“Man, sometimes I am so fatigued that it takes me an hour and a couple of cups of strong coffee to become functional for work. Then in the afternoon I am often overcome with fatigue and have to take a nap. I’m just lucky I work from home and can sneak some shuteye occasionally when my situation is severe.”
Those symptoms are classic sleep apnea symptoms.
I HIGHLY recommend this flow generator:
http://www.cpap.com/customize.php?list=Product+Page+%28Not+a+list%29&listPosition=1&PNum=4983&PAID=0
autocpap is the way to go as it’ll automatically adjust pressures, and the aflex option on this machine can be set so you don’t have to exhale against the cpap pressure, not to mention the data collection of this machine is outstanding.
personally, i think fixed-pressure machines are a waste of time and money and don’t even know why they’re still made.
humidifier option is a MUST or your sinus membranes will dry out and crack open and get infected. the humidifier controller on this machine is really nice as it autoadjusts humidity based on measuring the external relative humidity. fixed humidity machines can put too much moisture in the air, causing the excess moisture to condense in a cold hose, resulting in the hose filling with water, waking you up to a very unpleasant situation.
also, recommend you learn to access the secret menu to select your own upper and lower pressures.
You can read the SD card yourself by installing this FREE software on a PC and be able to monitor how cpap is working for you:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/sleepyhead/
I also recommend this mask:
http://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed-mirage-quattro-full-face-mask-headgear.html
if you’re gonna do CPAP, take control of the situation and don’t rely on a bunch of fools at Lincare or the like.
btw, if sleep apnea IS the major cause of your day time symptoms, then it’s bad enough that, if untreated, it will shorten your life by depriving your brain and heart of oxygen while you sleep and raising your blood pressure. untreated sleep apnea is REALLY bad news.
and finally, most surgeries to “cure” apnea either don’t work or don’t work well. whatever you do, don’t the route of one of the dental “appliances”: they’ll destroy your jaw function by destroying your TMJ.
Very interesting, good info. Thank you!