Undiagnosed newbie

[SuperCramp]

Thanks for the advice re different types of bilevel, I did not know that.

Noted re med advice, I'll have poke around the neuropathy forums and see what they are using for breathing.

[ajack]

So many helpful replies, thank you.

I might have some obstructive apnea, but my main issue is my diaphragm. I noticed, while coming out of an op, in recovery, that I had to consciously breathe to stay at 98% O2, while everyone else was steady at 98%. I have had shortness of breath when lying down.

The neuropathy is something I have had all my life, it was pretty much symptomless until I took Lipitor, which gave me muscle and nerve damage.

I have tried CoQ10, it seems to help.

I also got nerve damage from taking excessive Vitamin B6, and suspect I have something in my genes that makes my nerves susceptible to toxic damage. Perhaps a mild form of CMT.

Anyway, from what you have said, the bilevel machine sounds like the go. I have looked at the cheap units on Amazon, under $1000, they might be the go. I'll keep reading.

oxygen level below 90% are when they start to take notice. you may have sat nicely at 95% for a few hours till the meds wore off. not sitting easily at 98% wouldn't be a concern to me, It wouldn't make me go buy a cpap, given the situation.

the doctors and tests are free at a public hospital, I wouldn't self treat

as has been said a couple of times, there are different machines for different problems, it's not just a choice between cpap and bipap

[SuperCramp]

I went below 90% in recovery each time I started to doze. Had to wake myself and concentrate on breathing. I wasn't gasping, it was just a nuisance.

Makes me think that when sleeping I would be the same.

[ajack]

TBH I think that's a bit of a leap, you were coming out of an anesthetic. It's up to you what you do. I hope it works out.

[justMongo]

I went below 90% in recovery each time I started to doze. Had to wake myself and concentrate on breathing. I wasn't gasping, it was just a nuisance.

That's really not uncommon. They should have accessed you for sleep apnea before surgery; and you should have been on PAP during post-op recovery.

[trish6hundred]

Hi SuperCramp,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
I hope you find a solution to your problem, good luck to you.
Hang in there for more responses to your post and let us know of your progress.

[SuperCramp]

The post-op experience simply gave me some data on a screen that reinforced my beliefs that I have breathing trouble, based on my shortness of breath when sleeping, with occasional morning headaches etc (no beer involved either!).