Curing apnea and getting off CPAP?

[jklewis54]

I had NO symptoms except heavy snoring when I was tested for apnea and have been using the CPAP for 2 years now. I have since lost some weight (54 yrs, 6'-2", 195 down from 215), lowered my cholesterol, and gotten generally healthier since. I am trying to get off the machine by losing more weight and using decongestants for allergies.

I just got a new life insurance policy denied due to apnea and I want to get re-tested and re-diagnosed. Has anyone done the same?

[Goofproof]

Apnea, is for life in most cases. The most successful way to cure apnea is to die, that's 100% effective. Snoring is a symptom of apnea and other problems. Snoring inidcates a problem, sometimes apnea. The worst problem of apnea is not breathing, due to airway closure or other problems.

The best way to handle apnea is with successful treatment. Jim

[rotoplooker]

Losing weight is an excellent idea anyway, apnea or not.

Getting your weight off and hopefully reducing your collar size in the process can improve matters, for sure.

As for curing OSA, who knows?, I would estimate only a small percentage of all OSA sufferers have lost enough weight to call that one...and they are unlikely to post on a forum. I think if weight wasn't such a big OSA factor we would not have posts here like "how fat are you?"

Dying early from being obese and all the problems that go with it is not a valid rx for many OSA sufferers. Get the weight off, I feel great for losing some, use your cpap to make you feel great and see what happens.

Roto

[jklewis54]

Apnea, is for life in most cases. The most successful way to cure apnea is to die, that's 100% effective. Snoring is a symptom of apnea and other problems. Snoring inidcates a problem, sometimes apnea. The worst problem of apnea is not breathing, due to airway closure or other problems.

The best way to handle apnea is with successful treatment. Jim

There are many sites that explain that weight loss, reduction of allergies, not using sleep medications or relaxants, etc. and other actions can greatly reduce - or eliminate - apnea. I was only slightly overweight, and I only had problems when sleeping on my back. I was forced to sleep on my back during the test, thus indicating the worst case scenerio. There are also methods of forcing side-sleeping.

I mean no offense, but I am looking for comments from those who have successfully reduced their apnea, not nay-sayers.
Thanks.

[cpapjack]

The most successful way to cure apnea is to die, that's 100% effective.

Not to sound unemotional or dark or whatever, but I was LMAO when I read this. I can always count on you for a good laugh.

Jack

[SelfSeeker]

Hi jklewis,

If you had an auto CPAP, as your weight went down and other factors that you listed were eliminated you would notice the pressure you needed decreased, if those were the factors that were causing the obstruction in the first place.

Make sure you have no Central or Mixed apneas.

I know people with very low BMI (20), who have sleep apnea. It is not their weight that is the cause of the obstruction.

Many times it is the way the mouth is formed and the opening on the inside.

The only way to know if you can effectively "eliminate apnea" is to loose the weight, and do another PSG without the use of any air to keep your airway open, and see if ti has gone down.

Did you snore when not over weight, did you gasp for air etc.?

Apnea, is for life in most cases. The most successful way to cure apnea is to die, that's 100% effective. Snoring is a symptom of apnea and other problems. Snoring inidcates a problem, sometimes apnea. The worst problem of apnea is not breathing, due to airway closure or other problems.

The best way to handle apnea is with successful treatment. Jim

There are many sites that explain that weight loss, reduction of allergies, not using sleep medications or relaxants, etc. and other actions can greatly reduce - or eliminate - apnea. I was only slightly overweight, and I only had problems when sleeping on my back. I was forced to sleep on my back during the test, thus indicating the worst case scenerio. There are also methods of forcing side-sleeping.

I mean no offense, but I am looking for comments from those who have successfully reduced their apnea, not nay-sayers.
Thanks.

[muld00n]

I mean no offense, but I am looking for comments from those who have successfully reduced their apnea, not nay-sayers.

Click on the red ? FAQ icon at the top of the page and scroll down to surgeries. Read this topic.

Is that what you are looking for?

[Julie]

Have you seen an ENT surgeon? I ask, because if you have sinus problems but have not had a turbinate reduction or ENT exam, you COULD just have enough of a problem there to have possibly registered as apnea on your PSG, and I would want to first see the ENT doc, then get another PSG done (depending on what he says and does re turbinates) afterward.

[Snoredog]

go to Stanford website, search for Genioglossus Advancement procedure.

[dataq1]

I had NO symptoms except heavy snoring when I was tested for apnea and have been using the CPAP for 2 years now.

I would have thought that there must have been some symptoms to indicate that a sleep study is appropriate. If you weren't having disturbed sleep why have the study?

I'm sorry if this sounds insensitive, but perhaps some of the forum members can help me understand: Why be on CPAP treatment if there are no symptoms?

[neversleeps]

I'm sorry if this sounds insensitive, but perhaps some of the forum members can help me understand: Why be on CPAP treatment if there are no symptoms?

jklewis was snoring and snoring is a symptom. The PSG must have indicated OSA because a CPAP was prescribed.

If you're asking why anyone who is diagnosed with OSA would bother using their prescribed cpap if they were symptom-free... I would guess it's kind of like finding out you have high blood pressure and being prescribed medicine to treat it. Even though you may experience no symptoms with high blood pressure (the silent killer) you still need to take the medicine to thwart the life-threatening damage it does if it goes untreated.

[dataq1]

I don't entirely disagree, however I suspect that millions of people snore without OSA. (my wife being one of those --- I hope!).

It's great that a PSG detected a problem with OSA, and I've no problem with that. I just wonder if everyone that snores SHOULD have a PSG?

[neversleeps]

Not all people with OSA snore.

Not all people who snore have OSA.

I suppose the only way for a snorer to know for sure whether or not they have OSA is to have a PSG. Is a PSG warranted (according to doctors and insurance companies) if snoring is the only symptom? Beats the heck out of me!

You have an APAP and the software. Hook up your wife and see what you find out! If you see a lot of apneas then you could always have her go in for the PSG to verify your findings...

[Wulfman]

Also, if you happen to notice that they stop breathing (or gasp for breath) while they're sleeping would be a definite indicator.

I've been under the impression that SOME machines are being prescribed for snoring. Some doctors are STILL suggesting the "sewing tennis balls in the back of the nightshirt" thing, too.

Den

[kteague]

Hi. As others have said, it depends on why you have apnea in the first place. I have a close friend who was prescribed cpap about 5 years ago. She was 5'4'' and 180 lbs. Due to illness has dropped to 130 lbs. Recent overnite oxygen monitorings, once at home and once in the hospital, showed no significant drops in oxygen. That may not constitute a cure, but I guess someone has to make up the minority in the odds.
Kathy