Would Weight Loss Help?

Hi Again,

Thanks to most of those who responded to my previous post. I haven't set the machine up again yet, maybe soon.

However, I was wondering if anyone has had a huge improvement (or even been cured - can I use that word?) after losing weight?

Thanks,

Deb

"huge" improvement ... possibly but more likely not.

In either case, you won't be able to loose the weight unless you treat the apnea first since hypoxia screws up your hormonal levels and prevents any attempts at weight loss.

Attitude adjustment is your first priority.

Weight loss will help with your overall health and feelings of well-being plus the less weight one has to drag around the less tired they will be.

But, don't have expectations that the apnea will disappear after a weight loss.

I was considering first losing the weight to see if my apnea went away before getting a machine. I am so glad I got the machine first... I am less sleepy now during the day and better able to pursue a weight loss program.

Both my GP, Sleep Apnea Respitory Specialist and ENT surgeon rate obesity as one of the major factors in severity of OSA. Ive just had UPPP surgey and my surgeon said that to increase my chances of the surgery being a more permanent proposition, i should lose more weight. Ive lost quite a few kilos and have noticed an increase in energy levels, day time lucidity, and good mood. my respitory specialist presribes, along with CPAP, wieght loss as a first line treatment for OSA . the benefits of losing weight sustainably and excersing regularly are well known. Here in OZ, OSA patients are very much encourage to lose weight along with using CPAP and/or having surgeries.
Excercise will strengthen your heart, improve OSA (or eliminate it), make surgery more viable as you get your OSA down to mild, improve your sex life, make you more confident, improve your chances of making it past 55, etc
sometimes we just have to get off our lazy asses and make an effort.
I know its hard when you are tired all the time, but the way i look at it, you can either wait until you CPAP or surgery begins to make a difference (which i belive can take months or in the worse cases, years) or you can get out and do it. after all, if my heavily pregnant wife can get off the couch and walk a few km's a day, then i can make the effort too.
good luck

It's highly probable that sleep apnea (or years of bad or lack of sleep that preceded it) caused the weight gain in the first place. The best way to deal with it is mental acceptance and get on the hose as soon as possible and "git r done".

Once you gain some rejuvenation, then exercising and weight loss will come easier.

Den

debtheveg wrote:However, I was wondering if anyone has had a huge improvement (or even been cured - can I use that word?) after losing weight?

Deb,

I've lost, in the last seven years, 180 pounds. Without bariatric surgery. Ironically, the symptoms which ultimately resulted in my being diagnosed (THIS year!) began after I lost 75 of that 180.

I feel better overall, but though I'm aiming to get the remaining 110 pounds off, I'm not -- so to speak -- holding my breath in anticipation of not needing my machine any more.

Off for my third night of hosing....

Well, it's a 'maybe/maybe not' proposition. I had symptoms of sleep apnea before I gained weight, so I doubt that I will be one that losing weight cures. There are some whose apnea was caused by weight gain and will resolve with weight loss, but treating what is a known health hazard now should accompany any weight loss efforts, since the effort will likely be a many months process and one wouldn't want to be unprotected in the interim. Being reevaluated after the weight loss would let one know for sure if they could safely say goodbye to cpap. Though I've adjusted well to my treatment, I will after losing my excess weight get rechecked 'just in case'. I certainly wouldn't continue cpap just for the fun of it!

As others have said, losing excess weight has so many other benefits, cpap isn't necessary as a motivator - but hey, whatever works!

Kathy

My GP said obesity is the #1 cause of sleep apnea and losing weight would help.
My Stanford sleep specialist's first words to me when I was diagnosed were along the lines of, don't think this is a weight problem. Losing weight will help your general health but not your sleep apnea. I have lost weight (55 #) and it did not help my sleep apnea.
That said.....there is a point at which obesity is a problem in SDB. As a nurse I have cared for very obese people who had severe problems breathing even awake if they were flat in bed.
PS I've changed GP's

Since January 1, 2007 I have lost 150 pounds. I am 6'4" and have gone from 341 to 191 pounds. for the last two months I have been at this goal weight (190's). Maybe will lose another 5 ot 10, I'll see what feels right. This has all been done by daily exercise and eating healthy foods.

I am off all nine of my prescription meds and no longer have high blood pressure, high cholesteral or diabetes. I began this journey when my Doc told me she would put me on insulin for my out of control diabetes (because I was maxed out on pills) if I did not lose the wieght. I am so thankful for her confronting and challenging me on this.

Anyway, though my life has changed radically for the better, I still have sleep apnia. To be honest, I am a bit disappointed in this. OK, a lot disappointed. However, my pressures are way down. Two years ago, I was running the unit at a pressure of 18. Now I am down to around 7. This does at least allow me to use a nasal mask.

So bottom line... I suppose it is possible to get off cpap with weight loss, but my guess is that is pretty rare. Regardless, losing the weight is well worth the effort for so many other reasons. It has changed my life, for sure.

Scott

For what it's worth, my sleep apnea became intolerable after I lost about 35 pounds. I felt better when I was heavier than I do now, and 35 pounds was more than the "magic 10%" people are supposed to lose to help their health. Allegedly, losing 10% of your body weight increases your metabolism and makes you healthier. It certainly didn't with me, and it might not for you. Everyone is different, and not everyone who is fat just needs to "get off their lazy asses" or be threatened by their doctors. Weight loss is a complex issue. Anyway, my own doctor just told me a few days ago that weight loss wouldn't get rid of my sleep apnea. Again, everyone is different, and what my doctor told me may not apply to anyone else.

Hi again,

Thanks to all who've replied. It's obviously a complex issue and everyone is different.

I'm not hugely overweight but certainly could lose a bit. About four years ago I lost 12 kilos (25 pounds) but despite continuing to go to the gym 3, 4 or 5 times a week for up to three hours at a time, and being very mindful of what and how much I was eating, my weight plateaued for the next 18 months and I just could not lose the last 5 or 10 kilos (22 pounds) that I wanted to. Consequently, the weight returned as I lost all incentive. Even so, I still eat healthily and honestly believe I shouldn't be the size I am. It has been a puzzle to me for years why I am this way and why it is so hard to lose.

When I was diagnosed with OSA and learnt how it can affect two hormones that are connected to appetite and weight loss, it all made sense to me.

I've realised too, that anyone who may have lost an amount of weight and had their sleep apnea cured (if that's possible), may no longer be visiting this forum, so we would not know.

Anyway, thanks again,

Deb

Well, don't start throwing tomatoes at me. I can't help it.
I've tried to gain weight. I've drunk milk shakes, eaten potatoes, steaks, etc. but nothing helps.

People have always said to me: Eat more - pack it in ...

Here is me in all my septenarian glory! I just took this picture.
I'm on my bike that I bought at a yard sale for $20 (apologies to Carbonman for such a cheap bike; it's a "Free Spirit" from out of the '60's)


But I still have sleep apnea! explain that.

Sorry,
Jay

Hi Jay,

As I said, everyone is different and the weight thing is a complex issue. My husband is exactly the same, can't put weight on no matter what he eats. Consumes three or four times what I do and has weighed the same since he was 16 years old (now 57).

I'm presuming the sleep apnea has a lot to do with my excess weight but obviously that isn't so for all OSA patients. I do hope someone, somewhere is doing a lot of research into this subject.

Sleep apnea is obviously not holding you back, you look fit and well. Keep it up.

Deb

Meanwhile, you may be interested in research done on weight loss:

You'll find lots if research refernced in:
"Beyond a Shadow of a Diet" by Maltz and Frankel a book that has a site http://www.beyondashadowofadiet.com

And "Rethinking Thin" by Gina Kolata.

O.

Tons and tons of water. Low calorie meals. Exercise. No alcohol, no sugar drinks.

I always had the best luck on low calorie low fat diets, it's easy to incorporate it into your daily lifestyle so that you do not do the yoyo thing.

Good luck!!!!!!