Sunday, February 14, 2010


I have a hang-up about my age. A few months ago, I admitted my age on this blog (and, no, I'm not going to link to it; if you're THAT interested, do the work and find it yourself). I just have a hard-time believing that I'm THIS age. But, no matter how much I try not to think about it, once in awhile, there are days when there is no avoiding it. Yesterday was one of those days.

At the request of my doctor, I was visited by an employee of a home healthcare company to be set up with one of these. My doctor recommended a sleep study which might shed some light on as to why I'm so tired. The study showed that I stop breathing for significant amounts of time during the night, which prevents me from getting to that REM stage where we get our most restful sleep. Also it puts me at a higher risk for strokes or heart attacks.

BUT....isn't this supposed to be for fat, old men who snore loud enough to wake the neighbors? Of course, the nice man who brought me this contraption tried to re-assure me that people of any age can suffer from sleep apnea and that he has patients in their 20's. Sorry, that still didn't make me feel any better.

I fought this for over a year, but my doc said she wouldn't take my complaints of tiredness seriously until I tried this machine. Then she let me read the report that stated how often I stop breathing and, ok, it scared me enough to give in.

I made a half-hearted attempt to use it last night, but got so frustrated with it, I gave up. But, would you believe that there's a data card in the machine that actually records how often I use it, which the insurance company will ask for every few months to confirm that I'm being a good girl and doing what I'm told.

I guess I should be looking at the bright side and be grateful that they have these machines available nowadays. But can you just picture how sexy I look and feel with this mask?? But, hey, somebody must have thought Darth Vader was sexy, right? RIGHT?

6 comments:

  1. I once dated a 30 year old man who had to wear a sleep apnea mask at night. Believe me, it was better than the sound of him potentially stopping breathing altogether.

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  2. Oh, that sucks! On the bright side I know 2 people who use this, and claim it really helps...I even dated one of them.

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  3. Oh yes, I've seen them and they are so totally sexy.

    But...hmmm....breathe and sleep well, or be sexy? I know, it is NOT a fair choice to have to make.

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  4. My hubby has one of these machines and it took him a few nights and an adjustment or two to get used to it. Darth Vader is exactly what I call him. The dog refuses to sleep on his side of the bedroom. The good news is that the machine makes "white noise" and lulls me to sleep straight away.

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  5. My boss uses one of those. Several months ago he wound up in the ER and was clinically dead, then in a coma before reviving. How? Deathly low levels of oxygen in his system which had caused sleeplessness, memory loss and dementia immediately prior. Why? Sleep apnea. That is no joke. Wear your mask Jersey Girl. We'd like to keep you around.

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