Thanks for your response. I'll be talking to them soon about that.

Dear Dr. Park,
Thank you for your response. My Dr. said he doesn't feel it is UARS from the study. He finds nothing abnormal and is thinking it might be narcolepsy. I have no symptoms of that except for the sleepiness. He said I need to change my Paxil for a different type of SSRI because he wants to do another study to r/o narcolepsy. He said he can't do it while I'm on Paxil and my Psychiatrist said no. I am frustrated and ready to just give up and keep napping everyday. I could just cry. What should I do? Throw in the towel?

Thank you for the information about Iron for my RLS. I will mention it to my doctor. I first went to a neurologist for balance problems. He diagnosed Peripheral Neuropahy and ordered extensive laboratory tests. Everything was in the normal range. A lung function test and a fancy nuclear heart test showed no abnormalities. It was only when I mentioned that I get up frequently at night to urinate, that he sent me for tests for Sleep Apnea. Diagnosis: severe sleep apnea. I am in great shape for my age - 80. Normal blood pressure, etc. All of the neurological problems surfaced about two years ago. I am now taking Mirapex for the RLS. Not sure if it is helping as I wake up with severe leg pain, which goes away when I get up. Again, thank you for the information about Iron.

Good Morning Dr. Park,
I am on my 13th day of CPAP therapy. I'm using a Respironics Elite II with a Mirage Quattro full-face mask. For the last 3-4 days now I have woke up with bags under my eyes that look like blisters. It feels like I'm in the middle hay season. My eyes are pinkish, weepy and a little sticky. I don't have any of the "crustys" that I would associate with an allergy. Typically, it takes 2-3 hours to "normalize" my appearance but I still carry dark circles and some puffiness throughout the day.
Is this, in your opinion, a normal reaction to the equipment I'm using? Is there something I can do to mitigate waking up with my eyes swollen semi-shut?

Dr. Park--there's an active discussion going on re: CPAP/safety/monitoring as it relates to medical procedures, i.e., colonoscopy, endoscopy, etc. People, including me, are worried about being sedated without CPAP and proper monitoring of apnea during and after sedation.
When you have time, would you mind weighing in on this? It's a big concern...

Thanks!! Susan McCord :-)

FYI--I deleted that original website I put up on Discussion. No sense confusing people unnecessarily.
I'm interested in hearing what you think about the chin strap thing though, at your convenience. Looks like your line's hoppin' today!!

Susan McCord

Dear Dr. Park,
I am a 42 yr old female that was diagnosed with SA 6 yrs. ago. I am not over weight, nor have I ever been. I could not tolerate the cpap and got rid of it. I still have excessive daytime sleepiness, migraines ( which I thought were sinus headaches) acid reflux and I even sometimes have numbness in my toes.
I went back for a new sleep study at a new center and they said I don't have SA, but they want me to come back and speak to the doctor because something might be wrong with my sinuses.
Does it sound like UARS to you? What should I ask them when I go? Everything I read points to UARS. I am desperate to feel better, this is ruining my whole life. Sincerely, Beth

Hi Dr. Park:
I am new on this forum today. After reading some of your posts, I bought your book and look forward to reading it. I have a CPAP that I used for about 3 or 4 days. Didnt work so I thought (with nose pillow but had my mouth open as it seemed like it would work better). I am going to try it again as I want to not be tired anymore (or health Issues). I have Ankylosing Spondylitis which could have been brought on by sleep apnea. I do think I want to try the dental appliance as a CPAP is not very sexy for my wife!

Chip

Hi- I am an allergist in Chicago. I have had multiple surgeries for sleep apnea, including bimaxillary advancement. I have had decent but certainly not complete improvement in my subjective symptoms. My RDI has decreased from about 45 to 8 or so. I think that the base of my tongue at the level of the epiglottis maybe causing persistent obstruction. I was wondering what kind of success you have had in refractory patients with the base of tongue coblation procedure and whether you think this would be a good option.

Thank you for your time.

Brian

Sandra gave you a name of a physician on this post: http://www.sleepguide.com/forum/topics/5year-old-who-snores

I have been recently diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, I am still struggling with my nose pillows mask. I use a chin strap to help keep my mouth closed, if this doesn't work then I have to switch to a full mask....My question is I was doing fine sleeping with my mask then suddenly I am having trouble sleeping with it, this happened before I had my air levels increased. Is this a common problem that happens why all of a sudden am I having difficulty sleeping with my mask.

I am getting impatient and feeling like I have no place to turn, I have been off work for several months now due to my sleep apnea, at first I was diagnosed with severe depression due to lack of sleep now with this diagnosis I was doing fine with the mask then now I am not.....

If you could help me to understand this maybe I wouldn't be so impatient......I just want to sleep get better and get back to work, I hope you can help me :)

Belinda

I also spent a number of hours on your site last night and look to get your book soon (need to wait till my check comes in) I also sent a link to my daughter who is having her first baby. I really like the reports that were made about your wife and what she went though and what you learned, it will help her right now. Thanks for being a part of our group and look forward in hearing and learning more from you and others in our group.

I spent some time on your website the other day and was very impressed. Then I found you here. It says a lot that you would be here in the trenches with the people who actually have to deal with apnea and use the equipment in real life. Glad to have you here.

Dr. Park,

My apologies. I am preparing notes for a Dr. York this morning and have been addressing you as such in my recent posts. I'm sorry for that. I have the letter ready. Let me know how you would like to handle cc's and the like.

Thanks

Peter Beckwith

Dr. York,

I am composing an e-mail now. Could you please provide me with an e-mail address to copy you at. You can do that here at the forum or contact me direct at Peterbeckwith1@mac.com. Also, do you have a web-site that I can look at?

Thanks

Peter

Dr. York,

I've been reading your posts and you impress me as a very compassionate practitioner...and committed...posting as much a you do with a newborn at home. Are you familiar with the work of Larry Wolford in Texas and Bill Hang in Los Angeles. If not, I would encourage you to check out their web-sites. They are having a lot of success in treating Sleep Apnea and TMD related chronic pain syndromes. They may be good resources for you. I don't know Wolford personally, but work closely with Hang and would be happy to write a letter of introduction if you would like me to.

Keep up the good work

Peter Beckwith

Felicia, Don't want to get out in front of Dr. Park, and I'm sure he'll chime in too, but I wanted to let you know that as long as you have your prescription on you, you can buy direct from whomever you'd like. The most current face mask available is the "Swift LT for Her," a nasal pillows-type mask from ResMed. One of the most current machines available is the The Fisher & Paykel Sleepstyle 200 Auto Series HC254 -- I wrote about it in this article. By the way, I have no interest in any of these companies -- I'm just telling you what I know.

Hi Dr Parker... What is the most current equipment available for sleep apnea and can I buy it directly or must I deal with insurance? Thanks, Felicia Gervais

Welcome Dr. Parker.

I hope you can find time in your busy schedule to post occasionally.