Unique support from a respiratory therapist helps patient, mother with CPAP care

"Eduardo has been coming to the CPAP clinic for the last year. CPAP compliance has been a struggle for him and a source of relationship contention between him and his mom.

He would often take the mask off after two to three hours, claiming he did not know when or how it came off. Some nights, he refused to use CPAP even when his mom reminded him to put his mask on.

During clinic appointments the hum of mother/son tension was noticeable in the background. After a year of meeting, tweaking CPAP settings, changing masks, we were still in the same place with marginal compliance except that now the hum of relationship tension had become a roar.

We made a deal. If Eduardo used his CPAP faithfully on school nights, he could take the weekends off. If he did not, he would owe CPAP time on the weekends. Mom also agreed to allow Eduardo to earn gaming time for CPAP compliance.

Finally, a breakthrough!

At CPAP clinic a month later, I began with my standard greeting, 'Hey, Eduardo, how's CPAP going?' I wasn't even able to finish my sentence before Eduardo, with a proud smile on his face, blurted out, 'I'm wearing it every night!' Surprised, I looked over at mom. She smiled and nodded her head in confirmation. We talked a bit more and agreed to meet one more time to develop a summer plan. The most striking part of the visit was the absence of the mother/son tension in the background. In its place was a comfortable quiet."

- Testimonial submitted by Audrey Chikalla, UC Davis respiratory therapist