AWAKE opinions?

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Sun May 08, 2005 6:49 am

Any of you belong (or have belonged) to an AWAKE support group in your area? Any pros and cons? Anything about your support group you would like to see different? Anything you would wish for in a local support group that you don't have? Anything about your group you particularly like?

I'm only asking because one is in the beginning of forming in my area, and one of the things that concerns me most is the fact that people are spread out and it's difficult to get together often, yet there's a big need for support. I wonder what works for other groups. I intend to ask in other ways (like with the ASAA), but I thought I'd try and ask here.

Linda

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun May 08, 2005 7:36 am

According to their leader most AWAKE groups are sponsored by local sleep clinics or Evil DMEs. Should you want to be indoctrinated into their evil ways I would join a group. This way you will be sure to not learn anything about autotitrating CPAPs and the most comfortable masks/ interface moodern technology has to offer. Also you would be discouraged from taking an active role in your treatment. You would also be discouraged from using the many good internet providors thay sell at highly discounted prices. But they will tell you that insurance will pay except for a small copay. You would also be told that you need a titration study yearly to make sure your settings are correct.

Fortunately AWAKE is asleep in most areas of the country.

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Sun May 08, 2005 8:08 am

Might "Guest" see some advantage to having a support group that was not associated with AWAKE, other than not being affiliated with "evil" sleep centers and DMEs?

There · Post by **There** » Sun May 08, 2005 8:33 am

I'd sure like to have some sort of local support group just so I could talk with people in person, but this board has been a huge support factor, so I could go on without a live group.

If I had a live group, I'd try to make sure we establish ground rules/expectations about advice, that we do have someone with some medical experience involved but that it's only something they attend not something they own - to keep the objectivity in and the sales perspective out. I'd say otherwise, though, keep it open and honest, encourage people to bring their equipment so people can see things in person rather than just in pictures. Pretty much anything we do here only with the live component attached.

Does that provide any help?

Tina

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Sun May 08, 2005 8:44 am

There wrote: ..... Does that provide any help?

Tina

It sure does help. Thanks, Tina!

Howkoolguy · Post by **Howkoolguy** » Mon May 09, 2005 8:02 am

I went to an AWAKE meeting. Unfortunately, it was held one hour after getting my CPAP. The meeting I went to in St. Paul, Minnesota was actually pretty good. They had reps from the main vendors there to answer questions and try masks. It was really timely since the comfort curve was just hitting the market. I actual saw it before it was available.

The benefit you may derive from the meeting really depends on the leader, topic and your knowledge of sleep apnea. The meeting I went to as a newbie (diagnosed two weeks early, received CPAP on my way to the meeting) was over my head. They did have about 30 minutes of question and answer that was good.

The one down side is that the meetings are only held once every three months. Not nearly as often as I would like.

Howard

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Wed May 11, 2005 8:37 am

Howkoolguy wrote:I went to an AWAKE meeting... The meeting I went to in St. Paul, Minnesota ...

Howard,

Was it a large meeting? I've heard the "cities" group is very large and the meetings are "convention center" type affairs with all kinds of equipment vendors and info.

Howkoolguy · Post by **Howkoolguy** » Wed May 11, 2005 9:30 am

There were probably 50-75 people at the meeting and maybe 8 vendors. Certainly not a convention size group.

Howard

AWAKE opinions?

AWAKE opinions?

I went to a meeting

Re: I went to a meeting

Size of Meeting