No going back...

[M.D.Hosehead]

there's no harm in missing a night here or there

Prevail, you are "talking" to people who are seriously committed to their therapy; those who post here try to support/convince people to adhere to their treatment.

Obviously, your risk as an individual when you don't use xPAP varies with severity of your apnea, the degree, frequency, and duration of your desaturation events. You haven't provided that information, so it's hard for anyone here to comment specifically.

Also, the risk you run of having a stroke or MI by not using your machine for a day or two is a statistical one. People indulge in behavior that increases their risks every day, for example, smoking, being obese, having unprotected sex, even air travel or driving across town in traffic. Most of the time, nothing bad happens, but once in a while----

And, in addition to the risk of a sudden catastrophic event, there is the long-term, slow damage to vital organs due to hypoxia (again depending on severity). You don't tell us your age now, but as you age, you will become increasingly aware that every neuron is precious, something not to be wasted.

[Prevail]

Thank you to all the people who gave me an informative answer. I found M.D. Hosehead's answer to be particularly helpful, but am I in more danger of a night without CPAP since I have started treatment.

To all the other people, please don't judge me. All I asked for was for some information and to see if my new awareness was common. I never said that I would miss a day of therapy because it was my choice. I just said that due to my lifestyle, I might have to miss a night here and there. Some of you just ASSUMED that it was my choice or that I was embarrassed by CPAP therapy. You know the saying "What we loathe in ourselves, we place in others".

If anything, I am one of the most committed people here if you consider the fact that I spent most of the money I have left on going to the hospital and buying my machine. I don't have insurance so I had to pay everything with my own money. Sure, I'm not going to be able to eat as many meals now, but what's more important than food? -Oxygen Hehe.

I didn't want to say the details of my lifestyle, but the truth is that my job doesn't pay me enough to have a home. I sometimes sleep on friend's floors (in Korea, people are used to doing stuff on the floor so they don't always have couches) or in the subway or whatever spot I can find where I won't disturb anybody. I couldn't afford to buy a battery pack so if my sleeping spot is not near an electrical outlet, I can't really use my machine that night.

The truth is that I think I don't have a decent job because of the sleep apnea. I am very committed to get it to work because I think proper sleep will make me a better worker since I will have more energy.

Thank you again to those of you who were informative and didn't project some assumption onto me. You other people should look deep down within yourselves and figure out where your assumption came from.

Prevail

[Hospiceangel]

I'm so sorry,
Hang in there and don't give up. Things will get better.
Keep posting,
Shar:)
You are right! there is no going back!!!

[jazzer4]

[quote="Prevail"]

Thank you again to those of you who were informative and didn't project some assumption onto me. You other people should look deep down within yourselves and figure out where your assumption came from.
Dear

Prevail

Hold on there young man. No one was judging you...only trying to help you.
By your nice picture and your equipment I would have "never" thought you homeless and sleeping in subways.

Guess some of use were reading between the lines, as you wern't very clear.
I have three sons about your age and being "polite"..... that is about how they would ask what I thought you were asking but tying not to say.

Dont' be persnickty....just try to be clearer with you questions.

Sorry to hear about your situation.

[who]

Prevail,

Sorry for any misunderstanding. I'm sure ALL the comments here were well-meant, even if, understandably, off target. People can only react to what they know. If I choose to keep information about my situation to myself when asking for input, I will often get input that doesn't quite match my circumstances. There are reasons for me to do that, yes, but I accept the trade-off, take what is useful to me, and ignore the rest. Just as you did. Many other posters have used the word "lifestyle" in referring to things other than what you used it for. And they often need reminders about the seriousness of the condition and the importance of treatment.

Thank you very much for clarifying. Your words may help others in similar circumstances.

[BlackSpinner]

Thank you to all the people who gave me an informative answer. I found M.D. Hosehead's answer to be particularly helpful, but am I in more danger of a night without CPAP since I have started treatment.

To all the other people, please don't judge me. All I asked for was for some information and to see if my new awareness was common. I never said that I would miss a day of therapy because it was my choice. I just said that due to my lifestyle, I might have to miss a night here and there. Some of you just ASSUMED that it was my choice or that I was embarrassed by CPAP therapy. You know the saying "What we loathe in ourselves, we place in others".

If anything, I am one of the most committed people here if you consider the fact that I spent most of the money I have left on going to the hospital and buying my machine. I don't have insurance so I had to pay everything with my own money. Sure, I'm not going to be able to eat as many meals now, but what's more important than food? -Oxygen Hehe.

I didn't want to say the details of my lifestyle, but the truth is that my job doesn't pay me enough to have a home. I sometimes sleep on friend's floors (in Korea, people are used to doing stuff on the floor so they don't always have couches) or in the subway or whatever spot I can find where I won't disturb anybody. I couldn't afford to buy a battery pack so if my sleeping spot is not near an electrical outlet, I can't really use my machine that night.

The truth is that I think I don't have a decent job because of the sleep apnea. I am very committed to get it to work because I think proper sleep will make me a better worker since I will have more energy.

Thank you again to those of you who were informative and didn't project some assumption onto me. You other people should look deep down within yourselves and figure out where your assumption came from.

Prevail

In north america using the terms "my life style means I don't always know where I am sleeping" generally means you are out partying. If it was for work it would be required for the employer to ensure proper living conditions or arrangements. Since I have done quite a bit of work on a GLTB crisis line - yes that was my first assumption. Also if you search the board you will find innumerable thread about just how embarrassing some people feel this therapy is, how some of their partners have left the bed room or the relationship, make fun of them or belittle them. So yes we are not going to go for the least common option to begin with. It is up to you the state your situation clearly - which you have done and if you had done so the first time around you would have been helped more efficiently.

Now you are getting proper therapy you should be able to think more clearly and see just how you can work with your situation. Maybe you could barter with a friends to have a semi permanent floor space to sleep in - exchange cleaning or other kinds of labour. There have been times when I had out of luck friends staying for months on my couch in exchange for services. I have done it myself - when my host comes home there is usually a meal cooked and the dishes done. Turn your self into the house guest everyone dreams off.

[dreamyenner]

Prevail, I don't blame you for initially not wanting to post all the details of your situation, tho I, & apparently others, felt misled when you said you might be away from home one night, etc. But I see "home" can mean many things, and those of us with a stable home are very lucky.

I do think people were trying to be helpful. At the same time, this whole discussion has been a good reminder to me to examine my own assumptions.

Re: your question, my completely unscientific guess is that if you miss a night here or there, you're not in more danger after using CPAP, but maybe in less, since your body is more regularly receiving the oxygen it needs. But just a guess. Also I personally think it's a good sign--and very interesting--that your body is now waking you up when you're without the machine & not breathing--maybe trying to underline the importance of this therapy. I realize how hard that must be, tho, when you're just unable to follow it.

I very much admire the way you are acting in your own behalf.

[brazospearl]

Prevail, please accept my humble apology. I did not mean to be insensitive or offensive.

Using your machine most nights, with the occasional night off due to your circumstances, is certainly better than no therapy at all. Not ideal, but probably the best you can manage at the moment. I admire your dedication and ingenuity in addressing your health during your difficult circumstances. I believe you WILL prevail, and I wish you all the best.

[Scarlet834]

I would never willingly skip a night. I did, however, find myself unexpectedly spending the night near work 55 miles from home. I made the best of it by propping myself semi-upright.

For days during this time period I carted my equipment back and forth in case I got stuck again. There are downsides to this also, among them the inability to dry things out well or storage in a hot car. I currently have duplicate hose and nasal pillow, and soon a mask, but sometimes the unexpected is a real challenge.