True Test of CPAP Effectiveness

[Janknitz]

OK, so the two biggest holy days of the Jewish Calendar have passed--Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These are not wild party holidays like the secular New Year. These are solemn religious observances with hours-long services in the synagogue, fasting, self-reflection, and SERMONS. Lots of Sermons! LOOOONNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG Sermons (let's just say: we referred to one rabbi as "Marathon Jon" and it didn't have anything to do with his athletic (or sexual-for those of you with dirty minds) prowess).

My father established the family tradition many years ago of sleeping through the sermons with the occasional snore (it only occurred to me this year that maybe he had SA, too). I followed in his footsteps, to my great embarassment). I don't think I've stayed awake during a sermon for the last 20 years or so.

Until this year. I made it through ALL the sermons, with just one slight nod out toward the end of yesterday (after fasting--refraining from all food and fluids for almost 24 hours at that point). I heard every word.

Is CPAP working? Oh yes!!!!!!!!!! It is perhaps a mixed blessing, but it is working

[LoQ]

It is perhaps a mixed blessing

Snort!

[kteague]

Hey, we all have our measuring points. Good observation. It's one thing to stay now awake for a whole ball game or an action packed movie, but I'd say yours really was a true test. Any evidence is a good thing.

[Bons]

As a preacher, I am proud of you for staying awake There are Sundays that I am afraid I'm going to fall asleep during my own sermon......

Got a question for you: if you are orthodox, do you have your Pap on a timer for Shabbot? Just curious.

[Janknitz]

Hmmm, we are not orthodox, but I never thought about that issue.

I wonder if the automatic "on" feature would be OK, or perhaps having the machine on a timer?

In any case, there are exceptions in matters of health.

[Slartybartfast]

And here I thought you were going to talk about your oximetry numbers.

Just got my official reports back from my initial and titration studies, and for me at least, here's where the rubber meets the road. No difference between my waking O2 saturation number and that while asleep. BIG improvement from BC (Before CPAP).

[jweeks]

In any case, there are exceptions in matters of health.

Hi,

That was a very interesting question. Another one that comes to mind is if Amish folks use CPAP machines? And not just CPAP, but any medical devices? I do know that Amish folks use modern medicine, and actually have some of the highest rates of infant vaccinations. But vaccinations don't need electrical power like a CPAP would. Just curious...

-john-

[Junebug999]

I'm happy it's working for you...what a blessing!

[sweetsleeper]

I'll say amen to that. I made it through the day as well and am grateful for a good night's sleep afterwards.
Yes, on rabbinic authority, health trumps prohibitions here, but don't know about other cultures/religions.
Have a good new year.

[Janknitz]

Amish, hmmmm. Even if it were allowed, their homes aren't wired for electricity. They do use batteries for the buggy lights, so perhaps a battery would be OK, but not sure how it would be recharged. Interesting things I never thought about!

[Wulfman]

Do a Google search on "do Amish use electricity" and see what you get.

Here's a couple of links.

http://www.amishnews.com/amisharticles/amish_tech.htm

http://amishamerica.com/do-amish-use-electricity/


Den

[Jersey Girl]

From one Jew to another, if yu are staying awake for the entire Rabbi's sermon, it may very well be a mixed blessing! My dad's Rabbi one soke for a full 55 minutes!

Seriousely, it's great to hear that your cpap treatment is working.

Regards,

Jersey Girl

[Slinky]

A good test of CPAP efficacy, JanKnitz!!

And it reminds me of a somewhat different situation I once ran into w/a Catholic priest. He used to give what were quite interesting sermons. The problem was he always started out w/a booming voice and then just as we got really into listening and the more interesting parts of the sermon his voice would gradually drop until we could barely hear him. It got so frustrating I finally gave up going to his masses!

[Janknitz]

My dad's Rabbi one soke for a full 55 minutes!

Lightweight!--"Marathon Jon" could go close to two hours! I loved him, he was a wonderful rabbi and his sermons were usually interesting--at least the parts I remained conscious for. He was a true scholar and had a lot to share.

I'm speaking of him as if he's passed on, and it's not the case. He did retire and move away, and we went rogue and defected from the conservative congregation to the reform one.

Maybe the Sleep Apnea Association should send out a bulletin to religious congregations and urge clergy not to be offended when congregants sleep through sermons because there might be an udnerlying issue like SA. Perhaps clergy can become screeners and suggest that sleepy congregants be tested for SA

I feel like I owe the current rabbi an explanation for the several years I slept through his sermons.