Can weight loss "cure" sleep apnea?

[GoodnightHoser]

Hi! I'm a Newbie. Diagnosed about 8 weeks ago. Would never have survived those first few weeks on the machine without knowing y'all were out there. My question--I am a 51 year old female, 5'2", 185 lbs. Can I "cure" myself if I lost 50 pounds or is this honestly a life sentence? I am NOT adjusting well--can only manage to leave the "pillows" in about three hours a night. Have to go back to the sleep lab again as I didn't sleep at all the night I was there so they want me to do it again with an Ambien. In the meantime--somebody give me some hope that I don't have to spend the rest of my life trying to sleep with the Jolly Green Giant's fingers stuck in my nose... Also--has anyone had any luck with the new "nasal curve"?

[pjwalman]

GoodnightHoser, maybe things would not be quite so unbearable if you tried a different style of nasal mask. I'm a full face mask user so don't know all the options for nasal only, but I have tried the Hybrid, which has nasal pillows, and I can't stand to wear it even two hours so think you're doing remarkably well with three. The mask is crucial to being able to put up with the treatment, and it's no wonder you're feeling so bad about your eight weeks if your nose is being tortured.

Hopefully the nasal mask users will chime in with recommendations, but I have to say, for every mask, there are people enthusiastically supportive and people vehemently negative, so it is hard to narrow it down sometimes. But since you know the nasal pillows make you miserable, I would think changing mask style would be the first thing you should attempt. You probably already know this, but cpap.com offers return insurance for an extra 30 or 50 bucks, depending on the cost of the mask. If you absolutely love the mask, then you just paid extra for it, true, but if you hate it and send it back, you at least get the cost of the mask back rather than having to eat the whole purchase price for something which is now useless to you. There are also people hoping to trade masks in the thread about mask roulette you might want to look at.

You do know about the Ayr gel for your nostrils? Apparently it's supposed to help with the soreness. And there are tricks with Mack's silicone earplugs, too, to make the pillows more comfortable and so they'll seal better. I've tried both and still can't stand the nasal pillows, but I'd say those less inexpensive tricks would both be worth trying for you. Some of us just have honkers more sensitive than others, I'm afraid. And we all have our personal preferences. Me, I don't get claustrophic at all in the full face mask, although they're still a PITA for leaking and beating up your nose bridge if they don't fit absolutely right. Others would contemplate slitting their wrists before putting a full face mask on.

Good luck, and please hang in there!! I've heard (or read rather) it many times in my six weeks here that the biggest challenge in CPAP use is finding the right mask.

Take care!

Peggy

P.S. I rambled on and on without answering your initial question about losing weight. I guess I was focusing on the "giving you hope" part. It's my understanding that weight loss won't cure you. It might, however, change your pressure needs or maybe even improve the apnea situation. There are many here much more knowledge than I about that, and hopefully they will chime in soon. Don't give up! Help is on the way.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap.com, CPAP, seal, Nasal Pillows

[roster]

...... Can I "cure" myself if I lost 50 pounds.......

Possible but improbable.

[Jere]

My brother lost a lot weight and stopped using his CPAP with the explanation that he was no longer snoring. I doubt his doctor was consulted. Seems kind of shaky to me. Who knows - maybe it is possible.

_________________

[roster]

...... Can I "cure" myself if I lost 50 pounds.......

Possible but improbable.

But do it anyway - many things will improve.

[LavenderMist]

It may reduce your pressure needs, but most likely you will still need cpap. Those getting off cpap after weight loss seem to be the exception rather than the norm. I have lost 55 lbs and am still on cpap at a pressure of 11.5. I'm going to lose another 50 or so and will see, but so far not even a pressure reduction here. However, the other health benefits are worth it whether or not I have to remain on cpap.

[GoodnightHoser]

[quote="LavenderMist"]It may reduce your pressure needs, but most likely you will still need cpap. Those getting off cpap after weight loss seem to be the exception rather than the norm. I have lost 55 lbs and am still on cpap at a pressure of 11.5. I'm going to lose another 50 or so and will see, but so far not even a pressure reduction here. However, the other health benefits are worth it whether or not I have to remain on cpap.

_________________
Wow! Congratulations on losing 55 pounds! How did you do that? I can't even lose two. I can't believe that if obesity "causes" or "contributes" to sleep apnea that losing weight (especially a large amount) wouldn't help things out. Sometimes I long for the days before I got diagnosed--bad sleep is better than no sleep which is what I feel like I'm getting now! Keep up the good work!

[Scribblet]

Interesting, I too need to lose weight and wondered if it would help.

I've been using a CPAP for 3 years now and have never been able to manage a full 8 (or even 7) hours sleep with it on, and I've tried numerous masks. The most I've ever managed is 6 hours, but I average about 5, sometimes I throw it off during the night without knowing it.

I wish there was some way I could try more masks without having to buy....

[Scribblet]

P.S. I signed up in my profile to test new equipment, do all people who sign on get to try them?

[Guest]

Hi! I'm a Newbie. Diagnosed about 8 weeks ago. Would never have survived those first few weeks on the machine without knowing y'all were out there. My question--I am a 51 year old female, 5'2", 185 lbs. Can I "cure" myself if I lost 50 pounds or is this honestly a life sentence? I am NOT adjusting well--can only manage to leave the "pillows" in about three hours a night. Have to go back to the sleep lab again as I didn't sleep at all the night I was there so they want me to do it again with an Ambien. In the meantime--somebody give me some hope that I don't have to spend the rest of my life trying to sleep with the Jolly Green Giant's fingers stuck in my nose... Also--has anyone had any luck with the new "nasal curve"?

"Highly unlikely" and "might as well count on it".

Consider the high probability that Sleep Apnea (and poor sleep in general) was what caused the weight gain in the first place.

I can't give you any hope, but maybe a different interface would be more comfortable and not feel like the "Jolly Green Giant's fingers" were stuck in your nose.

I resigned myself to this "new way of sleeping" the first night of my therapy (three years ago)......I suggest all new users do the same......it's less stressful that way.


Den

[LavenderMist]

_________________
Wow! Congratulations on losing 55 pounds! How did you do that? I can't even lose two. I can't believe that if obesity "causes" or "contributes" to sleep apnea that losing weight (especially a large amount) wouldn't help things out. Sometimes I long for the days before I got diagnosed--bad sleep is better than no sleep which is what I feel like I'm getting now! Keep up the good work!

_________________

I lost it after starting cpap and I got more energy. I started doing cardio on the elliptical 6 days and week and strength training 2-3X a week. I also stopped eating fast food and try to cook healthy foods. Lots of veggies, lean meat, fruits. I used to have a terrible soda habit too. I drank them like water from morning til night. I stopped that and drink mainly water now. I let myself have a soda maybe once a day, but usually only right before I exercise or right after. It seems to be working.

[yardbird]

Can losing weight "cure" you of apnea?

Here's something to consider:
If your apnea was exacerbated by the fact that you are over weight, then LOSING the excess weight *might* improve your symptoms to the point that your apnea is considered to be so mild that it no longer requires CPAP.

*possible* yes.... I can't honestly say I've not known anyone for which this is true. I know of some who *think* it's true and have quit CPAP because they are no longer snoring (as someone else has alluded to as well), but I don't know of anyone, personally, that has been tested again to PROVE that it's true.

I think it's much more likely that your symptoms could improve to the point that your pressure requirements are lower.

[gasp]

My father had severe sleep apnea and lost all excess body weight and for the last two years of his life he still had regular and central apnea events.

I'm uncertain, but I don't think central events are weight related. Does anybody else know?

[Guest]

I have heard of a few people who lost a lot of weight no longer needing
cpap. In fact I bought a nearly new cpap at a yard sale from someone
who had a stomach bypass, lost a bunch of weight and now didn't need it.
I do a world of a lot better at a lower weight but this is not always true. I
saw one of our members had to go to a higher pressure when they lost
weight and the same thing happened to a friend of mine. She had to up
her pressure from 12 to 16 after she lost 60 lbs.

[neverbetter]

If your sleep apnea is mild and you loose all your extra weight, you may be able to get by with a dental device. Get a more comfortable mask.
Get retested after you loose 50lbs.
Just dont try to "wing" it without CPAP until you are tested.