Advice for Son of CPAP user with diagnosed OSA

When I was suspicious I had Sleep Apnea, and learned it was hereditary, I immediately contacted my 32 year old son and questioned him on symptoms and upon the answers, insisted he immediately seek help from his Dr. for a sleep study.

He had 27 episodes of non-breathing an hour, but when they tried to put a mask on him, he became extremely claustrophobic when he discovered the pressure was so high he could not exhale.

Since then, he has discussed alternatives with his Sleep Dr., including surgery and weight loss (he was 230 #, 6 ft tall). I did some investigations on the surgery (tonsillectomy, removal of uvula, soft palate --he has no deviated septum), and found out that those who have had this have difficulty swallowing dry food, and that the surgery only lasted for a year or so as an improvement and they still had to use the CPAP. After this he decided against the surgery.

He is now enrolled in Weight Watchers and has lost about 20 pounds, but I am afraid he will depend on this and will still need the CPAP. I've explained to him the various machines such as a BiPAP and the various masks (he's a stomach sleeper) and he is still reluctant.

In addition to the OSA he has high blood pressure and it really worries me that he is being so reluctant to go on CPAP. He has insurance so cost is not a problem.

What can I tell him that will make him realize how serious this is? I've already passed on articles, etc. and right from the first explained that it could result in heart attack, etc, even death if not treated.

What masks are recommended by the stomach sleepers on the forum?

Janelle,

Good for you! Keep after your son. I too am overweight and have high blood pressure. I resisted getting diagnosed with OSA for a year thinking it was just another problem that would go away if I lost the weight. Then I started to research OSA and found out that my weight gain and my high blood pressure and the risk that I might get diabetes that runs in my family may be caused by the OSA. Nearly choking to death hundreds of times a night, every night, takes a huge toll on one's body. It may be true that he will not need the cpap if he loses all the weight. But he may also find if he uses the cpap now it will make it easier to lose the weight and all the other symtoms of untreated OSA that are slowly killing him.