Other than spouses or partners, who have you told about your OSA condition? I'm asking because I wonder what kind of responses you've gotten.
But also, I get the feeling that you can be one of the best sources of helpful OSA info.
When I first learned I had this, I told only a few family members and friends. Only two weeks ago did I get around to telling my boss. And only after doing this did I feel comfortable enough to discuss it with a couple of close co-workers.
Diane became quite curious and asked questions, because she has wondered if her father might have some problem. I explained it and also gave her some internet info, on Friday.
Today, Diane passed my desk, and in her typical comic fashion, said, "Linda, you managed to give me a whole new meaning for the word 'arousal'!" (meaning the description of the brain's arousal process) This was quite a chuckle. She joked sarcastically, "50 or 60 arousals an hour?! I'm lucky if I get that many in one year!!"
All jokes aside, I realized that because I decided to be open about my condition, regardless of the feared response, I may have been able to help at least one person. Diane may be able to help her father, but if not, her interest was such that she might be in a position to help others, thanks to the information I sent her way. I say all this, because, you might consider being OSA's best advocate, at least to a few people. I don't recommend telling just anyone, but you might be able to help somebody.
Forgive the ramble.
Linda
Who have you told?
Re: Who have you told?
Hi
I agree with you. People are curious, but then there are those who are ''afraid'' of anything with regard to health. I have found this as a diabetic, that any time anyone mentions a problem with someone else due to diabetes complications, quite often I get "but that won't happen to you"!! As if I thought what someone else was experiencing negatively was about me. We're intelligent to know that complications exist for any ailment, condition, disease, medication problems, etc.
Actually, most of the people I've mentioned it to say, HEY I HAVE THAT, or "HEY I THINK MY HUSBAND, WIFE, PARTNER" snores too much. What do you call this apnea, how do you treat it. Once I explain treatment is where the brain fog goes into effect, most people who are not pro active, into denial, or just downright non compliant, don't and won't seek treament, counsel, and therapy, no matter what the problem/prognosis is.
I figure it this way, I am watching out for ME, to help ME, and any side benefits to family and friends is a PLUS!! Like having me around longer!
I agree with you. People are curious, but then there are those who are ''afraid'' of anything with regard to health. I have found this as a diabetic, that any time anyone mentions a problem with someone else due to diabetes complications, quite often I get "but that won't happen to you"!! As if I thought what someone else was experiencing negatively was about me. We're intelligent to know that complications exist for any ailment, condition, disease, medication problems, etc.
Actually, most of the people I've mentioned it to say, HEY I HAVE THAT, or "HEY I THINK MY HUSBAND, WIFE, PARTNER" snores too much. What do you call this apnea, how do you treat it. Once I explain treatment is where the brain fog goes into effect, most people who are not pro active, into denial, or just downright non compliant, don't and won't seek treament, counsel, and therapy, no matter what the problem/prognosis is.
I figure it this way, I am watching out for ME, to help ME, and any side benefits to family and friends is a PLUS!! Like having me around longer!
LDuyer wrote:Other than spouses or partners, who have you told about your OSA condition? I'm asking because I wonder what kind of responses you've gotten.
But also, I get the feeling that you can be one of the best sources of helpful OSA info.
When I first learned I had this, I told only a few family members and friends. Only two weeks ago did I get around to telling my boss. And only after doing this did I feel comfortable enough to discuss it with a couple of close co-workers.
Diane became quite curious and asked questions, because she has wondered if her father might have some problem. I explained it and also gave her some internet info, on Friday.
Today, Diane passed my desk, and in her typical comic fashion, said, "Linda, you managed to give me a whole new meaning for the word 'arousal'!" (meaning the description of the brain's arousal process) This was quite a chuckle. She joked sarcastically, "50 or 60 arousals an hour?! I'm lucky if I get that many in one year!!"
All jokes aside, I realized that because I decided to be open about my condition, regardless of the feared response, I may have been able to help at least one person. Diane may be able to help her father, but if not, her interest was such that she might be in a position to help others, thanks to the information I sent her way. I say all this, because, you might consider being OSA's best advocate, at least to a few people. I don't recommend telling just anyone, but you might be able to help somebody.
Forgive the ramble.
Linda
Gailzee,
Love your wonderful positive attitude!
Diabetes must be tough.
I must practice your wonderful attitude.
My brother quit his cpap treatment not long after starting it. He asks me how it's going, and I feel like not telling him I still struggle with it. I'd rather it be good news so he'll get back to it. Just today I asked him what was the problem, .....the mask, naturally. I'll see him Sunday. Maybe I can encourage him to start again. He has heart problems, and even though his OSA is much milder than mine, I bet he would benefit from the treatment. Hope I can convince him to try again.
Linda
Love your wonderful positive attitude!
Diabetes must be tough.
I must practice your wonderful attitude.
My brother quit his cpap treatment not long after starting it. He asks me how it's going, and I feel like not telling him I still struggle with it. I'd rather it be good news so he'll get back to it. Just today I asked him what was the problem, .....the mask, naturally. I'll see him Sunday. Maybe I can encourage him to start again. He has heart problems, and even though his OSA is much milder than mine, I bet he would benefit from the treatment. Hope I can convince him to try again.
Linda
Hi Linda,
So there I was, having just a great pee in the urinal. Now, when was that? Hard to remember - brain fog and all, damn apnea! It must have been the morning coffee break, I take water pills to kind of keep the swelling in my ankles down so first coffee break I just go on and on - in the urinal I mean. Sometimes it seems I could go right on to lunch time.
Wait!! Maybe it was lunch time - damn apnea, brain fog and all I just can't remember. No, wouldn't be lunch time as I spend most of the time eating (have to keep up my weight so damn apnea stays intact) so wouldn't have time to chit chat about - what was it? - damn apnea I think.
Now that I've really concentrated on this I do remember; it was the afternoon coffee break- at the urinal of course. There I was, ejecting the remnants of the unforgiving water pill - on and on again. Heart's beating freely though and this is when it happened!
Listening to the incessant flow within the glistening urnial I happened to overhear a conversation wherein one participant confessed she had difficulty staying awake at work, tired all the time, no energy and so forth. Right then and there I knew the problem - one of us was in the wrong bathroom! Damn apnea, it was me! She was a he and very much overweight like myself.
Anyway, I flushed, rather hurridly, as I wanted to impart my new found information on, what was it now, I forget - oh yeah, apnea.
My audience was captivated and agreed he should seek attention.
Just to be serious, and this is very serious Linda, get your ass out of the closet. Tell everyone you meet where the circumstances even slightly warrant it, about this awful affliction. Many people just stagger through their lives and don't know what is wrong. I was one of them! I've only been on this a short time but already feel so much better. A couple of months ago I would never have posted on a board like this (and will probably be advised not to if I keep this up) but who cares, I feel great!
My impression is you're just too nice and tend to pussyfoot around the subject. Stomp into the washroom and tell it like it is! For that matter, why don't we all do it!
Take a deep breath and stay healthy.
Bob F
PS - was RG right?
PPS - is it ordinary, sea, kosher or seasoned? He didn't reply - I gots to know!
So there I was, having just a great pee in the urinal. Now, when was that? Hard to remember - brain fog and all, damn apnea! It must have been the morning coffee break, I take water pills to kind of keep the swelling in my ankles down so first coffee break I just go on and on - in the urinal I mean. Sometimes it seems I could go right on to lunch time.
Wait!! Maybe it was lunch time - damn apnea, brain fog and all I just can't remember. No, wouldn't be lunch time as I spend most of the time eating (have to keep up my weight so damn apnea stays intact) so wouldn't have time to chit chat about - what was it? - damn apnea I think.
Now that I've really concentrated on this I do remember; it was the afternoon coffee break- at the urinal of course. There I was, ejecting the remnants of the unforgiving water pill - on and on again. Heart's beating freely though and this is when it happened!
Listening to the incessant flow within the glistening urnial I happened to overhear a conversation wherein one participant confessed she had difficulty staying awake at work, tired all the time, no energy and so forth. Right then and there I knew the problem - one of us was in the wrong bathroom! Damn apnea, it was me! She was a he and very much overweight like myself.
Anyway, I flushed, rather hurridly, as I wanted to impart my new found information on, what was it now, I forget - oh yeah, apnea.
My audience was captivated and agreed he should seek attention.
Just to be serious, and this is very serious Linda, get your ass out of the closet. Tell everyone you meet where the circumstances even slightly warrant it, about this awful affliction. Many people just stagger through their lives and don't know what is wrong. I was one of them! I've only been on this a short time but already feel so much better. A couple of months ago I would never have posted on a board like this (and will probably be advised not to if I keep this up) but who cares, I feel great!
My impression is you're just too nice and tend to pussyfoot around the subject. Stomp into the washroom and tell it like it is! For that matter, why don't we all do it!
Take a deep breath and stay healthy.
Bob F
PS - was RG right?
PPS - is it ordinary, sea, kosher or seasoned? He didn't reply - I gots to know!
unclebob
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Janelle
I brought it up on one of the dog breed lists I'm on (about 600 people==hows that for spreading the word), because many of us drive long distances to dog shows and many of us get sleep driving. Most will probably attribute it to not getting enough sleep at the shows, getting up very early,going to bed late, but I wanted them to know how dangerous it could be untreated, when it was more than just normal sleep deprivation, both for their health and their risk to fellow drivers. At least one person has been scheduled for a Sleep Study, and possibly there are more out there who have recognized themselves in my report. I know of several people in my dog breed who have been on the hose for up to 10 years.
Janelle --
What a great story, great knowing you were able to help somebody like that. Yes, it's tough, especially when you have to get up so early to travel to some place. I used to do that every Saturday, making a full day of it, traveling about a hundred miles one way. Would leave well before dawn. Actually liked doing it. But with OSA at its worse, it got so bad that I had to stop midway every time and rest...! And it's a relatively short drive. Eventually it got so bad I would stop twice on the trip, and I began hating doing the one thing I liked best to do on my weekends, so I stopped (too exhausted and depressed). Shortly after starting treatment, I tried it again, a bit nervous taking the drive. Turns out I had so much energy, I kept on driving and bebopping listening to music the whole way. Had plenty of energy to burn. It was a wonderful feeling. Lately I've been a little more tired, hope that goes away soon.
Bob ---
You are so incredibly funny!! All I got to do is think of you now (the urinal story keeps coming to mind!) and I laugh hysterically over your story. So funny, so funny how you write it too. ......Do you always write this well and this funny? Incredible. Love it (and not just because of the obvious funny urinal storyline).
No, I'm not "just too nice" but I have tended to "pussyfoot around the subject." Alright, I will take your advice and "stomp into the washroom and tell it like it is!" I hesitated at first mostly because I felt so embarrassed, especially since I'd gotten the reputation of nodding off at work. And I hate that. But now that I've confessed, I do feel better about it and am more interested in spreading the word. I wasn't being "too nice," just too timid. There's a difference.
Any more funny stories up your sleeve?
More, more........I want more!!
You could rival Liam's writing for sure!
Bob, I want another installment!
Linda
What a great story, great knowing you were able to help somebody like that. Yes, it's tough, especially when you have to get up so early to travel to some place. I used to do that every Saturday, making a full day of it, traveling about a hundred miles one way. Would leave well before dawn. Actually liked doing it. But with OSA at its worse, it got so bad that I had to stop midway every time and rest...! And it's a relatively short drive. Eventually it got so bad I would stop twice on the trip, and I began hating doing the one thing I liked best to do on my weekends, so I stopped (too exhausted and depressed). Shortly after starting treatment, I tried it again, a bit nervous taking the drive. Turns out I had so much energy, I kept on driving and bebopping listening to music the whole way. Had plenty of energy to burn. It was a wonderful feeling. Lately I've been a little more tired, hope that goes away soon.
Bob ---
You are so incredibly funny!! All I got to do is think of you now (the urinal story keeps coming to mind!) and I laugh hysterically over your story. So funny, so funny how you write it too. ......Do you always write this well and this funny? Incredible. Love it (and not just because of the obvious funny urinal storyline).
No, I'm not "just too nice" but I have tended to "pussyfoot around the subject." Alright, I will take your advice and "stomp into the washroom and tell it like it is!" I hesitated at first mostly because I felt so embarrassed, especially since I'd gotten the reputation of nodding off at work. And I hate that. But now that I've confessed, I do feel better about it and am more interested in spreading the word. I wasn't being "too nice," just too timid. There's a difference.
Any more funny stories up your sleeve?
More, more........I want more!!
You could rival Liam's writing for sure!
Bob, I want another installment!
Linda
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Janelle
For what it's worth, I've told anyone who I think would care. Plus, as Linda knows well (my #1 fan on my blog), I posted several essays on my trials and tribulations with Apnea on there as well.
Which is odd, because those of you who know me know how close-to-the-vest I usually am with personal information. It's just not like me to sound off or share personal information or my opinion.
Liam, shy and reserved.
Which is odd, because those of you who know me know how close-to-the-vest I usually am with personal information. It's just not like me to sound off or share personal information or my opinion.
Liam, shy and reserved.
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| Machine | Mask | |
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Guest
I look back and can`t believe I was so out of touch that i didn`t know much about sleep apnea till couple yrs ago. My Husband once told me that I snored terribly. I remember looking at him like he must be mistaken. Then one morning I awoke with him slapping my back. Tjhought he was getting too little oxygen. A couple months later he finally explained why he was hitting my back. He said I often stopped breathing and he`d just wiggle me a bit and I catch my breath and be ok. This time nothing was working and he thought I was dead and started slapping me on the back hoping I`d start breathing again. Worked, broke off tail bone years ago, disks sometimes shift, so I baby my back and lost it with him for hitting me. Wish he had ezplained why at the time. Then he got worse with the oxygen machine and moved onto the couch nearer the machine as it wouldn`t work in the bedroom plugin. I forgot about myself and concentrated worrying and caring for him. I no longer cared that i only slept2 or 3 hours a night as i needed to hear his machine working and know if he moved or not ( just a wall between us and could hear every move he made). About a year after I lost him, I mentioned to the Dr that I hadn`t slept over 2 to 3 hours a night in years and was always feeling exhausted. He asked if I snored- told him Walt said I did bad and told him Walt said I often stopped breathing during the night. He ordered the sleep study and been on the machine a year now. Now, I`m trying to get my oldest daughter to ask her Dr to give her a sleep study instead of those meds for depression.
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wading thru the muck!
- Posts: 2799
- Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:42 am
Liam wrote:Which is odd, because those of you who know me know how close-to-the-vest I usually am with personal information. It's just not like me to sound off or share personal information or my opinion.
That IS odd!!! We all know so very little about your bodily functions, or your sleep habits, or your hobbies, or what your idea of "sleeping like a baby" is. (I had to make that esoteric reference because if I quoted your comments about suckling your wife's breast again, my wife would slug me) Oops, I guess I did...ouch!
I try to share my apnea with anyone that will listen. My wife usually rolls her eyes... "there he goes talking about that forum again", but I am always surprised by the number of people that use a machine or have somebody close who does.
Sincerely,
wading thru the muck of the sleep study/DME/Insurance money pit!
wading thru the muck of the sleep study/DME/Insurance money pit!
Thought I was still logged in when posted , but noticed I was listed as Guest so apparently i wasn`t.
So even though Walt passed away over 2 years ago, I still need to Thank him for my getting help for the sleep apnea which I never knew I had at the time. Shortly before the sleep study, i went on a weekend vacation with two of my daughters and one of them told me "Mom, you must have been exhausted from the long ride, you snored real loud all night". Thats when I remembered Walt saying it and decided to see the Dr and find out why. Knew it wasn`t adnoides as had them removed almost 40 years ago along with tonsils, so wanted to know what else would cause it.
Now sleep 4 to 5 hours with the machine-- so it`s helping. Still often fight the mask getting it to fit good enough to go to sleep, but it`s worth it.
So even though Walt passed away over 2 years ago, I still need to Thank him for my getting help for the sleep apnea which I never knew I had at the time. Shortly before the sleep study, i went on a weekend vacation with two of my daughters and one of them told me "Mom, you must have been exhausted from the long ride, you snored real loud all night". Thats when I remembered Walt saying it and decided to see the Dr and find out why. Knew it wasn`t adnoides as had them removed almost 40 years ago along with tonsils, so wanted to know what else would cause it.
Now sleep 4 to 5 hours with the machine-- so it`s helping. Still often fight the mask getting it to fit good enough to go to sleep, but it`s worth it.
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Guest
I have told pretty much anyone who will listen, mostly my family. I don't see that many other people. Their reaction is kind of odd, but then again for them, it's pretty standard. My kids all think it is kind of weird with the nasal pillows and all. I use the Breeze Nasal Pillows and love them. My son who is 20 says I look like a Borg from Star Trek with a mechanical nose implant. I just laughed it off and said I was assimilated and resistance was futile! My kids range in age from 33 to 20 so they're pretty young and into appearances so I can see where they're coming from. I just don't agree with them and have been a lot further down the road than they have. It's my brothers reaction that kind of puts me off a little, and I mean very,very little. They think it's silly and no such thing and that I'm just some kind of hypochndriac. One brother told me I should just use breathing strips. I told him they wouldn't do the job because the problem was in my throat and not just my nose. He just rolled his eyes and shook his head. I've been to the doctor once in the last 14 years for a herniated disc in my back before I went last September for the sleep apnea. I'm not a hypochondriac. My sister is actually the one that suggested (and I might add rather strongly) that I should be tested for sleep apnea. She's been supportive. Her husand was diagnosed with sleep apnea over 5 years ago and has been on cpap ever since. Their reaction doesn't surpise me very much though. Although I'm 54, I'm still the youngest and they have always thought I was a baby and didn't know anything anyway. It's my husband that really gets me. He doesn't want to talk about cpap and sleep apnea at all. If I ever try to tell him how I'm doing or discuss it at all, he changes the subject. If I nail him down, he'll just say if I had faith in God, I would be healed and not need cpap treatment at all and I should quit using cpap and start exercising my faith. He doesn't want me to tell anybody about it either like it's something to be ashamed of. Faith healing has always been a sore point between us so we don't talk about it. We've been married over 30 years and I'm independent enough to do what I think is right anyway regardless of what other people think, including him. On the positive side, he did find this website for me when I first started on cpap and got absolutely no support from my DME and he is truly happy for me than I am feeling better. I just think it's kind of odd how many people don't know about sleep apnea and don't really believe it's a real illness.
How God works? In mysterious ways
Your husband and faith healing reminded me of the story of the
man who was sitting on top of his house in the flooded river. A
fireman tried to rescue him with a long rope, but the man said "God
will save me". Then a boat came by and tried to get him to jump
in. He said "God will save me.". Then the helicopter came by and
dropped down a ladder, but the man would not climb up. He
said "God will save me". Unfortunately the water continue to rise and
the man drown. When he reached the Pearly Gates he asked St.
Peter, "Why didn't God save me?". St. Peter said "You idiot! God
sent a rope, but you would not grab it, then God sent a boat but you
wouldn't get in, then God sent a helicopter but you wouldn't take it.
You refused all of God's help". So maybe you need to look at
the folks on this forum as God's angels of mercy while you decide on
using God's other help of the Pillar Procedure, Dental Device, APAP,
and when necessary Surgery. Have lots of faith that one of those
approaches will help you as God works in mysterious ways, and
solutions take time.
man who was sitting on top of his house in the flooded river. A
fireman tried to rescue him with a long rope, but the man said "God
will save me". Then a boat came by and tried to get him to jump
in. He said "God will save me.". Then the helicopter came by and
dropped down a ladder, but the man would not climb up. He
said "God will save me". Unfortunately the water continue to rise and
the man drown. When he reached the Pearly Gates he asked St.
Peter, "Why didn't God save me?". St. Peter said "You idiot! God
sent a rope, but you would not grab it, then God sent a boat but you
wouldn't get in, then God sent a helicopter but you wouldn't take it.
You refused all of God's help". So maybe you need to look at
the folks on this forum as God's angels of mercy while you decide on
using God's other help of the Pillar Procedure, Dental Device, APAP,
and when necessary Surgery. Have lots of faith that one of those
approaches will help you as God works in mysterious ways, and
solutions take time.