I wonder what others think - ways  to help a CPAP user  feel better about wearing CPAP if they feel ashamed to wear it, like they are not "desirable" to their significant other. It doesn't help if other people (friends or family) make fun of them either, putting that idea into their heads. (In my opinion, they are more desirable considering they have more energy and feel more romantic).

Why is there any need to be embarrased or ashamed about it? You have a medical condition and are receiving treatment for it! Period!!

  As for me, when someone wants to make fun about it, they get more than an earful about sleep apnea, usually responding with something like, "...I didn't realize..." Then I usually stick my foot in my mouth and say something like "If I don't know about something, I keep my mouth shut!" (Not always the case, but that's another subject.)

  To the comment about their "desireability"... Hey! I'd rather have someone taking care of themself so I don't have to worry about them dying on me before their time.

  You keep doing what you need to do about your sleep apnea, and don't worry about others' ingorance of the condition. If they make comments, then educate them. You might just hear something like, "That sounds like "so & so""


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painless

Sleep Apnea is a Killer! Get it Tested!
Get it Treated! Use the Treatment!

My hubby is so used to "bubba" now he actually rolled over and kissed my mask goodnight.


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AHI 120
Bubba the BiPap is my best friend

oh this last post is great.  I don't have my mask yet and am very nervous about not being attractive.  Hubby is being wonderful.  For example, I was saying how unsexy it is and to prove it "they don't wear masks in playboy" and his response was "they don't have tired zombies in there either - your gonna be so wonderful when your healthy again".  But I love the naming the machine thing.  Anything to lighten it up for me without ridiculing me is great.

crossfit wrote:

   .... "they don't wear masks in playboy" ....

Do you really think that men are looking at the faces in these magazines??  

I suspect your husband will be just fine with you and your cpap.

From personal experience, it seems like it would be much more undesirable to sleep with someone who snored so loudly that you had to leave the bedroom and sleep on the couch, or someone who was tired and grouchy all the time.....??  My dh was more desirable to me once he started using his vpap because he was taking care of himself, sleeping better and enabling me to sleep better as well.  Just a thought.

I agree with all comments! I can't wait for husband to start wearing his mask! he dreads the idea--mostly i think because he can't stand to have anything against his face and is very worried about it being uncomfortable and restrictive. I know he'll feel soooo much better!!!

I agree too. I know my husband gets depressed on a nightly basis when he puts it on I'm sure for various reasons including how it looks. But when he takes it off without knowing it, it makes me appreciate that machine. Once that mask is off back comes the chain saw. I get very frustrated with him for doing this because when he does have a sucessful night of keeping it on I wake up to a different person. He's can be fun to be around again and lately I have seen tiny improvements up until yesterday. He had a rough night and was crabby the next day... But what else is new right?

So yeah I appreciate the cpap. It allows me to get some sleep and it brings glimpses of who my husband used to be. Hopefully soon it will be more often rather than every couple weeks...

Linda wrote:

crossfit wrote:

   .... "they don't wear masks in playboy" ....

Do you really think that men are looking at the faces in these magazines??  

I suspect your husband will be just fine with you and your cpap.

I read the articles, do they have pictures in these magazines?


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My Kinda town Chicago is



Nothing in life is guaranteed, not even taxes -- you have to make money to get money back

I GIVE him the pics to look at.  Why not?  It doesn't hurt your love life.  ;)

Dianne wrote:

I GIVE him the pics to look at.  Why not?  It doesn't hurt your love life.  ;)

When he is done, can you please send them to 1234 Anywhere Street, IL -- mark them technical documents


Thanks..


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My Kinda town Chicago is



Nothing in life is guaranteed, not even taxes -- you have to make money to get money back

My point wasn't about whether he looks at the pics, it was about my feeling less then attractive with my mask on.  They may not be looking at the faces in those magazines but they still don't put masks on them because of the simple fact that they aren't sexy.


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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

It took my husband a long time to agree to go for testing because he didn't want to wear the mask.  I worked 2nd shift and would read in bed till I could fall asleep.  We knew there must be some kind of a problem because he would always be tired no matter how many hours of sleep he got but that's when I discovered that he stopped breathing for long periods of time all night long.  I would have to wake him to get him to roll over in hopes that he would sleep better.  When he finally got the CPAP machine he felt like a new man.  He would try to nap in the afternoon but found that he couldn't fall asleep, he really wasn't tired anymore.  All I know is that he's a healthier man.   Now the challenge is to get my 23 year old daughter to wear a mask.  She was diagnosed recently but doesn't want to wear the "stupid thing", even thought she knows better with her father.  I think she's coming around because she's tired of being so tired all of the time, but does any one have any suggestions?

I can now sleep soundly on my back with my wife snuggled up next to me with her head on my chest.  Couldn't do that before I had my CPAP, I'd jerk awake gasping for air and scare her.  

My wife is so used to it she doesn't even hear it anymore...no more waking up to my snoring and gasping sounds.

You get used to it.  I don't talk to people about it I don't know real well.  

The way I see it, I can use it or die in my sleep.  Easy decision.  


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RemStar Pro M-Series with C-Flex jamming 10 cm H20 down my piehole And finally getting a good night's sleep...every night!!!! I'm a 45 year old FMAWG...and proud of it.

I don't have any problem with the CPAP...it was my husband who did, and now my daughter.  My husband has been using the CPAP for about 4 years now and it's wonderful.  He feels so much better, execpt I think he needs to have it looked at because I think the mask is leaking or something, but it's my daughter who is fighting it now, she's 23.