Only the elderly and massively overweight got sleep apnea—that couldn’t be me, says a writer to Stuff.co.nz.

But, after 18 months of investigations and treatment had proved of only minimal help, sleep apnea was all that was left. I was referred to the sleep clinic and brought home a monitor to wear for one night to find out what was actually happening while I was sleeping.

I was still in denial. Sleep apnea was so – unfeminine. I told a friend about the sleep test and she asked if I’d have to wear a mask. And laughed. That laugh confirmed my feelings about the prospect of using a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device. It was humiliating and embarrassing.