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Brand new to Sleep Apnea - lots of mixed feelings - Sparkle - 01-14-2015
Hi Everyone,
I am happy to have found this board. I am just recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. I picked up the machine yesterday. I have so many feelings all rolled up into one. First being denial - I had put off making an appt for a sleep study for about 2 years. Now that I've got that out of the way I feel embarrassed. I'm single and look forward to being in a relationship again - is that even possible now?
Ugh - now dealing w/bringing the machine on travel and sleeping with it attached to me.
Its nice to have this board here and a place to go to hear positive results.
RE: Brand new to Sleep Apnea - lots of mixed feelings - trish6hundred - 01-14-2015
Hi Sparkle,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Hang in there for more responses to your post and much success to you as you start your CPAP therapy.
RE: Brand new to Sleep Apnea - lots of mixed feelings - Sparkle - 01-14-2015
Thank you - we share the same first name
(01-14-2015, 12:28 PM)trish6hundred Wrote: Hi Sparkle,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Hang in there for more responses to your post and much success to you as you start your CPAP therapy.
RE: Brand new to Sleep Apnea - lots of mixed feelings - PsychoMike - 01-14-2015
Sparkle,
Welcome to the board. A lot of what you are feeling right now is normal...it's an adjustment for sure.
First off, there is nothing to be embarrassed about...you have a medical condition that impacts your sleep, quality of life and even your lifespan. Now you have the tool to treat it. Sure, some folks have misconceptions about obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that can make it a little awkward at times, but it's not about their perception...it's about your health.
There are many folks on this board who are single and have OSA...and yes, relationships are very possible. There will be things to discuss if the relationship gets to the point of sharing a place or a bed....but hopefully by the time you get to that stage, your relationship will be beyond the superficial poop and the CPAP won't matter.
Yes, there is an adjustment to treatment....getting used to wearing it when you sleep and all...but you may find, like several others on this board, that it actually helps in the getting to sleep department (getting on the mask can work like good sleep hygiene as a sign to your brain that it is time to sleep...some folks actually find they fall asleep faster as a result). Most on this board will tell you it certainly helps in the actual sleep department and how much better they feel in the morning.
Travel...well, speaking from personal experience, that's not that bad of a concern, even when it comes to air travel. There are more travel hiccups if you are going places where power is not available (like camping), but even then, there are ways to deal with it.
Hang in there, Sparkle...it's a lot to take in at first, but the results can be life altering in a good way.
RE: Brand new to Sleep Apnea - lots of mixed feelings - sleepy_1012 - 01-14-2015
(01-14-2015, 12:56 PM)PsychoMike Wrote: There are many folks on this board who are single and have OSA...and yes, relationships are very possible. There will be things to discuss if the relationship gets to the point of sharing a place or a bed....but hopefully by the time you get to that stage, your relationship will be beyond the superficial poop and the CPAP won't matter.
Yes, there is an adjustment to treatment....getting used to wearing it when you sleep and all...but you may find, like several others on this board, that it actually helps in the getting to sleep department (getting on the mask can work like good sleep hygiene as a sign to your brain that it is time to sleep...some folks actually find they fall asleep faster as a result). Most on this board will tell you it certainly helps in the actual sleep department and how much better they feel in the morning.
I have to agree with the aforementioned. Yes, relationships are absolutely possible. Keep your head up. Trust me, especially if your significant other can understand what OSA is and how it affects your health, they will care more about you wearing it and getting better than the fact that it is an inconvenience to you two.
And, I only started treatment less than a week ago, but it does actually help me fall asleep faster, in my head once the mask goes on it's lights out, next thing you know you're waking up.
Keep on driving on, it will take some work but it'll be worth it in the end.
RE: Brand new to Sleep Apnea - lots of mixed feelings - FLcracker - 01-14-2015
(01-14-2015, 11:44 AM)Sparkle Wrote: Hi Everyone,
I am happy to have found this board. I am just recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. I picked up the machine yesterday. I have so many feelings all rolled up into one. First being denial - I had put off making an appt for a sleep study for about 2 years. Now that I've got that out of the way I feel embarrassed. I'm single and look forward to being in a relationship again - is that even possible now?
Ugh - now dealing w/bringing the machine on travel and sleeping with it attached to me.
Its nice to have this board here and a place to go to hear positive results.
Hello & Welcome to this wonderful forum Mizz Sparkle...
From my point of view, any gentleman (assumption on my part) that would find it to be so unattractive, ain't no gentleman at all! And certainly would not deserve your special attentions, favors & comforts...
You are not going to be using the machine when you're doing that 'other thing', only when you're sleeping, and you're not likely doing that 'other thing' WHEN you're sleeping...well,...not most times anyway!
So not to worry!....When the right one is lucky enough to be chosen, he (again, assumption on my part) will not be bothered in any way in your using a constant air pressure devise to help you sleep well.
Your health and well-being is what matters most of all....You'll find there are several VERY knowledgeable and helpful folks in here, who are more than willing to assist all of us who are new to the CPAP world.
Much Good Luck!
FLc
RE: Brand new to Sleep Apnea - lots of mixed feelings - Sparkle - 01-15-2015
Quote:Hello & Welcome to this wonderful forum Mizz Sparkle...
So not to worry!....When the right one is lucky enough to be chosen, he (again, assumption on my part) will not be bothered in any way in your using a constant air pressure devise to help you sleep well.
Your health and well-being is what matters most of all....You'll find there are several VERY knowledgeable and helpful folks in here, who are more than willing to assist all of us who are new to the CPAP world.
Much Good Luck!
FLc
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful response. I'm going to print it out and hang onto it! Seems all the guys I've met want perfect - so hard to find that gentleman you speak of!
RE: Brand new to Sleep Apnea - lots of mixed feelings - me50 - 01-15-2015
It is funny how people want perfection, yet, they are not perfect.
RE: Brand new to Sleep Apnea - lots of mixed feelings - quiescence at last - 01-15-2015
ouch!
RE: Brand new to Sleep Apnea - lots of mixed feelings - Eurika - 01-16-2015
Don't worry about relationships, when Mr or Miss Right comes along the last thing they are going to care about is your Cpap therapy.
I believe that CPAP a actually improves relationships, you don't keep your partner awake with snoring, you have more energy to do fun things with your partner, and your mind will be clearer etc etc.
I keep my equipment as unobtrusive as possible and when I go to bed to sleep, I just put the nasal pillows on and breath in and off we go to sleep. Auto start is a godsend for this.
I would strongly suggest getting a 'Hose Hanger' ( there are also some good travel ones available) as it makes using the CPAP so much more comfortable, and you will find that this arrangement ensures that you don't get the hose pulling on your mask.
The Therapy is to ensure your own health and If any prospective partner is put off by this then is that person really right for you? He/She should be more concerned about your wellbeing than what CPAP looks like.
Good luck and stay positive.
D