Positive health effects from treatment?

[USMCVet]

So I'm curious what possible positive health effects i might experience?
Currently i have hypertension that is not ideally controlled. I gained 40 pounds in a couple months while in service, elevated liver enzymes since i got out of service, just found our I'm pre- diabetic.
Assuming these things are related to my OSA how long before i might start seeing improvements?

[49er]

So I'm curious what possible positive health effects i might experience?
Currently i have hypertension that is not ideally controlled. I gained 40 pounds in a couple months while in service, elevated liver enzymes since i got out of service, just found our I'm pre- diabetic.
Assuming these things are related to my OSA how long before i might start seeing improvements?

Hi USMCVet,

Forgive me if you are doing this already but here are some proactive steps you can take regarding your hypertension and being pre diabetic. I have started exercising every day for 45 minutes to an hour. I have also changed my diet to eat as many cups of vegetables as I can tolerate. And I have incorporated a low carb diet.

My blood pressure was never high to begin with but during the last visit to the PCP, it was 106/60. It has never been that low. And my A1C was 5.1 when it in the past, it has been at pre diabetic ranges at 5.7. Just so you know, "healthy" carbs can spike blood sugar.

I can't answer the questions of whether being on pap therapy will help with these issues but obviously, it can't hurt. And of course, check with your doctor regarding diet and exercise.

Best of luck.

49er

[kteague]

You might enjoy reading the thread at the top of the page with success stories. Many of them reference health gains. While treatment may not "cure" other health conditions, many like me report the amount of meds needed for blood pressure etc were reduced. My overall health and well being improved greatly. Used to be on at least a dozen prescriptions and still spiraling downward. Now have 5 scripts. Hopefully a little bit down the road you'll be adding to the thread of success stories and telling us what difference treatment has made for you.

[Julie]

People report their hair loss has stopped and even reversed... same for bedroom problems which apparently got better.

I personally think that an hour of working out is half an hour too much and can even be counterproductive (your appetite goes crazy after too much of it), and that low-carb, while admirable, needs to be worked out when paired with 'cups of vegetables' every day as those are carbs as well, however good for you they may be - I'm certainly not advocating that you don't eat veggies of course.

[AMESS]

I do 20 minutes of fast walking every day no matter what. It has lowered my BP. Now the good news--kids say I look better -more robust and great skin since being on cpap for 3 months. Hard to believe but I am a glutton for good comments.

[49er]

People report their hair loss has stopped and even reversed... same for bedroom problems which apparently got better.

I personally think that an hour of working out is half an hour too much and can even be counterproductive (your appetite goes crazy after too much of it), and that low-carb, while admirable, needs to be worked out when paired with 'cups of vegetables' every day as those are carbs as well, however good for you they may be - I'm certainly not advocating that you don't eat veggies of course.

Julie, not to sidetrack this thread but everyone is different as far as exercise needs. Having said that, I am looking into cutting back to 45 minutes with the exception of days like this morning when I had an early dentist appointment.

Regarding the issue of carbs, I should have mentioned that USMCVet might want to purchase a glucometer and start measuring his blood sugar to see what foods he can and cannot tolerate. Many people with metabolic issues can't even handle "healthy" carbs as I found out when plain oatmeal spiked me into the diabetic range. But again, everyone is different.

49er

[squid13]

I was taking 20 MG of enalapril blood pressure medicine twice a day, now I take 2.5 MG twice a day thanks to cpap.

[DreamStalker]

Awoke feeling like Superman after first night of CPAP therapy!

Recovered my morning wood within first week ... I'm back to just like when I was in my 20's

Lost about 30 lbs after first couple of months ... without changing diet of physical activity. Lost another 60 lbs after dialing in lifestyle changes.

Eliminated all my allergies/ upper respiratory issues ... have not had the flu since starting CPAP therapy -- and the very mild but very rare cold symptoms I've had go away within a couple of days.

Over all, I feel like I did when I was in my 30's even though I'm approaching 60.

Hope that helps.

[Goofproof]

Stay "N" Alive! Jim

[MaxINTJ]

I'll let you know if I ever get any.

[USMCVet]

I've had hypertension since i was in service so exercise won't help that lol, i quit smoking and that did nothing, ate healthy reduced salt blah blah blah and none of that ever made a difference so I'm hoping CPAP therapy does!

Once i actually have energy again i do want to start exercising more again.

Now as far as being pre diabetic that's just what VA Dr. Told me. Didn't tell me anything else like how to prevent it from getting worse, types of food or drinks to try and avoid or next steps.

[chunkyfrog]

About 3 months after starting, the dog pulled his leash out of my hand,
so I ran after him 2 blocks before catching him. Then I realized I was not winded!
Prior to cpap, I could barely run 200 FEET without nearly passing out.
Around the same time, my BOSS remarked that my mental ability had improved remarkably.

[49er]

I've had hypertension since i was in service so exercise won't help that lol, i quit smoking and that did nothing, ate healthy reduced salt blah blah blah and none of that ever made a difference so I'm hoping CPAP therapy does!

Once i actually have energy again i do want to start exercising more again.

Now as far as being pre diabetic that's just what VA Dr. Told me. Didn't tell me anything else like how to prevent it from getting worse, types of food or drinks to try and avoid or next steps.

Sites that might be helpful

https://lowcarbrn.wordpress.com/
http://www.diabetes-book.com/

[DreamStalker]

I've had hypertension since i was in service so exercise won't help that lol, i quit smoking and that did nothing, ate healthy reduced salt blah blah blah and none of that ever made a difference so I'm hoping CPAP therapy does!

Once i actually have energy again i do want to start exercising more again.

Now as far as being pre diabetic that's just what VA Dr. Told me. Didn't tell me anything else like how to prevent it from getting worse, types of food or drinks to try and avoid or next steps.

Dr. Fung will splains it to you .... IDM

[Arlene1963]

I've noticed some very positive changes since being on CPAP .... lower BP (taking 1/2 the meds now that I took before), lower resting heart rate, greater ability to exercise, more positive outlook, and I'm far less anxious.

Fewer night sweats, no more episodes of waking up with a racing heart, random PVCs or SVTs which were becoming increasingly frequent have completely resolved.

No more ear infections. (I was getting recurrent ear infections for the better part of a year prior to diagnosis for no reason)

Even my mouth feels healthier, tongue no longer has a white coating and I haven't had a cavity since I started CPAP. I always had cavities before.

Basically CPAP has been amazing for me. I'm really one of the lucky ones. Took me a while to wrap my head around it at first, though, but now I can't imagine sleeping without the mask.

OSA was slowly killing me and I had no idea.