How to explain CPAP to a caring mother?

[yoshi]

I'm a little bit worried/stressed. I will be sharing a hotel with my mom. She lives out of state and I haven't seen her since I've started cpap. She knows I've had sleep issues, and I've tried the best as I could to explain that my sleep issues are more than just a racing mind. I have to explain CPAP to her before my visit (or at least before I bust it out and go to sleep on the first night)... but I'm worried about how I can give this news without frightening her. She has a phobia of equipment that looks like an oxygen mask or nasal cannula--it has to do with one of those rumors, you know like the "friend of a friend was on oxygen and died" sort of thing. There's probably much to the story and I have no idea the merit of it, it's just something real to her. And I respect her and her fears. I need a simplistic explanation and some way to reassure her that CPAP differs from O2 therapy and I don't have a chronic condition. I don't think she understands apnea at all.

I take responsibility for not telling her on day 1; I wanted to wait until my follow-up to make sure this is an ongoing therapy. I didn't want to cause any unnecessary worry if this was something that didn't work out for me. CPAP isn't anything to be ashamed of and I have no issues with explaining to her (she deserves to know) but I don't want to scare her. Does anyone have ideas on how to begin to explain this?

[PoolQ]

Tried many times with my Mom, she always offers suggestions like "just read a book before bed" and then she gives up and just says that she does not understand it. She has never "seen" it.
Maybe "It's like a small vacuum cleaner, but it blows instead of vacuum's. It's just room air"

Good luck, I have not found the answer yet.

[chunkyfrog]

Actually, you DO have a chronic condition, but as long as you use your cpap, it need not become SERIOUS.
There are great informative videos about cpap. This is the best way I can think to set her mind at ease.
Do not skip therapy out of fear of upsetting her. Just show her you use it and it's just a part of your health care.
If she wants to freak, it's on her. She will calm down as long as you are calm.

[yoshi]

she always offers suggestions like "just read a book before bed"

That made me chuckle. Definitely something Mom has said to me before.

[Pugsy]

How about just saying that you need a little extra room air under a little bit of pressure to help hold the airway tissues open?
If you are known to snore a lot you can just say "that way I don't wake myself up snoring all the time " and "that way I won't wake you up with my snoring" "because that little bit of room air under pressure keeps me from snoring".
Keep it simple.
You can go into more detail if you sense she is receptive but if she is a worry wart...I probably wouldn't go there. It's true..and if you aren't a snorer adapt the wording to keep it simple and to the point....like "I breathe easier and better using this air".

[WindCpap]

For most of us, CPAP is a 100% effective treatment. With it, there is no sleep apnea. Depending on if this is true in your case (or maybe even if it is not), you can explain CPAP in those terms. You can say that there are a lot of negative symptoms of sleep apnea and none of them apply to you any more.

[IDontSnoreISwear]

I would start saving my pennies now so that I could have my own room.

[WindCpap]

Of course, you could always just tell her ahead of time that you have sleep apnea, and don't mention the treatment. When she goes online and researches, and then comes back to you insisting that you get a CPAP, you can then say "OK Mom, I'll get one just for you"

[Wulfman...]

You (as we all do) have a "breathing disorder" (you stop breathing which deprives your body of oxygen) while you sleep. If you DON'T use it, your health will decline and you may have an earlier death (from any number of related causes). This is merely a device to help keep your airway open while you sleep and ensure some longer term life and better health.

If she's a caring, loving mother, I'm sure she'll understand.


Den

.

[Bill44133]

If it is all possible show your mother this youtube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gie2dhqP2c

This video put the whole thing in perspective for me.
After viewing the video she will be so happy and supportive that you are taking care of yourself.


I wish you well....