Sleep Apnea Gets Support from Harrison Medical Center
The next Sleep Apnea (AWAKE) support group meeting is Thursday, 17 September 2009 at the Harrison Annex, 750 Lebo Blvd., Bremerton. The quarterly meetings run from 7 to 9 pm.
AWAKE (Sleep Disorders Support Group) is a strong support group for individuals and families.
A free CPAP or BIPAP machine pressure check is available at the quarterly meetings…a service well worth bringing your machine from home.
The program features Harrison Medical Center’s new lead Sleep Specialist, Daniel Moore, speaking on Sleep and Heart Disease. Questions and answers are welcome after the thirty-minute educational segment.
Stat Medical is the program sponsor and will show off the latest CPAP machine during the second half of the program.
I am glad to know the latest research and development and especially glad when local companies are eager to bring the best to their patients.
I once called a local oxygen supplier of the machines to ask
when they would get in the latest BIPAP machine I had read about.
The short answer was never!
I will give you the long answer to the same conclusion only if
asked. To be fair, the company did elaborate on how they arrived at
the’ never’ response… and the patient loses.
I use a BIPAP machine but still look forward to seeing the latest; the future is here – now – CPAP machines knowing a similar BIPAP is no doubt coming later.
We probably look funny wearing a facemask attached to a tube that runs back to the noisy machine that helps us sleep, in order to live, but it is a life saving good funny.
Now is a good time to reiterate that I speak only as a patient, not a medical professional. My comments come from experience, my own or others and the latest research.
The latest study in Sleep Apnea is good in the sense that now the high mortality rate is known for Sleep Apnea’ites, a study using that information, to find a cure or treatment, is sure to follow.
More later… Sharon O’Hara
I have just ordered my machine. I am still in the “I don’t know if I can do this” stage. How long did it take for you to get used to it? Can you recognize the benefit?
Pat, I’m embarrassed to say that it took me almost a year before I wore the mask and used the machine …and then, only because a friend came over to ‘talk’ me through it.
I was afraid to put it over my nose, afraid the machine would stop and I would smother…irrational fear, but there it is.
She began reading the instructions and as she read I worked the various hoses onto the machine and mask. By the time she got to the ‘turn on machine’ the fear had disappeared. I relaxed, turned the machine on, placed the mask over my nose and began to breathe – deep, easy breaths.
I got used to the bi pap almost immediately because it let me sleep. In minutes I fall asleep and over time,I began to feel rested in the morning… the years I’d slept in a chair were over.
The few times we’ve lost power haven’t been a problem. I immediately wake up and pull the mask off until the generator kicks in and I put the mask on again and fall asleep.
The benefit of sleep thanks to the machine, was gradual for me. For one thing, I stopped falling asleep when I sat down. Most memorable was the time I fell asleep sitting in the packed waiting room of my eye doctor and my own snoring woke me up. I was startled and looked around…most of the staring folks smiled back. Maybe they had sleep apnea, too.
If you are in Kitsap County, you’re in luck…Harrison Medical Center has a fine support group I strongly recommend.
If you need a ride, let me know. Unfortunately, they only meet quarterly. Ask your doctor about dates and times..or I can post it here.
If you live in another area and a sleep study support group is not available, talk to your doctor and start one. Good support groups are invaluable for education and sharing of ideas.
Thanks for asking… Sharon O’Hara
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Treatment for Sleep Apnea