New to all this.... Looking for comments and help

[Johnathansmith69]

I am a 45 year old male that had high blood pressure for 25 years now meds would help.. Over the last year I put on 100lbs and just had a stroke.....doctors did every test and nothng but now it looks like I need a CPAP.. I got one today and the doctors are telling me it's going to help me blood pressure and weight.. Is it true? Can I hear from others..

[sc0ttt]

Welcome Johnathan

CPAP can definitely make you feel better - I hope so for you.

Apnea can cause high blood pressure, strokes, and weight gain, so treatment ought to make it better. But you have an extremely serious condition so stay on top of ALL of your medical advise because it's probably multiple things going on with you.

Do you have a sleep study report?

[bwexler]

You have had a very difficult year and are asking questions with no clear cut answer.
I have gained a hundred pounds as well but it was almost 50 years ago.
I was told 4 years ago that I had AFib and sleep apnea which made me a candidate for a stroke. Not welcome news.
I have taken the prescriptions and been compliant with my CPAP treatment.
I haven't lost the weight or helped the blood pressure, but I have not had a stroke or heart attack either and I have a 47 year old son. My youngest grandson will turn 16 next week and I am planning to see him turn 47.
So will continue to do what I can to stay as healthy as possible and stay alive.

[Johnathansmith69]

Yes I did have a sleep study done.. Should I post the numbers... Tell me what to post and I will

[palerider]

Yes I did have a sleep study done.. Should I post the numbers... Tell me what to post and I will

also, now that you've got a machine, you should fill out the equipment section of your profile.

check the bottom or back of your machine for the label, there's a REF number, or a model number (depends on the brand which they use) post it here and we'll help you figure out what to select for your equipment listing... some of the stuff in the list is rather confusing.

[Nick Danger]

Welcome, Johnathan! It sounds like you'll be making a number of changes going forward, so using CPAP might as well just be one more!! This is a good place to come for information, cheer leading, and to just vent your frustrations.

[kaiasgram]

Yes I did have a sleep study done.. Should I post the numbers... Tell me what to post and I will

You can actually post a screenshot of the report (don't need to retype the numbers). Just white out your personal info, take screenshot(s), and upload the images to a site like Photobucket or imgur. Copy the image code you get on that site and paste it right into a post here. It will just be text, but click "Preview" -- if you can see it in Preview, then we'll be able to see it when you click on "Submit." If you need more detailed help, let us know.

[Janknitz]

Yes, absolutely expect an improvement in your blood pressure.

As for weight, there's a few things:

1. If your sleep is poor, your hormones are seriously disrupted, and that makes it very difficult to regulate your weight. Doctors tend to think that obesity causes sleep apnea, but there's good evidence that sleep apnea contributes to obesity. So it may make it easier for you to lose weight,

BUT

2. It will only work to help you lose weight if you change your way of eating. I gained weight at first, because it stopped a lot of the GERD I was experiencing. My stomach felt better, so I could eat MORE and LATER than I had been.

But, when I finally committed my self to change my way of eating, I lost weight. 75 lbs so far. I'm in the best health of my life, and I feel great.

Now, I'm going to guess that you are at least insulin resistant/pre-diabetic, if not outright diabetic. Am I correct? The severe weight gain and stroke are clues. (And if you don't THINK you are pre-diabetic, maybe you should study up on that some more). The standard dietary advice (eat low fat, whole grains, not too much meat, move more, everything in moderation) doesn't work very well. If it did, you would not be 100 lbs overweight, because I'm quite sure you tried it, more than once. If you want some ideas on what MAY work, what is sustainable, what can help enormously with your blood sugar and reduce your other risk factors, and does not require you to exercise incessantly for success, give a shout out. I can share what worked for me.

[Bill44133]

I am a 45 year old male that had high blood pressure for 25 years now meds would help.. Over the last year I put on 100lbs and just had a stroke.....doctors did every test and nothng but now it looks like I need a CPAP.. I got one today and the doctors are telling me it's going to help me blood pressure and weight.. Is it true? Can I hear from others..

Welcome to the forum. You are in a good place here.. Lots of knowledge here..

I put on 80 pounds over a few years time. I was totally exhausted all the time and spent most of my free time in bed, sleeping or so I thought. Went on blood pressure pills
over this time period. So, I understand where you are coming from.

To help you understand what is going on with you I would recommend that you take 15 minutes and view this youtube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gie2dhqP2c
The video put everything in perspective for me and was able to show to my family and friends to help them understand what is wrong.

I have been on this therapy about 16 months now. I have lost about 35 lbs. The main thing that I gave up was any food deep fried. Meaning no french fries or fried chicken
When I gave up the deep fried foods the terrible heart burn went away and was able to give up buying prilosec. The other main thing I attribute my weight loss is I am moving
now. Every spare minute is not spent in bed.

I wish you well..