you wanted it enough, you’d get used to it”. Not true. If I ever do fall asleep on it, I wake up gasping every minute (even with a chin strap). What can I do? I have nothing going on in my life right now because the chronic fatigue prevents me from holding a job or going to school. I’m so dysfunctional, everything seems pretty pointless and it seems like I have reached the end of any advice. People just repeat themselves. I’ve run out of solutions.
I’ve tried provigil. It made me crazy and irritable to the point of not being able to function productively.
..I’ve also tried all of the masks they have to offer. The “nose pillow” is the best for me out of them all but still doesn’t seems to work. I have had the pressure adjusted many times. Maybe they just screwed it up the last time. I’ll have too look into that. Thanks.
Nicole: Haha.. that seems the only option I have left!

Best answer:

Answer by justlilolme
I am not confident that you can treat your apnea without a c-pap. I would suggest that you discuss it with your doctor. Sleep medicine is constantly changing and improving. There are so many c-pap devices to choice from nowadays that maybe you simply need to find a better mask for you. If you are waking up gasping for breath I would also wonder if your pressure of your c-pap may need to be adjusted which would have to be done in a sleep lab. There are different types of apneas as well as different degrees of severity. Some people can simply sleep in a certain position and not have an apnea.

If your daytime sleepiness is interfering with your daily life, there are medications that can help. Provigil is a drug that makes you feel very alert and rested without the gittery feelings you can get from stimulants. Of course, it is a prescription so you would have to see a Dr about that too. In any case, your really don’t have to just accept the fact that your c-pap isn’t working for you…there are other options out there.

I hope that something I have mentioned may help you…You do have several options without resorting to surgery…

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Question by Mscott21: How does one lose 150 pounds WITHOUT surgery?
My doctor has just informed me that my body is too large and despite my efforts I’m not losing weight. His command is for me to lose 150 pounds or I will be dead before my 40th birthday. I have Diabetes, High blood pressure, sleep apnea and nuropathy and Retnothopy. I’m at a risk for a stroke, heart attack and cancer not to mention the rest of the stuff. It gotten so bad, I just completely gave up. But I have a little boy and a wife and need to go on for them.

Any suggestions.

Thanks

Best answer:

Answer by Roberta B
You might think about trying this book called “The Movie Star Diet” by Steve Simmons. It helped me lose thirty pounds in 2 1/2 months when I didn’t think anything would work. My goal to begin with was only 20 lbs! It has a really easy plan to follow and an excellent workout as well.

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Question by Peter C: I have mild sleep apnea. what are natural methods to improve sleep without having to use a CPAP machine ? ?

Best answer:

Answer by Bellarina
Lose weight, and also cut down on booze and coffee if they are things that you ever drink. If you have sensitive airways, manage dust and allergies. Plus, a saline nasal spray can help if you have sinus problems that are making things worse.
The CPAP machine is not that bad, noisy or uncomfortable. You’ll be surprised how much better you feel after an effective nights sleep. Use it if you really need it.

PS. I just remembered that some people can be helped by specialist dental splints. These are designed to modify the position of your jaw. The aim is to stop the soft structures in your mouth and upper throat (such as soft palate and uvula) from drooping and restricting your breathing. Not everyone finds them comfortable or effective, but it may be worth investigating.

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Question by betty r: Is it safe to use a cpap machine without a doctors prescription, even if you have all the symtoms .?
I have no insurance. My doctor has been wanting to send me for the sleep testing for the sleep apnea. I snore badly, sleep only 1 to 2 hours at a time. Just as tired when I wake up as I am when I go to sleep. No energy, tired, sleepy all day. I have gained 30 pounds in the last 6 months. I really can not afford to go to the doctor, especially this sleep test.

Best answer:

Answer by D – Cav
I am pretty sure that it cant hurt you but I would ask a professional.

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