Spreading the word about cpaptalk

[DreamOn]

My husband and I were at a golf company's headquarters today. While we were there, we decided to join another couple for a tour of the facilities.

As we were walking from one building to another, the man mentioned to me that he recently had a sleep study and uses CPAP! I was so taken aback, as this admission just came out of the blue! Anyway, there I was, talking to a complete stranger about nasal pillows and machines!!!

I just wanted to share that with everyone here since I found it quite amusing -- and very unexpected. It turns out that he's been using his machine for three months without any problems, and he is feeling much better than before. I did mention cpaptalk.com, so I hope he joins us here. Also, the man leading the tour mentioned that he thought he may have sleep apnea. I hope that he'll get tested. There are a lot of us out there -- spread the word!

[sleeplessinaz]

Yeah it is pretty amazing that there are alot of us out there now. I think the dr. are diagnosing it more frequently now too. I find the more I talk about it--people open up and tell me that they are a cpaper--LOL! There are 2 people at my work that are on the CPAP and we talk about the nasal pillows all the time.

Carrie

[chunkyfrog]

We were in the fabric shop when I picked up a piece of fabric, commenting how soft it was,
and what a nice chin strap it would make for use with my CPAP.
The lady across from us immediately confessed she had a machine gathering dust in the closet
for--she was ashamed to say how long. My heart went out to her; you could tell she was having health problems;
and felt guilty and sick, and tired--all that, and more. I gave her the party line about cpaptalk.com,
and gave her the phone # of the contact for the local 'support' group. I hope she gets some help.

[mars]

Hi DreamOn

Spreading the word reminds me of "carrying the message".

So I have copied some paragraphs from a "carrying the message" site, and changed a few words here and there.

The primary purpose of CpapTalk Forum is to carry its message and give comfort to others who are still suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

edited from Alcoholics Anonymous -
Tradition 5: Each recovered CpapTalk Member has but one primary purpose -- to carry the message of recovery to OSA patients who still suffer.

Edited from Al-Anon

Individual members brings their own needs into the CpapTalk Forum and each progresses through the journey of recovery at their own pace. Everyone is different. Each member has a personal reason for coming back week after week.

But as a Forum they have but one purpose: to reach out to others who are still suffering. To share the experience, strength, and hope they have found with each other in CpapTalk Forum.

An old timer was once asked why she kept coming back after many years. Her answer was simple. "Because there was someone there for me when I joined the Forum"

The similarities are pretty much the same for all self-help groups or support groups. To survive, new members must be attracted to the group, and for the new members to get the support they need, older members have to be around to give that support.

So I go along with DreamOn - let us continue to "carry the message" whenever we can.

cheers

Mars

[ozij]

Hi DreamOn

Spreading the word reminds me of "carrying the message".

So I have copied some paragraphs from a "carrying the message" site, and changed a few words here and there.

The primary purpose of CpapTalk Forum is to carry its message and give comfort to others who are still suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

edited from Alcoholics Anonymous -
Tradition 5: Each recovered CpapTalk Member has but one primary purpose -- to carry the message of recovery to OSA patients who still suffer.

Edited from Al-Anon

Individual members brings their own needs into the CpapTalk Forum and each progresses through the journey of recovery at their own pace. Everyone is different. Each member has a personal reason for coming back week after week.

But as a Forum they have but one purpose: to reach out to others who are still suffering. To share the experience, strength, and hope they have found with each other in CpapTalk Forum.

An old timer was once asked why she kept coming back after many years. Her answer was simple. "Because there was someone there for me when I joined the Forum"

The similarities are pretty much the same for all self-help groups or support groups. To survive, new members must be attracted to the group, and for the new members to get the support they need, older members have to be around to give that support.

So I go along with DreamOn - let us continue to "carry the message" whenever we can.

cheers

Mars

I love that, Mars. Especially the last quote.

[BlackSpinner]

One day this summer I over slept and went out with the dog about 5 minutes after getting up. As I came up to my neighbour smoking outside he said -"Oh you use a cpap machine too!" He recognized the marks. He and his wife both use one and later I found out so does another neighbour. I introduced them to internet shopping for their supplies. Talked to them about masks. This in a building the has 12 units in total (4 x3 levels) .
Neither of them is into the internet except for some email so we won't find them on here and all of them are doing well, as he said "I would rather sleep without my wife then without my cpap machine".

[DreamOn]

After discussing sleep apnea with the man yesterday, my husband told me later that as soon as the man told me, "I had a sleep study," my husband thought to himself, Oh boy, here we go! He said that my eyes lit up instantly, and he knew that CPAP was going to be the focus of this conversation for a while. I guess I can get quite enthusiastic when I discuss sleep apnea and CPAP!

[jabman]

[quote="DreamOn]After discussing sleep apnea with the man yesterday, my husband told me later that as soon as the man told me, "I had a sleep study," my husband thought to himself, Oh boy, here we go! He said that my eyes lit up instantly, and he knew that CPAP was going to be the focus of this conversation for a while. I guess I can get quite enthusiastic when I discuss sleep apnea and CPAP! [/quote]


I had to laugh when I saw this because I am the same way when it comes to things I am passionate about including CPAP.
I painted professionally for 12 years and really liked doing it. When ever My wife and I would go to a restaurant or someone house that we haven't been to I would comment on the paint job. It got to the point where we would walk into some place and she would give me The Look and say "don't you dare comment on the paint job!"
I am the same way when I hear someone is on CPAP, she just rolls her eyes.

[Jersey Girl]

I am so thankful for this site and all of you! I have no one from my work who is on cpap (no one who has told me that they are, anyway). My husband is on the hose since April 9, but other than my husband John, I have no one to talk to about this. John just masks up at night and doesn't really question anything or look at his data, etc. For me, personally, it's good to know that there are other women out there on cpap; that it's not just me.

Regards to all,

Jersey Girl

[chunkyfrog]

I'm trying to figure out how to drop the cpaptalk.com hint to
about a couple hundred co-workers at a health insurance meeting
(without pissing off the wrong people)

[brazospearl]

Isn't it amazing how we end up in places where we can help people manage their therapy? Last weekend I had slept really late (I know, I know, poor sleep hygiene!) and went to a local mom-and-pop diner where I like to have breakfast sometimes. Sat next to an older couple whom I'd never seen there before. We're pretty small-town-friendly around here, and this couple struck up a conversation with me. One topic led to another, and she suddenly, completely out of nowhere, mentions that she was going for a titration study that night. I was amazed, and quickly started telling her MUCH more than she was ready to understand. I did think to write down the website for the forum and our hosts, and gave her my name and phone number as well. It just amazes me that we were just randomly together there, and she just sort of accidentally brought the subject up. What are the odds? Guess you just never know when you might be called on to help somebody.

[kempo]

My GP, who has OSA, was on a TV news program last week explaining the symptoms of sleep apnea and cpap therapy. I'm sure glad he is my GP. If not for him I would not be in control of my physical well being. If the subject of health comes up in a conversation you can bet I will talk about the benefits of cpap therapy.

[Muse-Inc]

Isn't it amazing how we end up in places where we can help people manage their therapy?...

Absolutely! I carry cards just for handing out with my contact info, I write the forum name & my avatar name on it and invite them to check us out.

[DreamOn]

It just amazes me that we were just randomly together there, and she just sort of accidentally brought the subject up. What are the odds? Guess you just never know when you might be called on to help somebody.

That's how I felt when that man who was taking the tour with us just brought it up out of the blue! It was almost surreal. I didn't mention earlier in this thread, but his wife told me that she thinks she may have sleep apnea too. And so did the tour guide! So that random encounter with one person may lead several other people to get tested and find their way to better health!

I carry cards just for handing out with my contact info, I write the forum name & my avatar name on it and invite them to check us out.

That's a great idea, Muse!

[DoriC]

I just had a good laugh with Scrapper on another thread and now a few tears here thanks to Mars and DreamOn. What a great bunch you all are and what a wonderful way to end the day. Sleep well.