Losing weight really is the best long term solution

[Guest]

My sleep doc has always pushed weight loss as what I really need to do to treat my condition. I've always worked out, but still kept some weight on. I've been concentrating on losing it more lately and I've lost 10+ lbs. I've noticed an immediate change in my sleep and my memory card reader and software have backed it up. I've noticed a 40% drop in my AHI with no other changes.

Everyone here seems solely focused on their CPAP. What are each of you doing to lose weight to help the problem. It takes a lot more work than putting on a mask at night, but it really is the responsible thing to do. I know there are some slim people with apnea, but they are by far in the minority. What are each of you doing?

[jdm2857]

Hey Guest --

I've read a few of your posts and they are good. Why not register and stay with the discussions.

And while weight loss can help many people with sleep apnea, there are many normal-weight people with sleep apnea.

[TSSleepy]

My tongue and palate is obese and flabby. I'm trying to re-shape my throat with the following routine:
20 tongue crunches/day
20 tongue presses/day
20 tongue curls/day

[drubin007]

I am 6"1 and weigh about 185... guess I am in the minority?

I think you are making a blanket statement there which is not accurate.

kudos for losing weight there, but do not put us all in the same boat. I am sure there is plenty of members in here with
more pounds on their frame then they should, however patting yourself on the back and then asking what everyone else is doing?

I hope I ma just taking your post the wrong way.

[DBoone]

I had apnea long before I gained weight. Although I'm sure the extra weight hasn't helped any, losing it won't solve my problem.

[jnk]

2 cents:

It is true that a weight problem can lead to a health problem, but it is also true that a health problem can lead to a weight problem. A person who feels well is much more likely to be active and not to crave high-energy, fatty foods; whereas, someone who has severe night-time breathing problems needs to address that in order to be able to feel well, eat well, and be active. In some cases, a person's upper-airway anatomy means he will always have sleep apnea even if he is one day underweight. But improving one's health with PAP therapy can be a big part of improving levels of activity and eating habits.

[Kiralynx]

I developed apnea after losing 75 pounds.

Didn't get treated. I went on to lose another 105 pounds.

Kept it off. Still obese. Had cancer surgery which put a crimp in my exercise. Now I'm dealing the lymphedema issues, and don't know what I weigh on any given day because my weight can change as much as 30 pounds in two days... and I know I'm not eating enough to put 30 pounds on in two days!

Edited to add: I get <bleeping> tired of being told that if I would "just stop stuffing my face and get a little exercise, like pushing myself away from the table, I could lose weight... if I really wanted to." Just as though losing -- and keeping off -- 180 pounds was nothing. All because I haven't managed to find a way to lose the other 100 pounds, because I'm focusing on being healthy at the weight I am now, instead of waiting to be healthy "someday."

Mebbe I'm reading your comments wrong, but y'know, "Fat" can contribute to apnea, but it isn't the CAUSE by any means.

[Captain Obvious]

If your condition is NOT caused by excess tissue in your throat, central events, weak neck muscle and supporting tissue, an abnormally large/muscular neck, or anything in that ball park.... Way to many variables for just a straight yes. If your overweight, and have a large neck, then theres a really good chance losing weight will help exponentially.

[alnhwrd]

Guest,

Kudos to you for your weight loss, and the reduction of your AHI. If you really want to start an earnest discussion about this topic, including advice and encouragment, then please register and announce yourself. I don't know that it was your intent, but at first read it appears that you are congratulating yourself for your weight loss and condescending to the rest of us who haven't any from behind the security of internet anonymity. I do not, nor do others here if I may speak for them, consider conquering cpap and successfully maintaining its use less of an achievement than if I were to lose weight. I've done both. The obstacles to successful CPAP , both mental and physical, require an equal or greater determination to overcome than for weight loss. Its not easy to lose weight, but it is equally if not more difficult to adapt to CPAP.

If we seem focused on CPAP here, it because that is the stated purpose of this board, to provide assistance and a sense of community to new and struggling CPAP users. I have to wonder if adding a big old brick of guilt about a newbie's weight (or perception of their weight) to someone who is already struggling doesn't do more harm than good. It can also provide a false alternative to people who are struggling. I have read many a post by persons who say, "CPAP is too hard, I'm just going to lose some weight instead". Then of course they don't, and are worse off than before.

Again, props for your success, but IMHO your premise, as evidenced by your post, is flawed. The best long term solution to any serious medical condition is to follow the medically proven treatment method for that condition, which in this case is CPAP, not weight loss. Having said that, I encourage you to come out from behind the curtain, register, and offer what encouragement and assistance you can.

[timbalionguy]

Guest,

Kudos to you for your weight loss, and the reduction of your AHI. If you really want to start an earnest discussion about this topic, including advice and encouragment, then please register and announce yourself. I don't know that it was your intent, but at first read it appears that you are congratulating yourself for your weight loss and condescending to the rest of us who haven't any from behind the security of internet anonymity. I do not, nor do others here if I may speak for them, consider conquering cpap and successfully maintaining its use less of an achievement than if I were to lose weight. I've done both. The obstacles to successful CPAP , both mental and physical, require an equal or greater determination to overcome than for weight loss. Its not easy to lose weight, but it is equally if not more difficult to adapt to CPAP.

That said, for some of us, CPAP therapy is far easier than weight loss. I'm sure as the therapy gets better, the ability to lose weight will improve. (I don't gain weight quite as fast now, which helps.) On an odd note, I have noticed my fingernails seem to be growing much faster now....

[TSSleepy]

Very well said "alnhwrd". I wish I was as eloquent and calm as you.

I consider the attitude that "sleep apnea is a fat person's disease" to be as backwards and damaging as the attitude that "AIDS is a gay person's disease" and these kinds of posts really push my buttons.

[jnk]

. . . my fingernails seem to be growing much faster now....

And the hair on your back.

(Judging only by your avatar, that is.)

[Muse-Inc]

...And the hair on your back...avatar...

Good one JNK

[tattooyu]

I don't think it's impossible that getting down to a normal weight could be a cure for some people, if the weight is what is affecting the structure of their throat. Unfortunately, it's not a panacea. I wish it was. Losing excess weight is never a bad thing if done in a healthy way. I'm kind of interested in the throat exercises I saw posted on here, as well as playing the didgeridoo, and if they really work. I should dust off my didgeridoo and play it regularly to see if it helps!

By the way, timbalionguy, my fingernails definitely grow faster now. Better circulation/blood oxygen I'm thinking.

[Guest]

"sleep apnea is a fat person's disease"

Those are your words. Not mine. I did address this in my original post. Odd that there's not one post here about how someone exercised, dropped some weight as requested by a doctor and improved their lot.

"Although I'm sure the extra weight hasn't helped any, losing it won't solve my problem."

That's sort of a defeatist attitude. You note that weight is adding to your apnea but you don't want to lose any as it won't cure it. It's like a diabetic saying that eating sugar is making my diabetes a lot worse, but I won't cut it out as I'll still be a diabetic.

It's odd that people don't talk more about fitness in general here. Google how to get better sleep and you'll always see exercise and eating well listed. I guess people are just happy to stick with the machine and hope for the best.