Because I am overweight, I don't want to tell anyone I have sleep apnea, because I figure people will say or think, "see if you were not overweight you wouldn't have sleep apnea"  Crazy thought, but that is the way I feel.  I know there are alot of people who don't have weight problems that have sleep apnea.

Lynda07 wrote:

Because I am overweight, I don't want to tell anyone I have sleep apnea, because I figure people will say or think, "see if you were not overweight you wouldn't have sleep apnea"  Crazy thought, but that is the way I feel.  I know there are alot of people who don't have weight problems that have sleep apnea.

 
I'm also overweight and I also know that one doesn't have to be overweight to have sleep apnea.  I've made the decision to educate people around me about sleep apnea. I got the brochure about sleep apnea from ASAA to hand out.  I'm going to distribute them at my next neighborhood meeting.  I've already given them out to my co-workers that don't have sleep apnea.  Thats right.  When i started talking about it at work i found a lot of people who had it or knew someone that had it.  I've even given one to my bus driver. (He complains about being tired all the time)
I think people will make assumptions about why i have sleep apnea. That's why I think I should take the time to educate them.  What they don't know about sleep apnea could kill them.  The more people know the facts the better.  At least that's what I think.  By the way I'm 5'3" and I weigh 213lbs.  I've gained 4 pounds since my diagnoses. I don't worry about this because I know once I get my energy back from treatment I'll be able to loose the weight.  
 
In other words:  Accentuate the positive - eliminate the negative.
 
Cat J

Lynda07

Whether you tell someone that you have or haven't got sleep apnea is a very personal decision, and totally up to you, but  Please don't do it because of a continued false stereotype belief! Ones weight does not make you have sleep apnea, you don't have to be a middle aged, over weight  male with a big neck to have sleep apnea!  and you don't have to be just a male, as you well know, nor do you have to be middle aged, you can be young or old or any age! You don't have to be over weight or heavy or big or fat or anything you can be tall and skinny and light as a feather! and still have sleep apnea! Contrary to myth and typical stereotype there is no one set type of person that has sleep apnea! As I like to say Knowledge is power! So I think CatJ is right educate people about sleep apnea, who knows it might save their life, and it could even save your own if the person you educate is driving with untreated sleep apnea! Something to ponder and think about! Anyway being over weight is a condition,  but it should not define who you are no more than sleep apnea should! It is just a very  small part of your being! I do which you well and Good Luck to you!...White Beard


_________________
White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0, FitLife Mask

Lynda07 wrote:

Because I am overweight, I don't want to tell anyone I have sleep apnea, because I figure people will say or think, "see if you were not overweight you wouldn't have sleep apnea"  Crazy thought, but that is the way I feel.  I know there are alot of people who don't have weight problems that have sleep apnea.

Weight is certainly a risk factor and a reduction in weight may reduce the severity, HOWEVER, there are many risk factors. Sleep Apnea is finally getting the research that it deserves, so you could probably find something in everyone that would be a risk factor.

I dont blame you for keeping quiet, but youll have ammunition (valuable ammunition) if anyone does say anything.

Lynda07 wrote:

Because I am overweight, I don't want to tell anyone I have sleep apnea, because I figure people will say or think, "see if you were not overweight you wouldn't have sleep apnea"  Crazy thought, but that is the way I feel.  I know there are alot of people who don't have weight problems that have sleep apnea.

Hi Lynda07,

When I hear this sort of talk I wonder "which came first, the chicken or the egg".   Is it the apnea which raises the cortisol and other hormone levels which make one hunger for sugar, fat, carbs and salt while simultaniously making it hard to decide to get out and do anything which brings on the weight, or is it the weight which brings on the apnea?

One thing is for sure, once the apnea starts the pounds will tend to pack on.

Perhaps you could consider sharing only with those who are a bit heavy amongst your friends.  The info may very well help them!

Going for a walk,

Todzo

Lynda07,

You don't need to tell anyone anything.  Make the information available on a "need to know" basis.  They don't need to know ALL of the information about your life.  (Women seem to pry out private information about each other.)  It's none of their business, unless you think one of them HAS it too.  

Just use your cpap and learn to feel comfortable with it.  Air is good.

Welcome to the group.  

Dianne

PS,  I'm not overweight but have moderate apnea.


_________________
Dianne's: Remstar Auto M, C-flex, humidifier, smart card. Mask: Swift LT, AHI- 23, lowest blood ox 80%.

John's: Same cpap, Mask: Respironics Profile-lite mask.
severe apnea, Cpap user for more than 20 years.

Hey there Lynda.

  A lot of people just don't understand.  I'm in pretty good health but a bit overweight.  (I'm from Michigan, we like food and we don't leave the house in the winter)  I'm certainly not to the point where my weight has caused any health issues. I don't get the "losing weight will help" so much, but since I do tend to go to sleep later than most people, I get that a lot.

I get things like "Maybe if you went to sleep earlier, you'd fall asleep faster."  or "Have you tried reading to help you sleep?".  I keep trying to explain that the problem isn't going to sleep, it's my airway closing up while I do it!

Just like anything I suppose.  Tell people you feel comfortable telling.  I'm a pretty public person, but I've only told the people that are affected by it: my close family, friends who I've shared a hotel room with and have commented on it, and my new girlfriend.  It's not that I'm ashamed or embarrassed, I just don't see it as something I need to tell people :p  Oh, I also told certain people that I work with that would be directly affected by me taking time off for sleep studies or by me being unable to get to work on time due to a bad night's sleep.  It helped.

Lynda07 wrote:

Because I am overweight, I don't want to tell anyone I have sleep apnea, because I figure people will say or think, "see if you were not overweight you wouldn't have sleep apnea"  Crazy thought, but that is the way I feel.  I know there are alot of people who don't have weight problems that have sleep apnea.

Lynda07, I am not overweight and I have sever OSA (AHI=59/hr). I told my parents, my sister, and my brother and everyone of them seemed like it went through one ear and out the other. They didn't seem to care. I think it is because they just don't know about OSA and don't realize what damage is being done having it. Some times its a lonely feeling when my family doesn't even want to discuss it with me. I want to talk to them about it and they don't ask, so I just leave it alone.

It is totally your choice to tell anyone or not. Some people will not be interested and some will want more information.


_________________
Wendy
Respironics REMstar Auto mSeries / A-Flex with humidifier and data card
pressure 5/10
with humidifer
Mirage Liberty mask
AHI=59/hr
Now AHI=2.3 woohoo

I myself have been telling everyone and trying to educate people on it...some understand some don't "get it", my dad being one of those that doesn't get it...he acts like its no big deal which does kinda hurt....but it is my health and im gonna take care of myself no matter what others may think! The only thing i worry about, being single, is telling a new bf about it and how they would react.....i'm single now and have no prospects at the moment so i guess i have time to work out just how exactly to bring that one up LoL

I just want to say, everyone that has replied has brought up very good points. (some I never thought of).  I am sorry for the ones who have told their family and they figure it is not big deal. I know it is a very big deal.  I remember a few times waking up and not being able to catch my breathe, it is very scary.  It didn't surprise me at all that I have Sleep Apnea.  
I sure appreciate everyones comments.  Thanks!

WendyW and Amyd76

It is to bad that others don't realize the importance of having Sleep Apnea and the impact that it has on ones life! I have known many family members with that attitude! ( No big deal!) But it is a "Big Deal" People here know that it is a "Big Deal" and how important it is to treat it and how difficult that can be for some of us! That is what makes this such a great place to come to! Your not alone here!

Lynda07 it is very scary when you wake up in a cold sweat choking and gasping for air, I know that feeling all to well! I do wish you well on yuor CPAP adventure, and wish you continued success!..........White Beard


_________________
White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0, FitLife Mask

The original question was about OSA being overweight and not wanting to telll anyone.

Think about the issues for truck drivers and airline pilots who have MAJOR job related issues when they are daignosed with OSA and begin treatment.

Add to this that the current plans of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are to require OSA testing based only on Body Mass Index (see winter 2009 issue of AWAKE newsletter) .  FAA is now looking at tightening its screening requirements.

There are lots of people who have OSA but are not overweight. My brother happens to be one. Skinny as a rail....

The bigger issue is educating the public that OSA if it is treated properly is not a safety hazard for pilots and truck drivers. We need to remove the negative stereotype.

Many truck drivers are SCARED STIFF about getting tested for OSA because they most likely will be fired if they test positive. As a truck driver with OSA the DMV, the mechanics who work on my truck to install the invertor, my dispatcher, the safety director, and virtually anyone in the trucking company knows about my medical treatment for OSA.

What scares me are the plans from FMCSA ....that instead of helping truck drivers get OSA testing and treatment will in most cases drive them further into the closet denying they might have OSA..

for the same reasons the original poster suggested.....


_________________
Just a truck driver with sleep apnea

Lynda07 wrote:

Because I am overweight, I don't want to tell anyone I have sleep apnea, because I figure people will say or think, "see if you were not overweight you wouldn't have sleep apnea"  Crazy thought, but that is the way I feel.  I know there are alot of people who don't have weight problems that have sleep apnea.

I absolutely don't care what everyone else thinks. I only want what is best for me. I was born a skinny sickly person, then I became a competing bodybuilder, then I became a power lifter, then I got mis-diagnosed with a heart condition, then I got fat, now I am losing weight and getting healthy.

Just be you and offer no one anything other than a great person. The people that want to be around a great person are the people you want to keep. Friendship should not have conditions. You either is or you ain't my friend.  


_________________
REMstar Auto M series with A-Flex and humidifier. Plus an O2 concentrator

truckerdad57 wrote:

The original question was about OSA being overweight and not wanting to telll anyone.

Think about the issues for truck drivers and airline pilots who have MAJOR job related issues when they are daignosed with OSA and begin treatment.

Add to this that the current plans of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are to require OSA testing based only on Body Mass Index (see winter 2009 issue of AWAKE newsletter) .  FAA is now looking at tightening its screening requirements.

There are lots of people who have OSA but are not overweight. My brother happens to be one. Skinny as a rail....

The bigger issue is educating the public that OSA if it is treated properly is not a safety hazard for pilots and truck drivers. We need to remove the negative stereotype.

Many truck drivers are SCARED STIFF about getting tested for OSA because they most likely will be fired if they test positive. As a truck driver with OSA the DMV, the mechanics who work on my truck to install the invertor, my dispatcher, the safety director, and virtually anyone in the trucking company knows about my medical treatment for OSA.

What scares me are the plans from FMCSA ....that instead of helping truck drivers get OSA testing and treatment will in most cases drive them further into the closet denying they might have OSA..

for the same reasons the original poster suggested.....

trucker,
I never even considered truckers or pilots and OSA mixing and what they have to go through. I can see how it would be hard to and how they can be scared to death about it. when I saw you posting on different threads, i said 'wow'. if it wasnt for you truck drivers our world would come to a halt that is for sure. i traveled with an exboyfriend for a couple of weeks from ga to wisconsin and i was like 'take me home, i want a bed that doesn't move!' :) truckers do go through a lot!


_________________
Wendy
Respironics REMstar Auto mSeries / A-Flex with humidifier and data card
pressure 5/10
with humidifer
Mirage Liberty mask
AHI=59/hr
Now AHI=2.3 woohoo

truckerdad57 wrote:

The original question was about OSA being overweight and not wanting to telll anyone.

Think about the issues for truck drivers and airline pilots who have MAJOR job related issues when they are daignosed with OSA and begin treatment.

Add to this that the current plans of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration are to require OSA testing based only on Body Mass Index (see winter 2009 issue of AWAKE newsletter) .  FAA is now looking at tightening its screening requirements.

There are lots of people who have OSA but are not overweight. My brother happens to be one. Skinny as a rail....

The bigger issue is educating the public that OSA if it is treated properly is not a safety hazard for pilots and truck drivers. We need to remove the negative stereotype.

Many truck drivers are SCARED STIFF about getting tested for OSA because they most likely will be fired if they test positive. As a truck driver with OSA the DMV, the mechanics who work on my truck to install the invertor, my dispatcher, the safety director, and virtually anyone in the trucking company knows about my medical treatment for OSA.

What scares me are the plans from FMCSA ....that instead of helping truck drivers get OSA testing and treatment will in most cases drive them further into the closet denying they might have OSA..

for the same reasons the original poster suggested.....

Hi truckerdad57!

It is hard.  I have not yet done it.  I have not renewed my drivers license and I plan to get a state ID card instead.  In my case the OSA is severe and the hypoxia extreme.  Cognitive damage is obvious to me and the impacts on my life are great.

In 2003 I got my diagnosis.  In early 2005 I fell off my bicycle on a bright sunny windless day.  I believe I simply forgot to watch my balance for a second - that is all it takes on a bicycle - that is all it takes in a car.  The 2005 incident bruised every tendon in my six pack area.  It hurt to do anything.  I was actually considering renewing my license but then a few nights ago, fortunately I fell while doing my 10,000 steps a day.

I believe truck drivers should be SCARED STIFF to NOT BE TESTED.  My hurt from the bruised tendons was great.  Hurt from maiming or killing another or even the damage to oneself could easily be much greater than what I experienced, and the loss of one's own life would greatly hurt those who loved us.  

None of us have the right to put others at risk so we can keep a job.

May we find better tools to assess the damage done by the disease, and keep one another safe.

Todzo