50 Participants From 12 States in Virtual 'Sleep' Support Group

Sleep Expert Dr. Roslinde Collins-Gibbard Answers Questions During 'CPAP Talk-Live!'

BOSTON, MASS. (Issued MAY 2014) -- Some 50 individuals from a dozen states who suffer from

various types of sleep-disordered breathing such as sleep apnea participated in the May edition of ‘CPAP Talk –Live!’ (www.cpaptalklive.com ) – a unique free monthly virtual support group via conference call. The program is sponsored by National Sleep Therapy. It is estimated that some 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Most sufferers don’t know they have it.

Guest expert Dr. Roslinde M. Collins-Gibbard, one of Vermont’s leading sleep experts, answered call-in and email questions related to CPAP machines (used to keep airways open during sleep), and gave tips to help patients obtain optimal CPAP therapy results. Among highlights of the support group conference call:

• It can take a month to get used to CPAP and it may need adjustments along the way. CPAP users should make sure their doctor has their CPAP data download and that it is available during follow-up visits. For some, it takes 3+ months to feel better. If it takes longer, patients should see their doctor.
• Emphasis on the importance of a strong partnership with your doctor and home care company to coordinate care.
• Awareness of possible interaction between medications and impact on sleep apnea and sleep therapy. Some drugs can exacerbate the frequency of apnea events.
• The normal progression of (non-REM) N3-stage sleep as we age and normal body and sleep changes. 

A member of the staff of the Rutland (VT) Regional Medical Center, Dr. Collins-Gibbard also operates the Center for Sleep Medicine in Rutland. Hosting the call was Eric Cohen, President and co-founder of National Sleep Therapy, a provider of devices and supplies to help people sleep better.

‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ conference calls – free and open to all -- are held on the first Wednesday of each month. The next session will be on Wednesday, June 4, from 7 – 8 p.m. All are welcome to join the discussion. Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187# . The innovative support group sessions, offered as a community service by National Sleep Therapy (NST) (www.nstherapy.com),

Snoring and chronic fatigue can be strong indicators of sleep apnea and should be evaluated by a health professional. Left untreated, symptoms of sleep apnea can include excessive sleepiness during the day, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke or depression. Fatigue can lead to highway and workplace accidents.

Pre-registration for the June 4 ‘CPAP Talk-Live!’ session is requested though not required. Sleep disorder and CPAP therapy questions can be submitted in advance. To sign up and for more information, visit www.cpaptalklive or email info@cpaptalklive.com. During each session, one participant will be randomly chosen to win a $25 Amazon gift card. Follow latest updates at National Sleep Therapy’s Facebook page and follow NST on Twitter.

- By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com / 508-269-0570