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**Sparticus** · 17 January 2012, 08:20

A Shocking Tale!!!

I cant quite believe that the paper even allowed the story to be published. A shocking piece of Journalism and a complete lack of research! (Scare tactics) I think the paper should print an apology for even publishing such garbage!

**Barely Awake** · 17 January 2012, 10:23

Artcle here:

Sleep apnoea: from person to patient, and back again

http://www.bmj.com/content/340/bmj.c360?tab=full

The frustrations of the treatment offered for sleep apnoea made “being a patient” difficult There was no doubt about the diagnosis. My sudden loud snoring bouts woke up not only my wife but also me. The bouts were dramatic, like a deep sea diver gasping desperately for air after a world record attempt, or the roar of a ferocious animal just before the killing attack. Despite having spent eight hours in bed, I was sometimes exhausted and sweated during the day. Occasionally, I had irresistible urges to sleep at inconvenient times—when driving or during a dinner with guests, for example. The urge could be so pronounced that it felt very “painful,” in which cases I had to leave the party to get a nap, with the excuse that I didn’t feel well. This was certainly true, and it sounded better than to say I was tired. I finally gave in to the symptoms and visited an ear, nose, and throat specialist, who handed out some equipment to monitor the sleeping pattern. As expected, the electronic recordings showed apnoea periods, which lasted up to a minute. The surgeon first suggested removing the uvula and possibly other tissues. This made me think of Mark Twain, who remarked that to a man with a hammer everything looks like a nail. I declared that under no circumstances would I accept surgery, which was not only irreversible but could also be harmful. Furthermore, I told him that there were no data from randomised trials that showed such surgery worked.1 2 The surgeon then suggested using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which I accepted, not knowing that its benefits in mild to moderate sleep apnoea are inconclusive.2 He referred me to a sleep centre, and I asked him to send a copy of his …

Good replies from John Stradling and Frank Govan:

Sleep apnoea: from person to patient, and back again

http://www.bmj.com/content/340/bmj.c360?tab=responses

The frustrations of the treatment offered for sleep apnoea made “being a patient” difficult There was no doubt about the diagnosis. My sudden loud snoring bouts woke up not only my wife but also me. The bouts were dramatic, like a deep sea diver gasping desperately for air after a world record attempt, or the roar of a ferocious animal just before the killing attack. Despite having spent eight hours in bed, I was sometimes exhausted and sweated during the day. Occasionally, I had irresistible urges to sleep at inconvenient times—when driving or during a dinner with guests, for example. The urge could be so pronounced that it felt very “painful,” in which cases I had to leave the party to get a nap, with the excuse that I didn’t feel well. This was certainly true, and it sounded better than to say I was tired. I finally gave in to the symptoms and visited an ear, nose, and throat specialist, who handed out some equipment to monitor the sleeping pattern. As expected, the electronic recordings showed apnoea periods, which lasted up to a minute. The surgeon first suggested removing the uvula and possibly other tissues. This made me think of Mark Twain, who remarked that to a man with a hammer everything looks like a nail. I declared that under no circumstances would I accept surgery, which was not only irreversible but could also be harmful. Furthermore, I told him that there were no data from randomised trials that showed such surgery worked.1 2 The surgeon then suggested using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which I accepted, not knowing that its benefits in mild to moderate sleep apnoea are inconclusive.2 He referred me to a sleep centre, and I asked him to send a copy of his …

**swindonstu** · 18 January 2012, 20:57

Originally posted by Barely Awake View Post

Artcle here:

Sleep apnoea: from person to patient, and back again

http://www.bmj.com/content/340/bmj.c360?tab=full

The frustrations of the treatment offered for sleep apnoea made “being a patient” difficult There was no doubt about the diagnosis. My sudden loud snoring bouts woke up not only my wife but also me. The bouts were dramatic, like a deep sea diver gasping desperately for air after a world record attempt, or the roar of a ferocious animal just before the killing attack. Despite having spent eight hours in bed, I was sometimes exhausted and sweated during the day. Occasionally, I had irresistible urges to sleep at inconvenient times—when driving or during a dinner with guests, for example. The urge could be so pronounced that it felt very “painful,” in which cases I had to leave the party to get a nap, with the excuse that I didn’t feel well. This was certainly true, and it sounded better than to say I was tired. I finally gave in to the symptoms and visited an ear, nose, and throat specialist, who handed out some equipment to monitor the sleeping pattern. As expected, the electronic recordings showed apnoea periods, which lasted up to a minute. The surgeon first suggested removing the uvula and possibly other tissues. This made me think of Mark Twain, who remarked that to a man with a hammer everything looks like a nail. I declared that under no circumstances would I accept surgery, which was not only irreversible but could also be harmful. Furthermore, I told him that there were no data from randomised trials that showed such surgery worked.1 2 The surgeon then suggested using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which I accepted, not knowing that its benefits in mild to moderate sleep apnoea are inconclusive.2 He referred me to a sleep centre, and I asked him to send a copy of his …

Good replies from John Stradling and Frank Govan:

http://www.bmj.com/content/340/bmj.c360?tab=responses

I liked the response "Fortunately his very negative view of treatment is not universal." in particular...

For my part, I have finally (today!) managed to get the agreement of my consultant to put me forward for a tonsilectomy (my aponea is caused by my very large tonsils) after 9 years of fighting! Personally, I would rather risk more frequent chest infections than have to wear CPAP and suffer the effects of OSA...

That said, anything that helps is great! I just think this Peter G�tzsche is a bit of a whinger who wouldn't be happy unless his doctor waved a magic wand! That is a personal opinion however.

**martin** · 20 January 2012, 21:49

Idiot must have won the right to publish by being first to finish the crossword on the back page. But if someone reads it then they give credence to the work because of where it's being read and gets the **** scared out of them , which adds to the feeling of panic if you are starting out. Hopefully any info hunters read down to the comments section.

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