CPAP support groups

[Gerryk]

I am looking for info on the CPAP support group that meets in Orland Park which is a southwest suburbs of Chicago. I know they have meetings but I can't find the time or dates. Are their any other ones in the area that anyone knows about?

Thanks
Gerry

[Pad A Cheek]

Hello Gerry,
The AWAKE support groups can be found on the American Sleep Apnea Association site.

This is the information for your area.

State: IL
City: Orland Park
AWAKE Group Name: Orland Park IL AWAKE
Contact Name: Chris Crockett, Nicole Anderson
Telephone: 708-364-0261 x288
Organization Name: The Center for Sleep Medicine
Zipcode: 60467
Meeting Schedule: Every other month



There are many others all around the state as well as the country.
I hope this helps.

Karen

[Slinky]

Yeah, well, there is supposed to be an A.W.A.K.E. support group in Saginaw, MI and another in Owosso, MI - but NEITHER contact person bothers to return phone calls. And the sleep lab the Saginaw contact is affiliated with say they will give him my contact info - but he never has. So much for A.W.A.K.E. in this area.

Fortunately, Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw's sleep staff along w/the VNA do host a sleep apnea support group and so far the couple of meetings I've been able to attend the "apneans" aren't any too swift or knowledgeable but the support group staff has been GREAT and working hard. One meeting they had several of the local DME suppliers there w/some equipment (all but one brought bare-bone xPAPs, no Resmed and one M Series). Another meeting the Resmed and Respironics Reps were there and both were great at answering questions and displaying and fitting some of their masks. Another a sleep pulmo spoke, another a diabetic dietician ... no more cookies now; fresh fruit, cheese and deli platters for refreshments.

[6PtStar]

I had about the same luck with A.W.A.K.E here but I did find the contact person. She worked for the local hospital sleep lab. When I asked about the meetings she told me she had been so busy she had not had time to have a meeting in over a year. Told her if they had a meeting to let me know. Have not heard from them since.

Had to settle for the help on this board!!

Jerry

[Slinky]

... Told her if they had a meeting to let me know. Have not heard from them since.

Had to settle for the help on this board!!

Jerry

Which in my experience is one h*ll of a whole lot better!! Not that the sleep lab staff at Saginaw's Covenant HealthCare support meetings haven't been really great so far - but almost all the meeting "attendees" are so "typical" of most CPAP patients - totally uninformed and ill-informed and WAAAAAAAAAY behind even the newest of newbies I've seen in this forum. I'm sure some of that will change as these support group meetings get "into the groove". Right now they are pretty much "playing to the lowest common denominator" *sigh* I've soooo wanted to speak up a few times ... but discretion can be the better part of valor and I've so far been careful in what issues I've spoken up on. Don't wanna antagonize the staff and get "expelled"!!

[GumbyCT]

I offered to help start a support group at my VA hospital knowing how steep the learning curve is and thinking it would help to increase compliance and reduce failures.

It was flat refused. No interest at all.

[carbonman]

Yeah, well, there is supposed to be an A.W.A.K.E. support group in Saginaw, MI and another in Owosso, MI - but NEITHER contact person bothers to return phone calls. And the sleep lab the Saginaw contact is affiliated with say they will give him my contact info - but he never has. So much for A.W.A.K.E. in this area.

In Dec. I tried to go to an AWAKE meeting, supported by the ASPCA .....
ah....ASAA.

I called the 1st of Nov. They said the meeting was Dec. 4. 7pm.
I showed up on Dec. 4, 7pm, meeting cancelled.......until Dec. 5.
OK
I showed up on Dec. 5, 7pm, meeting cancelled due to brutal
4" snow storm that day. What a joke.

I called the next day, next meeting Feb. 3.

I called the 4 other AWAKE listing for my area.
3 never answered, the other never returned my message.
Sure glad I wasn't depending on them for support and guidance.

I'm going to keep trying, just to say I have experienced the entire cpap experience.

[GumbyCT]

CM My guess is you could be the 'Guest Speaker'

[jnk]

. . . just to say I have experienced the entire cpap experience.

CM My guess is you could be the 'Guest Speaker'

I was just thinking how carbonman has been a big part of my cpap experience!

[carbonman]

CM My guess is you could be the 'Guest Speaker'

I think I could be. .....not sure they would want to hear what I had to say.
I've come a long way.....and have you to thank for applying the 2X4 that
brought me to my senses about what was really happening to me,
and how serious it is. You helped me to "get it".

I was just thinking how carbonman has been a big part of my cpap experience!

Right back at 'ya!
You and I are fraternity brothers.
We came into cpaptalk and cpap together.
We counted them off, together, as those first, tough days and weeks went by.

Thank you! both for the support and comradery.

[DoriC]

I can feel the love here, making me smile with a few tears thrown in. Carbonman seems to have a way of doing that!
Gumby, what a great idea that was to contact the VA, and why am I not surprised they showed no interest. I heard that there were AWAKE meetings held at our local hospital here in Toms River NJ, the County seat, but when I called the contact person, she said there hadn't been a meeting in over a year because of lack of interest. This area is home to numerous adult communities and young families, and close to the bustling NJ Shore. I myself know or have heard of so many people with sleep apnea and using cpap, how can there be no interest?? Is there anything that we as a group can do to get some action?

[GumbyCT]

It is a the people who make a forum what it is and you both have been extremely fine contributors. I am happy the O2 has restored your sense of humors.

What is life if you cannot laugh?

[Gerryk]

The group Pada mentioned is the group that was supposed to mail info about their meetings to me four years ago. The center that Pada mentioned is where I went for my sleep study and they were supposed to give me the schedule of the meetings when I was set up with my equipment. They were out of copies, and would mail it to me. That has been part of the problem with this place from the beginning. To think a friend is now a part of this group.
HMMMM maybe I will apply the same technique that I had to in order to get my equipment straightened out and other things. Just keep calling and leaving messages filling up the message box or stop by daily.

[jnk]

. . . You and I are fraternity brothers. . . .

That we are, carbonman!

If you ever find a "support group" better than cpaptalk.com, let me know.

But I don't expect to get any calls on that.

[goose]

Whew.....I'm glad you didn't propose any wagers on that jnk!!!! Don't hold your breath waiting for that phone to ring, because I doubt you'll find a better place for support, information, laughs -- well you all know.......than right here!!!

I made one call to my local AWAKE group......still waiting for the call back -- a year and a half later.......but I ain't holdin' my breath!!!

cheers
goose