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dv8
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dv8
1 year ago

Good morning. No DuckHK stream today. I guess he’s doing it sunday.

Just Sven
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1 year ago

Why were you even looking for a missing cat?

Hi, Dv8 -- to what do you attribute your better sleep? I could use some of that.

Good morning GN.

dv8
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dv8
1 year ago
Reply to  Just Sven

It’s better CPAP equipment. Instead of going for the crap approved by Medicare, or whatever, I just bought something better.

There’s also a new implant they are rolling out. I’m curious to find out more.

Previously if you didn’t use a machine, there was laser ablation (which hardly ever makes a difference) or very scary tongue surgery (also ablation, but internal, but if they hit a wrong nerve you’re an invalid for the rest of your miserable life)

The implant stimulates the throat muscles while you sleep and keeps them from collapsing, I think.

Back before I was diagnosed, It use to take me 12 hours to really feel rested. Now (provided my equipment works properly) I feel ready to go after six and can function pretty well on 3. It’s revolutionary for me. I was diagnosed when I was around 40.

On the other hand, I also smoked for about 10 ish years, and I’ve never gotten back the mental functionality I had when I smoked from any combination of ADHD medicines out there, but at least I can get some sleep now.

Paddy O'Furnijur
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1 year ago
Reply to  dv8

Quite a number of years ago, my primary care physician referred me to an ENT to investigate my complaints of constant ringing in the ears, a feeling of internal pressure in the ears, and mucous flowing into my throat if I laid on my back. Of course the first thing he wanted to know was if I snored. He checked my sinuses and told me I had a deviated septum (my PCP said I didn’t), the opening to my throat was too small, and my tongue was too large. He ordered a sleep study -- which I failed, but I also couldn’t tolerate the CPAP -- I felt like I was drowning.

The ENT suggested both of those surgeries that dv8 mentioned. He didn’t mention becoming a invalid as a possible side effect, but he did say there was a possibility I could lose all sense of taste. No. Thank. You. I declined all surgery.

Of course he did nothing to address my original complaints.

dv8
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dv8
1 year ago

the implant sounds intriguing though.

The trick to tollerating CPAP is as follows. (I wouldn’t have been able to deal with it if it hadn’t been for a chance meeting with another patient who told me this)

put the machine on a long extension cord. wear it and run it while you are awake for a few hours before bed. Use your computer, watch TV, etc. Because you are conscious and awake, you can deal with the strange feelings. Wide awake, you’ll realize you’re not really suffocating and can actually breathe, but you’ll be aware of the pressure.

After a while, the pressure will feel normal and you won’t notice it anymore. Then you just leave the machine operating and go to bed. Don’t turn it off.

After you do that a couple of times, you won’t really have a problem.

Like I said, I never would have been able to deal with it, if not for that chance encounter.

Last edited 1 year ago by dv8
dv8
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dv8
1 year ago
Reply to  dv8

the better sleep is well worth it.

There are other remedies also, but I haven’t tried them. There’s a mouthpiece that moves your jaw forward and also coaxes your tongue into a very forward position. There’s also a variety of things that will encounrage you to get in a position where you are not having apnea events.

You may outgrow the condition over time.

I have a friend that would probably have apnea but he has trained himself to change position if he starts to snore. He used to be my room mate, so I know. I never heard him snore more than a couple of breaths before he re positioned himself.

I personally sleep like a rock, so I couldn’t manage to retrain myself like that. But I would sometimes get in a position where I wouldn’t have breathing events. I believe that is why it took so long for me to get rest. I’d inadvertently get into a position where I would breathe properly for a few hours, particularly toward the end of my sleep.

Apnea is difficult though. It’s worth looking into doing something about it. I confess I could have been more diligent, and I’d probably have a better solution by now.

Paddy O'Furnijur
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1 year ago
Reply to  dv8

Several years ago I had my teeth straightened (we couldn’t afford braces when I was a kid) and part of that process was moving my lower jaw forward. That helped. I also use a neti pot every night and sleep on my side. All of the above has greatly reduced the frequency of Mrs. Paddy whacking me to get me to move and she doesn’t complain about my breathing stopping during the night anymore.

dv8
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dv8
1 year ago

oh that’s wonderful news!!!

dv8
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dv8
1 year ago

Ironically, braces are what caused my apnea and that of my brother also.

Paddy O'Furnijur
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1 year ago

Happy “Just hangin’ around” Caturday, Gerbil Nation!
Good morning, dv8 (and Harper!), and Sven!

No matter what you try, that cat is going to get down its own way.

Sven -- kudos on the better sleep. Up to a point, quality is definitely more important than quantity.

Just Sven
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1 year ago

Hi, Paddy. That’s Dv8 with the better sleep -- me, I’ve had some trouble lately.

Paddy O'Furnijur
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1 year ago
Reply to  Just Sven

*facepalm* Yeah, I knew that.

Just Sven
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1 year ago

Just replaced the door knob on an interior door leading into the garage. It’s quite nice that with the way everything else changes from year to year, that I can walk into the hardware store, pick one out without checking the specs, and easily replace the one that was 40 years old without any rework on the door or jamb. .

Paddy O'Furnijur
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1 year ago
Reply to  Just Sven

That is really amazing, when you think of it.

Just Sven
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1 year ago

So the first drop.

“In light of recent statements by Alice Cooper we will no longer be doing a makeup collaboration. We stand with all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and believe everyone should have access to healthcare. All pre-order sales will be refunded,” Vampyre Cosmetics posted on its official Instagram page.

dv8
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dv8
1 year ago
Reply to  Mac

A fringe cosmetic business might come out ahead in this case. It depends largely on the culture and the market.

Probably. But I’ve seen many fringe-catering business go broke in such a circumstance when I generally thought they wouldn’t.

Just Sven
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1 year ago
Reply to  dv8

Alice Cooper has for years run a charity aimed at at risk teens that gives them a place and an opportunity to learn music and dance. By all accounts, it’s highly successful. It depends on donations and sponsorships -- it will suck if the gender mafia goes after them.