Apnea Ignorance

[OceanGoingGal]

Most of you know that I work with the developmentally disabled at some of the group homes. The other day I reported to the house manager that one woman that lives there should have a sleep study. For a long time I have observed her falling asleep anytime, anyplace. The other night I was down by her bedroom and heard her snoring. I stopped to listen for a minute. There it was, the cessation of breathing and the struggle to regain her breath. I would recognize that anywhere. It was me before I had my sleep study. Yesterday that lady went to her Dr for a regular checkup. The manager told the Dr of my observances. The Dr got angry and said "She does not need a sleep study. She does not have sleep apnea. She is not morbidly obese and she does not have a short neck" Deb who is an apnea sufferer also was astounded at his ignorance. Not all apnea sufferers have have those features. UGH. I think a new primary care physician is going to be found for the two clients that currently use this man. Perhaps then we can secure the referrals needed to take her to a neurologist for asleep study.

Laura

[jimnsc]

Good job Laura! You are a good Samaritan for sure.

[OceanGoingGal]

Thanks Jimnsc, Advocating is part of my job. When it comes to the signs of this illness I can be tiresome about it. I do know that the house managers have been complaining about this Dr for quite some time. I say it is time to do something about it so we can get the care required for our clients.

Laura

[John M. Browning]

Bah! Apnea is a myth! It is only an enabler for fat lazy people!

[Pugsy]

Bah! Apnea is a myth! It is only an enabler for fat lazy people!

Along with fat necks..... Someone forgot to tell my 12 inch circumference neck that it shouldn't collapse.

Good for you OceanGoingGal for taking the time to stick up for those people who can't do it for themselves.

[Samba]

How dare you argue with a Doctor !!!

[Emilia]

I follow the Sleep Wellness Institute's page on Facebook, and about an hour ago, they posted this: "Today's news: Singer Katy Perry reveals to Oprah that she has sleep apnea and uses CPAP. She says it is very successful for her." Katy Perry is a slim, tall, and young singer.....doesn't fit the stereotype at all. She has a powerful voice so she has excellent breathing and well developed neck and vocal muscles. Yet...she has OSA. She is a very young and newlywed....

It is amazing that medical doctors can be so ignorant and closed minded....... Good work, OceanGoingGal!

[roster]

I follow the Sleep Wellness Institute's page on Facebook, and about an hour ago, they posted this: "Today's news: Singer Katy Perry reveals to Oprah that she has sleep apnea and uses CPAP. She says it is very successful for her." Katy Perry is a slim, tall, and young singer.....doesn't fit the stereotype at all. She has a powerful voice so she has excellent breathing and well developed neck and vocal muscles. Yet...she has OSA. She is a very young and newlywed....

It is amazing that medical doctors can be so ignorant and closed minded....... Good work, OceanGoingGal!

Good for Katy for going public about this. I like her a lot. My favorite quote from Katy:

"No one's ever told me to lose weight or anything like that. I don't rely on my tits to have hits."

http://www.examiner.com/celebrity-fitne ... -have-hits

[roster]

The Dr got angry and said "She does not need a sleep study. She does not have sleep apnea. She is not morbidly obese and she does not have a short neck"

From memory, paraphrasing Dr. Park in a recent interview, "Dentists understand the cause of sleep apnea better than even sleep doctors."

And that is a shame.

[Hosehead4ever]

I follow the Sleep Wellness Institute's page on Facebook, and about an hour ago, they posted this: "Today's news: Singer Katy Perry reveals to Oprah that she has sleep apnea and uses CPAP. She says it is very successful for her." Katy Perry is a slim, tall, and young singer.....doesn't fit the stereotype at all. She has a powerful voice so she has excellent breathing and well developed neck and vocal muscles. Yet...she has OSA. She is a very young and newlywed....

It is amazing that medical doctors can be so ignorant and closed minded....... Good work, OceanGoingGal!

She definitely does break the stereotype!

To the OP, good for you for being an advocate for the mentally disabled. They need as many as can get.

[chunkyfrog]

My dentist has apnea.
He says it is 'all centrals', therefore a machine will not help.
He says he stopped drinking, which does help.
Nice guy--Too bad.
Laura, you rock!

[OceanGoingGal]

My dentist has apnea.
He says it is 'all centrals', therefore a machine will not help.
He says he stopped drinking, which does help.
Nice guy--Too bad.
Laura, you rock!

Thanks chunky Frog. I think everyone here in this forum rocks! You were all so patient with me when I was whining about the lack of progress I was having. You all sent me down the right path and I am on my way to better health with your help. In the words of James Brown "I feel good"

Laura

[nanwilson]

Laura
So happy to see you back posting, your wit and sunny disposition has been missed. You are definately an advocate for those that need it -- keep up the good work girl.
Cheers
Nan

[OceanGoingGal]

Thanks Nan, I read a lot in here without posting. I was never really gone. I am truly a "forum rat" as I belong to many forums and own a few myself. Mostly about cruising. I check out forums about subjects that interest me and of course this is one. I also belong to dlife for diabetes as I suffer from that too.
Advocating is part of my job. It is frustrating when doctor does not see the danger signs. He is not in the house with her when she sleeps. I have to do bed checks every half hour and hear her struggle to catch her breath.

Laura