Is OSA socially unacceptable?

[carbonman]

I'm curious.....about the social impact of being a 'pap'er.

I started thinking about the dating/cpap thread.
I have noticed that since becoming a hosehead, talking about it
in public can make some people very nervous.
I have found at least six people where I work are hoseheads.
When I found out, I thought, wow, comrades in arms....wrong.
Most seem very reluctant to want to talk about their experience.

Non-hoseheads that I have told that I have OSA and am on the hose,
get mixed reactions. Some people are very interested to know
about it and the process, and others treat it like you have the
plague and move away.

As I recover from years of no sleep, I want to talk about it and
tell anyone that will listen how great it is.

Is OSA socially unacceptable?

[echo]

I have no idea, but I talk about it to everyone.
Had a chat with my cleaning lady last week, today she sent me a message saying she couldn't come today because she was going to the Sleep doc to get check out for Sleep apnea

I was also chatting with a guy that works with a family member , and he has sleeping problems - so I told him all about my experiences and showed him all my CPAP parts and accessories. He's getting septoplasy or whatever its called, but after that he's going to get a sleep study.

I'm also trying to convince another family member to get a sleep study - he's definintely CLASSIC OSA so I'm working through his family members to convince him

Now if I could just convince my partner....!

I've also talked about it with people at work (non-hoseheads), including my boss, and people have been quite understanding and supportive (or at least they seemed that way). But I know others have had bad experiences in that area!

Like you carbonman, some people with OSA who I've tried to engage in a conversation with ... well, they haven't really responded. I think it's a case of some people swimming in DE-NILE. They don't want to know more about it, or make extra effort, or they just do whatever the doc tells them That's not in my genetic makeup so I don't really how to understand their state of mind

[Slinky]

Who gives a rat's rear? I always figured that our personal attitude towards our OSA and CPAP therapy would be reflected by others around us. My entire experience has been, eh, its just another facet of life. Totally accepted, some interested, some not. What is a CPAP mask and device compared to a colostomy bag? Or one less leg? People deal w/these all the time. For those that are "put off" by them - who needs them? Or even wants them around? If someone isn't interested I don't belabor the issue. There's more to life than OSA and CPAP. On the other hand, if they ARE interested I'm delighted to talk CPAP and OSA.

[jnk]

What's wrong with being socially unacceptable? Some of my best friends are socially unacceptable!



I usually begin conversations with: "So, last night, while I was hooked up to the mothership through my hose and mask, I had this cool dream. Want to hear it?"

I find that goes over pretty well.

I am also considering wearing my nasal pillows during the day as a fashion-accessory-slash-conversation-starter, with my hose running down to my front left pants pocket.

But, hey, that's just me.

jnk

[MurphysLaw]

I haven't come across anyone who noticeably was put off when I mentioned the sleep apnea. Most seemed to want to know more about it. The two people I knew beforehand had such positive results from it, that I was willing to go through with the sleep study when my doctor suggested it, even though I was SURE I didn't have it. Ha!

My initial thought when wearing that "thing" during the titration was: I can't believe I have to wear this thing for the rest of my life! But when I woke up feeling terrific, unlike I've ever felt before, I knew this was for me. And it is. What a difference it has made.

Don't worry about those people who are negative about it. You can find people who are negative towards pretty much anything.

[jnk]

One guy at work tried to give me a hard time by saying: "That's not sexy, man. Does your wife look over at you then say, 'uh, never mind'?"

My reply was: "Dude, the mask is for when I SLEEP. And I don't know if anyone has ever told you, but you're actually supposed to be AWAKE for all that other stuff, or else you're simply not doing it right. Just a helpful hint to ya."

He hasn't broached the subject since then.

[sleepydoll]

I'm curious.....about the social impact of being a 'pap'er.

I started thinking about the dating/cpap thread...talking about it in public can make some people very nervous.
Most seem very reluctant to want to talk about their experience.Non-hoseheads that I have told that I have OSA and am on the hose,
get mixed reactions. Some people are very interested to know about it and the process, and others treat it like you have the plague and move away.
Is OSA socially unacceptable?

This really got me thinking...
To whom or under what situations would we be concerned about the word “Prejudice”?
To one kind of people, prejudice is a word they would put an eye to and is considered to be a problem they have to deal with.
To another kind of people, prejudice is just one of the thousands of words in the dictionary in which they might hardly pay attention to.

When we are first told we need to sleep each night wearing a mask, we often voice well-founded concerns about comfort, claustrophobia, or sexual activity. If not, snoring, irregular breathing, leg kicks, naps, and other "unplanned stuff" will surely keep resulting !
We now know that when we are well rested, our performance is stable, predictable, and reliable, but inadequate sleep makes that performance more irregular, leading to impaired reaction times, and decision-making.
So just as diabetics need their insuline, I need my CPAP!

The sometimes cut-throat communities we live in doesn’t spare the " different "(some even strive to be ***holes).

Not everyone is a compassionate person, though we’re all beautiful in our own way, or at least we are all beautiful to someone !
Smile ! Life is good !
D.

[Wulfman]

I think the only way it's going to be more socially acceptable is to bring it up in conversations (when appropriate). I had never heard of it prior to my GP suggesting I have a sleep study done.
Part of the problem with this therapy is it's been a "closet" issue......and that's where far too many of them have ended up.
When you take into consideration the problems that people have using this therapy.....and the reasons why (doctors/DMEs/RTs/insurance who have been less than helpful)......and THEN, the "non-supportive spouses", it's no wonder so many people don't want to talk about it or try very hard.

For the last 3+ years, I have made an effort to make others aware of sleep apnea, the therapy and the repercussions of non-treatment.

Den

[mindy]

I suspect that there may be some people who have sleep apnea but don't want to deal with it and thus are uncomfortable hearing about it.

As Slinky noted, there are a lot worse things that people live with. I have ulcerative colitis and *nobody* wants to hear about that one! Talk about feeling like a leper

Mindy

[Snoredog]

I wouldn't advertise it, it could impact you professionally from misconceptions others may have about it,
know it can preclude you from gaining insurance of any kind and/or make it more expensive,

[Babette]

To JNK.... "Hey Big Boy, is that the 10 foot hose, or are you just happy to see me today?"

LOL,
Babs

[carbonman]

Who gives a rat's rear?

This is my general attitude, also.

My initial thought when wearing that "thing" during the titration was: I can't believe I have to wear this thing for the rest of my life! But when I woke up feeling terrific, unlike I've ever felt before, I knew this was for me. And it is. What a difference it has made.

Been there, done that, have the T-shirt.

This really got me thinking...

So just as diabetics need their insuline, I need my CPAP!

Smile ! Life is good !

...I need mine too, I'm smiling and, indeed, life it good!

For the last 3+ years, I have made an effort to make others aware of sleep apnea, the therapy and the repercussions of non-treatment. Den

In my new, feeling good body and brain, I want to do the same thing.

I wouldn't advertise it, it could impact you professionally from misconceptions others may have about it,
know it can preclude you from gaining insurance of any kind and/or make it more expensive,

....and in the end, this is probably the cold, hard reality
of the situation.

[Babette]

Here's a thought - I have a friend who'se lower two legs were blown off in Vietnam. He owns prosthetics, but they cause him pain, and he prefers to use his wheelchair.

Is this socially acceptable?

Should he NOT talk about it to people?

Should he give up the idea of sex ever again?

Do you think he should HIDE this condition from a potential dating partner?

Then don't be so frickin' ridiculous about your CPAP machine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

'Nuff said.
B.

[carbonman]

is that the 10 foot hose, or are you just happy to see me today?"
LOL,Babs

.....no, sorry, it's just cold, hard reality.

[echo]

well said Babs!!!!!!