Newly diagnosed,weight loss,dental appliance

ford8n47 · Post by **ford8n47** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:52 am

Newly diaganosed with Sever Obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring is moderate to loud and continuous. Apnea Hypopnea Index was 44 per hour. 121 total apneas recorded. O2 sat dropped to 87% at times. Sleep efficency was 86% I'm 6'5" and weigh 255lbs. I have an 18" neck and a med 1/2" overbite. My questions are these...#1. Will dropping 30-40lbs reduce my apnea to a point where I could use a dental device and No Cpap? I'm overweight but not obese. I don't have a problem with dropping the weight but I just want to be sure if I go through the effort. I have my Cpap titration tonight. It will be the first time with the mask at the sleep center. Not too keen on wearing a mask because I'm a side/stomach sleeper. Thanks in advance.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 12:06 pm

1) Losing weight will help with many things - it's always a good idea.
2) Doubtful that losing weight will mean you can get off the CPAP machine and just use a dental device.

Most folks here find that the dental devices DO NOT WORK. But then, this is a CPAP patients forum, right?

I had a friend lose a bunch of weight, and decide he didn't need his cpap. After a year of bad sleep, he's come to the conclusion he's wrong, and is back on his hose.

I bought an expensive DENTIST CUSTOM MADE dental device. It hurt, caused headaches, and I couldn't wear it with my cpap. I threw it out.

Your mileage may vary.
Babette

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 12:24 pm

What Babs said ... plus there are lots of folks here that seelp on their side(s), stomach, and every sleep position.

CPAP treatment is a mind over matter thing and for many of us, the first thing running through our mind is "I'll never be able to sleep with that thing hooked up to my face".

Later we end up saying "there is no way I could ever sleep without that thing on my face".

Good luck and welcome.

ford8n47 · Post by **ford8n47** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 12:39 pm

Thanks for the quick responses. I just turned 40 in June. I was an athlete most of my life and never had these problems. I used to be 190lbs at 6'5" back in high school. I'm ready for the mask if it will make me feel better(not as tired through the day and wife kicking me for snoring loud). I'm ready to take control and if weight loss and weight lifting will get me off the mask then so be it. If not then bring on the hose. THANKS AGAIN. Any further responses would be appreciated.

Mile High Sleeper · Post by **Mile High Sleeper** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:25 pm

Like you, I was looking for an easy out, weight loss and/or a dental appliance, to avoid xPAP. It didn't work. With severe OSA, I needed
APAP. You have severe OSA.

You might consider going on the hose WHILE you lose weight, and then see if you still need xPAP. Sleep apnea messes with the weight/eating hormones ghrelin (sp?) (makes you feel hungry) and leptin (makes you feel full). That imbalance of hormones might have caused you to gain weight in the first place. Treating OSA helps the hormones get back to normal so you can lose weight like a normal person - theoretically at least.

In addition, treatment with xPAP will help you feel better, making it easier to exercise. Not to mention helping your heart and any other body part that's been damaged by lack of oxygen.

Check out the articles under the light bulb above, Our Collective Wisdom, expand all, including those about the stages of CPAP treatment.

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your treatment.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 3:01 pm

If you decide to make cpap work, it will work. If you fight it, you are in for a losing battle.

My advice is don't fight it, just relax and go with the (air) flow. You will feel much better, but it may take a while.

Good luck and come back here often for support.

JeffH

Velbor · Post by **Velbor** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:55 pm

Babette wrote:Most folks here find that the dental devices DO NOT WORK. But then, this is a CPAP patients forum, right? .... I bought an expensive DENTIST CUSTOM MADE dental device. It hurt, caused headaches, and I couldn't wear it with my cpap. I threw it out. .... Your mileage may vary.

I've seen no surveys, but I think it more likely that "most folks here" have never tried a prescription dental appliance. For those of us who have, there are some who respond positively, and some who don't. (Hmmm, kind of like CPAP.) A great deal depends on the skill and experience of the clinician in identifying up front which patients are likely to benefit from and succeed with an appliance, and in providing the right appliance. CPAP remains the "gold standard" for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, but for selected patients, oral appliances (instead of, jointly with, or concurrently with, CPAP) can provide considerable value in terms of effectiveness, comfort and convenience. It is an option which deserves consideration!

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 7:38 pm

Velbor wrote:
Babette wrote:Most folks here find that the dental devices DO NOT WORK. But then, this is a CPAP patients forum, right? .... I bought an expensive DENTIST CUSTOM MADE dental device. It hurt, caused headaches, and I couldn't wear it with my cpap. I threw it out. .... Your mileage may vary.
I've seen no surveys, but I think it more likely that "most folks here" have never tried a prescription dental appliance. For those of us who have, there are some who respond positively, and some who don't. (Hmmm, kind of like CPAP.) A great deal depends on the skill and experience of the clinician in identifying up front which patients are likely to benefit from and succeed with an appliance, and in providing the right appliance. CPAP remains the "gold standard" for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, but for selected patients, oral appliances (instead of, jointly with, or concurrently with, CPAP) can provide considerable value in terms of effectiveness, comfort and convenience. It is an option which deserves consideration!

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 7:41 pm

Hey, the only real way to know is lose the weight then see if your apnea is still severe. Most dental devices are recommended for mild to moderate apnea.

I have a friend who had surgery to try to avoid using cpap. When he was still sleepy and tired, he got a dental device and says it has really helped (even if he does still fall asleep in church a lot).

Your post sounded like you wouldn't care to work on the weight if not needing cpap wasn't a likely result. My thought is, you're gonna need cpap while working on the weight loss anyhow, so see how you feel about it after a few weeks on the machine. Then you'll be better able to weigh the pros and cons. Taking weight off and keeping it off takes more than a notion.

I'm a side sleeper, and have been able to comfortably do so with at least 3 different masks. That should become a non-issue.

Let us know how this progresses for you. If you indeed are able to lose weight and/or your apnea is therapeutically treated by any other means, that would be good to hear.

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seattlesnoozer · Post by **seattlesnoozer** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:04 am

I too have tried a dental appliance. It was miserably uncomfortable, left me with an achy jaw and didn't help much, if at all.

According to much of the information I've read, your OSA is probably having a destructive (and possibly permanent) impact on your heart and arteries. To me it wouldn't be worth the risk to go without the machine for even a single night until I was sure I didn't need it any longer.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:32 am

Losing weight might lower AHI a few points, still leaving you with severe OSA.

While I'd like to see you spend your money with a Dentist since my daughter is one, Dental appliances generally only work for mild-moderate OSA cases. You mentioned having an overbite or reseeding chin? if it is a Class II Malocclusion, you may not be able to use a dental device either since most people that have that condition are at risk of having TMJ joint problems due to the overbite and a dental device may only aggravate that condition more.

CPAP is not bad once you get used to it, it clears the obstruction and most of all forces oxygen into your lungs where it can eliminate hypoxia which is the most important part.

It is like wearing a really uncomfortable shoe but the nice thing is you can take it off in the morning.

ford8n47 · Post by **ford8n47** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 7:58 am

Wow! Thanks for all the responses. Well I had the second sleep study last night with the CPAP and it was not that bad. I started with a nasal pillow but since I'm a mouth breather it did not work so I went to a full face mask. Presto. Allot easier that I thought. I'm a RN by trade so I know a little about what is going on. No.... I WILL WEAR the Mask. I know I have to do this for my health. Losing weight and keeping it of will not be a problem since I have my health at risk to motivate me. I will be trying the Ultra Mirage Full Face mask since it has received great reviews here. Home health agency will be in next week to set me up. I just hate the thought that I'm not in control of my body and need a machine to help me. Again thanks for all the help.

Mask

Additional Comments: Equipment isn't correct, S9 ASV w/H5i

Newly diagnosed,weight loss,dental appliance

Newly diagnosed,weight loss,dental appliance

weight loss

Other options to CPAP