And the reason I say that CPAPers are too lazy to lose weight is because I am one of them!
My sleep Doc reported to me after my sleep study that I indeed have severe OSA. He immediately wanted me on the machine which I went on right away. This was November 2004. The Doc mentioned to me that "You didn't need to lose weight because even if you lost enough weight to the point of being emaciated, it would do little good."
Well I think that is Bull now. I am planning a vacation and decided to put myself on a weight loss plan. I have dropped 11 pounds and I (and my wife) can tell you right now, it has made an extreme difference in my snoring and apneas. I still need to lose 25 more pounds to get down to a weight that my regular Doctor says I should be at. I suspect that when I do, my APAP machine may just be collecting dust.
It appears to me that the Docs and CPAP suppliers are failing to inform patients of the benefit of weight loss regarding OSA.
CPAP'ers - Too Lazy to Lose Weight
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Guest
My Doctor did not push losing weight to me either. Sure, he brought it up, but pushed using the machine instead. I was glad cause I'm overweight and like to eat.
Besides, losing weight is just too hard and I've struggled with that all my life. I'm 55 now so why bother dropping that excess 40-50 pounds?
Besides, losing weight is just too hard and I've struggled with that all my life. I'm 55 now so why bother dropping that excess 40-50 pounds?
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sanctacaris
My doc said weight loss will reduce or eliminate apneas in most people, but it doesn't sound like a sure-fire thing. While I'm overweight now and was only recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, I know I've been a terrible snorer since I was a skinny teenager, and I expect I've had apnea since then as well. I've certainly had plenty of the other symptoms since then. Also, there's a fair number of non-overweight apnea sufferers out there, demonstrating that it's not just weight that causes OSA.
But perhaps I'm just a defensive overweght CPAPer.
But perhaps I'm just a defensive overweght CPAPer.
Anonymous wrote:My Doctor did not push losing weight to me either. Sure, he brought it up, but pushed using the machine instead. I was glad cause I'm overweight and like to eat.
Besides, losing weight is just too hard and I've struggled with that all my life. I'm 55 now so why bother dropping that excess 40-50 pounds?
Why bother dropping the excess 40-50 pounds?? I would try to do it for the relief on your heart to start with!! To me that whole statement was just hideous, if we all had that kind of attitude we would be worse off than we really are. I am 28 yrs old and was diagnosed 3 years ago, I weighed 375 when I was diagnosed, now I am down to 320, I still have along ways to go but during my weightloss I have noticed how easier life is, before bending over to tie my shoe was a breathsucking chore, now I ride my bike 3-4 times a week for a minimum of 8 miles. Get your chin up and realize that c-pap is not a cure it is a helper- in order to live a long fruitful life (even at 55 you should still have many years to look forward to) you really should consider a weightloss regimen.
Good luck and god bless,
Corey
Its always breezy in here....
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Nenetx2004
- Posts: 144
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2004 1:01 pm
- Location: Albany, New York
ditto.Nenetx2004 wrote:I'm not overweight, athletic and still have sleep apnea. It's not always due to weight.
BUT, I theorize that being overweight might make apnea WORSE in pretty much all cases, and loses weight COULD make it BETTER, IF someone is severely overweight. And of course there are tons of reasons to drop to REASONABLE weight in addition to apnea.
But I have a multitude of genetic "defects" that add up to SOME OSA at ANY weight.
Remember:
What you read above is only one data point based on one person's opinion.
I am not a doctor, nor do I even play one on TV.
Your mileage may vary.
Follow ANY advice or opinions at your own risk.
Not everything you read is true.
What you read above is only one data point based on one person's opinion.
I am not a doctor, nor do I even play one on TV.
Your mileage may vary.
Follow ANY advice or opinions at your own risk.
Not everything you read is true.
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
I have a habit of being overly wordy, so I will make this an abridged version. I stopped sleeping through the night two years or so ago. Started to become constantly tired, BP rose, migraines every morning, you know the drill. Finally in May of 2003, at my son's prodding (just became a licensed RT), went for a sleep study which showed mild apnea/hypops and drastic PLMD, with moderate oxygen desaturations (not good). Went on CPAP therapy. I was about 25 lbs. overweight at that time, and was always very thin and in shape. It crept up on me over the years.
After being on CPAP since the beginning of June, after starting a eating healthy and exercise program to lose the 25 lbs. since my husband's friend decided he refused to go on CPAP and would lose some weight (30 lbs.) and hope that would eliminate the need for it, and it did, I went to an ENT to see if the Pillar Procedure was for me. While I was there, after an extensive exam, he said I had no anatomical reason for having OSA and said if I continued to lose the weight, even though I am not obese but it is not my usual way of being, that he felt the OSA might be gone. He is a well-known excellent ENT, by the way, in our area.
I have since been exercising three days a week, 45 mins. a day on my recumbent bike three days a week and have been angelic in my eating habits, but have been eating to keep the metabolism burning. I also include two servings of calcium a day which is proven to help you lose weight.
I am now 14 lbs. down in about 6-7 weeks and am feeling great. Have about 11 more lbs. to go. I am due to go back to the ENT after Labor Day to see what he thinks. I am going to soon do a split night study on my machine to see if I need to use it anymore. Usually, my AHI is under 1, in the 0.1-0.5 range.
So I really believe that you can lose your OSA if you lose the weight. Of course, I am not going to get all my hopes up. And I really have gotten used to the machine, so it doesn't really matter to me. I am feeling so good that it makes the therapy so worth it. Like I say, in any event, the worst case scenario will be, I'll look a hell of a lot better when I wear my mask at night having lost the 25 lbs. and I will be helping my health and my well being.
So no matter what the outcome, OSA or not, go for the weight loss. The problems that can accompany the weight, especially as you age, are not good and if you can get a handle on your weight now, it will be far easier than when you're older. By the way, I'm 48.
After being on CPAP since the beginning of June, after starting a eating healthy and exercise program to lose the 25 lbs. since my husband's friend decided he refused to go on CPAP and would lose some weight (30 lbs.) and hope that would eliminate the need for it, and it did, I went to an ENT to see if the Pillar Procedure was for me. While I was there, after an extensive exam, he said I had no anatomical reason for having OSA and said if I continued to lose the weight, even though I am not obese but it is not my usual way of being, that he felt the OSA might be gone. He is a well-known excellent ENT, by the way, in our area.
I have since been exercising three days a week, 45 mins. a day on my recumbent bike three days a week and have been angelic in my eating habits, but have been eating to keep the metabolism burning. I also include two servings of calcium a day which is proven to help you lose weight.
I am now 14 lbs. down in about 6-7 weeks and am feeling great. Have about 11 more lbs. to go. I am due to go back to the ENT after Labor Day to see what he thinks. I am going to soon do a split night study on my machine to see if I need to use it anymore. Usually, my AHI is under 1, in the 0.1-0.5 range.
So I really believe that you can lose your OSA if you lose the weight. Of course, I am not going to get all my hopes up. And I really have gotten used to the machine, so it doesn't really matter to me. I am feeling so good that it makes the therapy so worth it. Like I say, in any event, the worst case scenario will be, I'll look a hell of a lot better when I wear my mask at night having lost the 25 lbs. and I will be helping my health and my well being.
So no matter what the outcome, OSA or not, go for the weight loss. The problems that can accompany the weight, especially as you age, are not good and if you can get a handle on your weight now, it will be far easier than when you're older. By the way, I'm 48.
L o R i
I've got to agree w/Big Snore. I'll be 54 in November and have been overweight my whole life w/a brief reprieve at about age 5. I too struggled my whole life, tried many things and FINALLY at age 52 found something that is a life long way of eating...no quick fix...that REALLY WORKS for me. Do I look like Barbie? Who wants too? Walking around on your tip toes all day must be a pain in the ankle....
BUT in Feb I'll be reaching my third year at this new eating plan, which I again tweaked to what is healthier for me in June. I've been steadily losing again since June and since Feb 2003 have lost 47 pounds. I'm not giving up on life and health because I'm in my 50s. I feel better than I have in years...have more energy than I did when I was in my 20s between autopap and eating right for my body and health. I am looking forward to staying off bp meds and having a good cholesterol reading and healthy heart. My memory has improved....I still have A LOT of weight to lose and because I intend to continue eating healthfully the rest of my life, I'm confident it will come off.
You only have one body, one life, one shot at enjoying life with what you've been given by God....I say take it and enjoy yourself instead of laying down and giving up. You have a potential 20 to 50 years left to live, so ENJOY it.
Love, Terry
BUT in Feb I'll be reaching my third year at this new eating plan, which I again tweaked to what is healthier for me in June. I've been steadily losing again since June and since Feb 2003 have lost 47 pounds. I'm not giving up on life and health because I'm in my 50s. I feel better than I have in years...have more energy than I did when I was in my 20s between autopap and eating right for my body and health. I am looking forward to staying off bp meds and having a good cholesterol reading and healthy heart. My memory has improved....I still have A LOT of weight to lose and because I intend to continue eating healthfully the rest of my life, I'm confident it will come off.
You only have one body, one life, one shot at enjoying life with what you've been given by God....I say take it and enjoy yourself instead of laying down and giving up. You have a potential 20 to 50 years left to live, so ENJOY it.
Love, Terry
_________________
| Mask: Swift™ FX For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
| Additional Comments: Remstar auto w/cflex and Swift LT nasal pillows are my backups. Hosehead since summer of 2005 |
Last edited by Flower51 on Tue Aug 16, 2005 2:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
254/192/goal 145
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
First words of MD
My MD stated it like this:
1. Lose weight, best chance to improve health, feel better, less tired
2. Start CPAP, will help you lose weight by acheiving REM sleep.
3. Moderate exercise to improve air exchange all through the day.
Sounds reasonable.
1. Lose weight, best chance to improve health, feel better, less tired
2. Start CPAP, will help you lose weight by acheiving REM sleep.
3. Moderate exercise to improve air exchange all through the day.
Sounds reasonable.
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SnoreNoMore2005
- Posts: 228
- Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2005 12:58 pm
osa and overweight
I have personally known five people who have OSA. All of them are overweight by at least 40 lbs. At 6'1 and 190 lbs, boy was I surprised when I was diagnosed with OSA.
You definitely don't have to be overweight to have sleep apnea.
My photo on the left was when I had a few extra lbs on.
SnoreNoMOre2005
You definitely don't have to be overweight to have sleep apnea.
My photo on the left was when I had a few extra lbs on.
SnoreNoMOre2005
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Sleepless on LI
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 6:46 pm
- Location: Long Island, New York
I was diagnosed when I had about 25 lbs extra. Happy to report, I'm down 14 and have 11 more to go. CPAP did help with the weight loss since it gave me the energy to start exercising and the clear head to start eating healthy, drinking water and being health-minded.
No, you don't have to be heavy to be diagnosed with OSA.
By the way, SNM, very attractive picture on the left, extra weight or not. You almost look like someone drew you... .
No, you don't have to be heavy to be diagnosed with OSA.
By the way, SNM, very attractive picture on the left, extra weight or not. You almost look like someone drew you... .
L o R i
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Guest
I'm not sure how to do a poll but this subject would be a good one to look into, cause I wonder -
1. How many people out there with OSA are overweight?
2. How many people that have lost weight have had their apneas decreased or eliminated?
Sure, I know there are people that are not overweight that have OSA, I have met ONE and it sound like TWO have responded to this post. The other 100+ who have read it said nothing so I imagine they are the overweight ones. Everyone else I have ever met with OSA is 25+ pounds overweight.
I do think it's a shame that weight loss for what I believe is the majority of OSA patients, is not more talked about and promoted in an effort to get some of OSA under control. Granted, I have gotten along with my machine use quite well the past 8-9 months, but it seems to be the easy way out (after that first month) instead of losing weight. And of course promoting CPAP machines is more popular and the money maker to those who sell anything related to sleep apnea.
It wouldn't be very popular for sleep Docs and sellers of CPAP's to suggest losing your excess weight, but it likely would be the best diagnosis for perhaps 80 to 90% of us.
I'm going to keep working on weight loss and for your own health, I encourage you to join me.
1. How many people out there with OSA are overweight?
2. How many people that have lost weight have had their apneas decreased or eliminated?
Sure, I know there are people that are not overweight that have OSA, I have met ONE and it sound like TWO have responded to this post. The other 100+ who have read it said nothing so I imagine they are the overweight ones. Everyone else I have ever met with OSA is 25+ pounds overweight.
I do think it's a shame that weight loss for what I believe is the majority of OSA patients, is not more talked about and promoted in an effort to get some of OSA under control. Granted, I have gotten along with my machine use quite well the past 8-9 months, but it seems to be the easy way out (after that first month) instead of losing weight. And of course promoting CPAP machines is more popular and the money maker to those who sell anything related to sleep apnea.
It wouldn't be very popular for sleep Docs and sellers of CPAP's to suggest losing your excess weight, but it likely would be the best diagnosis for perhaps 80 to 90% of us.
I'm going to keep working on weight loss and for your own health, I encourage you to join me.