For the first time in two weeks, I feel fabulous this morning. Why? Because I slept without the CPAP machine last night AND I don’t have to use it again! Yesterday I met with my doctor and told him my experience with the machine and how exhausted I was after using it. I told him I understand how this is a God-send to those who have the symptoms it relieves, but I don’t have those symptoms and never have had. I asked him to tell me what positive effects I could expect to see; I asked “What am I looking for that will show me it is working.”
He said, “Stop using it!” I was shocked. I fully expected him to tell me I needed it in order to have ________ (Fill in the blanks) results. He didn’t. He said I could stop. Take the machine back. That is what I am doing. We had a discussion about a few other things and I explained how there might be tests or procedures he and the “establishment” might want me to do but which my intuition says I shouldn’t. I am following my intuition from now on. He understood but also explained his position from the physician’s point of view. It was a great conversation and we respect where we’re each coming from.
Just so you know, this isn’t the first time I have told my doctor, “No.” And it won’t be the last. I don’t want to be a difficult patient, just a successful one. He and I just won’t always agree on the road I should take to get there. For today, I feel victorious - and rested!
See? I told you that if you used the CPAP machine you would wake up feeling fabulous. Of course, the order of operations was a bit out of kilter, but still, a positive result (kinda-sorta).
ReplyDeleteAnd I so appreciated your input. I am glad I tried it even though it didn't work for me. Now I understand what these machines are and what they are for. And I found out about various people who use them and wouldn't live without them. And the docs can't tell me to try it because I did!!!! LOL
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DeleteIN this case, it was like the old saw about banging your head against the wall. It feels so good when you stop.
DeleteI would suggest that the improvement that you felt the first time you did not use the machine is similar to the way many of us have felt upon using the machine after getting to the state where it was desperately needed.
Yes, yes! One user told me she couldn't breathe without her machine. One time the power went out and she had to sit in a chair to sleep or she couldn't breathe. I totally get how useful they can be to the people who need it....
DeleteWoohoo! You GO, Girlfriend!
ReplyDeleteWay to listen to your instincts. Not sure if your doctor told you about dentists that specialize in bite alignment for O2 improvement but for some a bite guard has been a godsend. I remember a dentist in Kirkland telling me about how someone's heart issues even corrected with the alignment change. Not sure it can be so powerful for all but in case you did not know about this option.. LOVE K
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