Taking my life back

[Robert N]

CPAP - been on a CPAP for over 15 years. There is no prescription in Europe…just buy the darn thing.

Right, so I’ve been on a CPAP for 15+ years. I just retired a unit…it had 26,000 hours of use on it. Ponder whether or not I’m a believer or not…

Here’s the thing: the CPAP was freaking life changing for me. I’m 5’8” and 175# - that’s not what anyone would call a statistical expected user. But I also have central apnea as well as obstructive apnea. I was averaging 2-3 hours of sleep a night - it was bad.

CPAP changed everything. Godsend.

Here’s my relevant comment: you can get an online cpap test and prescription for $250. Or, buy a nicely used unit (low mileage) and program it yourself. A short google search shows you how to get into the clinical menu…the rest is just a starting point. While you’re awake, Set the unit at 10…if it feels too hard to breathe, push up the volume…if you feel like being in the middle of a jet blast of air…reduce it. The goal being to achieve a positive pressure on the breathing. It should be relaxed, yet positive.

The whole idea that one could over or under program a unit…is kinda BS. All a CPAP does is pushes air into your nostrils/mouth. If you’ve ever done SCUBA or used a snorkel, welcome to the pack.

Anyway, I just bought my 4th used unit with a whopping 34 hours of use on it. A ResMed Airsense 11….which also has an Auto Set mode. Just put it on…breathe…the unit will figure out the rest.

Anyway, the CPAP was lifechanging for me. I was having > 37 events an hour.

I sleep like a true baby…starting 15 years ago. Best thing I’ve ever done.

 

[Nick87]

This new doctor is all out of pocket expenses other than any prescription she writes. It’ll probably cost be around 2-3k a year to see her. What she has done for me and how she operates is worth every penny. She wants to treat the issues not the symptoms

Glad you found, one money well spent. Pretty pitiful that has to be the case.

 

[cgasner1]

Glad you found, one money well spent. Pretty pitiful that has to be the case.

Worth every penny

 

[Hunting Wife]

I seriously think a lot of men go through something similar of the equivalent of menopause, but no one talks about it.

Good on you for seeking another opinion, and another, until someone can give you something that actually works. Due to job and circumstance, I’m surrounded by men that have very similar stories. TRT has been a game changer for several of them, particularly a couple of vets with problems some doctors think are related to their service. Keep seeking opinions until someone listens to you.

Hope you find the outcome you’re looking for.

 

[cgasner1]

CPAP - been on a CPAP for over 15 years. There is no prescription in Europe…just buy the darn thing.

Right, so I’ve been on a CPAP for 15+ years. I just retired a unit…it had 26,000 hours of use on it. Ponder whether or not I’m a believer or not…

Here’s the thing: the CPAP was freaking life changing for me. I’m 5’8” and 175# - that’s not what anyone would call a statistical expected user. But I also have central apnea as well as obstructive apnea. I was averaging 2-3 hours of sleep a night - it was bad.

CPAP changed everything. Godsend.

Here’s my relevant comment: you can get an online cpap test and prescription for $250. Or, buy a nicely used unit (low mileage) and program it yourself. A short google search shows you how to get into the clinical menu…the rest is just a starting point. While you’re awake, Set the unit at 10…if it feels too hard to breathe, push up the volume…if you feel like being in the middle of a jet blast of air…reduce it. The goal being to achieve a positive pressure on the breathing. It should be relaxed, yet positive.

The whole idea that one could over or under program a unit…is kinda BS. All a CPAP does is pushes air into your nostrils/mouth. If you’ve ever done SCUBA or used a snorkel, welcome to the pack.

Anyway, I just bought my 4th used unit with a whopping 34 hours of use on it. A ResMed Airsense 11….which also has an Auto Set mode. Just put it on…breathe…the unit will figure out the rest.

Anyway, the CPAP was lifechanging for me. I was having > 37 events an hour.

I sleep like a true baby…starting 15 years ago. Best thing I’ve ever done.

Where did you pick the used ones up I have a buddy about to buy one from Amazon. I told him just get it if you don’t feel better in 2 weeks return it. Dude is a freak his natural test level was over 800 am he wasn’t sure why he is always exhausted

 

[cgasner1]

I seriously think a lot of men go through something similar of the equivalent of menopause, but no one talks about it.

Good on you for seeking another opinion, and another, until someone can give you something that actually works. Due to job and circumstance, I’m surrounded by men that have very similar stories. TRT has been a game changer for several of them, particularly a couple of vets with problems some doctors think are related to their service. Keep seeking opinions until someone listens to you.

Hope you find the outcome you’re looking for.

I obviously have no way of proving it but I genuinely believe it’s from the amount of processed food we consume. It’s crazy the amount of guys I know that are trt now. Same story as mine.

 

[brymoore]

A few years I decided I wanted to up my T to a higher level. I had seen enough testimonials to want to try it as I grew older. I researched and went to a doctor that handled T stuff for men.

I read that staying up late, heavy drinking and certain foods would drop the T level a couple hundred points. I dragged my butt into his office on test morning after staying up very late drinking, etc. My T level was still too high. He kicked me to the curb.

A year later my primary physician suggested that my T level might be behind something else minor I had going on. (forget what it was. Temporary). I thought I had him convinced again but I tested too high. He said no.

I finally found a third doc. Lab test and still T testing at same level. His response, we can pump that number up! Started on enclomiphene for almost a year. We couldn’t keep my e levels under control. T wasn’t stable either. Switched to T shots and everything is under control. Twice a week. T level is high, but not Charlie Sheen level. T is cheap. Other costs aren’t concerning. I feel great.

 

[HSi-ESi]

That sucks you've had to go down a rough road. I do believe that being an advocate for yourself and finding the right physician is 99% of healthcare. The insurance / billing really sucks - I have too many stories there. Good thing that my wife handles that side.

I have similar stories of going into a Dr - and dumping them because they had preconceived notions of me. I am on the heavy side, always have been. My last trail race I ran (20 miles), I weighed in around 240 (I'm only 6'). They need weight classes on those things, not age classes.

Good on you for sticking with it and taking control.

 

[huntin24/7]

I obviously have no way of proving it but I genuinely believe it’s from the amount of processed food we consume. It’s crazy the amount of guys I know that are trt now. Same story as mine.

Totally agree. I’ve been saying for quite some time that I believe a lot of our physical and mental health issues along with behavioral problems with kids in many instances can be tied back to this. I saw just recently that highly processed meats are now classified as the same carcinogen level as smoking and asbestos. Pretty wild.