Apnea Chronic or not?

[Slim1950]

I get different opinions. I had always thought that by losing weight, or by doing neck muscle toning exercises one can possibly get rid of sleep apnea. Is that just a false hope or have people actually gotten rid of their apnea problem?

Are there case studies published in the journals about this? The person I dealt with at the sleep clinic says she know of no one who has ever been cured without surgery...

My contention is, how would she know? People who get rid of their apnea would never come back to report it..

[LSAT]

In most cases Sleep Apnea is a permanent affliction. Surgery and weight loss has not proven to eliminate SA. There have been some people that have undergone painful surgery only to return to CPAP for relief. To some extent you are right....some people that have gotten relief from surgery or weight loss may not come back to report it.

[nanwilson]

This is "usually" a life time thing OR until they devise a different method to treat sleep apnea. There have been very few that have been able to stop therapy by losing weight or getting surgery. I would suggest that you do ALOT of reading here on the forum to get some definitive answers on those that have been able to stop. Go to the search button at the top of the page and type in weight loss, you will get a ton of info... and ditto if you type in surgery. Sleep apnea usually disappears for about 6 months and then slowly creeps back in like a sneaky snake . Surgeons will tell you that surgery will definitely help you quit, but look out, they may need to buy a new BMW or Mercedes and you are the "payee".

[BlackSpinner]

I get different opinions. I had always thought that by losing weight, or by doing neck muscle toning exercises one can possibly get rid of sleep apnea. Is that just a false hope or have people actually gotten rid of their apnea problem?

Most studies I have read show a 50% chance of losing the apnea after weight loss surgery. Which means losing over 100 lbs at least.

A few people on the board did stop using their cpap machine after dramatic weight loss, other not so much.

Many have come back after ENT surgery to have a harder time using their cpap. Surgery "success " is not the same as OSA success. Remember the saying "The operation was a success but the patient died"?

Are there case studies published in the journals about this? The person I dealt with at the sleep clinic says she know of no one who has ever been cured without surgery...

My contention is, how would she know? People who get rid of their apnea would never come back to report it..

People usually have a sleep study after they lose weight in order to make sure their OSA is gone.

[chunkyfrog]

Using the machine is SOOOOO much easier than losing weight.
I've done both, and I know.

[Wulfman...]

I get different opinions. I had always thought that by losing weight, or by doing neck muscle toning exercises one can possibly get rid of sleep apnea. Is that just a false hope or have people actually gotten rid of their apnea problem?

Are there case studies published in the journals about this? The person I dealt with at the sleep clinic says she know of no one who has ever been cured without surgery...

My contention is, how would she know? People who get rid of their apnea would never come back to report it..

These questions come up alot. Especially when someone comes on to the forum wanting to sell their machines after they "claim" their Sleep Apnea is CURED! (like after losing 20 - 50 pounds)

First, a person needs to identify what the "cause" of their sleep apnea is. Quite frequently, sleep apnea CAUSED weight gain and losing the weight doesn't get rid of the sleep apnea. Also, there are lots of normal to slender people who have sleep apnea, too.

Next, a person needs to qualify which "surgery" they're talking about. Weight-loss surgery (like gastric bypass) may help some, but if they had sleep apnea before gaining the weight, this may also be a false hope and temporary.
If the surgery is something like UPPP, the "success" is approximately or less than 50%.......AND......quite often temporary, like about 6 months or so and they're back to using CPAP or maybe even BiPAP.......and sometimes at higher pressures.

Like the frog said........

Using the machine is SOOOOO much easier than losing weight.
I've done both, and I know.

Same here.


Den

.

[Slim1950]

Thanks for the responses. I was on a CPAP machine back in 2004-2005. I never did adjust properly to the machine so the doc gave me a repeat subscription to a sleeping pill (Imovane, 5 mg) which was effective for about a year, and then for reasons unknown to me, I lost the ability to sleep with the machine. But I also lost weight and felt like I had no more apnea. I went back to the sleep lab, and the doctor was thrilled with the results and commended me on "taking control" of my own health.

Well, here I am 10 years later, and my apnea is back. It had come back slowly.. and now I am having the same difficulty, adjusting to the machine.
But it seems things have really progressed with the technology.
Better ramp features, the APAP didn';t exist back when I first was diagnosed, and even pressure relief.

So I am hopeful. No I did not gain weight since the last time.
I am 65, male, 3'4 and weigh 180.

[WindCpap]

The underlying condition which causes sleep apnea is a week airway that fails to keep open when you are asleep. This exasperated by excessive fat around your neck (being overweight), and gets worse with age. You took care of the excessive fat thing by losing weight. Now, your age has caught up with you.

The technology is a lot better now, so it may be quite a bit easier to adjust.

[Slim1950]

Makes perfect sense. Although I do not like it..

[nanwilson]

Thanks for the responses. I was on a CPAP machine back in 2004-2005. I never did adjust properly to the machine so the doc gave me a repeat subscription to a sleeping pill (Imovane, 5 mg) which was effective for about a year, and then for reasons unknown to me, I lost the ability to sleep with the machine. But I also lost weight and felt like I had no more apnea. I went back to the sleep lab, and the doctor was thrilled with the results and commended me on "taking control" of my own health.

Well, here I am 10 years later, and my apnea is back. It had come back slowly.. and now I am having the same difficulty, adjusting to the machine.
But it seems things have really progressed with the technology.
Better ramp features, the APAP didn';t exist back when I first was diagnosed, and even pressure relief.

So I am hopeful. No I did not gain weight since the last time.
I am 65, male, 3'4 and weigh 180.

Picture please... 3'4 at 180 At that configuration you would be wider than taller.......... I am sure you were trying to say 6'4

Welcome to the forum Slim, I don't really care what anyone looks like, but I just HAD to comment .

[Slim1950]

Ha ha! That was funny. Actually I am 5'4"

Sorry bout the typo.