What's the cause and effect of Weight and Sleep Apnea

Awhile back, somebody here on CPAPtalk did some research and related that when humans beings evolved to the point of walking upright there were some changes in the larynx since it had to move down into the throat and become more narrow, thus also adapting into refined voice box. Over time the tongue structure and soft palate also underwent major changes to facilitate speaking. Apparently that is why most animals in the wild don't have sleep apnea. Often there's a price to pay for evolutionary change.

up to four pages and counting .... the enchanter saga continues

Enchanter's comment in another post......

"I hear you. It's been very hard for me too. I have not slept for more than 4 hours on a Cpap. I've tried 4 different masks. But I think that there could be other things going on for many of us. For me, I have a doctor appointment. My issues goes beyond what this forum can do for me."

Yet he keeps on posting.....and posting........

For what it's worth, I am thin and have sleep apnea. My sister does also. Her doctor measured her airway and had some rating for the size of airway that he felt correlated to sleep apnea (it was small), my doctor does not take such measurements, or, at least never told me of any, so I have no idea as to whether mine is related to airway size.

grayghost4 wrote:up to four pages and counting .... the enchanter saga continues

He is no longer asking questions and realizes the help he needs cannot be found here. He said he has a doctor appointment that is coming up. He has as much right to post in this forum as anyone else. If you don't want to read his posts, feel free to go to another thread. There are several people who don't want to read what he posts; if you notice they don't post in his threads. People who make unnecessary comments are continuing the "saga" just as much.

Sir NoddinOff wrote:Awhile back, somebody here on CPAPtalk did some research and related that when humans beings evolved to the point of walking upright there were some changes in the larynx since it had to move down into the throat and become more narrow, thus also adapting into refined voice box. Over time the tongue structure and soft palate also underwent major changes to facilitate speaking. Apparently that is why most animals in the wild don't have sleep apnea. Often there's a price to pay for evolutionary change.

Thanks for the reminder, Sir NoddinOff! -----> viewtopic.php?f=1&t=109670

Lucyhere wrote:

grayghost4 wrote:up to four pages and counting .... the enchanter saga continues

He is no longer asking questions and realizes the help he needs cannot be found here. He said he has a doctor appointment that is coming up. He has as much right to post in this forum as anyone else. If you don't want to read his posts, feel free to go to another thread. There are several people who don't want to read what he posts; if you notice they don't post in his threads. People who make unnecessary comments are continuing the "saga" just as much.

That includes you too sweety!

If you need to lose weight and apnea gives you extra motivation go for it.

I don't have a good number, but some people do get am improvement or cure from apnea from weight loss. Quite a few people here report it didn't help, but maybe those who are healed don't post her.

The dangerous thing is to delay CPAP because you think you're going to fix it with weight loss. Weight loss often doesn't fix apnea. Even worse, weight loss doesn't usually happen among those who plan on losing weight.

If I had to guess, I'd say no more than 10% of the people succeed with significant long term weight loss. Maybe half of them get apnea relief. As I said, I have no good numbers at the moment.

Also, don't lose weight in a dangerous way. Bad food diets can hurt you, and even a balanced weight loss diet can hurt you if you lose it too fast.

archangle wrote: I don't have a good number, but some people do get am improvement or cure from apnea from weight loss. Quite a few people here report it didn't help, but maybe those who are healed don't post her.

Initial sleep study showed SSA. Sleep study this past summer showed moderate. Down from 48 events to 17. I lost around 25 lbs from first study to one I had recently. I'm now at a healthy weight for my height. Not cured but I do think it's significant.

Enchanter wrote:Cancun, I cannot sleep in my machine. Please don't make me repeat myself. Don't be ignorant.

Enchanter, I may have missed it, but do you ever explain why you can't do something? I'm paraphrasing but I always seem to see you say things like "I can't sleep with the machine" or "I can't tolerate the mask" or "I've gone through 4 masks". That's like telling the doctor "I don't feel good", none of those statements explains what's making it impossible to use?

Why can't you sleep with your machine? What are the issues that make you unable to use it? If you've already explained in another thread just link me to it so I can read it.

And before everyone else tells me it's a hopeless cause, if that's true I'm wasting no ones time but my own .

Thanks

He just doesn't fall asleep - probably too anxious thinking about all the potential downsides of doing it.

I think he may have some form of tactile defensiveness. It is difficult enough to try to adapt to sleeping with something attached to your face. If you are overly sensitive this issue gets blown way up.

The solution is a combination of mental acceptance and physical de-sensitizing. This is difficult to do without a support system in place. The support system includes doctors, friends, family, and even a forum where you can blow off steam. All of these need to work together to achieve success.

It is my hope that Eric will eventually get the big picture and move from being a victim to taking charge of his condition and assembling the support he needs to succeed with this. This forum is a part of that but only a small part.

I wish weight was my problem, (to solving SA, if that's possible) I am HWP at my worst, thin, athletic at my best. My neck size is huge for my body.

You people always complaining about sleep apnea, just think about the poor giraffe with sleep apnea, the mask will not fit, the hoses so long it gets kinked, then there's no place to plug the machine in. Shish! Jim

I'm new here but I love you already Jim.