Things non-apnea people say.

[BlackSpinner]

There was a famous person, can't remember exactly who, that recently reached 80 and started smoking. He missed it, and he loves it. But he decided that at 80 something else would probably get him before the smoking does, so he made a conscious decision. My first reaction was that it was a looney conscious decision, but maybe he has a point.

That is my fathers attitude to food. The hell with salads, vegetable and healthy stuff, at 87 he is not going to do that anymore, he is not eating anything he doesn't like - it drives me crazy as I am the one cooking for him and it changes all the time. If I hear "we had it better in the forced labour camp" one more time ......

I have no plans whatsoever to go anywhere, ever. But at the risk of going too dark here, if I discovered that some fate worse than dying in my sleep might be imminent, I would just stop the therapy.

Yep - after looking after my mother with dementia and completely disabled, I will make sure I never get there.

[ChicagoGranny]

"He died peacefully in his sleep"

"He died peacefully in his sleep while his passengers died screaming."

[palerider]

If I hear "we had it better in the forced labour camp" one more time ......

next time he says that, put his ass to work!

[chunkyfrog]

"Apnea is just a scam for the doctors. What did people do before they had CPAP machines? "

Die, and never meet their grandchildren.

[ChicagoGranny]

"My AHI was only 37, I sleep fine."

This was actually told to me by a good friend who "tried" CPAP for a few nights and then returned the machine.

[kaiasgram]

"I used cpap for two years but I don't use it anymore. My son said that using the cpap probably retrained my breathing so that I didn't need it anymore."
{Her son is a doctor }

[jaycee2]

"Why do you say you have sleep apnea?? Strange, you are thin and relatively young..."
"Bruxism? It must be because of stress.."
"You have to exercise more..."

My sleep medicine doctor said, "Why do you think you have sleep apnea? You don't fit the profile. You're not a man, don't have a thick neck, are relatively skinny, and I see by looking in your mouth that you don't have any noticeable blockages." But when I told him about stopping breathing and choking he ordered the sleep study.

[ems]

Sleep ap - ne - ah??? What in the world is that? A disease?

[Noctuary]

Of course you can. The idea is that you don't want to do that 20 years too early.

You assume too much.

[Mr Bill]

"Its Life Jim, but not as we know it."

[kteague]

Things non-apnea people say...

To the untreated
...Just pay attention.
...Why are you late? Just get up when the alarm goes off.

To the treated
...My neighbor has the same thing you have but he's not sleepy like you.
...You can stay the night. One night without that machine won't kill ya.

By those who should be treated
...I sleep just fine.
...If I stopped breathing I'd know it.
...If my snoring bothers you, then maybe YOU should wear ear plugs.
...Science says we have more brain cells than we use anyhow. So what if a few die?
...I'm just not a morning person.
...I'm not letting anyone watch me sleep.
...Just shoot me now. I'd rather be dead than sleep with that thing.

[49er]

I sleep just fine.

I know someone who was on pap therapy and who has quit using the machine. This person said the exact same thing. I tried encouraging her if she wasn't going to use the machine to at least explore a dental device if apnea severity is mild or moderate. I also shared my story about how things can get worse by not treating the apnea. Unfortunately, I think this person thought I was using scare tactics and obviously didn't want to discuss the issue.

On a different note, I have had male doctors tell me I couldn't possibly have sleep apnea because as a thin female, I don't fit the stereotypical fat male profile who has a thick neck.

49er

PS - Forgot to mention this common one - Sleep apnea is way over diagnosed.

[Noctuary]

"I sleep just fine"

Personally, this one gets me the most. What I wouldn't give just for a normal night's sleep. Its been almost a year with this now, and I can honestly say the prospect of dying in my sleep not only doesn't bother me, its something I now wish for. This is a miserable existence.

[49er]

"I sleep just fine"

Personally, this one gets me the most. What I wouldn't give just for a normal night's sleep. Its been almost a year with this now, and I can honestly say the prospect of dying in my sleep not only doesn't bother me, its something I now wish for. This is a miserable existence.

Noctuary,

As one who has gone through pap therapy h-ll for close to three years, I totally understand what you are saying. My heart goes out to you.

Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more and are uncomfortable discussing these issues on the board. But if you're continuing to have specific difficulties, maybe members can help you resolve things.

[Starlette]

You slept all night. (that confused look)
I can't understand why you need to nap!
--Hubbs