Thanks to CPAP We’re Sleeping Peacefully Together Again!

I’m Having Dreams Again – and I Have the Energy of a 40 Year-Old

Four years ago, when Nydia Glander was 72 and traveling in Spain with Don, her husband of 52 years, a health scare convinced her to visit her doctor upon their return to Holden Beach, North Carolina.

A stress test led to a sleep test, which showed Nydia had sleep apnea with over 400 apneas (breathing cessation/ gasping for air episodes) in a 5-hour period – not a restful night! These episodes may not awaken the person, but they do prevent deep REM sleep that’s so vital.

Like Nydia, most of the estimated 20 million Americans with sleep apnea don’t know they have it. They may be in bed for 8 hours each night, but are puzzled by chronic fatigue and other health issues brought on by lack of sleep. Snoring is the most visible (audible!) symptom.

“My snoring was so bad, it drove Don to sleep in another room,” say Nydia, a Cuban native. The couple who met in high school in Indiana and married while in college, lived in several states due to Don’s work. Nydia used her native Spanish to work as a translator for a big pharmaceutical maker, and since retiring, works as a translator for her County Health Dept., translating materials for Hispanic residents in the Myrtle Beach area.

“My mother was a snorer and I’m sure she had sleep apnea, though it wasn’t a named malady yet,” she says. “I’m sure many of my relatives have it, and the few who were tested and tried using CPAP gave up too soon. So when I was diagnosed, I promised Don and myself that I would succeed and beat this fatigue. It’s tricky getting used to the mask, and I had to convert from a stomach sleeper to a back sleeper,” Nydia smiles. “But I put my mind to it.”

There are numerous benefits to getting that all-important deep sleep again, says Nydia. “I’m dreaming again. I missed that. I have the energy of a 40 or 50 year-old -- Don wishes I didn’t! I can keep up with my two grandchildren. We travel. I’m active in our church, collect food and clothes for the needy, and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. I love my weekly classes in pilates, yoga and Zumba, and we’re active volunteers with the local turtle patrol.”

CPAP hasn’t slowed Nydia down. “I haven’t missed a night in the four years since I got my device. Even when we travel in the U.S. or overseas, I take my CPAP with me. I’m probably National Sleep Therapy’s best representative in all of North Carolina. Whenever the topic of a bad night’s sleep comes up, I sing the praises of my CPAP and National Sleep.”

“It’s gone so well, I’m back to being a stomach sleeper. But best of all, Don has moved back into our bedroom,” Nydia winks.

By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com

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National Sleep Therapy sponsors a free ‘CPAP Talk Live!’ virtual support session on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 – 8 pm (ET). It is open to all, including CPAP users, people who have sleep issues, health care professionals, and anyone else interested in the topic. For more information: 888.867.8840, support@nstherapy.com or cpaptalklive.com Company website: www.nstherapy.com. Also see: https://www.facebook.com/nstherapy.

Photo Note: Nydia loves her dogs: “The little dog is Mia....because our brains were ‘missing in action’ when we bought her in Miami. She sleeps in her dog bed and takes turns in our bed also. Ellie does not care where she sleeps as long as she is near her masters. When I started using the face mask, Mia used to bark at me every night!” That’s husband Don holding Ellie.

Former Bodybuilding Champ Advises Sleep Apnea Patients

‘Big Mike’ Katz Describes His Triumph Over Apnea in Virtual Support Session

National Sleep Therapy Event Draws Sleep-Deprived from 8 States

A former international bodybuilding champ who was diagnosed with sleep apnea 10 years ago fielded a range of heavyweight questions during a recent ‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ virtual support session that drew people with sleep issues from eight states. Participants represented all of New England plus Virginia and Maryland.

There was no ‘heavy lifting’ for the erudite ‘Big Mike’ Katz who gained fame for his role in the 1977 ‘Pumping Iron’ documentary starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. He also briefly played for the New York Jets. Now 70, Katz wants to tell the world how CPAP impacted his life, and wants to encourage and inspire others to get tested. And if CPAP is prescribed, he urges them to keep with the therapy.

Wherever he goes, the well-rested and jovial Katz takes along his CPAP: “I know the value of a good night’s sleep. But most important, I don’t want to sleep through my grandkids’ childhood – waking up when they’re 16, wondering where the time went.”

Some questions were phoned in, others came via email:

• A 72 year-old caller, also a former football player and weightlifter, talked about his need to cut back on his exercise routine. Something Katz knows a lot about, suggested that the caller, with his doctor’s OK, should continue his training program with lighter weights but more reps, perhaps 15-20. “Set a realistic bar so you don’t allow failure, and don’t rest. Keep up a circuit cardio weight training routine,” said Katz, a personal trainer who still vigorously works out. “The key: Less rest between exercises. Make it more aerobic.” 
• Another participant asked if sleep apnea can be cured. Host Eric Cohen, President of National Sleep Therapy, replied that factors that change, such as weight loss, can improve the condition, but CPAP is a treatment, not a cure. Cohen emphasized, “It’s critical to resolve your apneas, regularly check your sleep records, and stay in touch with your sleep doctor. 
• One questioner wanted secrets to getting comfortable with her sleep apnea regimen and equipment. Cohen, a trained engineer who has invented products for the sleep industry among others, said, “For some folks it’s not easy getting used to the CPAP mask and machine. Whatever the difficulty, there a variety of headgear and masks. You need to try until you find the right fit. It’s worth the effort.”
• A 64 year-old Vietnam vet with Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome said he hasn’t had a good night’s sleep since age 18: “I’ve used CPAP for five years but I still can’t go through a full night’s sleep and I’m always tired.” Katz suggested the caller see his doctor for pressure adjustments based on his CPAP device’s data readings. Katz said, “My machine’s pressure has been adjusted many times and my sleep company has recalibrated the CPAP machine when called for.” Cohen added that “there may be other factors impacting sleep. This is very common and something you should see a sleep specialist about.”

The well-rested Katz is a very active and engaged grandfather who hasn’t slowed down a wink: A trainer who owns five fitness centers, and travels extensively to judge bodybuilding competitions. The retired health education teacher described how chronic fatigue forced him to have a sleep test, which showed he had sleep apnea: “I learned I was having almost 50 apnea episodes per hour and my oxygen levels were dropping dramatically.” His doctor prescribed CPAP therapy.

Some 18 million Americans have sleep apnea but only a small percent have been diagnosed. Left untreated, lack of proper sleep can result in accidents and serious illness.

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The free ‘CPAP Talk Live!’ program, held on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 – 8 pm (ET), is open to individuals who use CPAP for sleep apnea or other sleep issues, health care professionals, and anyone else interested in the topic. For more information: 888.867.8840, support@nstherapy.com or cpaptalklive.com Company website: www.nstherapy.com. Also see: https://www.facebook.com/nstherapy.

Pumping Iron Legend ‘Big Mike’ Katz to Discuss His Career and His Sleep Apnea on CPAP Talk-Live!

‘Big Mike’ Katz still has Arnold Shwarzenegger and Lou (‘The Incredible Hulk’) Ferrigno on his speed dial. The three bodybuilders met during the making of the 1977 niche classic Pumping Iron.

About 10 years ago, Katz was diagnosed with sleep apnea and now, at age 70, depends on his CPAP machine for the deep night’s sleep his big frame needs. As a client, he now sports National Sleep Therapy on his speed dial as well. (www.nstherapy.com). Some 20 million Americans have sleep apnea -- but most have yet to be diagnosed.

Katz will be the featured guest during the next free group virtual support session, ‘CPAP Talk –Live!,’ – everything you wanted to know about sleep apnea -- set for Wednesday, February 4 from 7-8 pm (ET). The town-hall-style forums are held at the same time on the first Wednesday of each month, sponsored by National Sleep Therapy. In recent months, enthusiastic CPAP users from 10 states have joined in the monthly sessions. (To participate: Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187#.)

Katz, who played for the N. Y Jets with Joe Namath, was a former Mr. Olympia bodybuilding champ. Today, Big Mike hasn’t slowed down much. With his son, he operates five fitness studios in Connecticut, sticks to a tough exercise regimen, trains fitness clients, and speaks on behalf of Special Olympics and youth fitness. (He was a high school health education teacher and earned advanced degrees in the field.) Most important, he makes time to enjoy his grandchildren.

He says, “It takes a bit to get used to wearing the CPAP mask at night, but it’s worth the effort. I don’t want to shorten my life or sleep through my grandkids’ childhood – waking up when they’re 16, wondering where the time went.”

“CPAP Talk-Live!’ is hosted by National Sleep Therapy President Eric Cohen. He says that, besides snoring, a symptom of sleep apnea is chronic fatigue. Ignoring that can exacerbate high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and/or weight gain, as well as lead to highway or workplace accidents. Untreated, lack of deep sleep can lead to a lower quality of life and even a shorter life expectancy.

Interested individuals may also send questions in advance either via Facebook or using the cpaptalklive.com registration form. 

We have a really fun night planned! Don't miss it!

Virtual CPAP Group Supports New Users

Free One-of-A-Kind Session Draws New Users and Experienced Ones

Some 30 individuals suffering from sleep apnea from seven states participated in the January edition of ‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ – a unique monthly virtual support group conference call sponsored by National Sleep Therapy (NST). Sessions are free and open to all.

A caller from Hanover, NH, told Eric Cohen, host and President of NST, “I wish more doctors did this. This is great,” he said, referring to the health tips and Q & A with fellow CPAP users, the host and health care professionals on the line. A CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) uses gentle airflow to keep airways open to enable deep sleep. This therapy for sleep apnea is the preferred treatment prescribed by most physicians.

Among those joining the conversation were residents of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, Virginia, North Carolina, with a good number of new callers.

Veteran CPAP users were eager to help new users on topics such as condensation and mask issues. Cohen led a discussion on how the pressure is initially set on the machine after a careful titration study determines the lowest effective pressure. “There was a lot of sharing going on and that’s what ‘CPAP Talk – Live!” is all about,” he said.

Its’ estimated that 20 million Americans have sleep apnea, yet only a small number have been diagnosed. Chronic fatigue, snoring, and daytime sleepiness are symptoms. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues -- even a shorter life – as well as highway or workplace accidents.

Cohen said several participants are not NST customers but read or heard about the unique monthly sessions. “It went very well and I could tell the new CPAP users really appreciated the tips and advice,” he said. “We hope to have new people join us each month. We hope sleep doctors will encourage their patients to participate.”

‘CPAP Talk –Live!’ is free, anonymous and open to all. The town-hall-style forums are held on the first Wednesday of each month. The next one is set for Wednesday, February 4 at 7 pm (ET). To participate: Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187#. (Visit www.cpaptalklive.com ). During each session, one participant wins a $25 gift card.

National Sleep Therapy (www.nstherapy.com) has earned a reputation as an industry pioneer. The company made the ‘Inc. 5000’ list as ‘One of Fastest-Growing Private U.S. Companies.’ For more information, contact 888.867.8840 or support@nstherapy.com.

Was Your New Year Resolution to Get A Better Night’s Sleep?

How to Get More ZZZ’s in 2015

Did you often wake up tired during 2014? Did your snoring wake others up? Maybe you have sleep apnea. Some 20 million Americans have it – yet most have not been diagnosed. Now is a good time to resolve to correct the situation.

With that goal in mind, National Sleep Therapy (NST) is ringing in 2015 with a special New Year edition of ‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ on Wednesday, January 7 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET (see www.nstherapy.com). ‘CPAP Talk –Live!’ is a unique, free virtual support session for anyone who has (or thinks they have) sleep apnea. The town-hall-style forums are held on the first Wednesday of each month. (To participate: Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187#. It’s anonymous!)

NST President and program host Eric Cohen is extending a special invitation to new CPAP users: “If you’re new to CPAP and have questions, or you’re an experienced user and would like to share your best tips or words of encouragement to help others, please join the conversation. Or you can just listen and learn -- It’s like a gathering of friends -- and it’s anonymous.” A CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) uses gentle airflow to keep airways open that enables deep sleep.

In December, 24 people from 11 states participated in a fun and informative discussion about new devices and helpful hints to help people get more ZZZ’s. Healthcare professionals often join in, offering their insights. Cohen says, “Every month we all learn something new. In a recent session, participants learned how to avoid water in the hose, how often to clean and replace equipment, how to combat dry mouth, and many other common CPAP issues.”

If sleep apnea is indicated during a sleep test, CPAP therapy can be prescribed by a physician. While snoring is a common indication of sleep apnea, chronic fatigue can be a more subtle red flag. Ignoring chronic fatigue can exacerbate high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and/or weight gain, as well as the likelihood of highway or workplace accidents. Untreated, lack of deep sleep can lead to a lower quality of life and even a shorter life expectancy.

During each session, NST gives away a $25 gift card to one participant. For more information: 888.867.8840 or support@nstherapy.com. To participate: Use the link to register and ask a question to the group, or offer a special tip. To participate: Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187# and you’re immediately part of the group call.