Lost 75 pounds- Apnea not better, Mask doesnt fit

[Gerald?]

Dizzy1

If your problem is change in face shape, why not take that out of the equation. Maybe try nasal pillows and tape at the sleep study?

[BiPappy]

Unfortunately, I can also attest that losing weight might not eliminate sleep apnea. I lost weight, worked out, and gained 12 lbs of muscle with less than 8% body fat, but I still have OSA. On the other hand, losing weight and undergoing UPPP did help with my OSA but not eliminate it.

You're doing the right thing by getting treatment at such an early age. I wished I was diagnosed with OSA earlier in my life. Of course, dating and having OSA don't go well together. The bright side is that the person who stays with you despite your CPAP mask, etc. is the person you want to be with.

[allen476]

Allen-
Thanks for the reply. I see you too are from upstate NY. I'm from Binghamton, went to school in Syracuse, and now live and work in Poughkeepsie. Anyway yes it was essentially a crash diet. I wasn't starving myself or taking diet pills or anything but I was only taking in about a quarter of the calories that I was accustomed too and a very minimal protein intake. I don't know what I was doing. I was just finally so fed up with being so overweight that I went nuts I guess. I saw the pounds coming off and just went with it. But I've been eating right and taking a mult-vitamin and some other supplements for about a month now. And I'm consuming about 90g of protein a day, which I'm told is more than enough. Things still aren't right. But I've been told that's what happens when you lose so much so quickly. I did lose about 75 pounds in 3 months or so, which even sounds insane to me typing it. Honestly all I did was like a half hour on the treadmill everyday.

Anyway I'm glad to hear that they'll have different mask at the study. Although I'm not so optimistic. I've tried 2 or 3 different masks on over the last couple months and they seem to fit fine. But when I get them home, strap them on and lie down they leak like crazy no matter how much I fiddle with it.

Hi,

I'm in Elmira. The hair loss and skin problems are mostly from the poor way from eating resulting in a vitamin and protein deficiency. It will take time for you to get back to normal. At least you are back on the right track by taking supplements and upping the protein.

They should have a good selection of masks. Call ahead and ask though as some labs contract through some manufacturers and only have a very limited selection.

Allen

[Muse-Inc]

Try the RespCare Hybrid Universal FFM. Comes with 3 sizes of oral cushion (covers mouth) and 3 sizes of pillows that can be adjusted to 2 heights. Very comfortable & the range of sizes makes it more likely you will find a combo that fits your now thinner face.

[dizzy1]

Just a little update since last post. It turns out I have alopecia areata that I've probably had since I hit puberty it just didn't present itself until the physical stress of rapid weight loss triggered. I was skeptical at first but now hairless patches are appearing in my beard and my other hair keeps thinning quickly too. As you can imagine this isn't good for the deep depression I've been in. In fact, it only makes it worse since there is no cure and only minimally effective treatments, most of which have awful side effects. So I've been doing pretty bad the last few days. But I'll save this whining for alopecia forum. (What did people do before the internet?)

On the upside, my sleep study last night went surprisingly well. Somehow I actually slept. Probably from just being exhausted from crying like a schoolgirl all day. But I think they solved my mask problem. It turns out all I needed was a larger size of the Comfort Gel FF. It was quite comfortable with very little leaking. Which is a good thing since they had very few masks to choose from. All they had in the FF variety was Quattro, Comfort Gel, an another respironics one that I can't remember the name of. It's the one that covers your whole face including your eyes. I wasn't good with that. The problem is I just got a new Quattro and my insurance only covers new masks every 3 months. So I guess I have to suffer through another 2 and a half months. Bad news for me, Good news for the RemZZZ and Padacheek companies. Anyway thank you all again for your help. I'm glad I found this place. I'll be around more often.

[ozij]

Just a little update since last post. It turns out I have alopecia areata that I've probably had since I hit puberty it just didn't present itself until the physical stress of rapid weight loss triggered.

I'm sorry to hear that dizzy1. Perhaps at some point you will be able to take comfort in the a fact that it's not life threatening, and not painful -- and while it may be make finding a partner more complicated, it is also a way of filtering out some of those you would be better off without.

The problem is I just got a new Quattro and my insurance only covers new masks every 3 months. So I guess I have to suffer through another 2 and a half months. Bad news for me, Good news for the RemZZZ and Padacheek companies. Anyway thank you all again for your help. I'm glad I found this place. I'll be around more often.

I disagree with those priorities. Buy a comfortable mask now and start treating you body and your physical needs with the respect they deserve. So what if the insurance won't pay this time around? That's no way to treat a person who has just been literally starved to ill health the last 3 moths.

Starvation is very bad. Even when its self induced. Now Now is the time for you to start taking good care fo all your physical needs.


Good luck
O.

[tony72]

you lost 75lbs,your heart lungs brain kidneys gallbladder and pancreas will thank you down the road!!!!!oh and your feet will thank you EVERYDAY!!!

[ozij]

you lost 75lbs,your heart lungs brain kidneys gallbladder and pancreas will thank you down the road!!!!!oh and your feet will thank you EVERYDAY!!!

You body never thanks you for starving it.
As a matter of fact, the minute it can, it tried to catch up on what it's lost.
And then you eat ravenously.

[mckooi]

you lost 75lbs,your heart lungs brain kidneys gallbladder and pancreas will thank you down the road!!!!!oh and your feet will thank you EVERYDAY!!!

You body never thanks you for starving it.
As a matter of fact, the minute it can, it tried to catch up on what it's lost.
And then you eat ravenously.

Very TRUE on the effect of starvation.....the main thing is "to increase the muscle tone" overall!