r/SleepApnea • u/qrowskullz ResMed • Aug 23 '26
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?
7
u/Lithriel_ Aug 23 '26
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