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Gilroy Woman Lives Best Life with Inspire® Therapy

Karen Wolk barely made it through most days, feeling like she was doing just enough to survive.

Published

July 29, 2024

Author

Megan Hoffman

Topic

Patient Stories

Gilroy Woman Lives Best Life with Inspire® Therapy — Karen Wolk is excited to have the energy to work after a long struggle with obstructive sleep apnea. Wolk didn’t give up when there didn’t seem to be an option, and she later qualified for Inspire® therapy which she said changed her life.

Wolk had sleep issues throughout her life but wasn’t formally diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) until 2015. And it wasn’t until she qualified for Inspire® therapy that her life truly changed in a positive way.

Before treatment, Wolk went to bed tired and woke up feeling worse, and this led to her having a hard time doing day-to-day activities both at home and at work.

Karen Wolk said she has more energy with Inspire® therapy. Here, she happily works with animals at her job with some of that extra energy.

Wolk’s doctor said her mental health was declining as well due to the lack of restful sleep, as she struggled with memory issues and spatial disorientation.

Wolk was given a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine following her OSA diagnosis. She tried this treatment for a year, but it wasn’t helping.

Wolk also tried a Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) machine with no luck.

Her doctor warned she would likely develop dementia soon if she didn’t find a solution for her sleep issues and Wolk became depressed.

Karen Wolk has used Inspire® therapy for around six years to treat her obstructive sleep apnea, and she said she is thriving and sleeping well.

She refused to give up however, and she continued to look for options, eventually leading her to Inspire therapy.

Wolk researched to find out more and investigated the qualifying factors before deciding to go for a consultation.

Wolk qualified and was implanted in August 2018, noticing a difference the first night after activation.

Wolk can now make it through the day without medication for her sleepiness. She is no longer cognitively declining and is thriving instead of just surviving.

“I’m learning new things, and the big win is instead of continuing to decline, I’ve gone the other way,” Wolk said.

Karen Wolk gets ready for a work conference with her co-workers. Wolk said that working is easier now that she can sleep well.

Wolk can now make it through the day without medication for her sleepiness. She is no longer cognitively declining and is thriving instead of just surviving.

“I’m learning new things, and the big win is instead of continuing to decline, I’ve gone the other way,” Wolk said.

Wolk also recently enjoyed seeing her daughter get married and even gave a wedding speech, something she said was surreal after knowing how she felt before Inspire therapy.