Business Travel and Sharinga Room

[annie123]

I have the opportunity to go to a great conference for work, but have to share a room with someone and was considering not going because I refuse to sleep w/o the CPAP and also don't want just anybody knowing about it. (I finally rememberd that a pretty good friend of mine who already knows I have OSA was going too and I could room with her without fear that she would tell anyone or think the mask thing is weird.)
How open is everyone else about their condition? Am I being over the top or normal?

[JeffH]

Over the top.

It's my health and screw anyone that doesn't like it. False pride and ego are killers.

[Goofproof]

It wouldn't bother me because of XPAP, but if a company thinks it's important to them for me to be away from home, they can pretend to be a REAL company, and pay for the costs of my inconvence, this would mean a nice single room, food, and pay. Anything else and they should not consider themselves a employer. Jim

[lking]

You have OSA not some communicable disease! Tell your friend ahead of time then go on your trip and have a great time!

[sleeplessinaz]

Hello--I don't tell everyone I know about my cpap--but I was not ashamed to tell all my co workers!!! They have a right to know why I was mean, grouchy and tired all the time. I feel that I am so happy to have found a solution to my not sleeping at night so I don't think to hide it. Most people know someone or have a spouse that has it--so it is not a big deal to take your machine and mask with you on your trip. I would!!!

Carrie

[Roadie]

I wear my mask in the departure lounge at the airport, on the plane (when the airlines permit it), and any other time I am taking a planned nap, regardless of who may see me. If I want to get quality sleep I need to wear my mask, period. I could care less what either strangers or co-workers opinion might be.

I read somewhere, perhaps even on this board, some great words of wisdom, I will paraphrase...

I have a condition that if left untreated will adversely the quality of my life, and may even shorten it. This condition is easily treated by wearing a simple mask that is hooked up to a small machine. This treatment is simple, inexpensive, and effective; I would be foolish indeed to leave my condition untreated even for one night.

Roadie

[teach]

I have no problem with people knowing I use a cpap machine but I was concerned when I went to conferences and shared a room.

What I found out was that the natural noise of a hotel room (air conditioning or heat) are louder than the machine. I also was told by friends that I was silent. They couldn't believe the difference it made with my snoring.

I learned from this forum though, be sure to take an extension cord! I usually have the machine beside me in the bed so it's not on the floor.

[JeffH]

When I used to take motorcycle road trips, I took ear plugs with me. A set for me and another for my riding buddy so he couldn't gripe about any noise my machine might make. He used to laugh and call me Darth Vator, but I just laughed about it and went about my business.


JeffH

[goose]

I'm with the others -- I don't wear a placard, but I don't hide my condition from anyone.
My health is more important to me that what others may think.

I would think there are more important things to worry about than a freak (me) in an alien mask.......

Go for it and if there are questions, answer them as best you can, honestly and frankly. Educating others is not a bad thing!!!!

Edited to add: I also think that Goof is right. Any business that requires the sharing of rooms while on company business is cheesy!!!! If it's that important to them, they should be willing to pay the freight!!!!


Good luck!!!
cheers
goose

[kteague]

Well, I've been funny about who I room with long before cpap, and I can say that if I know you well enough that you're on the short list of who I'd room with, you can see me and my mask. I admit I am self-conscious about being seen in it, although not at all telling about it. But I would hope I'd never let it stop me from going anywhere I really want to go.

The idea of asking your employer for a private room sounds reasonable, or maybe you're willing to pay the difference to get one.

Kathy

[Craig-Tx]

I for one have no problem with informing people around me about sleep apnea. As it turns out, three people in a group of about 30 I work with also wear masks. You would be surprised how common this is.

I personally don't sleep without my CPAP. I just got back from a business trip to Ankara, Turkey... That means a couple of LONG flights. I received permission from the airline to use on the flight. before hosing up, I notified the flight attendants. They were all very nice about it. One of them even mentioned that shed had sleep apnea herself. I also told the person seated next to me before I strapped in. I didn't want the other passengers to question why I was wearing a mask.

I would rather tell someone that I have sleep apnea and if necessary explain to them what it and a CPAP is, than sleep next to someone I don't know snoring and gagging all night.

In my experience, I have never had anyone hold it against me.

Good luck.

Ohh an I too think a business shouldn't make employees share rooms... But I know some do.

[momadams]

Besides, the more people we share information with, the more chances of encouraging someone to go for a sleep study.
Shari

[lvwildcat]

Everyone at work knows about my sleep apnea and CPAP.
They also all know about gastric bypass I had 10 days ago.(not pretending to be like Starr Jones)

[Kharris]

Well.........
If I shared a room with someone and didn't hook up.
The snoring would quickly drive them out, our they would
be begging me to put it on.
Your not wearing it for them, do what's best for you.

[SleepGuy]

annie, I can certainly understand why you would feel at least a little uncomfortable sharing a room with a co-worker. That said, I wouldn't miss an otherwise excellent conference opportunity just because I use a CPAP. I have found very few people over 35 who aren't aware of sleep apnea and cpap machines. It seems like everyone I talk to has a friend or relative who is on CPAP (or should be). The only negative reaction I might get from people is something along the lines of "how on earth do you sleep with that contraption?"

I'd say, go for it.