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.

“And How Did You Sleep?” - President of Sleep Therapy Firm Takes New Sleep Apps to Bed

The president and co-founder of a leading sleep therapy company recently “put his head where his pillow is” -- testing a few new products on behalf of customers seeking a better night’s sleep.

Twenty-four people with sleep apnea from 11 states joined Eric Cohen of National Sleep Therapy (NST) (www.nstherapy.com) in a fun and informative discussion about new apps designed to help people get more ZZZ’s. Participants from as far as Virginia, North Carolina and Illinois joined in the December edition of ‘CPAP Talk - Live!’ – a free monthly virtual support group sponsored by NST. (www.cpaptalklive.com)

Cohen says, “Anyone who regularly gets a good night’s sleep is lucky. But for 18 million Americans, sleep apnea can affect the quality of life and life expectancy itself. Doctors may prescribe CPAP therapy (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.) for patients with sleep disordered breathing.

A highlight of the session was Cohen’s personal review of new sleep therapy apps. He used the new Sleep Cycle app for four nights: “While you sleep it measures body movement and tells what stages of sleep you’re in. It really seemed to reflect how I felt I was sleeping. In the morning, it wakes you gently when you're in your shallowest sleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping or falling asleep, the app may identify when you're having trouble -- and that might help lead to solutions.”

The second app Cohen tried is Relax and Sleep Well -- recordings by a leading hypnotherapists. “I listened to his voice telling me to think of a quiet place, to hear the waves crashing, to let the day go.” Cohen found it distracting but admits he fell asleep before the recording ended. He also used both of these apps together with mixed results. A follow-up email was sent to participants with a complete review and with links to these apps if they wanted to try them as well.

He discussed a new product, the S+ by ResMed that monitors sleeping patterns. It uses radio waves to sense motion and breathing patterns plus body positions. The product was not available for testing, but Cohen promised to try it and report during the next ‘CPAP Talk Live!’ session on January 7. The group also discussed SoClean, a product that destroys bacteria, viruses, and mold in the CPAP and all parts at once without chemicals or water. As always, the session featured questions from callers or submitted via email which Cohen or guest experts addressed.

‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ is free and open to anyone with sleep apnea and who needs encouragement, support or information. Sessions are held on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 – 8 pm (Eastern time). The next one is January 7. Interested individuals may send questions in advance via Facebook or using the cpaptalklive.com form. During each session, CPAP Talk-Live! gives away a $25 gift card to one lucky participant. For more information: 888.867.8840 or support@nstherapy.com. - Stanley Hurwitz / (508) 269-0570 / stanhurwitz@gmail.com CPAP 120914 120314 event