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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

He's just not bothered

38 replies

weekfour · 18/09/2022 07:16

My DH is a lovely guy. He's kind and generous with his time and money. We have lots of friends. My friends in particular think he's great. He's intelligent and quick and we bounce off each other well.

There's just one huge problem and it permeates everything. He's fat and he snores. Very, very fat and it affects everything.

He snores so loudly that we haven't really slept in the same bed for years. A decade probably. Earlier in the year, after a particularly shit holiday where he disturbed the whole family he spoke to his doctor and was eventually diagnosed with severe sleep apnoea. He's been given a Cpap machine.

I knew he'd get this machine. I'd told him I thought he had this probably ten years ago. However, he never went to the doctor so we all listened to him snore for another ten years. The only thing that stopped his going to the doctor is lack of planning/actually ringing to make an appointment. I had to nag, nag, nag to get him to the doctor and eventually make the appointment for him.

Thing is, the sleep apnoea affects his whole life. Put a film on- he'll fall asleep watching it. Sit down in the middle of the day-he'll fall asleep. Traffic jam- fall asleep! He's fallen asleep with the kids in the car on the motorway.

The monitoring for the sleep apnoea told his that in his worst hour, he was woken by his own lack of oxygen 40odd times in an hour. He never gets into deep sleep and for all that snoring, doesn't wake up refreshed.

So, now he has the cpap. It's amazing- we can't hear him snore. Problem is he just can't be arsed to put it on!!!

On a personal level, I'd pinned everything on this. I wanted my husband back. I thought we might sleep together again. I was looking forward to having sex more than once a year. He would have more energy. We could go away. We could go on family bike rides. He would lose some weight and be healthier. I don't want a fat husband and I don't want my kids to grow up thinking morbidly obese is normal. And sleep apnoea isn't just snoring- it increases the risk of heart disease and all sorts of health problems. He'll die young and I'll be left managing that with three small kids.

I'm heart crushingly disappointed. He just doesn't get how selfish it is. I've been so accommodating that he doesn't feel he needs to put the effort in. I should have known how this really when I had to book the doctors appointment for him. I'm so angry. He won't listen to me. There's always an excuse. I get that it's uncomfortable but feel that he should persevere.

I don't know what I want. Thanks for listening I suppose. Just for clarity- the doctor has said he'll likely lose weight if he uses the machine due to metabolism changes and increased energy level.

OP posts:
Pinkbonbon · 18/09/2022 11:27

Ps: losing weight is 90% about diet.

If I didn't I can lose 3lbs on a good week. If I exercise,

Pinkbonbon · 18/09/2022 11:29

*posted too soon

If i exercise, maybe an extra 1/2 pound.

And my diet I just mean healthy eating.
Exercise helps but its primarily what you eat that needs to change if you're struggling with weight.

weekfour · 18/09/2022 11:34

mycatisannoying · 18/09/2022 11:19

OP, you sound so weary of it all. I really feel for you. At the end of the day though, you need to ask yourself: is it an equal partner you want, or to be someone's mother?

I know. 😭

OP posts:
weekfour · 18/09/2022 11:36

hewouldwouldnthe · 18/09/2022 11:21

Honestly I couldn't be bothered with someone like this. Someone so unattractive, so obese, so unhealthy and uninterested in doing anything about it would be too much. You do know that you are likely to spend many years of your later life as a carer for someone who's weight catches up with him and he has a stroke? Or other health issues.

Selfish I know but so is the person who disregards their health in this way.

I've said this through tears. Falls on deaf ears. But you are right. I'm 40 and I'm not interested in being anyone's carer yet. My Dad is 70 and he's in better nick.

OP posts:
mscampbelle · 18/09/2022 11:40

I just couldn't be with someone who wasn't interested in being around to see their children grown up, and possibly never meet their grandchildren.
Has he got depression?

BeautyGoesToBenidorm · 18/09/2022 12:13

forgotoldusername · 18/09/2022 10:27

I would give him an ultimatum - lose weight by whatever means (gastric sleeve, drastic diet) or you'll leave him, but be ready to walk away. I'll be honest, I have a problem with obesity (I might have some eating disorders but I can't even look at obese people). My ex husband was about average when we met but he lost 10kg when I told him that I would only marry him if he was fit. I was ready to walk away. Have a new super fit partner today and told him any weight gain is a deal breaker. Could you do that?

Jesus wept. If a man came on here saying this etc etc... maybe you should look into getting help yourself, for those eating disorders. You're projecting onto your husband and that's deeply unfair.

weekfour · 18/09/2022 12:15

mscampbelle · 18/09/2022 11:40

I just couldn't be with someone who wasn't interested in being around to see their children grown up, and possibly never meet their grandchildren.
Has he got depression?

Probably.

That's another one of those things that only he can act on though.

OP posts:
Choconut · 18/09/2022 12:28

It sounds like he really struggles with executive function - I was thinking he may be ND too. It would explain why he's brilliant at his very difficult job but can't manage to organise a dr's appointment he really needs. Can you tell him you want him to sleep back in with you and you'll be making sure he uses the machine? It's treating him like a child but it sounds like he needs it, then hopefully he will begin to see the benefits and everything else will start to fall into place.

Smooshface · 18/09/2022 21:35

If you don't make a change for yourself then you are saying this is what you want for the rest of your life.

What does 10 years from now look like? Will you have avoided holidays because of his snoring? Sex just a few times? What do you want from life? Are there activities that you won't get to do because he can't? I mean you can accept that he is that kind of partner and make your peace, but if you want a partner to join you on adventures and who takes of themselves then you might need to accept that you will need to move on.

You never know, you doing this might spur him on to change, that does sometimes happen, but nothing will change on its own.

scoobydoo1971 · 18/09/2022 22:01

I had a boyfriend with sleep apnea so bad that the neighbours complained about the snoring. I often made him go home to his flat, or slept nights on the sofa to get away from that noise. He had a young child, drank and ate too much, and I suggested he get fit for all our future. He refused, I dumped him and do not regret. I have seen him at a pub while passing by in the last year. Three years from me dumping him. He must have gained 2 stone over lockdown and still knocking back the beer. People only change if you want them to. I don't want to be a carer, and you have every right to want a fit and healthy partner who can make lifestyle changes that help everyone. This is not about someone with a disability beyond their control. He could lose weight and seek medical help. Walk away.

Bestcatmum · 18/09/2022 22:06

Sorry to say this but he'll die. My sleep apnoea caused me to have a stroke at 60, luckily I've recovered and use my machine every single day without fail. My friend had a near fatal heart attack and had to have urgent heart surgery.
other people die. If he crashes the car they will take his license away.
I was told by the DVLA who I was reported to by my GP that I was one point to losing my license and I had to wear a monitoring advice every night whilst using cpap to check I was actually sleeping.
I came really close to losing my job as I drive everyday all over the county.
This is no joke he needs to wake up now.

OldFan · 18/09/2022 22:11

His lack of action to improve things for you all must be the most annoying thing.

If you could do something to improve things for you and your family, and something so easy, I'm sure you'd do it in a heartbeat @weekfour

OldFan · 18/09/2022 22:17

A friend of mine isn't particularly overweight but somehow has sleep apnoea. She doesn't like the CPAP machine, found it unpleasant so she never got into using it really. But as far as I know there's no massive impact on her or her family so it's her decision. Their kids are grown and her husband is older so is probably grateful to have her.

Your husband is acting like it's just his choice- which it kind of is except it effects everyone else in numerous ways. Soo frustrating for you.

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