Dating with Sleep Apnea

My perspective was fashioned by my parents. It goes something like this.

Learn to Love yourself.

Everyone is different in some way. Some people are more different than others. Sometimes you can see the difference and at other times the difference is an attitude or prejudice that only surfaces when conditions are right.

It is often easier to accommodate external differences. Internal differences can eat at you a little at a time and just wear you down.

Again, learn to Love yourself imperfections and all.

Once you learn to Love yourself, you will then start to have the ability to Love others.

I don't know if any of these thoughts help in your particular situation, but you may want to spend a little time thinking them over.

jweeks wrote:How about making a list of the things that you have in your favor that you are not worried about, and focus more on the items that help you build up your confidence?

-john-

I like John's perspective here. Focus on the glass half full.

My wife was diagnosed a few years ago with diabetes. We both watched her dad go throw it...dialysis three times a week, strokes, and an endless list of other health disorders. We watched as his kidneys finally gave way and ended in his final demise. She is horrified that the same will happen to her. I am loving her through it the best way I can. Now we have learned that I must live a life with the hose. She is supporting me. We lean on each other and it keeps us both on our feet.

There is someone out there for you. Don't sweat it. When you meet him you will know.

When I was 18 (back in the dark ages) the guy I was was dating had epilepsy. Back then it was not well controlled. It was just something he had. Sometimes when we were out he would have a grandMal in a restaurant, as an 18 year old this was a bit embarrassing but not half as embarrassing as having my big dangling earring fall off into the soup and splatter the whole front of my new dress. His epilepsy was just not an issue, it was not him, it was just a little part of him like his hair colour. What broke us up was me going to university and going ape over computers and math while he was into literature, a subject that bored me to death.

SleepyHeadMommy wrote:I guess I feel this way because my ex-husband was not at all supportive with me having Sleep Apnea. He would complain about the noise of the mask (which doesn't really make a whole lot of noise compare to what my Dads did), the air that came out of the mask, just about anything. So, now I am really self-conscious about it.

If you haven't already, may I suggest you read my paper linked to in the topic "Especially for the Newly Diagnosed" in the announcements section. You just might find an answer as to why your ex reacted the way he did, and encouragement to help you fully accept the fact that you are tied to a CPAP, probably for the rest of your life.

chunkyfrog wrote:Unless that's ALL you are wearing!

That reminds me of commentary I have in a drawer somewhere about how to satisfy a woman every time. Crawl through the mud, come on hands and knees, swim the ocean for her, acknowledge her superiority, wait on her hand and foot, and on and on, and then repeat it all! And then -- how to satisfy a man every time -- Show up naked!!