tonsillectomy and uvpp surgery on Wednesday.

ManitobaD wrote:Hi,
I am new to CPAP and I hate it. But this embaressing mask has been the motivation I have needed I guess to drop some pounds. I am 6'2" and started out at 238Lbs, I have lost 25Lbs so far and I am shotting for about another 20 in the next 5 months. My pressure only needs to be set to 7 and I do not snore.
Here are my questions for the group. Am I fooling myself thinking that this wieght loss will fix the problem because I was just kind of fat, not really obese. Second, I sleep on my side but in the sleep lab they had me sleep on my back. Is it possible the change in possition could have made my apneas seem worse on paper? They said I was in the moderate to severe catagory.
Thanks everyone!

Welcome to the forum. Sleeping on one's back is typically the worst position for apneas because it's easier for your tongue to fall back and restrict your airway. I really hate reading stories where sleep labs MAKE their subjects sleep in positions in which they don't normally sleep. Fortunately, mine did not do that (I'm a side sleeper, too).

As far as the weight loss issue, there is a good probability that sleep apnea CAUSES weight gain (due to decreased oxygen in your body) and without good sleep, it'll be much harder to lose it. In other words, losing weight probably won't "cure" your sleep apnea.

As far as this being "embarrasing"........I'd rather wear the mask than a coffin (prematurely).

Please consider registering on the forum and listing your equipment.......and join in the "fun".

Den

I agree with Den. Sleeping on your side may make your apnea slightly better, but is unlikely to be a cure if you are moderate to severe. Losing weight never hurts, but many of us have heard a lot of stories of people who were promised that they would be cured if they lost weight and stayed on cpap anyway.

But, it doesn't hurt to try both just to satisfy your curiosity. Once you have lost the weight, ask for a sleep study done in your natural sleeping position. If you have a good doctor, and you really and truly only sleep on your side, there isn't any reason to deny that.

It may simply make your apnea go down a category. In which case you might be eligible for another form of therapy if you find cpap so abhorrent. There are dental devices like the TAP appliance that can be used for mild to moderate apnea with some success. Do a search here and google it for more info. YOu have to see an oral surgeon that specializes in sleep disorders to get one and they are expensive and insurance doesn't alway cover it all. Mine covered a portion of mine. I still haven't tried using mine yet because I found out I was pregnant a day after I got mine. Decided to stay with cpap instead of experimenting until things calmed down on the home front.

I hope that helps you!

Jen

ManitobaD wrote:Hi,
I am new to CPAP and I hate it. But this embaressing mask has been the motivation I have needed I guess to drop some pounds. I am 6'2" and started out at 238Lbs, I have lost 25Lbs so far and I am shotting for about another 20 in the next 5 months. My pressure only needs to be set to 7 and I do not snore.
Here are my questions for the group. Am I fooling myself thinking that this wieght loss will fix the problem because I was just kind of fat, not really obese.

Maybe yes, maybe no.
For some people, a drop in weight makes a difference, for others not.

Second, I sleep on my side but in the sleep lab they had me sleep on my back. Is it possible the change in possition could have made my apneas seem worse on paper? They said I was in the moderate to severe catagory.
Thanks everyone!

Yes, it's possible that your apnea is worse on your back (called positional apnea).

Hi,
I just wanted to say thank you all for the info and for not sugar coating. I agree that it's better to have the tube then a coffin, it's just hard being a young single guy. I think my last girlfriend was a little skived out by it and I havn't let any other women know about it. Maybe I need to date girls with apnea LOL. But in all seriousness I understand that my health is whats most important I'm just bummed.
Thanks again everyone, I registered and I will be back and post what kind of darth vadar mask I sleep with
Phil

Phil,

My first exposure to CPAP was when a buddy got married and told me she got her husband on the hose. Having camped next to him for YEARS, and NOT BEING ABLE TO SLEEP FOR THE SNORING, I was most grateful. So were the 100 other people in the camp.

Next exposure was a BF who was very nervous about exposing me to his CPAP. We slept in separate beds except for one night of our relationship. We did share a hotel room for one weekend, and his machine never bothered me. The one night we shared a bed at his house - ditto. No problems. I understood it was saving his life, and I had NO PROBLEMS WITH IT.

Since going on the hose a year ago, I have not dated. I recently met a guy online, and told him I was on the hose via email. He has been very positive and supporting of me. Our first date is scheduled for tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.

Don't feel afraid. Get out there, and be honest. Anyone who puts THEIR VANITY ahead of YOUR MEDICAL NEEDS isn't worth crying over.

Oh, and I'm single, if you're local...

LOL,
Babette the Very Bad

Your right. I'm just having a hard time with the whole thing. I have a diner date coming over Thursday and keep thinking "should I hide the machine", I think I already mentioned something about it to her but we were both at the bar so who knows what she remembers LOL. By the way, what is local? I'm about an hour from Detroit.

Hi,

UPPP......invasive surgery that you going to have. Ask the doc for real life example of success rate and your scenario for your case. I would recommend you to read the medical actual findings listed below....

OSA Diagnosis and Treatment By Kushida from Standford University. Maybe a bot pricey and the return is you will have way better understanding.

http://www.amazon.com/Obstructive-Sleep ... 731&sr=1-3

PS: Listen to Like Rested Gal said!

Be Smart, Be wise Be careful!

God bless.

Mckooi

Well I am still working on dropping more wieght. I have done some digging on the net and I found out that my alergies may be another contributing factor to the apnea. Has anyone heard of alergy treatment lower or removing the need for CPAP?
Phil

The inflammation of the nasal airway from allergies may contribute to apnea, certainly, but it is my belief that the cause is usually in the throat. One cause I do firmly believe that can be controlled is acid reflux. I myself have to take Zantac every night before bed and that helps control my apnea by keeping inflammation down in my throat. But it has not erased the need for my machine.

You might consider starting new threads with these questions you have. More people will likely look at it, since this is an old thread you have resurrected.

Jen

Good point about the old thread, I'm also new to message boards LOL.

FI had an initial sleep study with result very severe apnia thus set up with a Res med with presure needed at 19. I felt great sleep wise but my head felt like the very worst head cold for 5 hrs each morning. I had a client that had the tonsill and uvpp surgery then a dental appliance to sleep with which cured his need for a machine.

My Sleep Dr advised aginst the surgery saying results are not good. I still met with a Surgen knnowing of success story. My result was Tonsuill, Uvpp, sinus and Nose all done at once. The recovery was terriable but would do it again in a heart beat. I had an appliance made but due to my small mouth do not use it.
A follow up study determined need of setting of 4 on machine and if sleep on my side no need at all.
Thus when I travel I do not briing the machine and sleep on my side.

My snoriing went from being the worst of 100 men in a group by far to no snoring at all. My family is very happy. My advice is get second opinions as the Sleep Dr when asked if she ever tried to sleep with a machine and on high preasure her answer was only for a few minutes. How could she even judge let alone discourage further treatments such as surgery if just a 50/50 chance to improve. I would take the chance.