Category: Current Status

Those of you who have followed the blog know that I’ve had a difficult relationship over the last few years with my sleep doctor. Part of the reason I think, is that I did so well at first. Over 5 years ago, almost 10 years now, he put me on a CPAP machine and I had instant results. However, the last couple of years have been difficult. Lately I just haven’t been getting enough sleep and I’m tired all the time.

I was really dreading this visit, since he has badgered me about gaining weight, told me I wasn’t compliant, etc. This visit was different and I attribute that to the compliance software on my new machine. It took hree visits in a row (over a 1 year period), for him to believe me since I switched to the Goodnight CPAP which he can download and get compliance data.

Today I went in, he downloaded the machine, saw that I was 100% compliant (yet again), and that I was getting 6 1/2 hours average on the machine (I’ve had a few very sleepless nights.) Make sure any CPAP machine you get these days DOES have the compliance monitoring feature. That means when you are sleeping well, it’s the doctor’s problem, NOT yours.

He’s now not treating me as a non-compliant patient. I think it also helped that after my sleepless night, I had a bit of a fever — I am not sure if this is a chicken and egg kind of thing, but I was stressed out over the visit, and probably a bit stressed about going back to school tomorrow (we are off on inclement weather days — I love it when we don’t actually use them for inclement weather).

Anyway, he wrote me a script for antibiotics, and gave me three doses so I could take my time about filling the scripts (though today was a good day for that). He also wrote scripts for a new humidifier, and a new mask. I switched DME’s, since I was having to pay full price on the other one. Their service was super, and were close to school, however, I am THRILLED with the new company.

They called me at almost 5:00, and wanted to meet with me tomorrow — and did have an appointment available at 4:30! That is the best any DME has ever been. I’ve worked with 4 now — Lincare and Apria were both horrible service. I usually had to go to them to get new equipment. I’ll post who they are when the whole thing is done, but the new company is definitely in network. I’ve never gotten a call back from the DME the same day I saw the doctor.

I’m going to get an Oximeter for the weekend, though I’m not sure I could even handle more pressure.

I brought home two Ambien too, though he doesn’t want me on sleep pills at all. I agree, they have never done that much for me.

I just got a claim notification from Blue Cross Blue Shield and they covered the pump exactly like Animas said they would. My portion of the claim is 783.xx, and Animas gave me 700 on the old pump, so it costs me 83.xx. That is SO nice.

I’m going to see the sleep doctor next Monday and I’m trying to get fixed in my mind what my problems are and what we need to do to fix them.

My biggest problem right now, is that I want to travel but can’t sleep when I travel. I also have some sleeping issues when put under a lot of stress at work. The night before a staff development, the night before a test, anytime my routine is changed. The nights before the first day of school, etc.

I didn’t like Ambien, it didn’t work well for me. I also didn’t like Provigil (a different type of drug).

I’m willing to try the new sleeping pill if it is available. I don’t want to take something on a regular basis, most of the time I can fall asleep.

I also think I need to plan better when I’m going to need sleeping medication.

I also want a new mask — I like the mask I’m using now, and I want to go through an in-network supplier. I also want new humidifer chambers but might have to do that out of pocket.

I have pretty good control right now, with the pump alone, but I’m leaving this totally up to my endo.

March 19, 2005

He’s starting to realize that I’m a bit “special”. My gums are generally inflamed and he gave me some Peridex. I’m due for another cleaning next month, so maybe this will hold things off.

He asked about the trip, and I confessed that I came back early after not sleeping there. Then he decided that’s why the gums had flared up — and he probably isn’t wrong.

I feel SO much better. I slept all night last night. And slept all night the night before. I was absolutely exhausted last night. I don’t show as much weight loss today as I did yesterday, and I think some of yesterday’s weight loss was due to dehydration. I still weigh less than I did when I left, but not as low as I was yesterday.

I tried to see at least one of my medical team this week — I am seeing 3 next week, but they are all busy this week — it IS spring break for the largest school district.

I also scheduled my cardiologist in June. I’m doing a nuclear stress test then.

Good news, my weight is the lowest I’ve seen in years. I started concentrating on losing weight about a year ago this week, after seeing my weight at several doctors. I’ve lost about 35 pounds in the year.

I’m coming home tomorrow as the trip has been the absolute trip from hell.

I should have gotten off the plane in Dallas, and the trip just kept getting worse and worse.

Somehow Rich convinced American Airlines to put me on a flight to Zurick and back to Dallas tomorrow after noon.

More details on my diabetes blog when I get back.

Man, I woke up hurting, I’m predicting my heel spurs will be back and bothering me on Saturday, if not tomorrow.

By the way, since the challenge ended, and everyone started stressing me out at work, I’ve decided not to worry about my food. It’s been a good decision, and my weight is staying stable.

I’m not logging food until I get back from Monte Carlo. And I will probably not do my strength exercises while I am gone, but I’m going to try to do as much cardio as I can.

I’m exhausted. But doing okay. I’m trying very hard not to fall in a common teacher trap, which is to tell yourself you’ve been on your feet all day, not exercise, and lose fitness level. That’s one thing they warned us about in teaching training.

I ran 7 classes of students through my computer lab today, doing a career activity. My kids were off with a sub doing a written activity. Don’t ask.

The planner forgot I wasn’t getting a planning period — will get one tomorrow at least. I don’t know if I get one Friday or not. It was a definite, all day on your feet job. I go through this at the beginning of each year, but by now, the most I have to tell my kids is to reboot when their computers act up. With these kids, I had to help them get logged on again and to the right website, so it was hard.

I still came home and did my 35 minutes on the treadmill but my feet heard so bad, I had to do it 4 minutes at a time.