"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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DEATH IS THE FINAL OPTION!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have had a tough week of non compliant patients. I have had patients pull their masks off. YEll and argue with me. I have explained all of the options for treating apnea numerous times. CPAP, BIPAP, ASV, DEntal devices, Positional therapy, UPP,tonsilectomy, throat scrape,TRacheotomy, Weight loss. Only to be stuck by the question "what will happen if I don't do this?" You see this is the only question barring an actual diagnosis, or anything that would violate hippa, that I can't answer at work when a patient asks. When everyhting else has been explained I have to leave out the last most important part. so I want to be clear when I say this. DEATH WILL HAPPEN! YOU will have a heart attack, stroke, Or suffocate due to Co2 retension. You will fall asleep driving, or make a bad choice at a crosswalk. One way or the other if you do not treat apnea it will kill you! Or worse yet someone else, OR A CHILD, MY CHILD, YOUR CHILD.
I just had to get that out! Sorry and thank you sleepguide.
I just had to get that out! Sorry and thank you sleepguide.
Views: 39
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Karen Moore www.padacheek.com on
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I wonder why you cannot tell them the truth about untreated Sleep Apnea. Is it because you are not their doctor?
That is unfortunate that you cannot share the whole truth with them. Perhaps suggesting they research online will help them come to grips with the results that they can expect if they choose not to treat their sleep apnea.
With more information provided by the media on TV and magazines more and more people will get the message that sleep apnea is not just an inconvenience, it is serious for the person, and anyone they are driving near, or their family and friends.
Keep trying Rock, some will get it.
Karen
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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you're always welcome to vent here, my friend.
But like Karen, I'm wondering WHY you can't tell them the factual truth: that left untreated, sleep apnea raises mortality risk generally and risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, etc., etc.?
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Permalink Reply by BeeAsleep on
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Well, I asked the same stupid question to my doc. He said just exactly what you did, DEATH WILL HAPPEN. He looked right in my eyes and said that to me. And I heard it because I trusted him. I didn't LIKE it, but I heard it.
I can imagine that being in a situation of knowledge like you are, and being restricted in what you can say because of HIPPA must be enormously frustrating --because all you want to do is save their life.
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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We can tell them about all of the health issues involved, but are not aloud to talk about the death factor. The is the job of the doctor.
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Permalink Reply by Duane McDade on
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I have had weeks like that my friend! I try to work it into my set-up talk. I try to keep it light using Mother Nature, and her practice with the Cave Men. This way it's Fun and they get it.(sometimes!) Sure you get the" were cave men there for the dinosaurs or whats a saber tooth tiger/cat"....whatever, you know what I mean. You Know about this guy I'm sure.....your titrating him he wakes up after wearing the mask and sleeping perfect for two hours and after REM he wakes up and yells "I CAN'T SLEEP WITH THIS THING ON" rips the mask off " I'D RATHER DIE....I BET THIS LOOKS REAL SEXY!" how many times times have you heard and seen that.... I know you wish you had a dollar for.....But sometimes you can get them to understand by your actions not words. I got to get back to work. Talk to you again soon.
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