Keeps me from snoring, now what girl wouldn't want a machine for that...    


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ResMed S8 Elite
HumidAire 3i
F & P FlexiFit 407
Hose Sleeve
7CM H2O pressure
3mg melatonin

My hubby died Dec.2000 and I never even had time to myself for being single when I was approached by a younger male over the internet  who liked older people to have chats with.

From there a romance developed and we have been courting until the beginning of this year,when we decided to put our tools into one box and live together

My partner has proved himself to be the right person for me because I also suffer with a lot more illnesses especially one that is very embarrassing at times.He has always shown concern and understood.

So when I started to be on CPAP 3 months ago I had no fear of him walking out on me.We We just arrange a nice night out with a meal, come home and watch a nice film, then have a shower together to get us in the mood and CPAP is forgotten for a couple of hours.We fall asleep together and I wake maybe 30 mins.later put my CPAP on happily tired to go off into dreamland with the humming of the machine.

So yes, a loving partner does not care one way or another but sticks to the relationship,come rain or shine.   


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I am happy I can breathe easier.

A couple of hours?  I'm impressed    

So, I go in for a sleep study here in the Twin Cities in a month. Maybe by February I'll have the old Machine. I have some issues with it, based upon what I've seen. I'm of the opinion that it would be hard to "pull that look off." The mask is not very flattering...

When my sleep doctor showed me a video about it, I said, "Aw, hell no." I understand that the mask is as ergonomic as they can make it. I have a degree in Industrial Design, and I know that the mask's designers have made it as light and non-burdensome as they could, but...

Anyways, this is not the only sleep disorder I've been handed. I also get to enjoy the benefits of Hypnagogic Hallucinations, accompanied by Sleep Paralysis. My doctor thinks that the latter may be caused by the former. While I am not interested in ridding myself of the Hypnagogic Hallucinations, I would really like to be able to sleep on my back again.

I'm a 27 year old guy, and I keep hearing that I'm too young to have this problem. But I do. Fine. And I keep hearing about how everyone knows someone who uses the CPAP and says that it has changed their life. Cool. I'm up for that.
And I also have a girlfriend of three years. This brings me to my next point.

How intrusive is the machine for you folks who've used it? Do you experience any complexion problems? Do you feel like a jackass wearing it? I ask that because the thing does not, by its nature, enhance one's appearance. I would never lie to someone about it, I just wonder if there's any kind of self-esteem issue involved.

And can I travel with it?

Dippyx1 wrote:

I'm a 27 year old guy, and I keep hearing that I'm too young to have this problem. But I do. Fine. And I keep hearing about how everyone knows someone who uses the CPAP and says that it has changed their life. Cool. I'm up for that.
And I also have a girlfriend of three years. This brings me to my next point.

How intrusive is the machine for you folks who've used it? Do you experience any complexion problems? Do you feel like a jackass wearing it? I ask that because the thing does not, by its nature, enhance one's appearance. I would never lie to someone about it, I just wonder if there's any kind of self-esteem issue involved.

And can I travel with it?

Well, the fact that you're 27 doen'st mean you're too young.  I'm 32, and if the signs are/were right, I've suffered from sleep apnea for about 15 years.  As far as intrusiveness is concerned, it's not really that bad.  If you and your gf are living together, then she needs to be part of the education process.  Have her watch the videos and read the literature concerning sleep apnea and its effects so that she understands and can be accepting of what you are going through.

Dippyx1, of course you can travel with it.  If you go by car, it's a cinch.  Just take an extension cord with you because there isn't always an electric socket close to the bed, or at least one you can get at easily.  

And perhaps a flashlight if you need light to put on your mask; we stayed at one motel where my husband had to put his machine on the floor on one side and the light switch was on the other and he couldn't reach it with his mask on.  Of course, in our case, I could turn out the light so it didn't matter.

People fly with them all the time.  They are medical equipment and can be carried onto the plane and are not counted as part of your carryon allowance.  Go to the main forum and use the search function and you'll find tons of information.

But be sure to get a machine which is light and compact to make it easier to carry.

If you want to camp without hookups, you can do that too.  Again, use the search function for lots of info; these questions come up over and over again.

i have been using the machine for about a week now and it has only enhanced my relationship. by this i mean that i no longer snore like a freight train, so my b/f finally sleeps with me and cuddles all night vs staying until i fall asleep and then leaves. and its nothing to take it on and off for those wake up moments. i love it!!!!! and he loves the energy i have now when i wake up in the morning! i think he now loves my machine now more than me!!!LOL

GrumpyDad wrote:

I am scheduled for CPAP titrate next week and inevitably will use a CPAP.  My wife of 6 years is very supportive now.  We love white background noise with an air purifier so I pray that the CPAP will not interfere with my wife's quality of sleep since all of us know all to well what that can do.  It will be interesting explaing the equipment use to my 3 yr old son.  (Dad's a fighter pilot by night?)  I will keep this forum posted as to how the CPAP enhances or detracts from our romance which we are trying to boost following the 1 yr birthday of our second son.

LOL

Tired & GrumpyDad

Kids are wonderful about things. Better than adults most of the time. My daughter and grandaughter were living with us for a few months and at that time is when I started using cpap. She came into my room one morning and when I opened my eyes she was right there in my face. ( She had wet the bed and needed my help) I took off the mask and said, sweetie, did nanny scare you? Her response " Nanny, I will never be afraid of you". My grandsons all wanted to try it on when I visited them. No problems at all, they are 4-12 yrs in age.

It has been a breeze, no pun intended, for me and being around family members. My husband of 35 yrs think nothing of it and always makes sure everything is in working order. He says I sleep like a baby and it is so good to see me sleeping like that.

Just be yourselves and as someone else said, if they are not with you when it comes to your therapy or treatmens then they should npt be WITH you.  

Have a Happy New Year.

I am a single 27 year old woman also.  I have gained weight because of the SA.  I begin CPAP next week.  I am having a hard time seeing an educated attractive man looking for an over weight single mother (2 year old girl) who also has the joy of wearing a full face mask to bed.   This is not to say I have a self esteem issue....I generally like myself.  I am a very pretty girl, even did some modeling in my time....though not in many years.  I just honestly dont see the CPAP adding to my retail value.   lol  I guess I will have to eventually tell a man about this, if you figure out how to do it please tell me.   :)  
I dont even want to think about how to deal with my child and the machine.  When my uncle broke his leg he got a walker.....she then got the bottom half of her dolls high chair and used it as a walker.  I know she will want a mask of her very own as soon as she sees mine.    haha  any ideas on that one?

jennmary wrote:

I am a single 27 year old woman also.  I have gained weight because of the SA.  I begin CPAP next week.  I am having a hard time seeing an educated attractive man looking for an over weight single mother (2 year old girl) who also has the joy of wearing a full face mask to bed.   This is not to say I have a self esteem issue....I generally like myself.  I am a very pretty girl, even did some modeling in my time....though not in many years.  I just honestly dont see the CPAP adding to my retail value.   lol  I guess I will have to eventually tell a man about this, if you figure out how to do it please tell me.   :)  
I dont even want to think about how to deal with my child and the machine.  When my uncle broke his leg he got a walker.....she then got the bottom half of her dolls high chair and used it as a walker.  I know she will want a mask of her very own as soon as she sees mine.    haha  any ideas on that one?

my granddaughter copies me too. how about a child size dive mask and snorkle?


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Daring to Dream Again!!
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Hybrid mask 13cm, new life started 03/02/07.

Hi,
I have noticed since starting to use my CPAP unit about three weeks ago, that the sex has gone dramatically downhill, meaning the amount.  I am a sleep tech, doing the studies and hadn't really thought about this as an issue, but now that I use the machine and see it, and hear it from you guys, I think that it is something worth addressing in consultations.  My husband has apnea as well, but denies it.  I KNOW he has it.  Watch him, hear him, and have begged him to come and have a study, but he won't do it,... I wonder if it is because he hold such disdain for my machine.  I love it, and being a tech and doing the titrations and etc. I know the benefits and will not be non compliant with therapy.  I don't know what to do.  Please help.

IMHO the CPAP can only enhance your sex life.
Before CPAP I was interested, but before each and every encounter I had to decide if how tired I'd be in the morning would be "worth" the energy expenditure.
After the mask, I have the energy to "vigorously" enjoy my sex life.
I also don't require as many hours of sleep because the quality of sleep I'm getting is so much better.
It may be a hurdle to the single.  But if the person you are dating cannot accept the fact that you NEED the machine, and are a much more pleasant person with it, do you really need them, when there are other, more compassionate loving fish in the ocean?
I've been with my wife for 25 years, 1/3 of that time with CPAP.  She will not ALLOW me to fall asleep without it.
Moreover, when I do I feel like !@#! in the morning.  
If anything, my 6 kids are a way bigger sex deterrent than my CPAP!

I'm 25, and I've been in a serious relationship with my boyfriend for soon to be four years. He's the one who pushed me to get tested, and he knew that one of my biggest issues with the concept of the CPAP machine is that it would make me less attractive. I already suffer from some mild sexual dysfunction, which from what I've read can be common in women with sleep apnea. I was diagnosed about two months ago formally with borderline moderate Sleep Apnea. The ENT who was overseeing the case did some nasal surgery to help alleviate some of the overall breathing problems, and I just received my machine this past week.

My boyfriend is still being majorly supportive, stating that he only wants me to feel better and he doesn't care about how sexy or not I look while I sleep. That helps some, but I'm still concerned with my own mental stigmas. I'm hoping for some improvement in my desires with this treatment. Did anyone else have any sexual dysfunction prior to the machine - and found that it actually did help in the long run with that?

I had occasional "performance issues" before CPAP.  Afterward, problems became fewer and farther between.  Things got better yet when I started getting regular exercise.

I'm a guy, so "your mileage may vary".  But you have good reason to hope that your problems will get better when you're getting better rest.

By the way, your boyfriend sounds like a great catch.     Close the deal before he gets away


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m_k_rich

As a single person, the only downside I've ever had with my CPAP is that I am always more energetic than anyone else   .  My long-term boyfriend goes to sleep as soon as he lies down, now that is what kills the mood.

Vicki



Last edited by Vicki on Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:08 am; edited 1 time in total
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That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.