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Permalink Reply by Karen Moore www.padacheek.com on May 2, 2009 at 6:53am

I agree that patient education is the key to CPAP compliance, However there is a factor here that affects the information that patients retain. As a sleep apnea patient myself, I went to the doctor because I was feeling stupid. My brain was not firing on all the 'cylinders', as it were.
When I had the sleep study and was diagnosed that opened a world of questions for me. But not until I was getting good therapy did my brain's thinking and retaining qualities return. The diagnosis itself is a whirlwind of questions and I knew very little about the condition and the health issues and why I needed treatment, much less the correct questions to ask for the best treatment. I took what they handed me and made it work. I was determined to get my brain back and that is all I knew I was doing it for.
Thankfully now I am much better educated on the subject and I can help newbies who are struggling. I think as a sleep apnea patient we owe it to the new ones to educate them in the way they can understand. I do a lot of hand holding when people call me. Encouragement and patience will help a lot for the new sleep apnea patient. I am happy to help, because I remember oh so well when I was in their place.

Karen

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Permalink Reply by Judy on May 2, 2009 at 9:35am

One of the best ways we can help to educate fellow apneans and to teach them to take an active part in their health care is to join a local apnea support group if there is one. For most of us who frequent these forums the information presented is almost too pappy and almost bording - BUT - WE can spur the support group to present MORE pertinent information and spark members' interest and curiosity to learn more which in turn would spur the support group sponsors to present more intensive information.

Our RRTs and RPSGTs could spur their sleep labs to sponsor or co-sponsor a local apnea support group. They could volunteer to speak at local support groups. Resmed has a very good video on what goes on w/the breathing during apnea events. I'll have to look up the URL for it. Surely there are other good videos and slides regarding sleep apnea and xPAP therapy available that could be presented or used to aid in any presentation our RTs and RPSGTs would want to make. Hopefully w/some "meat" in them and not just the usual "pap". For instance, the "mysterious" wave graphs can be quite interesting when you see Resmed's video w/normal breathing during sleep and an hypopnea and an apnea event. The same for the heart rate.

And, YES, Duane McDade, PLEASE, let loose w/your opinion on this issue!!! Even disagreement spurs education and reconsideration of positions. I, for one, really appreciate your opinions on matters brought up in the forum very much.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on May 2, 2009 at 8:32pm

Judy, i like how you bring up something that is always bothering me -- how 99% of the info "out there" on sleep apnea and CPAP is just regurgitation of the same old generalizations and other mindless drivel. really no "meat" there. that's where we come in here at sleepguide. we love "meat" here.

Judy said:

One of the best ways we can help to educate fellow apneans and to teach them to take an active part in their health care is to join a local apnea support group if there is one. For most of us who frequent these forums the information presented is almost too pappy and almost bording - BUT - WE can spur the support group to present MORE pertinent information and spark members' interest and curiosity to learn more which in turn would spur the support group sponsors to present more intensive information.
Our RRTs and RPSGTs could spur their sleep labs to sponsor or co-sponsor a local apnea support group. They could volunteer to speak at local support groups. Resmed has a very good video on what goes on w/the breathing during apnea events. I'll have to look up the URL for it. Surely there are other good videos and slides regarding sleep apnea and xPAP therapy available that could be presented or used to aid in any presentation our RTs and RPSGTs would want to make. Hopefully w/some "meat" in them and not just the usual "pap". For instance, the "mysterious" wave graphs can be quite interesting when you see Resmed's video w/normal breathing during sleep and an hypopnea and an apnea event. The same for the heart rate.
And, YES, Duane McDade, PLEASE, let loose w/your opinion on this issue!!! Even disagreement spurs education and reconsideration of positions. I, for one, really appreciate your opinions on matters brought up in the forum very much.

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on May 2, 2009 at 8:51pm

Let Her Rip Duane!

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