New version of Free Money, Come and Get It!!
After my diagnosis years ago, I always included plenty of FYI discussion about apnea with all of my doctors (every one of them, including dentists, eye docs, etc.). However, LoriD reminded us (in the original thread that I have labeled HOPE in my signature line below) that Sleep Apnea Awareness day is March 8th. So...
On that day, I will schedule absolutely no clients. I will dress up like a pharmaceutical sales rep, and hand-deliver sleep-apnea awareness letters and/or literature to at least two-dozen medical offices! Who says we can't have fun doing this?
That is my pledge!
On that day, I will schedule absolutely no clients. I will dress up like a pharmaceutical sales rep, and hand-deliver sleep-apnea awareness letters and/or literature to at least two-dozen medical offices! Who says we can't have fun doing this?
That is my pledge!
-SWS-SWS wrote:After my diagnosis years ago, I always included plenty of FYI discussion about apnea with all of my doctors (every one of them, including dentists, eye docs, etc.). However, LoriD reminded us (in the original thread that I have labeled HOPE in my signature line below) that Sleep Apnea Awareness day is March 8th. So...
On that day, I will schedule absolutely no clients. I will dress up like a pharmaceutical sales rep, and hand-deliver sleep-apnea awareness letters and/or literature to at least two-dozen medical offices! Who says we can't have fun doing this?
That is my pledge!
You have always been extremely generous in sharing your considerable intellect and expertise with people on this board (and I've got the posts to prove it!), but I just read your pledge and it actually gave me goose bumps. I kid you not. Talk about walking the walk . . .
It's an extraordinarily meaningful action, and an act of compassion that leaves me virtually speechless. I need to just leave it at that for now, and think about what your commitment means to me. Blown away.
Dead Tired? Maybe you're sleeping with the Enemy.
Know Your Snore Score.
Know Your Snore Score.
I have been looking around and found a couple of things that looks promising and could potentially reach lots of folks. The first is a lady who calls herself "Every Patient's Advocate". She is in NY, writes a newspaper column and does a radio spot. There is a link on her site for contact, and she asks for requests.
http://www.everypatientsadvocate.com/index.htm
Her Blog is interesting as well. There she asks for self-advocacy stories and success stories. A link is on the above site.
The other is called Patient Power (radio as well). From this site:
I plan to contact both.
Drb...if I qualify for the $$$$, please use it as Tired_IN_NC suggested. And yes, I knew what would be missing from the list before I even looked.
http://www.everypatientsadvocate.com/index.htm
Her Blog is interesting as well. There she asks for self-advocacy stories and success stories. A link is on the above site.
The other is called Patient Power (radio as well). From this site:
http://www.patientpower.info/story.aspWhat's your story? What have you learned about getting smart, navigating the system, getting support from others, and ensuring you get the best care.
Tell us about it! You may wind up on a future show or, with your permission, with excerpts posted on this site.
I plan to contact both.
Drb...if I qualify for the $$$$, please use it as Tired_IN_NC suggested. And yes, I knew what would be missing from the list before I even looked.
Same here... which is the only reason I didn't answer the questions. "Plea$e $ource -$W$'s winning$, if he even qualifie$ that i$, to the very worthy cau$e at hand!"Bamalady wrote:Drb...if I qualify for the $$$$, please use it as Tired_IN_NC suggested. And yes, I knew what would be missing from the list before I even looked.
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Guest
Would have been nice
I was treated for depression for 7 years and was constantly tired. In fact, the last couple years I was treated, my only symptom was fatigue. Yes, sleep problems are a symptom of depression so I give them a little slack, but I was given EVERY sleep med, depression med, and even though the fatigue continued, apnea was never considered. I finally quit all meds and after a couple years finally went to my primary Dr and complained about sleep. He said he wanted to send me back to psyc. for depression. I said I don't have depression, I have a sleep problem. I thought he would take the hint and I finally mentioned that people say I snore loudly and (light bulb) he finally said maybe I should have a sleep study. Bingo! I had severe OSA. Could have made my years of depression much easier and saved a couple years of meds too! Since depression can also be a result of OSA, I really thought maybe my psyc should have figured this out too?
I am very late getting home from work tonight, so I will keep this brief, so as to not stumble all over, weaving through words, thoughts, ideas and emotions. I just want to say a very humble thank you to all who have made such meaningful statements and heartfelt gestures. It reflects the profound innate goodness that we all have inside, but that can be so difficult to access.
I am exhilarated, but exhausted. More tomorrow.
I am exhilarated, but exhausted. More tomorrow.
Dead Tired? Maybe you're sleeping with the Enemy.
Know Your Snore Score.
Know Your Snore Score.
I knew what would be missing as well, and as far as my primary dr is concerned, they are screening and asking questions. Lucky me and the others that go to the med center.
As for spreading the word, I am a co-ombudsman for a Coast Guard ship (family liason between the ship's command and the families of the active duty members stationed on the ship). We send out a monthly newsletter, and since OSA Awareness Day is coming up - I know just what to put in it for that month! I think I'll print up some general info and give the copies to the clinic to put out on the counter where patients wait and snoop while bored waiting to be called back. Since it's not promoting a business or a solicitation, I'm sure they won't have a problem with it.
Thank you for the interesting post!
As for spreading the word, I am a co-ombudsman for a Coast Guard ship (family liason between the ship's command and the families of the active duty members stationed on the ship). We send out a monthly newsletter, and since OSA Awareness Day is coming up - I know just what to put in it for that month! I think I'll print up some general info and give the copies to the clinic to put out on the counter where patients wait and snoop while bored waiting to be called back. Since it's not promoting a business or a solicitation, I'm sure they won't have a problem with it.
Thank you for the interesting post!
The "Princess and the Pea" is nothing compared to the Princess with OSA!
I am starting to feel that a commitment to some type of planned action (other than cleaning my mask, or topping off the humidifier) would be particularly helpful if done on Sleep Apnea Awareness day, March 8th. It would help give focus to our efforts.
I will be thinking creatively, but my intention is to not only send a letter, but place a phone call to each and every medical organziation that purports to promote the care and feeding of humans. I will announce in my most authorative voice that I wish to speak to the most senior member of their organization about a very important issue, and we'll see how far up the ladder I can get. I think the letter will list the "deficiencies" which appear on their site, as well as other web sites, and ask why can't we hold ourselves to a higher standard. Something like that. We see.
Believe me, there are many, many organziations, some governmental and some within the medical community (think AMA), that this would cover. I will try to post a list of those groups later today. I already have a list of close to a dozen who appear to be needing some serious enlightenment, based on a brief spin through their websites.
Anybody else have ideas about what would be a meaningful way to get the message out?
Thanks,
drB
I will be thinking creatively, but my intention is to not only send a letter, but place a phone call to each and every medical organziation that purports to promote the care and feeding of humans. I will announce in my most authorative voice that I wish to speak to the most senior member of their organization about a very important issue, and we'll see how far up the ladder I can get. I think the letter will list the "deficiencies" which appear on their site, as well as other web sites, and ask why can't we hold ourselves to a higher standard. Something like that. We see.
Believe me, there are many, many organziations, some governmental and some within the medical community (think AMA), that this would cover. I will try to post a list of those groups later today. I already have a list of close to a dozen who appear to be needing some serious enlightenment, based on a brief spin through their websites.
Anybody else have ideas about what would be a meaningful way to get the message out?
Thanks,
drB
Dead Tired? Maybe you're sleeping with the Enemy.
Know Your Snore Score.
Know Your Snore Score.
Another thought might to call your local radio station that morning to ask if they will announce it. March 8th happens to be my birthday so when I call in to request a song, I will throw it in there quick! Seriously, I will email my local stations ahead of time to see if it's something they can mention.
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What a cool idea!!! You have so earned your avatar!bookwrm63 wrote:Another thought might to call your local radio station that morning to ask if they will announce it. March 8th happens to be my birthday so when I call in to request a song, I will throw it in there quick! Seriously, I will email my local stations ahead of time to see if it's something they can mention.
I had a mini brain storm today about how to change public and medical perception to better understand that "sleepy", as cuddly and cute as it can sound, may be a very subtle sign that something more ominous, even deadly, may be brewing.
Sleepy. It sound so innocuous. So dreamy. So, benign. So go have a nap, if you're sleepy. I'll bring your blankie, and maybe some cookies and milk. People seem peaceful when they are getting their refreshing sleep. Just makes me want to layout in a hammock and have a snooze, a siesta. Makes me want to have the luxury of "sleeping in" on the weekend.
Siesta, snooze, a nap. I think Somerset Maughm said the two most beautiful words in the English language were "summer breeze".
Sleep - the Silent Assassin.
Nah, too strong, but we have to be able to bring into the public and medical eye the notion that sleepy may be very fine, but it can also be the ONLY early tipoff to a very deadly disease, a disease that is devastating and often fatal when undetected.
The other notion I think needs to be in the front of the public cranium is that, if sleepy can be creepy, they also need to know that a simple little test can put their mind at ease, or even save their life. I know from personal experience that patients hang on every word awaiting the quantitative results of their labs and their radiographic studies (MRI, CT, x-ray, etc.) Bottom line is that they need to know that something is measurable, and that there is normal (or negative), or it's abnormal (e.g. too high, too low, etc.).
How many patients know that snoring can be evaluated in the same way? If you're sleepy, get more rest. Do you have iron poor blood? Get geritol! Has your get up and go gotten up and went? Lots of people will use the word "tired", or "worn out", when a more accurate description might very well be "sleepy". Maybe you're tired because you're a "restless sleeper", a "light sleeper", or you're "depressed". All fairly vague, hard to measure notions.
If you tell a doctor you're tired a lot, it conjures up all sorts of explanantions. If you say you're sleepy, it should (and I believe often does) conjure up something quite significantly different. It may seem subtle, but it is a numbers game and any tipoffs that lead the doctor to understand that your chief complaint is "sleepy" are going to payoff in lives saved. It really is that simple.
So, what if people were very well aware that snoring (and it's cousin, sleepiness) were quantifiable, and measurable with reliable results. You cannot believe how many people come to the doc and say " I want an MRI. I want to know what's going on inside there." Anywhere there is a suspected problem, the MRI is requested. And I can see why.
Why don't people know to request a simple "at home" ovenight sleep study? 'Tis not my area of expertise, I 'm just learning myself, but I know there are sleep strips, and other fairly cheap, simple tests besides the PSG.
So, without further ado, here's something that people need to know:
Are you sleeping with the Enemy?
SLEEPY can be CREEPY. Know Your SLEEP SCORE.
Do you think that is a message with impact, that conveys what is described above? We need some PR, and the right kind, if this is going to get the attention it deserves. BTW, if y'all think the slogan is a non-starter, I can handle that, too. But it kind of grabbed me because it is simple, a little scary and that is the entire extent of my "marketing" expertise.
Thoughts?
Are you sleeping with the Enemy?
SLEEPY can be CREEPY. Know Your SLEEP SCORE.
coming soon to a public service announcement near you
Sleepy. It sound so innocuous. So dreamy. So, benign. So go have a nap, if you're sleepy. I'll bring your blankie, and maybe some cookies and milk. People seem peaceful when they are getting their refreshing sleep. Just makes me want to layout in a hammock and have a snooze, a siesta. Makes me want to have the luxury of "sleeping in" on the weekend.
Siesta, snooze, a nap. I think Somerset Maughm said the two most beautiful words in the English language were "summer breeze".
Sleep - the Silent Assassin.
Nah, too strong, but we have to be able to bring into the public and medical eye the notion that sleepy may be very fine, but it can also be the ONLY early tipoff to a very deadly disease, a disease that is devastating and often fatal when undetected.
The other notion I think needs to be in the front of the public cranium is that, if sleepy can be creepy, they also need to know that a simple little test can put their mind at ease, or even save their life. I know from personal experience that patients hang on every word awaiting the quantitative results of their labs and their radiographic studies (MRI, CT, x-ray, etc.) Bottom line is that they need to know that something is measurable, and that there is normal (or negative), or it's abnormal (e.g. too high, too low, etc.).
How many patients know that snoring can be evaluated in the same way? If you're sleepy, get more rest. Do you have iron poor blood? Get geritol! Has your get up and go gotten up and went? Lots of people will use the word "tired", or "worn out", when a more accurate description might very well be "sleepy". Maybe you're tired because you're a "restless sleeper", a "light sleeper", or you're "depressed". All fairly vague, hard to measure notions.
If you tell a doctor you're tired a lot, it conjures up all sorts of explanantions. If you say you're sleepy, it should (and I believe often does) conjure up something quite significantly different. It may seem subtle, but it is a numbers game and any tipoffs that lead the doctor to understand that your chief complaint is "sleepy" are going to payoff in lives saved. It really is that simple.
So, what if people were very well aware that snoring (and it's cousin, sleepiness) were quantifiable, and measurable with reliable results. You cannot believe how many people come to the doc and say " I want an MRI. I want to know what's going on inside there." Anywhere there is a suspected problem, the MRI is requested. And I can see why.
Why don't people know to request a simple "at home" ovenight sleep study? 'Tis not my area of expertise, I 'm just learning myself, but I know there are sleep strips, and other fairly cheap, simple tests besides the PSG.
So, without further ado, here's something that people need to know:
Are you sleeping with the Enemy?
SLEEPY can be CREEPY. Know Your SLEEP SCORE.
Do you think that is a message with impact, that conveys what is described above? We need some PR, and the right kind, if this is going to get the attention it deserves. BTW, if y'all think the slogan is a non-starter, I can handle that, too. But it kind of grabbed me because it is simple, a little scary and that is the entire extent of my "marketing" expertise.
Thoughts?
Are you sleeping with the Enemy?
SLEEPY can be CREEPY. Know Your SLEEP SCORE.
coming soon to a public service announcement near you
Dead Tired? Maybe you're sleeping with the Enemy.
Know Your Snore Score.
Know Your Snore Score.
SWS wrote:
Thanks so much! I have started writing my letter to two local radio stations and will let everyone know how well it is received.
On a side note, I ran into a woman I know from my son's baseball team tonight. She told me her husband had a bad heart attack 2 weeks ago that led to a triple bypass. She said "We didn't get it, he's a good shape" I said to her, "Has he ever been tested for sleep apnea?" She just stared at me for a second and said "I don't believe you said that! That's exactly what the doctor thinks was a part of the problem after he questioned us about eating, drinking and SLEEP HABITS" I took that VERY golden opportunity to inform her about the National Sleep Apnea Awareness Day and to please pass it on. She said was going to send out a slew of emails when she got home! In the meantime, her husband will have a PSG as soon as he is able!
Cool, huh?
What a cool idea!!! You have so earned your avatar!
Thanks so much! I have started writing my letter to two local radio stations and will let everyone know how well it is received.
On a side note, I ran into a woman I know from my son's baseball team tonight. She told me her husband had a bad heart attack 2 weeks ago that led to a triple bypass. She said "We didn't get it, he's a good shape" I said to her, "Has he ever been tested for sleep apnea?" She just stared at me for a second and said "I don't believe you said that! That's exactly what the doctor thinks was a part of the problem after he questioned us about eating, drinking and SLEEP HABITS" I took that VERY golden opportunity to inform her about the National Sleep Apnea Awareness Day and to please pass it on. She said was going to send out a slew of emails when she got home! In the meantime, her husband will have a PSG as soon as he is able!
Cool, huh?
_________________
| Mask | ||||
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| Additional Comments: I love my ComfortSleeve and my Pad-A-Cheeks! See www.ComfortSleeve.com and www.padacheek.com | ||||
How about something like this DO YOU KNOW THAT SLEEPINESS CAN KILL. YES ITCAN KILL YOU OR AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER IF LEFT UNTREATED. Then go on to explain how untreated Sleep Apnea can cause hypertension, stroke, heart diseae, diabetes. Also untreated Sleep Apnea can make you fall asleep while driving killing yourself or an innocent bystander. Just a thought.