3 years down the track......

[Diver71]

I was just browsing through my bookmarks and found this site again. Three years ago when I had just been diagnosed with apnoea (AHI 67) this site was one of the things that helped me survive the thought of having to be attached to this damn machine every night for the REST OF MY LIFE !!!!

Well here it is a little over three years down the track and I had until recently religiously used the CPAP every night - no missed nights. This has all changed recently.

After resigning myself to the fact that I was going to be on the CPAP for life I looked at my health, in particular things that I could prevent. Being on the CPAP had already lowered my blood pressure to only slightly elevated levels after having hypertension most of my life. But there were other things to look at cholesterol was way too high .... my diet was crap .... walking to the corner had me short of breath ... I was (according to my BMI) borderline morbidly obese. On New Years Eve I made the resolution that I was going to get healthy in 2012. I wanted to lose some weight and start exercising. This was not an easy thing to do - I like junk food and I liked a beer or six ... but it was necessary if I want to live long enough to have kids and see them grow up.

Now 5 months in I have normal cholesterol, my doctor says my BP is that of an athlete, my resting pulse rate is down from 95 to 60. Additionally I have dropped 25% of my bodyweight and gone from 33% body fat to 19%. I am now able to run almost a full 5kms (I have actually signed up for a 5km run in July).

BUT THE BEST THING ...... I no longer need the CPAP. I no longer snore like a freight train full of grinders. My wife finally can kiss me in the morning without having to wait for me to remove my mask. I can sleep at a mate's place without having to worry about not having my machine with me, I can go camping easily again ...

DO use your machine - I would not have been able to even contemplate the things I have done this year pre CPAP, I simply would not have had the energy. However DO NOT believe that you are necessarily going to be using it for the rest of your life. Losing weight was all that was necessary for me to turn this around and I am very happy to say that I USED to have sleep apnoea

[Drowsy Dancer]

Congratulations!

Did you have another sleep study? I'm assuming ending CPAP was with your doctor's blessing, since it sounds like you had a recent workup. I lost a bunch of weight after starting CPAP (to a BMI of 22) but I'm still on the hose myself.

[Goofproof]

While doing a;; those things are great and I admire you, they do not mean you don't have sleep apnea, snoring is only a marker. A sleep study is needed or at the very least data from a XPAP and O2 meter through the night. You may feel great and still be dead in the morning, more of a hassle for your wife that you taking off the mask. Jim

Many think they have whipped sleep apnea, when in reality they have drowned in DeNile. Once again you have done well to be healthier, just make sure it doesn't end badly.

[Diver71]

I am sorry for trying to be positive and provide some encouragement that apnoea is not always a life sentence.

Of course I have been back for another sleep study and done the full battery of tests. I have spent every night for 3 year on the CPAP there is no way I would have stopped without consultation with the specialist
My AHI is now 3 and my doctor is happy to not be seeing me again unless I re-develop any of the many symptoms I previously had.

[SleepingUgly]

Congratulations! As everyone knows (even those who won't admit it), being overweight is the #1 risk factor for sleep apnea, and it's great that you were able to lose weight and be cured! (Now all the thin people are going to chime in, and those who were symptomatic when they were still thin... I know, I know, you're preaching to the choir.)

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

Congratulations Diver71! Sounds to me like you have done all the right things to ensure many years of good health. I have nothing but respect and good wishes for you! Please consider continuing to come around now and then, since you have re-connected with the forum. All your PAP experience could still prove very valuable to those of us here still using PAP therapy, despite your new found freedom from the 'hose'.

John