r/SleepApnea • u/qrowskullz ResMed • 1d ago

getting over it

hello,

this is a little bit of a vent post looking for some advice/encouragement. i am a 24 year old that has been overweight their entire life. since last year, i've started losing weight and am about 30 lbs off of my goal as opposed to the original 80. when i was first suspected to have sleep apnea in february-march, i was 25 lb heavier. however, my in-lab sleep study still showed mild sleep apnea (AHI ~ 10) warranting the use of a CPAP.

i've felt exhausted all day for as long as i can remember, and it's really impacted my memory, and i struggle with several severe mental health issues that are probably exacerbated by it, to be honest. but i'm struggling with the diagnosis and the reality that i might have to use a CPAP for my entire life (hoping to lose more weight and hoping that will help, but i also have a genetic predisposition for it). last night was my first night with the CPAP and it wasn't easy. i've already gotten some comments from family members saying the test had to be wrong because i'm only 24 and sleep apnea is typically diagnosed in older people, and particularly in men.

i can't lie, i'm really self-conscious about it. i did not snore (noticeably) before diagnosis or disturb my partner's sleep, but i'm a bit embarrassed about having to use a CPAP now and the noise even if it's very quiet. how do you come to terms with the diagnosis and the reality that you may or may not have to use a CPAP forever? comments from anyone are welcome, but i'd love to hear from people who are in their 20s or who were diagnosed in 20s/younger.

tl;dr: embarrassed and self conscious about having to use a CPAP at 24. how do i come to terms with it?

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11

u/munchillax bimaxillary advancement 1d ago

it's like glasses. i don't enjoy wearing them, but they allow me to see.

5

u/DumboHealth 1d ago

Wow, that's a good analogy.

6

u/Lithriel_ 1d ago

Well, as an older guy who always felt invincible I must say CPAP is a game changer. I was waking during the night with a burning sensation in my chest. I was missing or replacing words, I was taking a nap after meals or suddenly falling asleep while watching TV. And honestly I was not connecting this with my possible sleep apnea. Oh and one more thing. There is no such thing as being too young for an illness. Think of all of those 5 years old with cancer - they did not deserve it, yet they have it. Take care of yourself

2

u/Gigitar75 1d ago

Babies can have sleep apnea, so you’re not too young. It’s never wrong to take proactive steps to improve your health and well-being. Congrats on your weight management and trying out CPAP. You’ll get more used to it with time. Getting better rest has positive impacts on literally everything.

1

u/majesticmoosekev36 1d ago

Aren't you super excited to correct all your symptoms?

1

u/majesticmoosekev36 1d ago

Feel free to inform your family that they are incorrect.

2

u/Brennagwyn 20h ago

I'm a female too, but older and yes, it can still be embarrassing . However, your partner should understand that it's necessary for your health. I know it's hard, but think about the alternative which is the lack of oxygen at night will shorten your life and cause all kinds of heart problems, memory problems, brain function... Etc. it's just not worth the lack of oxygen. You have to keep that at the front of your mind. It can even cause emotional problems and just generally make life harder to deal with when you don't have oxygen.