Story about Coach Jaramillo's death is scary

[Guest]

That posted article about the death of sleep apnea sufferer Coach Chris Jaramillo sure made me nervous. Reminds me that there's a lot more of my poor health I need to fix than only the cpap treatment.

I better start getting healthier!!!

[littlebaddow]

Couldn't agree more, guest

and at the risk of seeming too morbid, did you see gailzee's post in another thread today - scary stuff

But this is one stunner, got a call today, a friend of ours, on life support, no brain activity, was DIAGNOSED yrs ago with OSA, and NEVER USED ANY cpap therapies, and so consequently he went into CHF and now is tubed up and in a nursing home. Only in his 60's. Point is, can happen, does happen, scarey stuff, and I think of THESE people when I strap on the beast at night.

Got to do it to keep us healthier and alive. We all tend to think it happens to other people these scary events, guess what? We can be these other people, such an eye opener...........yikes.

[Guest]

Couldn't agree more, guest

and at the risk of seeming too morbid, did you see gailzee's post in another thread today - scary stuff

But this is one stunner, got a call today, a friend of ours, on life support, no brain activity, was DIAGNOSED yrs ago with OSA, and NEVER USED ANY cpap therapies, and so consequently he went into CHF and now is tubed up and in a nursing home. Only in his 60's. Point is, can happen, does happen, scarey stuff, and I think of THESE people when I strap on the beast at night.

Got to do it to keep us healthier and alive. We all tend to think it happens to other people these scary events, guess what? We can be these other people, such an eye opener...........yikes.

No. I hadn't read this yet. Yes, scary. My brother was diagnosed with OSA, but I think a milder case of it. But he stopped his treatment, not sure why. (we don't talk much) And he has a heart condition. I really wish he would return to the treatment. I'm hoping my being on it will convince him. But he's stubborn.

[littlebaddow]

Perhaps it's a case of needing to be cruel to be kind, the tough love approach? These stories might shock him into action.

On a more postive note, I guess we should be grateful that we have a condition that can be treated and controlled in a relatively easy way. Despite the inconvenience and discomfort, I'd rather have OSA that many other conditions.

[gailzee]

sorry I bummed anyone out. This apnea can sneak up and while we smile at all our problems and share solutions, it sure can be a sad and solitary condition. Anyhow, saying this, want to pass on a . Hamg in there, and don't we miss Liam already............

Couldn't agree more, guest

and at the risk of seeming too morbid, did you see gailzee's post in another thread today - scary stuff

But this is one stunner, got a call today, a friend of ours, on life support, no brain activity, was DIAGNOSED yrs ago with OSA, and NEVER USED ANY cpap therapies, and so consequently he went into CHF and now is tubed up and in a nursing home. Only in his 60's. Point is, can happen, does happen, scarey stuff, and I think of THESE people when I strap on the beast at night.

Got to do it to keep us healthier and alive. We all tend to think it happens to other people these scary events, guess what? We can be these other people, such an eye opener...........yikes.

[Guest]

Yes, we all miss Liam, for sure. He really brightened up the place!

[Guest]

I guess what haunted me about the Coach Chris Jaramillo story was the fact that he suffered a heart attack even while being treated for sleep apnea. Treatment can't cure everything, I suppose. But we should be grateful that we're doing something about it. Point is to keep at it.

[rested gal]

It's too bad we can't know what the coach's coronary condition was before he was diagnosed with OSA and put on cpap.

Also, in treatment... was his current pressure sufficient? How long had he been using cpap? Did he use it every night, part of the night, ever take naps without it, not bother with it on some nights? Leak treatment air? We'll never know.

That was a very sad story, indeed, but an article that says: "A large man who suffered from sleep apnea and used a machine to help him sleep" doesn't indicate in any way whether his treatment was actually set up right. Nor does it indicate how long his OSA may have been undiagnosed. Even if his treatment was perfect and he was fully compliant, too much damage may have already been done over the years.

Nonetheless, stories like that do bring home in no uncertain terms that OSA is serious stuff, even if the coach might have had other conditions that led to his heart attack. I haven't slept one moment since Oct. 2003 - not even for a nap - without turning on the machine and putting on the mask. It's just too important to "skip".

[Guest]

..... I haven't slept one moment since Oct. 2003 - not even for a nap - without turning on the machine and putting on the mask. It's just too important to "skip".

Wish I could say the same, that I've used it every single time. But I'll try and use it more, even for naps.

And speaking of naps, think I'll turn in early.......for a change.
The treatment has been a catch-22 thing for me -- I'm less exhausted, so I stay up far too late, but still have to get up super early for work. So I'm feeling better, but I'm abusing the much needed sleep, especially since I'm not always successful with the mask. So, I need to do better and get a longer nights sleep.
I THINK I can, I THINK I can...!!

[Mikesus]

Have a friend that could fit the description with the exception of his machine being in his closet...


Tried to tell him it isn't making the closet any better

[Mikesus]

Here is the more important part of that story IMHO.

A large man who suffered from sleep apnea

Note they said a large man. Read that as Fat, obese, way overweight. I would think that obesity had a big factor in this.

Folks, just because we take care of Sleep Apnea doesn't mean we won't kick the bucket because of our weight, it is only one factor in many. CPAP is not a panacea that cures all ills, it only stops us from getting lousy sleep and causing MORE damage to our organs from hypoxia.

We should all take heed of the warning from this, not only do we need to get our SA under control, but our weight too.

Mikesus no longer a spokesperson for Krispy Kreme or McDonalds...

[Liam1965]

That's certainly true. Apnea may be a contributing factor in many other syndromes, but fixing it isn't a panacea. You can get the best sleep in the world, and if you continue to weigh 500 lbs and have cholesterol numbers in the 400s and a blood pressure which can't be measured because the rubber sleeve on the sphigmomanometer pops before it can apply enough pressure, your heart is going to be straining and eventually give out.

(Then again, all of our hearts are going to eventually give out, it's just a matter of when.)

Liam, who just hopes he spelled "sphigmomanometer" correctly.

[Grant I]

Liam,
Not bad for an amateur! Sphygmo....

Grant--who's glad to see you back!!

[Liam1965]

Not bad for an amateur! Sphygmo....

I was afraid of that. I like that word. Another one I like that most people don't use is "phlebotomist" (also spelling approximate, the technical term for the person who draws your blood).

Grant--who's glad to see you back!!

Thanks!

Liam, glad to be back.