Just got the diagnosis...

[spoons_247]

Hi everyone! I'm so glad I found this forum, I just got the phone call today with the results from my sleep study and the doc says its "severe obstructive sleep apnea". I can't say that I'm too surprised that I ended up having it, my dad and three of his siblings all have it, I'm just surprised that it happened fairly early (I'm 28) and that it's considered severe.

I know I'm not going to enjoy sleeping with a mask on but if it helps me feel better in the long run then I'm all for it. Initially when I went to the doc, it was to talk about why I had been unable to lose weight despite diet and exercise. Once he figured out that something was up with my sleeping he told me basically that it's impossible to lose weight until you start using your cpap because the apnea pretty much sends your body into survival mode. He was pretty certain that getting the machine and getting better sleep would fix the stagnation and as such might even cure the apnea once I was able to lose some weight. Has anyone else found this to be the case or heard this from their doctors also?

[sc0ttt]

He was pretty certain that getting the machine and getting better sleep would fix the stagnation and as such might even cure the apnea once I was able to lose some weight. Has anyone else found this to be the case or heard this from their doctors also?

Welcome. Everyone has heard the story about losing weight and losing the apnea... in reality it almost never happens. The CPAP might indeed help you slim down; the apnea is not likely to go away. But you'll feel better!

[archangle]

Welcome. Sorry you had to join us.

However, you have a golden opportunity to avoid getting screwed by your DME (CPAP seller) and the medical mafia with a bad machine.

Read the links in my signature line for some important booby traps to avoid.

[49er]

HI spoons_247,

Welcome to the forum.

The research is unclear as to whether losing weight cures apnea or not. If there is a genetic issue such as having a family history of apnea or a structural issue like having a narrow jaw, the chances of losing weight in my opinion are not great of curing apnea. In other cases, it may do the trick.

My advice would be since losing weight has no downsides and can only improve your health is to do it and see what happens as far as whether it cures your apnea or not. Just don't be disappointed if it doesn't.

49er

Hi everyone! I'm so glad I found this forum, I just got the phone call today with the results from my sleep study and the doc says its "severe obstructive sleep apnea". I can't say that I'm too surprised that I ended up having it, my dad and three of his siblings all have it, I'm just surprised that it happened fairly early (I'm 28) and that it's considered severe.

I know I'm not going to enjoy sleeping with a mask on but if it helps me feel better in the long run then I'm all for it. Initially when I went to the doc, it was to talk about why I had been unable to lose weight despite diet and exercise. Once he figured out that something was up with my sleeping he told me basically that it's impossible to lose weight until you start using your cpap because the apnea pretty much sends your body into survival mode. He was pretty certain that getting the machine and getting better sleep would fix the stagnation and as such might even cure the apnea once I was able to lose some weight. Has anyone else found this to be the case or heard this from their doctors also?

[grayghost4]

The woman I purchased my used machine from, had surgery and lost 100 lbs, and no longer needed the cpap, which is why she sold it. Others have posted that they lost weight and no longer needed it. So lose some and see what happens.
Good luck ..... and before you go to pickup your cpap do some reading like :

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

there are other posts on the site if you search for them .

[Julie]

But keep in mind the reality that losing e.g. 20 lbs is highly, very unlikely to get you off Cpap. Surgery and 100 lbs is one thing, losing 'some' is different, though it may well allow you to lower your pressure and feel better all around.

[caedenspa]

I too am new. I've been on the machine for a week now. You've got an advantage I didn't have: you found this site BEFORE getting your machine!

Read everything you can BEFORE going in for your mask fitting. Especially read the new CPAP user info at the top of the screen here. I didn't know what to ask, what to look for, what to ask for, and ended up with a mask that hurt, and more questions than answers.

I'd like to think that losing weight would take me off the machine, but I've always snored. I used to be a triathlete and marathon runner, and snored loud enough that people in the next hotel room would complain to management... I don't know if I had apnea at that time, but in hindsight it's pretty likely I did. I have slept better this past week than I ever have. I'm not constantly sleepy anymore. I wake up refreshed.

Ask questions, lots of them, both here and when you go to get your machine/mask.