Calling all those with sleep apnea come in!

I have severe sleep apnea, my O2 would drop into the upper 50s during the night and I would have 40 or 50 episodes per hour (prior to CPAP). I have now dropped 25 lbs and, actually, I have noticed that it's easier for me to breathe when I sleep. I can even take a nap now and not wake up gasping, should I fall asleep without my mask on that is. I hope that as I continue to lose weight I will eventually be able to put my cpap away, for good.

However, I have a friend who, even though he's lost 65 lbs and is at his goal weight he still has to use a CPAP. In his case they discovered his apnea is a physical problem as opposed to being weight-related. His doctor told him that, without tissue removal surgery he will be on CPAP for the rest of his life. It really depends on the person.

cant say i love mine yet. But I do sleep better.Its just a pain after drinking lots of water all day to get up and go pottie. Most times i disconnect the hose and go . You will get used to it. Nobody dint want it any more than i did. Im getting better.

Firstly, congratulation on your weight loss to date.
MFP has a search function. I checked it and there's quite a bit on the subject apnea and it's causes and comments from others regarding CPAP machines and masks. The most important thing is, if you need a CPAP, get it and use it.
I've had one for about 8 years - much better sleep with it than before. Hopefully as more weight comes off, the testing will say I don't need it anymore.
Good luck next week.

As a CPAP user since January 2009 I was told obstructive sleep apnea is not weight gain related. Fortunately, I think mine is weight related. I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. My o2 sat levels were in the low 70% range with 56 events per hour. Prior to testing I would wake up several times a night gasping for air. One of the most horrible feelings I have ever experienced. I hope one day to retire my machine and nasal mask, but I sleep extremely well now with it.

I have moderate to severe sleep apnea, which I was diagnosed with before I started losing weight. I use a CPAP now, and its done wonders for me. In fact, I think getting treatment for apnea gave me the energy I needed to put towards a weight loss program, and was a big key to my success. I've lost 69 lbs, but I don't really know how its affected my apnea. I don't really want to try to sleep without the CPAP, because it works so well for me and I don't want to risk not having a good night's sleep. I will say though that when I have napped or something without it, my girlfriend has told me I hardly snore, when I used to be really bad. It will really vary from person to person, so I wouldn't bank on losing weight completely treating apnea, but weight loss could certainly help decrease the severity of your apnea.

A few months back I went through the whole sleep test stuff. (LONG PROCESS for me) After getting the machine for Upper Resistance Something Syndrome I went to see an Allergist because I would wear the mask and feel suffocated while sleeping. Come to find out that due to allergies my nose was completely stuffy inside. So now I have another nasal spray and sleep great with out the machine.