Dimwit,

You probably have the same issue as I had full face mask was the only way I could use my APAP machine.

Further investgation revealed a deviated septum, bent cartiledge in the nose, and enlarged turbinates, boney things in the back of the nose.

After a septoplasty and turbinate reduction my breathing in all states, awake and asleep, has improved. The result of the septoplasty and the APAP machine is that I'm now more awake during the day and evening. Previously you'd find me asleep at my desk mid afternoon and snoring in front of the tv from about 7.30 in the evening. As for falling asleep at innoportune moments I don't have to apologise to my friends any more for falling asleep in the middle of a conversation.

Stick with it.

Paul

back from greece and great but missed an appointment with an ENT specialist (presumably to find out why I can't use a face or nose mask) and can't get another appt until the end of July followed by "another" appt with the apnoea specialist at the end of August (six months since first diagnosed). Reading your forum I have a sneaking feeling that these CPAP things might work if i had enough time alone to try them, whatever face mask, but all i got was a week which was inconclusive. Two questions, why can't I buy my own machine but what is the best to get? and are there any private clinics that could speed things up and do i need to tell my specialist.

You then mention how long you are going to have to wait to see someone ............. perhaps you might have tried to reschedule your appointments before going on holiday?

There is no point in trying to buy a machine until your pressure setting has been diagnosed, nor to try to go 'private' unless you ready to part with hard-earned cash.

You might try contacting these docs via their secretaries and seeing if there are any cancellations, assuming you can meet short deadlines.

Hi

I've just rung the DVLA and they are sending me a form to fill out which gives them permission to contact my GP and hospital. They were more interested in whether I drove a bus or lorry, but the lady stated that driving wasn't usually a problem as long as the CPAP was working OK.

However, I use a lease car for work. When I rang them to inform the insurance company, the 3 people I spoke to in their office knew nothing of OSA or CPAP's and went into a blind panic. Its all sorted out now, but it just goes to show how little is known of OSA. I will be sending them some info leaflets.

Jon

Be prepared for long wait with dvla, I first rang them when expected to be diagnosed with osa, and acted from what the leaflets say, and stopped driving, anyway after seeing the clinician and getting the cpap, I started to drives again as it was now managed.

Today 10 weeks later I have finally been informed I can drive with no limitations. I think although we have to iform the dvla, and our lives not to be too disrupted, we need to pick the right time, as I also gather if we do not inform, they can act over the top and withdraw the licence until fully assessed.

I can beat you there leng, mine took 12 weeks! Was pretty easy though; phoned, got a form, told as long as Physician told me I could drive in the mean time, it was fine, 12 weeks later got a letter saying I can drive.

It is a bit wierd though that OSA being treated requires these DVLA checks, but hundreds of people drive everyday without knowing they have it.

Kim

ye I absalutly agree got talking to a chap few months ago, asking if I knew where he parked his car it's red, then continued he had gone through drastic brain surgery and removed half his brain, he still has periods of not knowing where he is or where he is going, yet no body ever bothered to think he could be at risk.

I like you did the right thing and was honest, yet when I worked as a nurse, was often told by the medics and management not to be too hard with the clients although the medication still made them drowsy, mind you that was shy Prozac came about as 50% of population in holland was taking antidepressants and illegal to drive if taking meds that made you drowsy.

what amazes me on the subject of OSA is the apparent evidence that those with severe OSA are more likely to have a chance of their licenses returned.ON the basis that they will be more likely to be given a CPAP machine , thus be able to provide proof of treatment and control.Where those with more mild symptoms are often told that a CPAP machine is not justified in their case, making it harder for them to show any improvement in their situation , indeed having read the posts here this would be evident in that the DVLA seemed to respond with more acceptance to those with cpap machines ,but on the same token would show no interest in the difference between mild and severe OSA with regards to revoking a persons license .This results in a strange situation where people who are in trouble with osa are actually more likely to get back on the road ????? The question mark arises with this sort of treatment in that the argument against non treatment of OSA is the risk of strokes and heart attacks , however it would seem that the health service is quite happy to make somebody with mild OSA wait for a CPAP machine or completely deny them a machine on the basis they do not warrant one and of course because of cost ,despite the fact that on the same breath their condition is worthy of banning them from driving on medical grounds.
Is it any wonder that many people have a level of distrust both for the health services and the DVLA ?

hi. i'm new to this site and am finding it fascinating reading other peoples experience with this condition. what i would like to know is, as a non driver aged 37 with osa if i was to learn to drive now what would my chances be of actually getting my licence and if i wasallowed my licence being a new driver with osa what would my insurance be like.i personally think i would probably be uninsurable. to be honest im surprised people do get there licences back as at the end of the day its up to the individual to manage there condition or use there cpap machine. i know from my own experiences its very easy to fall into bed and not wear the mask or wake up to find your not wearing the mask and not knowing how long you have been sleping without it on. i have heard that if you have a condition that could stop you from getting a licence you are entitled to a free buss pass maybe thats a better way of getting about i mean i'v been falling asleep on busses for years lol anyway if someone could let me know about anything i just asked it would be apreciated thanks.

OSA is an illness that by law you are obliged to have informed the DVLA, as a medical condition that can affect your ability to drive, but once managed and under control, there will be no problem other than follwing medical decissions. You of course have to tell your insurance people, but again that was not a problems as I never had an accident that was caused by osa, and well since my risks were lower.

only if you are driving or intend to drive

its all down to money and allocation of money from the top

99 thomas

From my readings why osa is now managed under nhs, it all boils down to driving and increased risks of rta's due to excessive drowsiness whilst driving. hence the legal control, if you check out NICE the government clinical excellancy site, of treatments available via nhs for osa, cpap is the only one approved, and then only for moderate to severe cases.

We surely live in a sad world, but on the other hand there are all to many of society wants to take a pot shot at our system, yet not prepaired to abide by some of it's rules.

We may need to think ourselves lucky we are given this option at no cost to ourselves, and no limits defined other than severity.
In the usa, canada, if you do not have medical insurance, you can take a high jump, and all the support is via the manufacturers, or cooperatives where loads of users have got together. cost is up to you. Have you checked the service out for our European neighbours, France German systems are pushed as best in the world, but they also have flaws, compulsary insurance scheme, and dictation what service will provide support, all to be claimed back.

Do not be foiled by what the media says, even if not directly set at discriminating a free to all system. If we were paying out £100 per month, we probably would have other complaints, even if pressurizing for osa to be given similar rights as other chronic health problems. I spent 30 years in psychiatry, yet we are the only nation in the world to try and reduce depression and suicide, I wonder why? Right up until 1995 it was outlawed as an illness, china still does not recognise it fully. other nations leave it to drug companies, or what you are willing to pay for, unless you have given your dedicated service to that state.

Hi Leng,
First of all, may I say welcome back. As you rightly say, there are many complex reasons why there are shortcomings in delivery of national health services, CPAP being the most obvious to us on here.
There is as you say a limited pot of money to provide a multitude of services, but who is really in charge of the allocation of these services?
Why has so much money been spent on bailing out the banks, when essential services are being cut/cancelled and budgets trimmed to a minimum?
Why are we fighting a war, costing billions of pounds a year, when it will solve no problems?
Why in this day and age, when so many people are unemployed, are the government so reluctant to save important British jobs?
The lack of money available for CPAP and other essential medical treatment, is only the tip of financial nightmare which is in its early stages.
There are so many conflicting messages coming from the political parties (all of them), - cut public services, raise the retirement age, get more people off disability allowance, get more people off JSA.

Where are all the jobs coming from?

Where is all the money coming from?

To get back to the original post, the government will only be giving money out, if your illness impacts on society. Government as it stands now, is not interested in ordinary people, they despise us and walk all over us.

End of rant - sorry,

Andy

Thanks for the information.