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Just as an aside, this thread is a great example of why the FAA Medical process needs to be changed: it inherently has chilling effects. By being required to report every visit to a doctor, the FAA actually discourages people from going, particularly to specialists. I understand the FAA's interest, but it's poorly implemented and arguably results in a less healthy pilot population. I personally know people who have avoided seeking help for conditions, and the multiple suggestions in this thread to avoid even checking for fear of a questionable diagnosis, because they were afraid of losing their medicals. This is compounded by the strictness of some conditions being disqualifying, or at least requiring rigorous monitoring and sharing scads of sensitive data.
FAA, take a note from this thread and fix your process. |
^^^This^^^
^^^This^^^ Dave is exactly right.
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As a practicing Otolaryngologist, I read the prior thread with some concern. There seems to be a level of suspicion regarding the patient physician relationship and the process of medical diagnosis. It always concerns me, the propagation of misinformed and biased opinions which, if not discussed with someone that actually has knowledge, can lead to medical decisions that will have real and, sometimes, severe consequences. There are so many holes and wrong assumptions in the previous thread that it would take a prolonged face to face meeting to dispel the "expert" opinions listed and lead you to real understanding of the possible causes of your symptoms. Please return to your physician and discuss your misgivings and concerns. Let he or she inform and teach you so you're an informed patient, better able to make decisions that will help you.
Respectfully, David |
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I went for the study. They diagnosed me with apnea. I got the cpap machine. I went for a follow up appointment and they asked me if I was still tired during the day. I said I wasn't tired during the day to begin with. But I am now because that stupid machine wakes me up all night long. Took me a very long year to get used to that machine. In my case the sleep study was a bad mistake. My wife sleeps better, though, because I don't snore anymore so that is a positive (I mean that sincerely). But I still think it was a mistake for me to do the sleep study. There were probably other ways to deal with snoring. I'm sure there are cases where an OSA diagnosis is vital. But I'm equally convinced that a minor apnea episode probably happens to everybody on occasion. And when you're wired up like that for a sleep study it's probably a near guarantee: a form of expectation bias. I'd love to see the stats for the number of sleep studies where they DON'T find apnea. Like many things there's certainly some truth to the seriousness of OSA, but I think also like many things it's a severely over-diagnosed condition. Regarding the OP, I would save the sleep study as a last resort only if the issues are not answered by the other tests. Doctors (in my opinion) should be viewed as trustworthy advisors, not authority figures. For those who do use a machine, try one of the on-line sources like cpap.com. You'll get the machine you want at a fraction of the cost (including accounting for insurance). And you can most definitely make all the adjustments to pressure, etc, yourself. Every year I jump through hoops with the FAA. But I think this next time I'm going to try the basic med route. I hope that will make things a little easier. |
^^^same as JOE ^^^^
...in addition to the above, which was pretty much my exact experience....
I now have to fill out a half-dozen pages of paper every time I apply for anything, explaining why I am nearly dead and/or asleep from my extremely serious sleep apnea. yep. snored, but had no other symptoms. Normal weight. Now I am treated like a leper when applying for life insurance, all the new hassle licensing....etc.etc. ah, yeah, and I think the 'system', which I keep very clean, may have caused a chronic sinus infection. which is really great for pilots. so take all that with a grain of salt. If you are NOT breathing well in your sleep, that's very hard on your heart, and wife. Address that problem!....but beware of 'the system' ....as many have noted. |
Separate bedrooms
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Disclaimer: I am unaware of any other problems this may have created! :eek: |
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