Well, after 5 months of waiting, I was finally seen by the University of Michigan Sleep Disorders clinic. I ended up being seen by 5 doctors---they each kept getting their supervisor...
What it get downs to, is that my sleep apnea is so severe, there is a high mortality rate. 3 years ago, when they did the first sleep study, I stopped breathing 450 times in 6 hours. And even though I have been very compliant with using my sleep apnea machine (cpap), people usually deteriorate over time, and usually have a stroke or heart attack or they simply die in their sleep within a couple of years.
But I am the exception to the rule. I have improved in the last three years, in that my heart is in better shape and my apneas, most of the time each night, are much less. However, because I have been losing weight, this has upset the homeostatis/balance that I have achieved with the sleep apnea, and this is causing "destating" episodes. They think though that the added oxygen at night is helping me compensate during these episodes, and that's why I have seen great improvement since I am on it.
They think the only reason I am alive is because of the weight loss (100 lbs. in 2 years). The main option for treatment is for me to continue to lose the weight. They feel I have a good prognosis to overcome or greatly lessen the severity of my sleep apnea. They like that I am having the lap-band surgery in a little more than a week. The other thing, is that when I am closer to my goal weight, is to have a boob job (breast reduction). The weight of my boobs is causing some of my problems.
This has been a lot to take in, but it is good to know that I have done everything I should have to make myself better. It also strengthens the need for my weight to be dealt with now, rather than later.
I'm trying to set up a bigger support system, because this is much more serious of an issue, and will need support to reach my goals. Everyone take care of yourselves, Laurie