Suspected sleep apnea- age 22

Rydog22 wrote:Oh dear, I hope that you found something to hit her back with!

Joking haha.

Yes I do understand CPAP is the standard and most effective treatment, but also please understand that at my age, especially when I don't see my case being very severe (although I need medical confirmation), I would like to explore other options rather than jump straight to a CPAP. But yes I understand CPAP is standard treatment and my health is more important.

My main concern about my CPAP is intimacy issues when it comes to dating. Especially at such a young age!

Good discussion here (and you don't have to watch the cheesy videos): http://freecpapadvice.com/cpap-and-sex
EDIT: The Lefty Lanky/Jason's website is full of very useful information. The video demonstrations of various masks are excellent.

Finding it early in life, means you have done less damage to your body, IF you get your XPAP treatment correct and use it every time you sleep. You are luckier than most of us. Jim

So you all think that jumping straight to a CPAP at the age of 22 is the best thing for me?

I know you all mean well, but I have reservations thinking its the best think to assume for such a young case, especially when it doesn't sound severe.

I wish I had the option when I was that age.
For years, I always felt exhausted--nonstop--all day, EVERY day.
I could have been a better mother, more successful at work, in school, etc.
My life is the best it could be with untreated apnea.
Now, I KNOW it could have been so much better. And easier.

Rydog22 wrote:So you all think that jumping straight to a CPAP at the age of 22 is the best thing for me?

I know you all mean well, but I have reservations thinking its the best think to assume for such a young case, especially when it doesn't sound severe.

First things first: you need to determine if you do in fact have sleep apnea. For that, you need a medical professional. Then decide what therapy you need.

My doctor gave alternatives for my mild sleep apnea: (1) lose weight, but very very small chance it might help, (2) sleep with my upper body elevated, such as by putting risers under the head of the bed or using a wedge pillow, to prevent me from lying flat, (3) sleep only on my side. Each one might help lessen the severity, but would not make the sleep apnea disappear. When I accepted that I would end up with CPAP anyway, I decided to give it a go. It worked.

If you have sleep apnea, why not give CPAP a try and see if it helps? You can always stop using it.

* ducks and covers in anticipation of slings and arrows from other users *

This (sex/romance) has come up before, and a lot of it from women. It's one thing for a guy to pretend to be Darth Vader, another for a girl to wear a Cpap , but inevitably what comes up also is that anyone who can't see past the thing for a short time between romance (no machine on) and lights out, anyone who cares less about your life than how the thing looks for a few minutes (or longer if necessary) is not really someone you want around for long anyhow, are they? I personally can't imagine any girl/woman who would care at all, and might even find it... interesting , so consider what's important in the bedroom and think about what a partner's priorities should be.

And consider this - Cpap is 'the' answer right NOW, but who knows what they'll come up with in 5-10 or more yrs that won't require a mask and hose?

Julie wrote:This (sex/romance) has come up before, and a lot of it from women. It's one thing for a guy to pretend to be Darth Vader, another for a girl to wear a Cpap , but inevitably what comes up also is that anyone who can't see past the thing for a short time between romance (no machine on) and lights out, anyone who cares less about your life than how the thing looks for a few minutes (or longer if necessary) is not really someone you want around for long anyhow, are they? I personally can't imagine any girl/woman who would care at all, and might even find it... interesting , so consider what's important in the bedroom and think about what a partner's priorities should be.

+1000

I had those thoughts, albeit fleetingly, when I was officially diagnosed as a 39yo SINGLE parent. But ultimately, if a potential partner is going to change their view of me for something I do to positively impact my health, they're not someone I would choose to be intimate with anyway.

DreamStalker wrote:Trust me ... the kinky girls are way more fun, especially at such a young age.

I think if I ever was with a girl that thought a CPAP was sexy, I would run as fast and as far away as possible.

Definitely not what I would consider kinky.

Rydog22 wrote:Yes I do understand CPAP is the standard and most effective treatment, but also please understand that at my age, especially when I don't see my case being very severe (although I need medical confirmation), I would like to explore other options rather than jump straight to a CPAP. But yes I understand CPAP is standard treatment and my health is more important. My main concern about my CPAP is intimacy issues when it comes to dating. Especially at such a young age!

Nothing wrong with wanting to be sure there aren't other options. Until you are tested and know what you're up against it's anybody's guess if other means of treatment are a viable option for your particular circumstance. The severity of the case can make a difference as to how likely each option might work for you. If your apnea happens to be mild and/or positional, I'd be more optimistic about not going straight to CPAP. Just get the ball rolling and cross each bridge as you come to it. Come back here with your results and you can get more targeted advice. Good luck.