A.W.A.K.E.

Hi all, I am an A.W.A.K.E Coordinator in Lowell, MA. We meet quarterly and have between 30 and 50 people attend. Our next meeting is February 26. If anyone is interested in going please let me know. I am very excited about this site!

Hi Cyndi, Welcome. Can you tell us a little about AWAKE? Is it available outside your area?

The A.W.A.K.E Group is a place for sleep apnea patients and there families to ask questions, vent and learn about sleep apnea. We also have manufacturers as well as home care companies to show new equipment as well as answer any questions you may have about your equipment.

great idea should have one in Chicago, I belong to other support groups not pertaining to apnea and do gain much knowledge, anyone have info about chicago please let me know..Muzzy

I have just been diagnosed with OSA 20 every hour not sure if that is alot or normal for OSA. I will be going for my second sleep study in which they will fit me with C-PAP I guess my question is related to asthmatic symptoms in the past 1 1/2 but never before in my life I am 46 and wondering has this happened to anyone else. Also I have been diagnosed with seasonal alergies in 2012 that require me to take zertec, nasal spray with steroid and they help for 24 hours. Wondering could those symptoms be interelated.

Sure. Anything that obstructs your airway can contribute. Stuffiness, any swelling in throat or nose can constrict and contribute to obstruction causing an increase in apnea.

btw 20 is a "moderate" case of apnea and certainly warrants treatment to keep you from experiencing the ill effects of hypoxia and poor sleep.

For Muzzy and others looking for A.W.A.K.E. groups near them, the America Sleep Apnea Association has a nice map that allows you to find a group near you.

The map is available here: http://www.sleepapnea.org/support/a.w.a.k.e.-network-map.html

Muzzy, perhaps one of the Illinois A.W.A.K.E. groups is near to you.

Hi! I'm 34 and live in rural Minnesota. I'm wondering how to go about starting an awake group near me. I'm also interested to hear from anyone who has had surgeries (such as uppp) and specifically traech.

Welcome to MyApnea.org. Park Nicollet has a wonderful program. I don't know how close they are but they might be able to give you some guidance. Check their website for contact information: http://www.parknicollet.com/Medical-Services/Sleep-Disorders/Care-Team. Also check the American sleep Apnea Association: http://www.sleepapnea.org/support/a.w.a.k.e.

You might want to search some of the other forums for conversations about surgeries and tracheostomy. If you post specific questions readers answer. You can also propose a research question about these therapies in the "Rank the Research" section.