CPAP users under the age of 30: where you at?

[dbebz]

Hey everyone. Was hoping to hear from your experiences if you are someone 30 or younger. I was diagnosed at the age of 27, severe sleep apnea. I’m not really overweight but have some fat on my neck etc. it looks like it runs in my family as well (brother just diagnosed and he’s 2 years younger than me).

Just want some encouragement that I’m not alone. I keep hearing from doctors (including my ENT) that it’s very unusual to be diagnosed this young and I never see people my age at the CPAP place.

[xdestry]

I'm 30, was diagnosed only this year but I'm pretty sure I've had sleep apnea for a long time. Been on cpap 3 weeks so far and still getting used to it....

[Julie]

I'd say half of that is because doctors like yours never think to refer people for testing unless they're over 50! Many of us believe we were born this way (should I ask for copyright permission ) but so few are ever diagnosed properly then.

[Deborah K.]

I agree with Julie. I KNOW my husband had apnea many years ago. He was diagnosed and began treatment three years ago, and it has made a huge and wonderful change for him! His condition was only finally discovered because he had an episode of atrial fibrillation, and the heart doctor had him do a sleep study.

So, don't feel badly about being on pap so young. You were lucky to learn early, and have many more years to obtain the benefit of proper treatment than the rest of us.

[Miss Emerita]

I was diagnosed in the Kaiser health system, and I was introduced to my machine in a group of about 15 people. Five of them looked to be under 40, and at least 3 were under 30, including one guy who looked to be about 20 and fell asleep in the waiting room before the group was called in.

I'm in a different demographic that has fewer diagnoses of apnea: female and not overweight. Fortunately my doctor ordered a sleep study when I told him I thought I would still sleep badly even if a night-time pain problem were resolved. Just so you know, children can also have sleep apnea.

So apnea patients come in all sizes, shapes, and ages. Yes, you're more likely to have it if you're older, male, and obese, but there are a whole lot of us who don't fit that profile.

Your relatively early diagnosis is wonderful, because you have a chance to avert long-term damage that can lead to stroke, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure.

[chunkyfrog]

Looking back several decades, I probably had it in my 20's, if not sooner.
I may have had it as a child, as I had the same sleep disturbances even then.
IRL, many doctors are not as smart as those on current TV shows--or as dedicated.
More than we would like to know are too much like Frank Burns on MASH.
Scions of wealthy families often party and cheat their way through school.
MEDICAL SCHOOL.

[dbebz]

Thanks Chunkyfrog! Yes, I just turned 28 a couple months ago, but I honestly think I’ve had it since my early 20s. Why? Because I remember going to house parties and spending the night and I’ve had many people make comments the next morning such as “you make funny noises while you sleep man,” “you sounded like you were choking to death” and so on. I brushed it off and didn’t think much about it.

The doctors said it’s good I caught it early to hopefully prevent negative health effects. And my experience prompted my younger brother to get tested. We both have severe sleep apnea.

I’m not a huge fan of visiting doctors but glad I did. Can’t imagine just letting it be for decades. It’s nice to hear the experiences knowing I’m not the only one this young diagnosed.

[dbebz]

Just wanted to thank all of you for your replies. It really does help. I felt quite isolated when I was diagnosed because I know almost nobody who has sleep apnea. Knowing there’s people who also don’t fit the typical age/demographic definitely helps.

[greatunclebill]

you have apnea at a younger age but just like glasses, most peoples bodies adjust for it but as we age the body quits compensating and we notice we're tired all the time. some people just think they are getting old and don't make the apnea connection til later in life. i noticed being tired at 35 and finally told the doc at age 40. my brother was the head of a big factory always busy and it wasn't until he got slowed down close to retirement that he realized how tired he was and told the doc. the docs usually don't worry about apnea until the patient is sick and tired of being sick and tired, the one symptom we all have in common.

[Bookbear]

Many years ago on this forum there was a guy in his early 20's, skinny as a rail, went by the screenname Swordz. REALLY didn't fit the overweight/over 50 stereotype There have been other young'uns on the forum over the years... you are NOT alone in your diagnosis!

[Pugsy]

Many years ago on this forum there was a guy in his early 20's, skinny as a rail, went by the screenname Swordz. REALLY didn't fit the overweight/over 50 stereotype There have been other young'uns on the forum over the years... you are NOT alone in your diagnosis!

Hey Bookbear....you have been around a long time. Do you remember the little girl in South America that everyone jumped in and helped her get cpap stuff? I forget her name now and wanted to share it with the OP here. She was a toddler when put on cpap and last picture I saw of her she was around maybe 7 or 8 and in school girl clothes. We followed her for years. I can't remember her name and couldn't find her old thread.
I wanted the OP to see that even toddlers end up on cpap for various reasons and let him see first hand just how young a person can be and need cpap. You know the old....no matter how sorry we might feel for ourselves there but for the grace of God goes someone else that is in worse shape.

[Bookbear]

I DO remember her! I sent $, and her doc kept us up to date on her progress for quite some time, from Brazil, iirc. I will now be up half the night trying to remember her name!

[Pugsy]

I DO remember her! I sent $, and her doc kept us up to date on her progress for quite some time, from Brazil, iirc. I will now be up half the night trying to remember her name!

I spent half the day today trying to remember and looking up old posts and couldn't find her. Now I will go to bed and let you look for half the night. For some reason Marissa comes to my mind but it wasn't Marissa but maybe something similar. I have slept way too many nights since we last got an update on her. She would be close to being a teenager now I suspect. Beautiful little girl.

[Pugsy]

I DO remember her! I sent $, and her doc kept us up to date on her progress for quite some time, from Brazil, iirc. I will now be up half the night trying to remember her name!

You can go to bed...light bulb went off just as I was about to turn the computer off...Larissa and not Marissa...I was close.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=104902&p=990601&hil ... sa#p990601

If anyone is curious the above thread contains a link to the original thread that is quite long and carries on a long time with lots of pictures over the years.

[Bookbear]

Bingo! Little Larissa. And looking at the old threads... so many nostalgic screen names....

Brazilian (Nelson) who got it all started
Banned
Ozij
RestedGal (and her bright red cardinal in the snow)
Dr. Silvana
Claudia Toledo (Madam Blue Clown)

Of course, people come and go here, it's the nature of things on internet forums. I like to point to cpaptalk as an example of the profound good in terms of support and information that places like this are capable of. The newly-diagnosed come here, curious, worried, sometimes scared or desperate; and they fine a wealth of solid information and a crew of experienced and willing fellow sufferers to help them navigate a completely new life experience.

Hats off to the people who have helped others, and especially the oldsters (I'm using the term affectionately) like Pugsy, kteague, and many others who are still here and still helping.

Mark