women with apnea

comet313 · Post by **comet313** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:45 am

Was diagnosed a few years ago, but never did use the machine. Now because I've had palpitations, I've decided (after going to cardiologist for all tests and all coming back normal) it must be the apnea. The heart flutters occur upon awakening. It seems embarrassing to me as most men have apnea. Somehow I am depressed that all feminity is gone. Oh well, guess its better to be alive!! Any other women out there with the same feeling?

flocof · Post by **flocof** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:52 am

Yes...I had the same thing...went to cardiologist, all tests normal...yet I had heart flutters, and it felt like I was choking on many occasions! Then on two occasions I had chest pains, and a feeling of being so unwell, with a tightening of the jaw, it lasted a couple of minutes. I had an idea I had sleep apnea, but was never diagnosed. I am so glad I had the sleep study, and am now on CPAP therapy. I don't feel unfeminine because of it at all! Many women have sleep apnea.

comet313 · Post by **comet313** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:15 am

Thank you for your reply. You have a great attitude about it. As long as I feel better, I'll be happy!

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:29 am

There was a poll a while back about male vs female cpap users. We are no longer much of a minority and pretty much have proven that the men don't have a monopoly with sleep apnea.
Our numbers are strong so you will have lots of company.

While I would rather not have to use the machine, I fear that the alternative is even less feminine.
You know...the heart attack or stroke that comes up short and leaves us not being able to care for ourselves and maybe needing Depends as nightly attire and not just a little mask.

There are things we can do to make all this more comfortable and even more feminine if we want to.

BlackSpinner · Post by **BlackSpinner** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:49 am

comet313 wrote:Was diagnosed a few years ago, but never did use the machine. Now because I've had palpitations, I've decided (after going to cardiologist for all tests and all coming back normal) it must be the apnea. The heart flutters occur upon awakening. It seems embarrassing to me as most men have apnea. Somehow I am depressed that all feminity is gone. Oh well, guess its better to be alive!! Any other women out there with the same feeling?

You are out of date. Women as well as men have sleep apnea.
Your femininity is not tied up to a cpap machine. Diapers after a stroke are far less feminine even if they are pink.

Being awake, with energy and a better attitude towards life is what makes for "femininity", not the tools to get there.

msradar65 · Post by **msradar65** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 11:17 am

I never really looked at my wearing CPAP as making me less feminine. I do feel better, sleep better and function better in the day. Also until you partner is a vampire and watches you sleep all night who really cares?

nanwilson · Post by **nanwilson** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 11:20 am

I've had 3 warning heat attacks.......you don't want to go there!!!!!!! Keep using your cpap machine, believe me it is a god send. Yes, I am female and I don't give a tinkers dam what anyone thinks of my machine...its helping to keep me ALIVE!!!!

Bluecat · Post by **Bluecat** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 12:09 pm

I am female.
I don't feel less feminine because I use a CPAP. In fact, I even feel more feminine now that I don't snore like a freight train

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 12:36 pm

Heart disease and OSA kill too many women each year because of that sorry misconception.
The idea of gender-linked disorders is defective reasoning in many cases.
--For example, men can still have breast cancer, because everybody has 'ta-tas'.

Resister · Post by **Resister** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 12:43 pm

I SOOOO get where you're coming from. That was me six months ago! Oh-so-worried what my hot hubby was going to think.

Well, fast forward to today, and I'm still sexy. HAHA! Seriously, my hubby has been great through the adjustment, but as long as it's true confessions time I might as well admit I still wait for him to fall asleep before masking up.

Yes, I'm a chicken. I never said I wasn't! (Don't let the penguin fool ya) But I've come a long ways from where I was, and someday I'll strap the durn thing on while he's awake, declare my sexiness, and move on.

xenablue · Post by **xenablue** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 1:51 pm

Actually... no I don't have that feeling at all. I feel fortunate that I'm getting the proper therapy that actually allows me to wake up each morning. Getting used to a not-so-sexy-looking mask is way better than the alternative IMHO.

Maintaining good health and keeping good control over my various ailments, mean I am able to get up each day, put on makeup, do my hair, dress in nice clothes and go to my job. XPAP lets me have a good night's sleep so that my wrinkles have lessened, my skin is clearer and I feel more energetic than before therapy.

Oh, and I still feel just as feminine, and my dear hubby never makes me feel less than feminine even with my mask on.

I'm a huge believer that successful XPAP therapy depends on a great attitude.

Cheers,
xena

Otter · Post by **Otter** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 1:54 pm

Resister wrote:Well, fast forward to today, and I'm still sexy. HAHA! Seriously, my hubby has been great through the adjustment, but as long as it's true confessions time I might as well admit I still wait for him to fall asleep before masking up.

Few men would care about something like that, especially once the relationship is well established. A man in love won't let a little plastic slow him down.

What most women fail to realize is that you are inherently feminine. You're women, eh? CPAP won't change that. You don't need to be anything but what you are to be feminine. And in fact, women are most sexy when they're not trying to be. When you are just being yourself, your femininity is the most genuine, and hence, the most appealing.

Flip it around. Are men more masculine when they're posturing and trying to adhere to hollywood stereotypes, or when they're being confidently themselves? If you were single again, would you go for the poser, or for the man who didn't need to pose? It's the same when we look at you.

No really, it is, no matter what the fashion and cosmetics industries are trying to sell you this week. And no matter what you need to strap onto your face to get a good night's sleep. Be yourself, and you will be sexy. Even your mask will become sexy, simply because you are a woman, it is real, and it is yours.

SleepingUgly · Post by **SleepingUgly** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 1:57 pm

Post-menopause, women are not a minority in having apnea.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:19 pm

Oh, come on now; isn't the mask, headgear, hose thing just a little bit kinky-bondage-really twisted?
With the right 'tude, it can be downright HOT!

ThirdOutOfFive · Post by **ThirdOutOfFive** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 4:27 pm

I've been a snorer for years, just like my mom (and dad). I went for the sleep study to prove to Hubby that I do not have apnea. Boy, was I surprised! I still feel like a woman -- after 62 years, I just can't figure out how not to be a woman.

But, yes, the adjustment to PAPpy can be difficult. I'm 6 months in and still not completely happy with this therapy. But, Hubby is happy with the lower decibel level in our bedroom; beats separate rooms, which is what Mom & Dad did eventually. If your significant other objects to PAPpy, well, maybe you need to re-evaluate your relationship. Any partner that cares more about my appearance than my health is not someone I want to be with.

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