If you do, there is a website you can use to join others who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The site is MyApnea.org. This is a patient centered network where you can find information others share about their experiences with OSA. The site shares common challenges that OSA patients experience on a day to day basis.

Many on the network share that all they were told when they were diagnosed with OSA is that they need a machine. And they were told where to get one. Many were never told what the machine did and many didn’t understand what the terms the caregivers used meant. For instance, what does AHI mean? What is an event? How does this machine work?

Many also share that they were not aware of the many connections OSA has to other diseases and conditions. Especially ones which they already had. And many were never told why it was necessary — no critical — that their OSA needed to be treated right away.

The serious nature of OSA was never discussed. Most of the patients never knew that there are alternatives to continuous positive air pressure (CPAP). Their source of information on these alternatives came from friends, newspaper ads, and articles they have read. The information did not come from any health professionals. Many heard of the alternatives from their dentist. They felt that they deserved to know all the options available so that they could make the right choice for themselves.

Many share that frustration with a treatment option many times is met with no support. There was no one to call to discuss their problems with. There was no follow up. And this lead to the patient stopping use of the treatment option which has serious consequences.

Many share that they go for years explaining their symptoms to doctors and never have a test for OSA or a diagnosis. In fact, about 90 percent of those with OSA today are still undiagnosed. Many have suffered with conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes for years before being tested for OSA. And once they were diagnosed and treated for OSA, many times the other condition went away.

One of the most common problems patients have expressed it that they do not know who to call, especially when the treatment option doesn’t seem to work. Many times the sleep physician was out of the loop. My office is a source of information for patients with OSA.

We offer consultations at no charge for patient looking for answers.

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Dr. Donald Johnson founded Northwest Treatment Center for Snoring & Sleep Apnea in Coeur d’Alene to help patients stop their snoring and live free with no limits! Obstructive sleep apnea is usually able to be treated with a small oral appliance. Dr. Johnson’s office is at 114 W. Neider Ave., near Costco. The website for more information is www.NWSleepDoc.com and the office phone is (208) 667-4551. Schedule a free consultation appointment today!