Kathy was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea after also being treated for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Kathy was given a CPAP machine which she says definitely helps, although she said it does take a lot of getting used to. She frequently used to wake up in the night with the mask off her face and in her hand.
Diagnosed about four years ago, Kathy was off work long term because of her respiratory problems. She would be in bed at night and constantly be waking up. Kathleen says that the condition has affected her life in a wide sense, and that her memory has also suffered as a result of her sleep apnoea.