Sleep Apnea Forum Bringing Power to the People

Mike Male New York, NY United States: Share; Share on Twitter; Share on Facebook

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Mike's Discussions

What's a Polysomnographic Technologists Bill?

Replied 5 hours ago

What's a Polysomnographic Technologists Bill?

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What's a Polysomnographic Technologists Bill?

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CPAP Gave Me My Life Back

Why I'm a "Sleep Apnea Evangelist"

For as long as I can remember, I struggled with feeling tired all the time, without any energy to do much of anything. I chalked it up to a diagnosis of depression and having a stressful workday that left me beat. But in 2007, I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. A couple of days after having a CPAP drop-shipped to my house by a durable medical equipment provider, I got frustrated with the therapy and gave up.

Months later, a friend of mine who i learned also has OSA told me about a new machine on the market that might be more comfortable to use --- an auto-adjusting CPAP device. After using it one night, the difference was like night and day. For the first time in years, I woke up feeling refreshed and energized... ready to take on the day. It was a life changing experience. If it weren't for reaching out to another person who happened to have OSA, I would still be in the rut I was in.

In no other pursuit in my life have I been able to help myself and help others to turn around their lives, often literally overnight. It is for this reason I have made it my mission to learn as much as I can about this disorder and my therapy and share it with others. I am a corporate lawyer and journalist by training. My news articles have appeared in The New York Times and The Chicago Tribune. I run the New York City A.W.A.K.E. Sleep Apnea Support Group, and am founder of this site, SleepGuide.com, as well as the online CPAP supplies store ApneaLife.com. I live in New York with my wife, Melinda and chihuahua-border collie-terrier puppy dog, Maggie.

Profile Information

My Interest in Sleep Apnea

I have Sleep Apnea, Someone I care about has Sleep Apnea

Treatment Being Used, if any

Auto-Adjusting CPAP

If Machine Being Used, What Type? (e.g., Respironics M Series with A-Flex Auto-Adjusting CPAP)

Philips Respironics System One APAP

If Mask Being Used, What Type? (e.g., ResMed Activa Nasal Mask)

ResMed Activa Nasal Mask

Comment Wall (87 comments)

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At 7:12pm on March 13, 2010, Mack D Jones, MD, SAAN said…: Mike, In a few years, it is going to be interesting to look back and see how far off base we were in our thinking about SA.

At 10:00pm on March 10, 2010, Lee Longnecker said…: Sorry it took so long to accept your frieend request....I just noticed it..

At 8:29pm on March 7, 2010, GR8SLEEP- Serenity Sleep Labs said…: Thank you!!

At 6:33am on February 25, 2010, Ross Plotkin said…: Mike, you sent out emails to the whole Sleep Guide community soliciting support on my behalf? You're amazing!!!! I can't even process that you did that. Wow! I mean, this was just an incredibly kind gesture. Thank you.

At 10:01pm on February 4, 2010, Heather said…: Thanks for getting back to me Mike. Yes, it is baffling to me too especially since the most likely explanation is an OSA event, but others with OSA don't immediately identify with the experience. I will post it again, if I can remember how to do it. I do read this site when I can and it is very interesting. You have a lot of followers in just a year!

At 10:25pm on February 3, 2010, Heather said…: Hi Mike: Well, it has been a year since I last posted a question. I only got one response and I thought maybe I should post it again. I thought I'd pass it by you first to see if you have any ideas. The problem is still bothering me and I wish I knew what is going on when it happens. Do you have any idea? Thanks so much Mike and hope you are doing well. Here's what I wrote:

Before using CPAP and sometimes even with CPAP, as I am falling asleep I am jerked awake by a total body "flush" where it feels like adrenaline pumps through my blood for 30-60 seconds. Almost like I am vibrating. Not shaking, more than tingling, and not a hot flash. I suspect it has to do with having an apnea: as I gasp for breath the oxygen flows back into the bloodstream causing this "flush." The doctors I have consulted about this say, yes, it could be the oxygen, but no one has said either they have experienced this, or they have a patient who has. I don't know for sure if I have an apnea right before this happens. I guess I am asleep during the apnea and only wake up for this weird, scary feeling.

I would love to know if others can relate to this. Or can help explain what it is. Thanks.

At 7:31pm on January 30, 2010, Ross Plotkin said…: Will definitely make it to Wednesday's meeting, Mike. You've done a real mitzvah by setting this club up.

Having a hard time posting a review of Chip's services on your site, though. Despite having entered the preliminary information as instructed, I get a "couldn't log you in as [my email address]" message when I try to log in; when I try to reset my password, no email containing instructions on how to do so ever reaches my inbox. Might you kindly be able to offer any assistance?

I realize I posted something on my own page that I meant to post on yours: I know you had a great success story with Auto Pap, but Melinda at Restoration recommended first seeing if a week of successfully using CPAP (which I have not been able to achieve yet) did not prove regenerative before exploring that option. I've also had a respiratory tech say something similar, and that my pressure of 7.0 is lower than most Auto Pap patients use. What's your opinion on the matter?

At 2:58pm on January 29, 2010, Ross Plotkin said…: Had an incredible face-to-face meeting with Chip today, Mike. I told him about my trials and tribulations and he really seems committed to helping me get a full night's rest. Just a wonderfully helpful and kind individual; I can't thank you enough for your suggesting him. Much gratitude!

At 6:50pm on January 27, 2010, simanc said…: Will do Mike. Thanks for your help and for your suggestion! So glad to be part of this group! :-) Have a good evening!

At 6:25pm on January 27, 2010, simanc said…: Hi Mike,

This is quite a site. I'm really glad I stumbled upon it. I have found the threads in the discussions to be extremely helpful. For every question I've had, there is already a conversation about it.

Currently I am going through the proces of trying to find the "right" full face mask for me. Thank you for your recommendation and the comment about the mask your wife uses. I ordered the Comfort Gel full mask by Respironics yesterday and anxiously await it's delivery.

I also ordered a Mojo Full face in a small and quickly recognized that a Medium would be more comfortable for me. There is another member (SleepyCarol) who shared her experience of buying a medium and she thinks she needs a small. I've tried to reach out to her by adding a reply in the discussion and also be sending her an invite to be friends, but haven't heard from her yet. So wondered if the members of the site might be more comfortable and responsive to you than to a new comer.

Is there any way you might be able to help SleepyCarol and I get connected and swap masks if she's interested?

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Latest Activity

Judy replied to Mike's discussion 'What's a Polysomnographic Technologists Bill?'

Ahhhhh. That saves me having to move to NY!!!! And what the devil are you doing up at this unGodly hour, Michael???

4 hours ago

Mike replied to Mike's discussion 'What's a Polysomnographic Technologists Bill?'

so i was contemplating whether to get involved politically on this one, since i am in NY. I have such a strong distaste for politics, though... it's just not my cup of tea.

5 hours ago

Judy replied to Mike's discussion 'What's a Polysomnographic Technologists Bill?'

Well .... thank goodness for the section I've highlighted in bold!! "S 8804. Establish the State Committee for Polysomnographic Technology to assist the State Board of Medicine on polysomnographic technology matters, and which shall also function a…

5 hours ago

Jess replied to Mike's discussion 'Ages of Sleep Apnea Patients on this Site'

39 here. Diagnosed three years ago.

6 hours ago

There are 4001 members on SleepGuide

7 hours ago

Mike updated their profile

7 hours ago

Mike replied to Mike's discussion 'What's a Polysomnographic Technologists Bill?'

Thanks Cindy. I am copying the text of the bill below so that everyone can take a look at what we're talking about. It does in fact look like a bill setting standards for the practice of polysomnographic technology in New York. I guess coming at thi…

8 hours ago

Mike left a comment for Mack D Jones, MD, SAAN

8 hours ago

Mike's Photos

Mike's Videos

Dr. Park on Nasal Anatomy

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Regis Diagnosed with Sleep Apnea

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William Dement Speaks on Sleep

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Mike's Articles

Tracheostomy for Severe Sleep Apnea

A doctor I spoke to last night argued that severe sleep apnea should be treate… Continue

Posted on March 18, 2009 at 11:30am — 9 Comments

The Silent Majority of People with Sleep Apnea

If you're reading this, you can pat yourself on the back. You're part of the elite, the "Top Gun" of those with Sleep Apnea. How? Largely just by virtue of knowing that you have Sleep Apnea -- ninety percent of those with Sleep Apnea remain undiagnosed. Moreover, not only are you in the top 90th percentile of the "Sleep Apnea Class," but because you're educating yourself about the disorder and trying to improve your life by actively seeking treatment, you, the members of this forum, are more lik… Continue

Posted on March 9, 2009 at 8:30pm — 13 Comments

Is Changing CPAP Settings on One's Own Machine Illegal?

I don't know. And that's the point. While never likely to be enforced, this article is to highlight that there is confusion over whether it's legal to change the settings on one's own CPAP machine. The CPAP community seems divided on the question of whether changing the settings should be legal, with most doctors, respiratory therapists and Durable Medical Equipment providers feeling we patients shoul… Continue

Posted on March 8, 2009 at 6:30pm — 6 Comments

Sleep Apnea Disability

Is Sleep Apnea a disability? The question of whether Sleep Apnea is a disability is a legal one concerning state and federal anti-discrimination laws. The short answer to whether Sleep Apnea is a disability: maybe. The Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and related state… Continue

Posted on March 4, 2009 at 5:30pm — 15 Comments

Dogs and Snoring

I came across this video of a dog snoring that was very disturbing to me. As a dog lover, I'm going to talk to a vet about how common this is with dogs, whether it's just as dangerous for them as for human beings, and what treatments are available.

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Posted on February 4, 2009 at 10:23pm —

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Latest Activity

Judy replied to Mike's discussion 'What's a Polysomnographic Technologists Bill?'

Ahhhhh. That saves me having to move to NY!!!! And what the devil are you doing up at this unGodly hour, Michael???

4 hours ago

Judy replied to Judy's discussion 'Resmed S9 Series Elite and AutoSet Introduced in Europe'

To each his own. The ClimateLine hose wouldn't carry any weight w/me at all.

4 hours ago

Mike replied to Mike's discussion 'What's a Polysomnographic Technologists Bill?'

so i was contemplating whether to get involved politically on this one, since i am in NY. I have such a strong distaste for politics, though... it's just not my cup of tea.

4 hours ago

Judy replied to Mike's discussion 'What's a Polysomnographic Technologists Bill?'

5 hours ago

John Stagaman replied to Judy's discussion 'Resmed S9 Series Elite and AutoSet Introduced in Europe'

Well, I'd say a major feature relative to the S8 is the Climate Control humidification using the heated ClientLine hose. For someone who already has an S8, a 3rd party product such as the Aussie hose might be a good solution, but for a newbie like m…

5 hours ago

Jess replied to Mike's discussion 'Ages of Sleep Apnea Patients on this Site'

39 here. Diagnosed three years ago.

5 hours ago

RL replied to Rock Hinkle's discussion 'So I was just sitting here thinking..............'

O.K., so I read both the binarysleep thread and the other article link. I would not consider myself an expert at all, when it comes to the brain, but I think I am as qualified as the thread poster Tish who states: "I am not a trained scientist, my i…

6 hours ago

Dave replied to Judy's discussion 'Resmed S9 Series Elite and AutoSet Introduced in Europe'

I have used the S9 for a few weeks now and have the software to monitor the effect of changing masks and settings. the FX pillows are very comfortable but the amount of leakage at times in the night has tripled my AI. I have gone back to the Swift 1…

6 hours ago

There are 4001 members on SleepGuide

6 hours ago

Mike updated their profile

7 hours ago

Nordine, Jim Waters, Michael Ryan and 2 more joined SleepGuide

7 hours ago

Mike replied to Mike's discussion 'What's a Polysomnographic Technologists Bill?'

8 hours ago

Mike left a comment for Mack D Jones, MD, SAAN

8 hours ago

Cindy Brown replied to Mike's discussion 'What's a Polysomnographic Technologists Bill?'

Mike I found this at the New York Assembly http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=+A01010%09%09&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Votes=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y From what little I did read it's about making sure that the people doing the testing for sleep diso…

9 hours ago