Consumer Guide?
Question:
Hi, Anne, Lauren is right: this group is a good consumers’ guide. Also, if you have an AWAKE group nearby (AWAKE is a national network of sleep apnea support groups — currently under the umbrella of the Americna Sleep Apnea Association) going to a support group meeting is a wonderful way to gather information and meet other nice people who have been where you are today. If your server, NWLINK, indicates you live in the northwest, you might be able to make it to the next AWAKE group meeting at Providence Medical Center in Seattle. They posted a meeting notice the other day, which I’ll copy below. <Since there appears to be some interest here about the support group at <Seattle Providence Sleep Disorders Center I wish to let anyone interested in <such a group that we have offered to help re-form the patient "owned" and <patient "driven" support group. There is a meeting on Saturday Oct 25th at <Providence Hospital. The meeting is being hosted by the Restless Legs Support <Group this time. If anyone is interested in attending or helping with the <Apnea Group, please join us at 12 noon in the Mother Joseph Conference Room. <You are invited to stay for the Restless Legs group meeting if you choose, but <please be sure to visit with the Apnea Group at noon. <Seattle Providence Sleep Disorders has always provided to the support groups <whatever we can, and we will be very happy to continue to help whenever called <upon. <I look forward to meeting many of you. <Paula Also, the book I coauthored with the head of the Providence sleep center contains several chapters on using CPAP that are a pretty good guide to selecting CPAP gear. Check out my signature line. Best wishes, Sally in Seattle (JSo…@aol.com) Coauthor, with Dr. Ralph Pascualy, of Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Personal and Family Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment, published in 1996 by Demos Vermande, NY. Available through bookstores, ISBN # 0-939957-82-5.
Response:
Anne Huey wrote: > I’ve just been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. > Is there a consumer’s guide to machines and masks? > — > To use my e-mail address remove > the "nospam" from the domain name.
Dear Anne, Welcome. I’ve never heard of a consumer guide, although it would be a great idea. I guess this group is the closest thing you’ll get to a consumer guide for cpaps and masks. :} Most of the manufacturers have web sites, which can be helpful, and there are lots of good informative sites about sleep apnea. Keep checking in here and ask lots of questions to find what is best for you. Lauren Ero
