Any "younger" people on here?

[Gekko]

I don't mean to segregate people, but I was wondering if there were any younger people on here using CPAP treatment. I only ask because I know that sometimes, when you're younger, the idea of using CPAP may seem like a scary prospect. I'm 36 (so not young at all), but I know that I avoided doing a sleep study for years because I was worried about what people would think if I started on CPAP. Now that I'm past 35 I've matured and realise my health is more important than "image". Anyone in the same boat?

[ktsdad]

40 here and CPAP is as much for my wife's peace and quiet as mine.

[dave21]

I'm 37, was diagnosed when I was 32 but I'm pretty sure I've suffered from Sleep Apnea for a good 10+ years.

[DreamOn]

I've been hanging around here for about five months, and there have been some forum members who mentioned they were in their 20s. Since many people here don't reveal their age, there may be more younger people than we realize.

As sleep apnea becomes more widely recognized I hope that doctors will diagnose people earlier in life. I had sleep apnea for at least 15 years before I was diagnosed. It did a lot of damage to mind and body during those years. Fortunately, I have responded very well to therapy but there is probably some damage that can't be reversed now. I am very thankful that there is a way to manage it, but it makes me sad that CPAP wasn't started sooner.

[Gekko]

Thanks for the replies. I walked around in a fog for a number of years because I thought that being diagnosed with sleep apnea would limit my lifestyle. Ironically, it seems to be the other way around. Even with 2 weeks of treatment, I'm starting to feel a lot more energetic.

[dave21]

I walked around in a daze of fog too before I was diagnosed. I had changed job due to redundancy and started working for another company that allowed me to work from home 4 days a week as the commute was so long. I found myself falling asleep every day at lunch times at my desk. Strangely enough I used to think it was amusing when i started work when I was 17 when one of my 60 yr old colleagues used to doze off in exactly the same way and have hit bi-hourly naps. I thought it was just normal because I was used to a busy work day and with the new company it was fairly relaxed doing graphics work and web design, and I wasn't used to working from home that amount of time. I just figured that I was becoming bored in the day and dozing off because of it. I've always had comments for 10 years prior about my loud snoring.

The problem is it comes on gradually and you get used to it so you think it's the norm. Now I never nap in the day, have much more energy and less heart palpitations (which was what led me to discover I had Sleep Apnea).

The thing to remember is Sleep Apnea is a disease (although the D word sounds a little harsh but it's true), and that it affects people in all walks of life. Although there's a lot of strength put onto obesity and being overweight being the contributing factor, we have to remember (as there was a post recently in the forum) that you don't have to be obese or grossly overweight to suffer from Apnea. Likewise it's not just people in their 50's, 60's and 70's that suffer from Sleep Apnea, some babies, kids and young adults also suffer from it.

It's a bit of an evil that manifests itself in various ways in the form of the soft palet closing, the tongue slipping to the back of the neck, even your brain stopping sending the signal to breath.

That's the great thing about this forum is there's people from all age groups and all walks of life and spread across the globe tat suffer from Sleep Apnea and are willing to share their experiences.

Thanks
Dave

[cflame1]

I'm 40 myself... was diagnosed in my late 30's... I avoided discussing the lack of sleep that I was having for a long time, until my mom told me about my dad's test, that it was positive.

[SingleMom]

I'm 26, and was diagnosed at 24. I think it's somehow related to living in a basement, or I just can't get the settings right.

I was extremely excited to have been diagnosed. I thought it would explain my daytime naps, inability to wake up, help with a few pounds, more energy, etc. Instead, I now nap with CPAP, have been having the hardest time trying to get out of bed, have gained weight since starting therapy, and am just beyond worn out all around.

I have started antidepressants, but after a month so far, still nothing. I'm finally seeing a foot Dr for accessory navicular bone syndrome and get orthotics tomorrow, but so far the meds are not helping. I'm also in physical therapy to help with my back and feet.

I feel so old now! LOL

[Gekko]

Hey Singlemom,

Sorry to hear that it's not going well. It seems that there is something going wrong with your treatment, or there is some other underlying condition. Have you been tested for anemia, lyme disease, mononucleosis, etc? There are lots of conditions that can make you feel worn out and tired. Sleep apnea may only be one condition.

I strongly urge you to do your best to stick with CPAP therapy. I've heard so many stories about how it's changed people's lives and after only two weeks, I feel like I'm a convert.

I think the one thing I've learnt from this forum is that while doctors and CPAP providers are well intentioned, it's really up to the individual to experiment to make sure they get it right. Every person is different. These forums are chock full of information and I suggest you do your best to work through all the combinations until you find something that works for you.

Best of luck!

[asylvia]

i'm 28 and was diagnosed in January.

[DreamStalker]

I'm 50 ... and I'm about 20 years younger now that I have successful cpap treatment.

[asylvia]

i was diagnosed after my girlfriend kept complaining of my snoring. i went to see an ENT and she recommended a sleep test. i thought my tiredness was just normal, though it wasn't so bad that i'd fall asleep in precarious places or anything, just tired. now i'm on cpap therapy, and things are gradually getting better.

[WearyOne]

This might give you a better idea...

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=48634&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=poll+age

And here's another one...

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44591&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=poll+age

[Brobbi]

I'm 38! Its not an age thing at all...my neighbor's 10 yr old was diagnosed with it and has been on cpap for a few months longer than I have.

I'm still trying to get the knack of this. I was doing really well until I went and saw my Dr. who said as long as I used the mask for 4 hrs a night he was happy. Well that was the wrong thing to tell me because I hit that 4 hr mark and off comes the mask. But I am retraining my brain (again) to forget what he said and keep it on all night long. I did that last night for the 1st time in a week or so and I was exhausted when I woke up but I also slept the best I have in a week. So I'll continue to plug along & make this a priority for me & for my family.

[Wolfhound668]

40 here and on my second attempt at cpap. I was first diagnosed a few years ago, tried cpap for a year and a half, wasn't tolerating it, had a uppp, was better for a couple of years, put on weight, symptoms are back, titrated last Friday and am waiting for them to schedule delivery of my new machine to use while I try to get my weight back down.