[CPAP] 10 years of cpap prior to a lobectomy of the upper left lobe due to asbestos exposure

[dwood003]

I was exposed to asbestos during  20 year in US Navy. I discover to what extent during a routine physical chest x-ray in 2002, I went on CPAP in 2007. A year ago after many CT scans over the years I had a lobectomy of the upper left lobe due to cancer. I am 81 years old and I truly believe CPAP has kept me alive. When I filed a claim with the VA they asked the names of ship mates, I gave the names of 17 who I served with on one ship in the boiler rooms and engine rooms all deceased, I received a 100% disability. I'm curious if anyone else has had a similar experience with lung surgery or problems such as plural thickening, scarring and nodules. Are you coping?   
CPAP

[Sleeprider]

Welcome Apnea Board dwood. I am fortunate not to experience any symptoms of asbestos exposure, however I have had some significant exposures over the years from construction and as a manager and regulator for the EPA asbestos NESHAP (national emission standard for hazardous air pollutants) which placed me in several highly contaminated areas as a first responder. I am familiar with the pathology, symptoms and progression of asbestos related diseases.

Based on your profile you are using a Philips System One machine and I assume it is CPAP. I would like to invite you to post some Sleepyhead charts so we can look at how your therapy is working and if there is room for improvement. Your machine is already outdated and probably due for replacement. Your condition will qualify you for consideration of a bilevel (BiPAP/VPAP) machine which will provide separate inhale and exhale pressures. The lower pressure for exhale, as well as the ability to adjust the timing and sensitivity for respiratory trigger to inhale and cycle to exhale pressure can greatly improve your tidal volume and improve the symtoms you are experiencing. I can help you to understand these mechanisms and coach you to work with your medical team to improve your results and comfort if it seems appropriate.

[dwood003]

Sleeprider Thanks for informative response. I have been a member on and off for awhile, recently when I signed in it wouldn't acknowledge my pass word, I followed the instructions to reset it. The results indicate I'm a new member, my profile was existing but no longer accurate which I updated. At the 5 year point I was eligible for a new machine, I selected a APAP, didn't  like it and adjusted it to straight CPAP. I loved the machine, it felt like it was breathing for me. It would expand and contract my lung as I breathed for several month, I think it restored some elasticity to my lungs lost from the plural thickening and scaring. I had that machine long enough for the warranty to run out. It wouldn't write to the SD card, I damaged something when inserting it incorrectly. The insurance company requires that I have it read a my pulmonologist's office every 3 months in order to receive my CPAP supplies, a vender has my prescription, they contact me every time I'm eligible with a multiple choice selection of each item with the reason for replacement. They wanted almost as much to replace the circuit board as a new machine. I have a prescription on file with Supplier #1 so I bought my own, all the bells and whistles including Bluetooth. One feature I really like if you forget to insert your SD card for days it will update it automatically. 


I have some experience with asbestos which I don't think your aware of, in a later post I'll elaborate, I copied and pasted it from my word processor, I got a response I wasn't allowed to provide a link, as a new member I had to have 4 post. If this doesn't work I give up!