Has anybody been "cured" of sleep apnea?

[Country4ever]

I think if someone is cured, they probably don't hang around on this forum. So they may be out there, but we're not hearing about it.

[slapmeawake]

I have lost 60 lbs and my mild apnea is almost gone so I guess it was mostly weight related. I went from pressure of 9 and now my 90% runs around 5 so definite improvement. Doc wants me to try without machine or maybe a mouth appliance. I also have TMJ so don't know about the mouth thingy but I have tried to sleep without the machine and I just don't sleep as well. I have other sleep issues besides apnea, I just don't sleep well. So I would say my apnea is 90% better but not cured as I feel I still need the machine to get my best sleep. Maybe these last 20lbs will do it or maybe if I start exercising I'll sleep better, who knows but for now I will keep using my machine.

[park_ridge_dave]

Hi All

One friend said that her ex-husband had sleep apnea, together with tiredness, snoring etc. He married again, and his new wife (reputedly with psychic powers) did some hands on healing with him, and all the symptoms went away, and he became a new man. ......

Now all those who want to have a good laugh - be my guest .......

Count me in the second group (that want a good laugh) This reminds me of Yoko Ono and John Lennon (RIP). She cured him of Sleep Right

This was way off topic and the original question was a valid query, but I just couldn't resist the "straight line". Besides I had to post after DreamDiver's tin foil hat post

I suppose that the result may have been observed. There doesn't appear to be any followup nor any statement of how long the "cure" lasted.

Anecdotal observations don't really establish a valid cause and effect relationship (nor for that matter do manipulated clinical trials sponsored by the provider ).

But, the power of suggestion can do amazing things to some people if they really believe in the person's abilities. So maybe that's what did it?

Also, we don't know what other therapies she (the new wife) may have employed TMI

Cheers,

Dave

[Uncle_Bob]

It is very popular in certain circles to say weight loss will cure sleep apnea. I am skeptical of anyone who says he cured his sleep apnea with weight loss. Certainly it happens sometimes but my estimate is that it is rare.

To quote my ex-doctor

"Once your throat gets fat it stays fat"

But i'm not sure if he's tried the didgeridoo thing

[JohnBFisher]

"fat" often has NOTHING to do with it.

When I was about 11 to 13, I shot up, got REALLY skinny ... I was WAY under ideal weight, even though you could not tell it now ... and I started to snore VERY loudly. My sister complained bitterly that I would gasp and snort just like our grandfather. Looking back on it, I suspect I had mild obstructive sleep apnea most of my life.

So, you tell me ... which came first? The weight or the sleep apnea. I don't bet, but I would put very safe money on the sleep apnea.

[grandmma]

DreamDiver, LOVE the pic. Says it all, really!

Like most, I suspect the very few who are solely weight-related apnea sufferers may overcome it, but don't know anyone who has - there are generally more issues, and the weight is often a result of the apnea, not the other way around.

I also suspect that whilst it may be not all, most people who believe they have overcome it, may simply be deluded.

Junaid, you get used to it. It becomes a means of getting your mind set into sleep mode ..... and then a comfort. For the majority it takes time, like most things.

[SleepingUgly]

I can't cite studies or statistics off the top of my head, but in the course of reading various articles, I've read that AHIs can normalize. Sometimes it's with weight loss and sometimes with surgery. Obviously not everyone improves with weight loss or surgery.

Thinking that losing weight won't help seems like a good excuse not to lose weight. Apnea is a health issue. Being overweight is a health issue. Both need to be addressed. If you lost weight and your apnea was completely unchanged, your overall health would still be improved.

Gotta' run...It's time for my midnight snack.

[snorin747]

Yes but, but it returned. Guess that is a no.

I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea almost 17 years ago. I could not tolerate the machine. The doctor suggested surgery, which did cure the sleep apnea. It was OSA. Fast forward to 2 years ago. I was having trouble doing simple tasks, could not even add 2+2 with a pen and paper (I had College Calculus). I could not sleep and was woken up by snoring. I sleep alone. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. ...again. It took a couple of tries, but I found I was able to tolerate the Swift Pillows.

I had dinner with a friend this evening and we talked about the forums here and various machine. So mine is in pieces drying out and I'll be using it tonight. I've been off of it for a couple of months. I ordered new Pillows, so I am getting some use out of it.

-Snorin.

[SleepingUgly]

Snorin, how long would you estimate you were you "cured" for? When you relapsed, had you gained weight?

[ozij]

Snorin, how long would you estimate you were you "cured" for? When you relapsed, had you gained weight?

Also: which surgery was it, and how was the cure checked?

O.

[snorin747]

I would say for about 12 years. I've added about 150 lbs since the first cure. I'm know my weight plays a role. I was also struggling with some medication at the time. I didn't seem to hit overnight. There were a lot of things going in my life at the time and sleep apnea was one of the problems.

Lately I have been sleeping ok (AFAIK) without my machine. Waking up rested, lots of dreams. But I am going back on the machine, tonight.

-Snorin

[snorin747]

Also: which surgery was it, and how was the cure checked?

Tonsil's removed as well as some tissue. There was also some work done in my nose.

There was no follow up with the sleep lab.

-Snorin

[kteague]

I met a lady in a thrift shop, and she was saying they often get whole households of "stuff" when someone dies and the family wants them to just clear out everything. I asked her if they ever get in cpaps, and she said she "used to" have sleep apnea and used one, but didn't need it any more since she lost weight. In my mind I was preparing to give her "the talk" so I started with asking how she was able to know that the weight loss resolved her apnea. She said she had undergone bypass surgery and several months after losing the excess weight had gone in for another sleep study before stopping using cpap. Shut my mouth!