How the hell is this going to work?

Hi- I decided I was going to use my cpap and not let it interfere with my life. Just pack it up and take it with you and use it. Your real friends will be curious, but it won't stop them from being your friend. I would use it because you will feel so much better being treated than without it. The good thing is, you only really need it when the lights are out and it's time to sleep. And I hope the longer you have it, the more you get used to it. Just like wearing glasses.
At first I was a little self conscious, so I slept with the sheets over my head. I got over that after a few weeks. But whatever you do, use it. Don't start making excuses not to use it.

Firstly, I want to thank everyone who's given their input and has tried to help me with my stupid teenage girl problems... XD and secondly, I don't think I'm going to be used to this thing by band camp. As of now it starts in exactly three weeks. I only am allowed to request one of the three other girls in my bunk, so I'll have one friend and two strangers. But if I don't take or use the CPAP my insurance company will take the machine away, which I don't want. Also, a few people have brought up snoring, and the funny thing is, I don't snore. I am so quiet when I sleep people have forgotten I was in the room. Now I have a white noise machine stuck to my face. I really just don't know how to do this.

Gabby, many people with apnea never snore and some people who snore don't have apnea (tho' may be on their way). Your problems are not stupid btw, and we've all been 15 once. You can take the machine, put it beside your bed (forget the humidifier this time unless it's very dry where you are) and just put the mask on last thing. Bet ya some of those girls will tell you about their friends or parents who use a machine too, and you can explain it to them... life and death and all that!

And if you have any Q's when you're there, we're still here, so come back to this thread and we'll see what we can do. You can do this (believe me it won't be the hardes thing by a mile that you'll do in your life ) and you'll end up with more energy to do stuff you like. It's OK, it's really OK!

PS it'll help if you tell yourself you CAN do it, and stop telling yourself you can't... it does make a difference.

Just do it one step at a time. If you get to request one friend for band camp, start with her. Tell her about your machine before camp, and that you are anxious about it. Try a sleep over with just one friend and get a feel for using it with her. That way when you get to band camp, you will have already been through a trial run of using it with a room mate.
It's hard to tell the first person you need it. It's easier to tell the 2nd person. It's like, once your secret is out, it's not such a big deal.

Gabby Hawk wrote:I don't snore. I am so quiet when I sleep people have forgotten I was in the room.

When you stop breathing there is NO Noise.

Most people who are sleeping do not hear their own snoring.
I know plenty of girls/women who snore.

Most of us here wish we found about we had this many years earlier in our lives. When we were your age docs had no idea about this. And it does cause some serious health problems and leads to memory loss.

Me thinks OSA is as common as arthritis and cavities. And is often hereditary and can be caused by jaw structure.

Snoring is so embarrassing!
Before cpap, we were sharing a hotel room with my in-laws, and I woke up with everybody sitting aroud laughing.
AT ME! I had awakened them all up.
Cpap helps insure your body gets enough oxygen.
Also, This is especially important if you dislike dark circles under your eyes.

chunkyfrog wrote:Snoring is so embarrassing!
Before cpap, we were sharing a hotel room with my in-laws, and I woke up with everybody sitting aroud laughing.
AT ME! I had awakened them all up.
Cpap helps insure your body gets enough oxygen.
Also, This is especially important if you dislike dark circles under your eyes.

I would get kicked out of the living room because I fell asleep snoring during a movie. My sister used to yell at me all night in the hotel rooms on a trip. She thought I was quiet when I rolled over, so she would yell at me to roll over. I was quiet because I couldn't sleep on that side.

The first time I shared a room with one friend, I warned her that I snore. I was planning to confess my sleep apnea at the next doctor appointment. She said no problem. The next morning, she asked when my doctor appointment was. I asked if I was that loud. No. Just scary. Very scary.

Next time, I had my new machine, and she was impressed at how quiet it was. I have never had a problem sharing a room since.

Gabby Hawk wrote:What if they think it's weird or annoying?

Hi,

Have you ever had a classmate who had a broken arm? Did people think they were weird or annoying because they had a cast? Probably not. How about people with glasses? I think once you explain that the machine keeps you alive and healthy, people are going to be pretty accepting of it. I sometimes do room shares at hotels when I am traveling to run a marathon or on trips to events, and so far, no one has had a problem with my machine. In fact, people are more curious about it and fascinated at how it helps me. I know you are a little scared, but give it a bit of time. It will be just a normal thing after a few months.

-john-

Gabby Hawk wrote:I don't think I'm going to be used to this thing by band camp. As of now it starts in exactly three weeks . . .I really just don't know how to do this.

Perhaps you may not be completely used to using your equipment, but you will have 21 more days experience with it before you get there. A lot can happen in that period of time. Besides, there will be lots more going on at band camp than you dealing with your cpap. No one will be dwelling on the equipment, because you will have answered any of their questions or comments in a matter-of-fact way. Others will take their cue from you. And I hear from my neighbour, who was an organizer and chaperone for several band camps, that it can be a fun time--so you want to be able to relax and enjoy the music and fellowship! Focus your attention more on that.

"How we do this" is simply by living each day, one at a time. Use the days before camp to learn all you can about your machine and its use. Read the user manual. Get familiar with how to change comfort settings. Make sure you add all your cpap stuff to your packing list so you'll be organized with everything you need while you are away. Are you using a humidifier? You'll need to consider taking distilled water, or relying on tap water when you get to camp.

And, what instrument do you play in band?

Jean

and has tried to help me with my stupid teenage girl problems

Oh, no -- that is sooo wrong!!
If you are willing to tackle a CPAP machine - something that can send grown and "mature" adults into sobbing, screaming fits! - then you are *far* from a "stupid teenage girl"!!

Older people might tell you that your "problems" are "stupid" - but they are looking back on that age from a different place. In your life, those are very real issues that you need to find answers to. Which you are doing - again, far from being "stupid". You are tackling one of the most difficult aspects of life you have ever faced: how to hold on to a healthy self-image in a socially awkward situation, and doing it with a perspective that looks beyond your immediate emotional response.

I applaud you for being this pro-active and mature!! Please, by all means, see if you can rub some of this off on your friends! We need more like you!

Ed

PS - before packing your machine to take to band camp, make sure you dump all the water out.

Being diagnosed in college and a part of several band and handbell groups, I want to tell you it is very easy to travel with a cpap. When rooming with other band members and such I only really got asked what it was once. After that no problem, (and it was just a question of curiosity). Strangely enough I have discovered many more people who know someone that uses a cpap or uses one themselves than I thought possible. It's not just older people that have sleep apnea. So take heart get some good sleep and enjoy your waking hours with your friends and at band camp without being super tired with the cpap. It beats being a zombie and not feeling well.

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Sometimes "fake it till you make it" works. Even though I was was a grown and "strong" woman with a thick skin before I slept around others with my CPAP, it was still unsettling. I decided beforehand how I would present myself and at least outwardly deal with it. So I appeared unfazed, and as time went on, it became moreso my reality. It really is a bigger deal to us than it is to others. Just a note, while you must be sure not to obstruct the vent holes, it is perfectly ok to pull the sheet over you head if you want. The air you breathe comes from outside your sheet anyway. I do that when someone in the room has the light on and I'm trying to sleep.