Sleep Tech with OSA

I have been a Sleep Tech for 18 yrs. I had uncontrollable High Blood Pressure and the onset of Type 2 Diabetes. Being a night shift worker I was use to being tired and decrease alertness. Finally one of my Sleep Physicians suggested a sleep study and at first I rejected the idea because I was sure that my symptoms was from night shift work. Thanks to his persistence I had a sleep study and was diagnosed with OSA! And I am sure there other night shift workers that attribute their symptoms to shift work and ignore the possibility of having OSA!

Welcome Barr. You certainly are not alone. The challenge is getting lots of those who avoid diagnosis and treatment to join MyApnea and contribute to the conversations. The more there are, the more likely researchers can find barriers they have in common that kept from seeking help and what they had in common that finally spurred them to action. That information will help define better pathways to get the information they need more effectively and sooner. That could add years of quality living to their life. Why do sleep techs who have more knowledge than the general public take so long to make the connection between symptoms and apnea? What got you to quit rejecting the idea of haing a sleep study?

Welcome, Barr. I, too, am a sleep tech with OSA. I waited much longer than I should have to get my sleep study as well. We healthcare workers are just so bad when it comes to taking care of ourselves. I'm really glad I finally took the steps to get diagnosed because I feel SO much better now that I have my CPAP. Nothing irritates me more than the power going out while I'm sleeping! lol

It would be very interesting for the sleep technical societies to consider a survey of its members to understand how many have OSA (diagnosed, undiagnoed, or at risk)- to improve awareness, personal health of its members, and possibly to create a stronger, healthier work force (who might also better relate to their patients).

I have an idea....How about proposing this topic as one of our first research surveys. Maybe the State sleep societies, AAST and BRPT could help us send out invitations for professionals in sleep, doctors and techs, to find out "WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?". As we discuss it here, commonalities will show up like "I thought I was too young" or "I figured I would know when it was time to get studied" or "I really didn't think about it". We could then invite researchers to review the results of our survey and discussions for a larger outcomes study. That would benefit us as professionals (healthier workforce) and help professionals with tools to nudge their patients into action. Thoughts???

I think this is a great idea!

Terrific!!! Lets get a team together to develop a survey and learn more and help the very people who are working to help others!