Re: breathing stops, memory/ADD problem, chronic fatigue

You ask "What caused my sleep apnea, memory/ADD problem and what can I possibly do" yet you don't indicate how you/your provider arrived at a BIPAP solution.  Have you seen a sleep specialist?  Mine diagnosed my problem on the first visit (narrow air passages in both my mouth opening and nasal passages + my age) yet he still sent me to a sleep clinic.  The sleep clinic verified that I had sleep apnea and narrowed down a solution which eventually was a CPAP device.  During the sleep clinic they have 21 wires connected to you which are then connected to their computer which is monitored every second while you are asleep or trying to get to sleep which includes your oxygen level with every breath.  The monitor also continuously adjusts the air flow to your mask and if there are any difficulties they will come into the room to help you.  Once I was diagnosed with sleep apnea for sure (they originally only took my word for it) - I was sent back for a second night at the sleep clinic where solutions were further tested - again, by a monitor who was making adjustments of pressure, etc., all night long.  The sleep clinic visit along with follow up counseling with the sleep specialist determines both the type of device you get and the settings of that device.  If your BIPAP isn't providing you any benefit that would be immediately determined in a sleep clinic where a solution would be found.

Sleep clinic isn't cheap - about $3,000 a night if I remember right, but my insurance paid for it in full.  Again, if your provider hasn't given you a cause of your apnea I'd sure drop him/her and go to an MD sleep specialist.  There are many of them out there and most large clinics include a sleep clinic.  By the way, my nights at the sleep clinic gave me the best night's sleep I'd had in years which was due to their constant adjustments of the masks and air pressures - even with 21 wires hooked to me from head to toe.