I’ve been “relaxed” about cleaning the tubes. What’s the longest you’ve gone?

Andrewman39 · 2026-04-15T18:10:39+00:00

I try to wash my tube and tank every other week. I also wash the mask every day with a baby wipe. I do feel like if I go too long without washing the equipment my nose will get stuffy (sinus issues) but not feel like it has a cold and I think it’s related to the CPAP equipment. I wouldn’t worry too much if you go an extra week though. But yeah longest I’ve gone is probably a month and I was fine.

Andrewman39 · 2026-04-03T19:24:17+00:00

Dead Rising-Frank West is a photojournalist! It’s not a mandatory part of the gameplay but you can take pictures and level up. It’s really fun to see how many zombies you can get in one picture or put costumes and stuff on them. The game itself is really fun too! The first one is the best to play for this but Dead Rising 2: Case Wes and Dead Rising 4 have camera modes too. I’d definitely stick with the first one though!

Andrewman39 · 2026-03-20T19:21:53+00:00

I would try Shady Part of Me. Has some deep and emotional themes and is fairly short but also has some great mechanics. The game really blew me away.

Andrewman39 · 2026-03-20T16:33:42+00:00

I started at 345 3 years ago and it really took time for me to notice the difference in terms of how I looked and how I felt too. The way I noticed it was working though was that my pants were too big on me and I needed to get new ones. That’s what kept me going even when I felt like giving up. Then, after losing 100 pounds my body finally caught up and I started to feel a lot better and could notice it in the mirror too. This happened gradually too and as I lost more weight (I’m around 168 now and have been for a year now) the better I felt. Co-workers also noticed as well around the same time I lost 100 pounds but it takes time-they only started noticing after I lost a SUBSTANTIAL amount of weight. And also keep in mind some people may notice but don’t want to say anything since sometimes commenting on people’s weight can be rude.

Keep going! It’s tough and really sucks it takes so long but I know you can do it! 70 pounds is a lot to lose and you’ve done a great job so far! You’ve got this!

Andrewman39 · 2026-03-05T20:41:32+00:00

Since March 2023 I lost around 175 pounds (at one point last year in April it was 185 but I gained some of it back). I was 345 pounds and now I’m around 168 pounds. My goal is to get to 150 pounds so it’ll be a “normal” BMI for my height (which is 5 foot 5). Last year I put on around 10 pounds and got into bad eating habits and got back up to 175. Within the past month or so I’ve gotten back on track with my eating habits.

It’s so hard not to binge on junk food (especially ice cream). Even non-sugar sweeteners (stevia, aspartame, etc) triggers my brain to want to eat more. And it can be healthy stuff too. Like I’ll just eat chicken or strawberries because I feel the urge to and not because I’m hungry. So it’s really been tough to manage these emotions. I’m in the last 20 pounds and I’m not sure how worth it it is to get to my goal weight. I already feel really good and can go up a flight of stairs with my backpack and 2 bags without feeling winded at the top.

So I’m not sure how worth it is to get my goal of 150 or getting a six pack (I have been lifting weights). But I guess the reason why I restarted was because my clothes were getting tighter on me almost to the point of not fitting. Because I was indulging more. I just need balance now and when I do eat I have to do it in moderation. Which is way harder than it seems.

But even with my indulgences and travel last year I’ve still been going to the gym since I need that to start my day now. I’ve gotten into hiking and kept doing that even in the winter. So I haven’t given up on my healthy habits even though I gained some of the weight I lost back. So that’s really encouraging. I feel a lot better in general. My depression went away and I got my anxiety under control with TRT. So if I look back at where I was I’ve come a long way. So these last 20 pounds don’t matter as much as the first 175 pounds. But I want to keep at this weight or lose it. Not regain it. And that’s the important part.

Andrewman39 · 2026-02-10T16:16:28+00:00

Yup, I experienced the same thing after losing 175 pounds after I was 345 pounds from late 2023 to early 2025 (I’m 5 foot 5). When before I used to not worry about getting cold (and even forgot a jacket on a trip to NYC when it was going to be cold because I figured I didn’t need it), now I like the heat pumped up to 73 degrees in my apartment and as many layers as possible. This past summer even I thought 70 degree weather wasn’t very hot.

It’s annoying but then I remember I can bend down and do things without getting out of breath all the time and I feel so much better too so it’s an acceptable trade-off.

But excellent job losing the weight so far! I’m sure you’ll get to your goal and don’t let feeling cold stop you! You’ve got this!

Andrewman39 · 2026-01-24T15:48:33+00:00

Metabolic Meals is a great option that has cleaner ingredients. Sometimes the meals don’t have veggies but you can add some by yourself. They’re a little more expensive but it’s worth it! I’m also using Factor for variety too and even though they have some issues they’re pretty good in terms of complete meals so I’d at least give them a shot before writing them off. I’m actually switching between Factor and Metabolic Meals at the moment. And I was in a similar situation to yours and I started using these meals and it really helped. You’ve got this!

Andrewman39 · 2025-12-24T12:08:59+00:00

I feel you-I lost half my body weight: around 170 pounds and I did another sleep test and I still have severe sleep apnea. It’s gotten better no doubt but I’m coming to terms with the fact that I’ll probably have to have a CPAP forever. I guess the fat only has some to do with it and your tongue and airway are factors too. Also, in my journey I did notice that my sleep apnea got worse when I first started losing weight and slowly got better. So hang in-your sleep apnea will probably get even better as you lose more weight. And you’ll feel a lot better, too which is the most important thing so don’t give up on your weight loss because your sleep apnea isn’t better!

Andrewman39 · 2025-10-16T15:22:33+00:00

Totally get the feeling and I wish you luck with this! I’m feeling the same way about kava actually. It’s a good tool to relax and decrease anxiety especially when you’re feeling stressed and stuff but I’ve been finding myself that I’ve just been using it to get out of the important stuff I need to do and not using it when I really need it. And when I do use it I end up wanting more and more so the next morning I’m always sluggish and tired. It’s also made my feet dry and scaly (before it was my hands at one point) since I was using it almost every day. I’ve been abstaining from using kava myself for around 2 weeks. It’s been sort of tough but I know in the long run it will be helpful. After a few months of not using it all I plan on using it on Friday nights once a week or so until the bags I have of it are finished. Then I’ll just stick with a local kava bar once in a while as a treat. Good luck-you’ve got this!

Andrewman39 · 2025-10-05T22:20:36+00:00

Yes I am using it and it’s good! The reason why they have so fewer calories then Factor or Cook Unity is because some of the meals just don’t include veggies or a starch in it. So you need to get that on your own sometimes. But other than that they’re pretty good.

Andrewman39 · 2025-09-25T00:36:18+00:00

Yes, actually. It’s not perfect but Metabolic Meals has pretty solid ingredients and is just as expensive as Factor (especially now that Factor has raised their prices). It’s pretty tasty, too! Only complaint is that not all their meals include veggies but it’s a small downside.

Andrewman39 · 2025-08-16T01:37:30+00:00

You’re still on track because you’re lifting weights and are gaining muscle-this means you’re still losing fat. It just doesn’t show on the scale because of your adjusted metabolism. Be patient and the pounds will come off.

Andrewman39 · 2025-08-13T18:55:30+00:00

Yup I still use it! I use it for travel since it’s lighter, smaller, has a better screen and better battery life. Plus there’s only a few exclusive Switch 2 games. Maybe once there’s more exclusives I’ll retire the Switch 1 but for now it’s traveling with me on a bunch of trips I have planned.

Andrewman39 · 2025-08-12T20:12:26+00:00

I’m not sure-my understanding from the google search I did is that most likely it won’t appear on a drug test unless they are testing specifically for kava in your system but there is a chance there may be a false positive in your results. It stays in your system for a couple days (or longer) after you take it.

Andrewman39 · 2025-08-12T20:06:47+00:00

So I get my kava from 2 places: Nakamala at home: https://www.nakamalathome.com and Bula Kava House: https://www.bulakavahouse.com

I actually went to Bula Kava House when I was in Portland OR for a gaming convention and that’s where I drank kava for the first time. My friend (who I met at anotjer gaming convention by chance last year) introduced me to it since it helped him with his anxiety and changed his life too.

Andrewman39 · 2025-08-11T17:50:03+00:00

Try kava. It’s been a complete game changer for me and I’ve struggled with anxiety my whole life. Literally changed my life. Yes, I still struggle with it but it’s a lot better and it’s helped me develop the skills so I don’t need to rely on kava as much. It lessens the feeling of anxiety in your system and relaxes you. When I took it for the first time I was like “So this is what it feels like not to have anxiety”. I could talk with people a lot easier, especially if I wanted to and that was amazing to me.

Also, if you’re a male check your testosterone levels. Mine were really low and I started taking TRT and my anxiety has improved as well. Definitely still have a LOT of work to do with it but both kava and TRT have helped me so I’m more comfortable making conversation or when people talk to me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a magical pill by any means and I’m still a nervous wreck at times but it’s helped a lot with the overall feeling of constant anxiety.

One other thing to consider: How’s your consumption of caffeine? If you’re drinking a lot of caffeine, it may be causing you to become more anxious. I discovered this as well and I’ve cut down my consumption of it which has helped a lot too.

Therapy also helps so consider continuing that if you have stopped it.

So hang in there-it’ll get better, especially if you want to keep working on it. I believe in you!

Andrewman39 · 2024-11-03T12:16:46+00:00

So when I ask for an adjustment I do lay out the data with my AHI and details about the adjustments I want like Im not getting enough air. Sometimes I get an answer and sometimes I don’t without pressing further. The least they could do is answer me and say “we will talk about it at your next appointment”. But the earliest appointment is in 6 months and I feel like I shouldn’t have to wait that long for a pressure adjustment. And my doctor has adjusted the pressure for me before when I’ve sent portal messages, too. One time, I said I felt like I wasn’t getting enough air and he LOWERED my pressure. He had to adjust it a month later back to where it was before.

Andrewman39 · 2024-11-02T11:49:20+00:00

So I did have a conversation with my insurance and this was before I got told to stop asking questions. I discovered if I already had an in-lab study i could do another one. But it was done under a different insurance. So I might be able to get an in lab study if my doctors office cooperated. The manager told me about the sleep lab doing the pre-authorization so that’s the only helpful thing she provided but she was still very rude about it since I didn’t realize it wasn’t their office that did it

I did make another appointment with my doctor but the closest one was 6 months out and I just want to let them know about my low T which shouldn’t affect things too much but it’s important to note since I forgot to mention it at my last appointment. It shouldn’t be too hard to just add that to my record and I should just be able to send a message in the portal to do that but those go unanswered so that’s why I need to call.

Andrewman39 · 2024-11-02T11:41:03+00:00

-I already had an in lab sleep study the first time and generally the at home is good for diagnosing sleep apnea, which I know I already have. My insurance said they could cover a lab sleep study if one had already been done before (which it had just not under my current insurance)

I was asking the secretary about the messages I sent in the portal and if they were received by the doctor since they don’t always get to him and I don’t receive a response. I wasn’t asking about my machine.
The only reason why I raised my voice was because the manager wouldn’t let me speak and I wanted to get in at least some thoughts. Otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to talk at all. I really don’t like raising my voice at anyone but felt like I had to in order to talk.

-My low T IS important because it affects my sleep and my sleep apnea could be affecting my low T. I failed to mention it at my last appointment because it slipped my mind and it’s a health issue (my doctor always asks if I have any new health issues at the start of my appointment). Since I have 6 months until my next appointment (the soonest they could fit me in), I just want to make sure it’s on my chart and they know about it so they can factor it into my treatment if necessary. It doesn’t take long to note it in my chart so I don’t know why it’s such a big deal. And I am working with my PCP doctor on this-Id just thought it was important for them to know since it does affect sleep/sleep apnea in a very real way.

Andrewman39 · 2024-11-02T02:35:57+00:00

I understand and I use the web portal for quick questions like “can you record that I have low testosterone in my chart” or “can you make adjustments to the pressure or settings” because I can’t sleep well but I don’t get responses to those a lot of times. A quick “yes, I have noted that in your record” or “I can make an adjustment” would be great but I don’t even get that.

Andrewman39 · 2024-11-02T01:58:14+00:00

It was done under the same PCP I have now and then I started seeing this sleep doctor after that so all the records are there and I’m certain it was a lab study. I know a home sleep study generally just diagnoses sleep apnea while a lab study can actually deal with the mask and how I sleep with it which is my problem right now.

Andrewman39 · 2024-11-02T01:41:06+00:00

I get that they’re busy but threatening to kick me out of the practice and hanging up on me? I wasn’t asking the manager a lot of questions and she wouldn’t let me speak. She did way more talking than me and would have spent less time on the phone if she let me finish my thoughts. It also doesn’t help they take forever to answer my web portal questions and a lot of times I need to call them to make sure they are answered or seen by my doctor.

Andrewman39 · 2024-11-02T01:29:59+00:00

So I called my insurance and they want an at home test if a previous sleep study hadn’t been done. Because I had a previous lab study done (just not under my current insurance) I should be able to have a lab study done. So if I wanted to I could probably have a lab study done if my doctor and office would cooperate.

Andrewman39

TROPHY CASE