What would you say at a workshop?

I've been asked to facilitate a workshop in June that deals with health issues - my part will be OSA. I'm planning on taking J&J 1" tape, pantyhose straps, and my hose-hanging method with me to demonstrate, but I want to be prepared for any questions I get asked. What would you say would be the most important thing to communicate to people?

To me, the two main ideas I want to get out there are 1) that there are dozens of kinds of masks out there - don't give up until you find one, and 2) having a data-capable machine can be really helpful when trying to figure out any issues.

Anything else you think is crucial?

If it's for the general public I would focus on the signs, the morbidity and mortality risks and how to get a loved one to go for a sleep study.

If it's for people who have OSA then I'd focus on compliance and data.

It will be more for people who either think they have it or already know they do. Good point.

Personally I would add something about the oxygen deprivation. People think "Oh, I can get by on less sleep than normal" - but it is the oxygen deprivation that has the most severe effects, and you can't compensate for that with a nap.

I would suggest that you strike a balance between OSA as a disease which both 1)always interferes with the quality and quantity of sleep, and 2)sometimes interferes with the body's oxygenation. Which of these two contributes most significantly to short-term and long-term morbidity and mortality is unclear, and may differ from person to person. A data-capable machine can help to assure that both aspects are being addressed by the therapy.

I would also suggest that, in addition to your own intended focus on masks and data, you preemptively avoid unproductive argumentation about "which machine brand is best" by asserting in full confidence that ALL of the major brands will provide effective treatment for MOST people.

Other areas you may want to consider mentioning are: the need for humidification; dealing intelligently and respectfully with clinicians; the possible helpfulness of adjunctive pharmacologic therapy (from steroid nasal sprays to antidepressants and sleeping pills); dealing with insurance companies; dealing with equipment suppliers and the varieties of suppliers available (including online merchants and auction sites); the availability of this and several other excellent online forums as sources of information and practical advice, including manufacturer sites.

Good luck. Velbor

CollegeGirl wrote:I've been asked to facilitate a workshop in June that deals with health issues - my part will be OSA. I'm planning on taking J&J 1" tape, pantyhose straps, and my hose-hanging method with me to demonstrate, but I want to be prepared for any questions I get asked. What would you say would be the most important thing to communicate to people?

Anything else you think is crucial?

Yes, know your audience.

Unless you are speaking to folks who are already using a cpap machine put away those vis-aids. They will only serve to spook many people, some may never go for a sleep study after seeing those things.

Focus on the signs and symptoms you are aware of, including the O2 deprivation suffered by all people dx'd with OSA. Let them know after years of low overnite O2, many changes are gradual and we think they are normal. But ALL of our organs suffer from the low O2 and we begin to have memory and comprehension problems, along with other medical conditions such as High BP, diabetes, heart disease, etc. Even nite time bathroom trips.

Ask just how long can YOU hold your breath? Then go into how they can tell if they should go for a sleep study and what to expect that nite. Most have NO idea they are holding their breath bc they think they are sleeping.

Remember - denial will be the first hurdle. I think we all started there.

This is such a great opportunity for you. I am glad you accepted the challenge. You have received many good suggestions from others. I would include percentages of the general public suspected of having OSA. I wish I had those numbers at hand but I don't. There may be people in your group who will realize they could have OSA -- and begin treatment. I would also emphasize that candidates for OSA come in all ages and body types. My doctor delayed sending me for a study because he said I didn't fit the "look" of a person with sleep apnea. Maybe not, but I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea.
Best of luck on conducting your session-- you may be an "angel unaware" to someone in the group and give them life changing information.

I agree, what a great opportunity!

I think leaving them with a positive hopeful feeling toward cpap treatment would be valuable. The necessity. The benefits. The realities of the adjustments buffered by the very realistic expectation of achieving successful treatment. I would caution them against accepting just feeling better when it may just be relative to how poor they once felt, but not yet the best they could feel. And I would caution them to not be too quick to blame cpap when they still feel bad, as that just means it's time for further exploration to definitively find out if their cpap treatment is not therapeutic or if there's an undiagnosed health issue. I guess what I'm saying is to leave them with a sense there is always a next step, so giving up won't seem their only option. Oh, and education on the consequences of mouth breathing if not using a FF mask.

I think having them hold their breath collectively while you count off the seconds till the last one breathes is a good exercise. I doubt if even the longest holdout can come near some apneas seen on studies and reported here. I had one that lasted 57.3 seconds. Quote them some of the highest counts and longest duration, so they can get a good picture of how it can be for some.

I can't imagine you will be given enough time to cover everything in a session. If you are allowed to give handouts, that would be great. Some of the info under Our Wisdom might be adapted if you think it fits your presentation. I bet you'll do absolutely great at this - what to say and how to say it - the whole shebang. You're smart, and you're informed and experienced on the subject, and passionate about it too. They've got the right person for the job.

Kathy

Your three main ideas seem logical enough. But I think you trivialize things with your choice of props.

If you had waved tape in front of me I would have never gone for the tests. Don't focus on the problems just on the great benefits.

I'd say probably around half the crowd will be diagnosed but noncompliant. It's these folks I was targeting with tips and tricks and "props." Again, I'm not PRESENTING, just answering questions. I figured if I had this stuff with me, when people asked related questions I'd have it to show. that's all.

I am just speaking for me - before I was diagnosed if someone had waved a panti hose leg at me - And told me to tie my mask on with it - I would have thought they were strange, and I wouldn't want to have associated with them.
Jowever, If a person tells you, "I tried that, and couldn't hold my mask on." There is your golden opportunity to whisk out the panti hose and give a brief demo.


A great demo, would be the Sleep Apnea snoring routine on You Tube. That would convince anyonel



Lots of luck - you have the ability to convince them about the necessity of apnea treatment.
Jan

Start by explaining exactly what OSA is and the reasons why it is necessary to achieve compliance... compliance meaning using the mask EVERY night and achieving good numbers. Go into the health risks associated with untreated OSA.

New folks need that information to get sufficiently motivated to wear the mask and persist with it early on.

Then go on to explain about the different types of masks and that each person many need to experiement with masks to find a good fit.

Then explain the machines and why it is important to have one that is fully data compliant. Explain what the numbers represent and what good numbers look like.

The provide them the link to CPAPTALK.COM

Paul56 wrote:Start by explaining exactly what OSA is and the reasons why it is necessary to achieve compliance... compliance meaning using the mask EVERY night and achieving good numbers. Go into the health risks associated with untreated OSA.

New folks need that information to get sufficiently motivated to wear the mask and persist with it early on.

Then go on to explain about the different types of masks and that each person many need to experiement with masks to find a good fit.

Then explain the machines and why it is important to have one that is fully data compliant. Explain what the numbers represent and what good numbers look like.

The provide them the link to CPAPTALK.COM

I agree with Paul. If the audiance will be for people who either think they have it or who already know they do but are noncompliant, the focus should be on the importance of persevering with their therapy and how data can be used as a measure of success and motivation (like diabetes treatment). Just as important would be to inform them of the co-morbidity risks for noncompliance.

The detailed tips and tricks for masks and hose routing should be mentioned only in that there are infinite techniques which can be found at cpaptalk.com ... I would not go into panty hose or other details as that may only serve to discourage someone just starting out.