Spouse's Reactions

[CMorrison64]

I have a stupid question, just took my sleep study and am pretty sure will be needing a CPAP ... I'm already sleeping in the guest room so my husband can get some sleep with my snoring. This is going to sound bad, but ... how did your spouse react to the mask and CPAP? Is it noisy? DId it also keep them awake and therefore I'm banned to the guest room forever? I know it' s not attractive and it worries me. But my health is WAY more important. Thank you.

[amos]

My wife was most pleased with my cpap. I no longer snore, snort, or stop breathing entirely. She said the snoring did not affect her as badly as the stopped breathing. The only liability is that she does not like the exhaust air blowing down her back. I hope you and your husband will soon be back in the same bed.

As far as the noise is concern, the cpap is so quiet that she sometimes asks me if it is on.

amos

[KatieW]

Welcome to the forum. This is an often-discussed topic:

wiki/index.php/Partners_and_CPAP

And a recent thread:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=48462&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... er+couples

My husband has been very supportive, and he says the cpap is very quiet, and doesn't bother him at all.

Prior to getting your diagnosis and equipment, take some time and educate yourself about CPAP therapy. The CPAP Wicki (yellow light bulb at top of page) has very good information for a beginner.

[donnafowler]

My husband loves my CPAP. Not only do I no longer snore him out of the bedroom, he doesn't worry anymore about my breathing at night--it used to worry him quite a bit and he would sit up and watch me sleep. As an added plus, I am not falling asleep at 7 p.m. anymore, I can stay awake to see a movie (I used to fall asleep at the theater) and I don't sleep all weekend anymore. By getting my life back, I am giving him his wife back. He will often even fill my humidifier so I don't have to do it.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[RipVW]

img]http://a1149861.sites.myregisteredsite.com/welkom4.gif[/img]
Hello & Welcome, CMorrison64! Glad you found this forum—SO much useful info and everyone here is so willing to help!

My spouse adjusted to the cpap, no problem. Better than snoring! And, like you say, your health is the priority. Hoping you not be banned to the guest room forever!

You're lucky to have found this forum as you begin CPAP—took me almost year before I found this place and, with the help of folks here, got my CPAP therapy working as it should. It does take time to get everything tweaked and working at its best, so patience is key as one begins CPAP.

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

[Gerryk]

My wife was very supportive. She did have a problem with the vent on my mask blowing on her but my pressure was extremely high. My pressure requirement is now much lower and she asks if my machine is on. In fact she has asked to have a fan or something on because it is so quiet no.

Gerry

[DoriC]

I'm the caregiver for my husband's therapy and benefits of cpap have been miraculous. We did have the usual adjustment period where he slept in the guest room so I could get a little sleep but once we got the right mask, pressure settings and leaks under control(took awhile), I'm nice and cozy back in our own king-size bed and hardly notice the machine. We do keep a pillow propped up between us so I don't feel the exhaust air. I know this has prolonged his life so I'm happy.

[roster]

I have a stupid question, just took my sleep study and am pretty sure will be needing a CPAP ... I'm already sleeping in the guest room so my husband can get some sleep with my snoring. This is going to sound bad, but ... how did your spouse react to the mask and CPAP? Is it noisy? DId it also keep them awake and therefore I'm banned to the guest room forever? I know it' s not attractive and it worries me. But my health is WAY more important. Thank you.

Why are you worried about that? My wife makes all the decisions in the house, so why don't you take control like she does?

On a more important subject:

Questions to ask about your PSG and Titration Study
by CPAPtalk member rooster

1. Did I have any central apneas? How many?

2. Were there any comorbidities? What were they?

3. Did I breathe or leak through my mouth? How often? What do you recommend to prevent it?

3. Did I exhibit Positional Sleep Apnea (PSA)? Was my apnea more severe in one sleeping position as compared to others? Is my pressure requirement higher in one position as compared to others? (Often sleep apnea is more severe when sleeping on the back.)

4. Is there anything else unusual about the results?

5. How will I know my therapy is preventing apneas?

6. I am determined to own a data-capable machine and software to monitor apneas, hypopneas and mask leak. This will allow me to call your office with specific questions if I have problems with the therapy. Will you help me with the appropriate prescription?

In addition to the questions:

1. Get a copy of your PSG. It is your legal right to have one.

2. Get a copy of your CPAP prescription.

3. Make sure the prescription calls for a humidifier with the machine.

wiki/index.php/Sleep_study

[deerslayer]

Welcome to the forum CMorrison64. Not a stupid ? at all , merely being thoughtful & considerate. Fortunately for me my spouse told me in the first place i stopped breathing at night . this led me to have a sleep study and be diagnosed & trust me she takes full credit . (i'm lucky) sure there will be a period of adjustment depending on which type of mask, how you tolerate it firstly.- leaks, venting(exhaust direction), etc. the hardest thing for me was finding the holy grail of masks. then there are the blue lights, lol. ...they bother some & yep my mrs. , not me. cool little night light, lol. The main thing is to stick with it and check your stats if possible. You have come to the right place for info from caring knowledgeable folks. Congrats !

[t-bone]

My wife has been using a machine longer than I have. On our first date, I made a comment about being a hose-head, just to get it out of the way. Her eyes lit up, recognizing the slang term, as she realized she'd never have to worry about that eventuality if things progressed (as they clearly have).

Okay, so we're both lucky...

[Geminidream]

A very good question indeed. My other half was quite pleased with me finally getting something done for my health and having the sleep study. Of course, we already really knew the outcome. The CPAP machine is very quiet and its much preferred to stopped breathing...the snoring as irritating as it could be, was just a secondary concern. I am so glad to not feel like I have to move to the othe bedroom now, too! The truth of the matter is, the OSA patient's life is compromised without treatment and your significant other most likely will be very concerned once they realize how serious it is. Besides, after you have been together a while and you are probably very comfortable, a mask on your face while you sleep is a non issue.... good luck with your therapy!

[sleepymonkie]

My wife can not believe how much it has cut the noise down. I was keeping her up snoring, and she was concerned when I would stop breathing. She has also noted that she could slowly pinch down the hose and no one would know.

[SleepingUgly]

I'm more self-conscious about other changes that have occurred to my body since we got married, ones that I can't remove! The mask at least is an "accessory" that comes off. Think of all the fun fantasy games you can play... doctor (he can be the doctor and you with the mask are the patient) and Star Wars! What guy doesn't want to wield his light saber with a clone trooper by his side?!

Seriously, though, if the quality of my life would improve, it would improve the quality of my husband's life too. And I don't think he'd care what I looked like at night if during the day I could function well.

[JohnBFisher]

My wife was most pleased with my cpap. I no longer snore, snort, or stop breathing entirely. She said the snoring did not affect her as badly as the stopped breathing. The only liability is that she does not like the exhaust air blowing down her back. I hope you and your husband will soon be back in the same bed.

As far as the noise is concern, the cpap is so quiet that she sometimes asks me if it is on.

amos

Ditto! My wife much prefers me with machine than without. She just pokes me if I turn in her direction. But that occurs a lot less than all the snoring and such used to occur.

[DoninOrlando]

My wife is back sleeping in the bedroom now. She went from sneaking out to the living room once I fall asleep, to just staying out there all night, from my snoring. But she stays in the bedroom 100% now. She finds the cpap noise soothing like white noise. It's way better than my snooring that used to be heard throughout the house I am told. I wish she heard more as she never hears the leaks that the data shows I am having most nights. As to the exhaust, none of the masks I use blow straight out. All exhaust up or down. We like it cool and have a ceiling fan on also so it blends in.
Don