Seeking insight from mild and/or younger apnea sufferers

[AlecBerg]

Hi, I was recently diagnosed with mild sleep apnea (AHI 9). At only mid-twenties, I am sort of frustrated by this. I am in very good shape and work out 5 days a week. However, my dad and older brother both have sleep apnea to varying degrees, so it's not a total shock. While my fiance has been very supportive (and she's happy I won't be snoring), the thought of wearing a mask in bed for the rest of my life seems really weird and a little disheartening. I can't even talk to her before sleeping and obviously intimacy takes a little advanced planning. I think if I were older, like my dad's age, I wouldnt mind as much, but I feel like I am too young to need this. Any advice from other young people on how to adjust to this reality?

Also, for those who have mild apnea and limited symptoms, how much of a difference has cpap made for you? I've had the machine only a few days and I am still adjusting. I've slept worse so far, but I think will adjust ok once I'm used to the mask. I got a sleep study in the first place because my terrible snoring was keeping my fiance up, and because my dad and brother have it. I never felt exceptionally tired or had trouble staying awake, although I do drink a fair amount of caffeine during the day, which could be masking it. My concern is that I'll have to use this machine and won't see any tangible benefit in my day to day life. I realize I need to treat the apnea for long term health benefits, and so I don't snore, but I will be frustrated if I don't feel any more energetic or alert. I'm hoping I've been a lot more tired than I realize and now I'll feel more alive. Have any other mild sufferers had similar experiences, wherein you didn't realize how tired you were and the machine helped? If so, how long did it take you to feel better/different? Have any other mild sufferers had success with other treatments, namely surgery? With the reportedly low success rates I'd hate to have surgery and still end up needing the cpap machine. However at my young age, I feel like surgery could be a worthwhile option, rather than a strange machine for the next 50 or 60 years. Sorry for the length of the post but just wanted to give some context.

[williamco]

for mild apnea like that, try high pillow, Didge excercise, mandible advance device, side sleeping and see if you can putt off the CPAP for few more years
I highly recommend trying the Didge, it worked with me when I had mild apnea

[drubin007]

Welcome to the forum, and I think I can relate. I am 40, not overweight, and do not feel different after being on cpap for 6+ months now.
I questioned why I was put on it in the first place. I went to the doctor (ENT) for a clogged ear, wound up having an allergy test done, finding I am allergic to a lot of things, scheduling a sleep study, and at the time, still could not hear from that ear. I felt like I should leave his office and admit myself to hospice.
I was given antibiotics which cleared the ear problem up, and 2 sleep studies (with and without cpap) to determine I did have OSA.
I am married, 2 kids and theres no question, having a hose attached to your face makes intimacy (much less conversation) impossible.
As at least one person in here will attest, I questioned why am I using this thing? I feel the same, never felt THAT bad in the first place, and is this my punishment for telling the ENT I would die a painful death before having UPPP surgery?
I came to my realization I guess when I went for my 3 month follow up with the doctor, and I asked for the sleep studies (both of them). before finding this site, I did not know I should have done that. Bottom line (for me) the sleep studies showed that I do need cpap. I do not remember my numbers now, but cpap did make a difference. I have been 100% compliant since day one, and truth be told; I do not feel different. It is knowing from the results that it is working for me that keeps me complaint. I guess I am fortunate in the fact that I do not have a lot of the bad symptoms so many people in here do; my incentive on staying compliant is to prevent anything from getting worse.
It sucks wearing a hose every night, I will not bullshit ya on that. In addition nobody can force you to do it. But, if you step outside the box and look at the long term results, its worth it. I would rather be inconvenienced by a hose every night then having my livelihood cut short by having heart problems, a stroke or raised blood pressure.

[ivory]

Mine is mild-moderate. I didn't feel the "night and day" difference from CPAP that some of my friends with more severe apnea described. What I noticed was that after a few weeks I no longer told my coworkers that I was exhausted at 4pm like I used to, and I felt more alert driving home at night. I also felt less groggy when waking up in the morning.

CPAP sounded like a horrible life sentence at first, but frankly, after the first few weeks of getting used to it, it's been a non-issue. Sure it takes a bit of planning when travelling, and you can't really talk right up to the moment you fall asleep, but big deal. I found that the Nasal Aire II mask (without headgear) is perfect for me - easy to get on at night (so I can put it on right before going to sleep), and less obtrusive than other masks so I can still read, etc. at night.

Personally, the fact that you think surgery - with all the risks/costs/low success rate - sounds better than wearing a mask while you're sleeping leads me to believe you haven't given CPAP a real chance yet. What would you lose if you did CPAP for a year and then decided whether you hated it enough to go under the knife? Just give it time.

[Julie]

Hi... Two things - one is that you won't be wearing it your whole life - science and technology will change that probably within 10 yrs. Second is that without knowing what equipment you're using, it's hard to help. I'll assume you were given a nasal mask (Swift Mirage?) so it's quite possible the reason you're feeling no different is because you could be sleeping with your mouth open and losing all the cpap air - your fiancee should be able to tell you. In which case, you need to investigate "full face" masks (just nasal ones that extend a bit to cover your mouth, letting it be open and still allowing therapy to work). Makes a huge difference! But please go to your member page and fill out the profile part (with text tho', not icons, so we don't have click on your pix for info. each time).

[williamco]

also I don't know if drubin007 agrees with me on that or not, but so many psychological shocks wares off by time
at the beginning you are shocked for having to wear a mask like that, after few months it doesn't have the same trauma that it had on you at the beginning, it becomes second nature, so don't judge your life (50-60 years you counted) based on how you feel now.
same time next year, you won't feel that miserable, actually few months all what it takes

also if you try to do surgery to avoid CPAP misery for 50-60 years of your life span, watch that you might take another pain in the back for 50-60 years, because surgery is like a gun, once you pull the trigger, there is no way back, and some of them have bad consequences

[drubin007]

also I don't know if drubin007 agrees with me on that or not, but so many psychological shocks wares off by time
at the beginning you are shocked for having to wear a mask like that, after few months it doesn't have the same trauma that it had on you at the beginning, it becomes second nature, so don't judge your life (50-60 years you counted) based on how you feel now.
same time next year, you won't feel that miserable, actually few months all what it takes

There is no doubt, the thought of 40+ years with a hose stuck to my noggin does not sound fun, nor something I wish to look forward to. Luckily, I do not travel anymore, but do need to plan for a camping trip in a few weeks. We will have electrical hookup, so I can bring my machine.
For me, I am a results driven person. Sure, I feel the same. Im tired, but thats just my personality (I am constantly running somewhere and cannot catch up on sleep or downtime). Seeing the sleep studies and doing my own research gave me the answers I was searching for. I do not trust a doctor with my health, he is not living my life. By finding this site, asking tons of questions, and performing my own homework, I came to the conclusion It had to be done. It does take some time to get used to a hose (and a chin strap/tape or some other accessories you may include) but bottom line is I know I am doing what I need to do so as to not be a burden to my family in later years.

[AlecBerg]

Thanks everyone for the insights so far. You're right in that I haven't given the CPAP much time at all yet. I realize I could have far worse problems than sleeping with a CPAP machine. I was just hoping to hear some positive responses from people in a situation similar to mine. Most of the people I see on these boards appear to be at a different stage in life so I was hoping to hear a situation I could relate to.

[roster]

Man, I wish mine had been diagnosed and treatment started when I was your age. Life would have been so much better and I would not have the brain damage I have to deal with now (ADD and memory problems).

But do join and fill out your profile and get help from the patients here. There are many things you can learn from the members to make the therapy effective and not so uncomfortable.

[rested gal]

Welcome to the message board Alec.

Do searches for posts written by these three people:
blarg, College Girl, swordz

Those are three cpaptalk members who are in their early to mid-twenties. Perhaps blarg or College Girl will see this topic and hop in to offer you their insights.

Hi... Two things - one is that you won't be wearing it your whole life - science and technology will change that probably within 10 yrs.

I agree with Julie on that.

Take a look at this topic started by rooster:
"Update March 17, 2009: Implantable Device Replaces CPAP"
viewtopic.php?p=343232#p343232

In the meantime, one surgery in particular I'd rule out, if I were you...and not be tempted AT ALL to try... is the one called UPPP.

[ivory]

I was just hoping to hear some positive responses from people in a situation similar to mine. Most of the people I see on these boards appear to be at a different stage in life so I was hoping to hear a situation I could relate to.

I am 30, on CPAP for approximately 7 months now. I did feel like you in the beginning. I decided that I would not do CPAP, but I knew the only way my sleep doc would work with me on an alternative treatment is if I showed him that I could not do CPAP even though I'd tried my best. So I decided to be perfectly compliant for a month. 100% I'd show him!

I felt really stupid wearing the CPAP in front of my SO, and yes, it did interfere with intimacy, etc. For the first few weeks I had to get my whole set up on in front of the bathroom mirror, so I'd come to bed all "suited up." Bummer. I was worried that my SO would hate the noise of the machine but actually, we both find it kind of pleasant white noise. I worried that I'd end up directing a major stream of freezing exhaust air from the mask into his face and he'd freak out (it does sometimes hit him, but he's never freaked out about it).

Now it's no big deal - I can put on my mask in the dark right before I go to sleep. I don't have to actually come to bed all suited up.

I worried that it would be horrible to travel with it - TSA would open it in front of everyone in line and I'd have to explain OSA, but actually, TSA has been great about it. They know what the CPAP is and they handle it carefully and quickly. No problems.

I worried that people would find out that I have OSA and be really weirded out because I am so young. But actually, I mentioned it to one person at work who told me her husband (also my age) uses CPAP...and then I found out that another coworker's sister and father use CPAP, and then I found out that another coworker was going to do a sleep study...almost everyone I have talked to about it either uses CPAP or has someone close to them who does. No big deal.

I hope you stick with the CPAP. If for no other reason than you will probably have a better time convincing the sleep doc to refer you for surgery if you can point to a couple months 100% perfect compliance with CPAP and tell him honestly that it didn't work for you despite your best efforts. With any luck, you'll discover that CPAP isn't that bad and does actually improve your quality of life in a tangible way.

[RRTRPSGT]

Sounds like positional sleep apnea. By sleeping on your back gravity applies pressure on an already comprised upper airway. Maybe also due to anatomy challenges. Ex: broken nose, deviated septum. I would simply try sleeping on my side and not put much thought on an AHI of 9. Its a very low #. You could try the classic tennis/baseball sewn into a shirt prefabbly in the center of the back. This will prevent you from sleeping on your back and force you to sleep on your side thus, applying less pressure on your airway.

[subii]

I’m 25 and have been on CPAP for just under a year now. I initially went to the doctor because I had trouble going to sleep; he gave me some sleeping pills and ordered a sleep study. Two weeks later I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, 54 events per hour. My doctor was amazed that I had so many events. I’m physically fit (besides very high blood pressure which has now gone down), don’t smoke, and even stopped drinking after college. I’ve struggled with sleep my entire life but have always just ignored it (or drank a ton of Mountain Dew each day). In college I would take naps between classes otherwise I probably would not have made it.

The first two weeks on CPAP were hell but then I had a magical night, I woke up 30 minutes before my alarm clock and felt amazing. Every night won’t be amazing, but just having the hope of feeling normal is enough for me. Reading about the long term effects of apnea also scared me into compliance.

My friends were a little disturbed at first but now they don’t even care. My boss was completely understanding as she has been on CPAP for about three years now. I take my CPAP every time I travel for work or vacation.
Overall, CPAP has been a great improvement in my life. I am still working out some kinks. My doctor just took me off sleep meds and has been experimenting with different masks and chin straps along with Cognitive Behavior Therapy. He mentioned surgery because of my age but said I had several factors working against me and that surgery would not cure my apnea.

[kteague]

I'm no longer in the young (or fit) category - was both when I first had symptoms of OSA but was not diagnosed with mild OSA until in my fifties. Has since gone to moderate then severe. I think the young, and especially otherwise healthy, are amazingly resilient and compensate for the OSA well, but all along it is behind the scenes sabotaging your health and future. Look at CPAP as a preventative health measure, like eating right and exercising - it's an investment in your future, hopefully a future where your mind will be sharp and body strong, because you purposed it.

[Froro]

I'm going to answer this as a 40 year old who still feels like she is in her 20's and her old self again since starting CPAP.

When I got diagnosed this last year it was like I was hit in the stomach. My foggy brain could not wrap my head around it. I didn't sleep much but when I did sleep, I felt it was reasonably restful. (I have severe OSA) Regardless of this, I was in denial and I was angry. I searched for a "surgical cure", hellbent that I would not live my life attached to a hose and a machine.

Things that went through my brain. (some rational, some not, but all valid as that is what I FELT at the time)

I've lasted this long without it, who needs it, really?
My husband is going to think I'm ugly
Our sex life is going to take a nose dive (not that it already hadn't because I was so tired all the time)
What about my freedom and spontanity? What if I feel like taking off for a weekend? Travel? who wants to travel with this.
My husband is going to think I'm ugly
I'm no longer going to be attractive
My husband is going to think I'm ugly
What if my husband dies, how will I attract a new partner with this thing attached to my face at night? (I said not all my thoughts were rational)
I'm no longer going to be attractive.

Catching a theme here? Yes it is vain, yes it is selfish and childish, but they were still real feelings. So much of my self worth has been based on image and appearance that it was a natural place to go. It took me years and years to be comfortable in my appearance and be proud of how I looked. When you get to that point after spending half your life thinking your ugly, it doesn't take much to knock you back down.

Funny thing happened. The more I researche dthe more I realized there was no cure. I voiced my concern to my husband about feeling ugly aand feeling like he would leave me because of that. While he said it would never change how he felt, I still had my doubts.

Then the machine came in. Know what happened? I slept for the first time in at least two decades. I slept for a month. I feel 20 years younger, and I'm back to me again. I have more energy to do the million things I need to do in a day, and I don't drop into bed at night.
Our sex life not only did not suffer, It improved significantly. No planning for intimacy. It just happens, whether I'm masked up or not. We talk more than we ever have. I usually am awake longer than he is so when the conversation dies down and he is drifitng, I put on the mask then. I've learned how to talk with the mask on (a little bit, it's wierd but I can do it).

All those irrational fears I had and all the silliness in my own head around being attractive/ugly, etc was put to rest.

Reality is. I fyour partner loves you (for all the right reasons and not just the exterior shell), nothing is going to change the way they feel.

While I'm still not enamoured with the thought of living the rest of my life with this thing attached to my face at night, it's no biggie if I am. The real me is back, and stronger than ever. That person my husband fell in love with nearly 20 years ago is back. Not grumpy, not tired. Looking back I'm shocked he has put up with me the last few years I've been so miserable.