How many folks do you know on cpap outside this board?

[elena88]

Hi there!

I started my sleep apnea journey in february. I did not know of anyone personally on cpap then. Since I got my apap, I have mentioned it to a few people.
I found out a relative who lives abroad is on cpap, and a business aquaintance, and three friends of our family.. I would have never known, if I hadnt brought it up.

I was orginally not going to tell anyone, because I just like to keep my health issues to myself in R.L. but my husband said.. "how are you going to hide
that, its like hiding a big wart on your nose!"

(we have tons of house guests and sleep overs, so someone was going to see it sooner or later, even though I cover it with a scarf)

I think I got it, when he said that.. Why should I hide it? Maybe I can do some good if I share what I learned?

How many people do you know off this board who are on cpap?

Would you have known they were on it, if you had not mentioned your story to them? It seems when you share that you are on one, they feel
very comfortable saying they are too.

[Roman Hokie]

elena, you really do like to have public discussions with your questions. Almost like the hostess at a gathering, making sure folks mingle and providing icebreakers.

Only since February?

Let's see. I went to a men's retreat in Colorado (12,000 feet - higher than most CPAPs are rated for!) and 4 of the other 13 guys in my bunk had them. One of them is coming camping with me and a bunch of other guys in a few weeks. He's bringing it.

Another one was the first who told me (after a long night of snoring in low-O2 air!), "You need to get that thing fixed!"

A colleague. My grandmother before she passed away in 1994. And my aunt who never uses hers any more, according to my folks.

So, that's 7.

[oscar98]

Since starting cpap I've learned that four other people I've known for a long time were also on it. I had no idea until I posted a rant on facebook about hating the claustrophobic mask issues. I had friends crawl out of the woodwork to tell m to go try a pillow mask. I had no idea what a pillow mask and that was when my research led me here.

I know several other people who I'm convinced need a sleep study but insist there is no way they have sleep apnea.

[kf10]

Let's see, one, two, three.

One of the three told me he is on CPAP, I thought maybe I have to check out my loud snoring, the rest is history.

Good to have treatment available!

[elena88]

elena, you really do like to have public discussions with your questions. Almost like the hostess at a gathering, making sure folks mingle and providing icebreakers.

Only since February?

(ice breakers! yes, thats a great description! )

Im very social and love to have lots of gatherings, so it must spill over onto the board, hope nobody minds


Its amazing how many people we find that are already on cpap, and how many we SUSPECT should be on it!

[dtsm]

One brother
Three grad school classmates
Two neighbors
Three other friends
Total 9

About 1/2 dozen who should be on it but won't go for sleep study

[akcpapguy]

Well over 1000!!!

[sepool]

My 2 sisters and father - compliant on non-data machines. I've given up discussing with them. My father hates his, but uses it.

My brother in law, he has been on his about a year - still having troubles pulling it off. He has a data-capable machine, but doesn't monitor it.

My wife's cousin's husband - has had a lot of troubles (giving up on it) - thinks weight loss surgery might fix it!

[OceanGoingGal]

I know at least 8 others that are on cpap therapy. Quite a few in my cruise related forum. some are my clients at work. Some are just friends.

Laura

[newhosehead]

Im very social and love to have lots of gatherings, so it must spill over onto the board, hope nobody minds

I, for one, do not mind at all! You are a bright spot on this forum. I know three people on CPAP outside this board and only ONE that I knew about before I started myself. Interesting to think how many more people I know who might be on it and just don't talk about it. Sooner or later they will, I guess, because I talk about it a LOT.

Jeanette

[dog_tired1]

I am the only one on cpap outside this board. However, I know a few who should probably be on cpap including my mother, my best friend and her husband and my husband! They snore, gasp for breath in their sleep and most of them are always exhausted. When my mother is sleeping she is scary to watch!! She has high blood pressure I bet cpap would help. She is way too vain and would never wear one of these masks. God forbid anything messes up her hair, lol!

~Dee

[Jersey Girl]

Dear Elena,

Well, I knew my Dad was supposed to be on cpap - but he passed away in 2008. My ex-husband's Dad was just diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and told me he could not see himself using such a contraption, but I tried to convince him that it's not as bad as it looks and that there is a comfortable mask out there for everyone (a mask soulmate?), and he said he would consider finally going for his titration. Baby steps.

No one I know personally outside of this forum except for me and my husband. I think that many people are very private about it. I don't mind telling anyone if they are interested.

You do ask many interesting questions. I enjoy your posts!

Warmly,

Jersey Girl

[Wulfman]

LOTS! And I know many more who SHOULD be on it.


Den

[thewetlizard]

I'm it. I know a few people who would like to be on cpap but because of lack of insurance and money they can't do it.

[rubymom]

I know of two. My sister and my friend's husband. I didn't know about him until I mentioned to her that I'd started using it. I have no idea what kind of success he has with it though.

Elena, what did you mean when you said "even though I cover it with a scarf". I'm wondering why and how you pull that off?