Normal to be angry when newly diagnosed?

carbonman wrote:

drubin007 wrote:been on it for 7 nights now.

the thought of going camping and having to be connected to an electrical outlet...

I hope that soon you will feel the benefits of your therapy,
and your brain will make that paradigm shift to acceptance.

Just an FYI on camping....
my backpacking days are probably over, but....
I have spent the past three nights running on the new
Optima Blue top. Works like a champ.
I could probably get another night.
So, car camping is going to be no problem.
No outlets needed.

All things for a reason.

Yep. I accepted that realization a couple of years ago and gave away all my backpacking equipment to my 18 year-old nephew ... about the same age I was when I got hooked with the great outdoors.

I was never and have not been angry; just depressed.

Me, too. I figured I was depressed for a long time because of myself, not my health condition. A close friend of mine from college back in 2001 was diagnosed with OSA. She was one of those extreme cases who would fell asleep in her car while commuting home from work. She had her CPAP and she knew I snored, she said you ought to have it checked out. I delayed going to the Dr. until 2009.

I have had my CPAP less than 2 months. I am still frustrated; I am in my mid 30s and I suspect I have had OSA most my adult life (snored as long as I can recall). I can only use CPAP at most a few hours per night. I thought I might start losing more weight and I haven't. I am well over 70 lbs. overweight and ashamed. I was average size until about my mid-20s. I would try and diet and make very little progress. I am still not making progress. I have a very cluttery house, I have lots of short term memory loss, but no other health ailments. I am fortunate now to try to get back on track, but it will take a long time and it is not instant as I wanted it to be.

I am not angry I have sleep apnea, but at least I know that many of my problems revolve around the condition. I have 2 small children, too and I want to be a better person for them.

I want a better quality of life back so I can be happy and enjoy life, it is going to be one step at a time, but I think I can get there.

I've found that CPAP hasn't affected my dating habits nearly as much as I thought it would.

My wife STILL won't let me date, with or without the mask...

Dating -- I haven't in years and snoring was one of the reasons. My ex really did a number on my psyche there.
I have been to embarrassed and uptight to even think about it.
The mask doesn't bother me and maybe I will have to rethink the whole celibacy route.

Gear is ok even sexy, snoring is not.
Maybe I should make a leather head piece to hold the mask and matching leather "nighty" for dates?

I can totally relate to being angry - I'm a bit of a diva I've been married almost 30 years and hubby said "no big deal", but it was a big deal to me...It has taken about 10 months and 4 masks before I hit my best sleep - really improved my mood, memory, more energy. Best wishes to everyone and thanks for this board!

It's normal to be angry and good to be angry. The reason you're angry is because you are taking self-responsibilty for your condition, thus you will be motivated to get the problem fixed, whether it be weight related or other condition that you have contol over. Other blame it on thyroid condition, or whatever condition, and as long as their insurance pays, they see it only as an inconvenience they will live with, but otherwise will do nothing about. So, my advice is to keep up the anger.

I hear you loud and clear. I was angry, too, for a whole year and refused to use the CPAP for that time (now I realize I lost that year of better health). I fought with several different masks and HATED the thought that I would have to wear this thing on my face for the rest of my life. I travel extensively and was embarrassed and aggravated at having to take one more item out of my bags at the security checkpoint, with the agents yelling, "CPAP CHECK!" I am not what they call the "typical" Sleep Apnea sufferer, and asked "Wny me?" I HATED having a headgear on at night, hated the mask on my face, hated having to spend even a few minutes cleaning the mask and hose, wondering why more tasks had been added to me already-busy days. I was on anti-depressants and hoped that the CPAP treatment would help . It hasn't yet but I will kepp working on that.

We'll a lot of things really don't matter that much any more - I'm almost accustomed to the headgear and masks, although I still don't like them and still in search of the best mask for me - the inconvenience of the equipment with travel is not much compared to losing my life - doesn't matter that I don't fit the profile of what they call a "typical" OSA sufferer. And thanks to this forum I am starting to learn how to take control of my own treatment, because my doctor and DME are just running a herd of cattle through the testing and equipment distribution. I was given NO choice in which machine I got (I have an appointment in June and am due for a new machine, so that won't happen again). I am compiling a list of topics to discuss with my doctor and he won't get out of the room until they are answered and he understands that I am paying his salary. If he never understands, I'll find another doctor and continue using this form to educate myself and to not feel alone.

I have actually gained weight on CPAP, and thanks to you all I realized that it's probably because my body isn't fighting with itsself for life every night. I do eat well, but now will step it up with exercise. I have a fat beagle and we both can use it.

Bottom line, over two years my health and my feelings about this condition and its treatment are getting better. It also helped me to know that we are finding that there are MANY people out there with OSA and it's becoming more widely-known. IT IS WHAT IT IS ---- and I'm in control of my treatment and life. THANKS and don't give up!