sleep Apnea

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Replies

  • chefsmash
    chefsmash Posts: 53 Member
    The mouth appliance helped me A LOT... I was dx'ed with Mild OSA just this past summer, though I know I've had it for years. I've always been overweight, but after putting on a significant amount of weight very quickly and being the heaviest I've ever been, it got to the point where it made me too exhausted to function up to par. My options were CPAP or the appliance, so obviously I got the appliance since it was an option. I used to snore LOUD, all night long, and now nothing. Haven't snored since! Gradually (as the throat/palate muscles get more toned), my energy has increased as well and I never wake up gasping.

    OP, point is that yes, losing weight can help your sleep apnea if that's what is contributing to it, and I too hope that's the case with me. However, do what you can now to feel better because it will help you accomplish your weight loss goals (which will expedite getting the answer to your question. :) )

    Oh, and everyone's different. Don't dismiss CPAP or surgery if that's what is best for YOUR situation.

    Best of luck!
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    I lost 40lbs, am in a healthy weight range and I still have it, but I don't snore like I did. I think it depends on why you have it. If it's from an obstruction that you can shrink with weightloss, then maybe it can go away. If it's from a 'floppy' airway, you'll still have it. For me, I just randomly stop breathing over 200 times per night and breathe very shallow, so I'll be on it for life.
    I'd get re-tested after weight loss and see if it's gone. Hopefully for you, it will be!

    I have a feeling that mine may be from a "floppy airway" too. It didn't show up until I had throat surgery (had a branchial cleft cyst removed from my carotid artery and jugular vein). It significantly weakened my throat muscles on the left side of my neck (they had to cut through them to get at the surgical field.
  • SanteMulberry
    SanteMulberry Posts: 3,202 Member
    The mouth appliance helped me A LOT... I was dx'ed with Mild OSA just this past summer, though I know I've had it for years. I've always been overweight, but after putting on a significant amount of weight very quickly and being the heaviest I've ever been, it got to the point where it made me too exhausted to function up to par. My options were CPAP or the appliance, so obviously I got the appliance since it was an option. I used to snore LOUD, all night long, and now nothing. Haven't snored since! Gradually (as the throat/palate muscles get more toned), my energy has increased as well and I never wake up gasping.

    OP, point is that yes, losing weight can help your sleep apnea if that's what is contributing to it, and I too hope that's the case with me. However, do what you can now to feel better because it will help you accomplish your weight loss goals (which will expedite getting the answer to your question. :) )

    Oh, and everyone's different. Don't dismiss CPAP or surgery if that's what is best for YOUR situation.

    Best of luck!

    ^^^Good advice^^^ I think that a lot of people have difficulty losing weight because of the apnea and then when they get it treated, it is easier to lose weight---that's what the sleep study technician told me.
  • Gerald_King
    Gerald_King Posts: 2,031 Member
    Mine did I sleep like a baby
  • chefmomster2
    chefmomster2 Posts: 22 Member
    There are no guarantees. But, it is recommended everywhere I look. I have sleep apnea myself and I am hoping that it does.( I know that surgery of several kinds didn't work for me. )

    More importantly, weight loss is good for all of us! Will it absolutely PREVENT heart disease, stroke, diabetes, et., etc., etc.? Again, there is no guarantee, but isn't it better to do healthy? We will have some substantial reduction in our risk factors for many diseases.

    Why not just try it and see? What have you got to lose?
  • flatblade
    flatblade Posts: 224 Member
    I was diagnosed with sleep apnea more than 10 years ago. It was classed as moderate, but got worse as I aged and continued to gain weight. I used a CPAP until I lost more than 70 pounds. I had another sleep study, in which my apnea was diminished to the lowest level. My doc encouraged me to continue losing weight and try other means to deal with the now mild apnea. I only snored when on my back and when in REM sleep, so I settled on a "tennis ball t-shirt". The shirt has been effective and my wife has not noticed me snoring. I've now lost 85 pounds and don't use a CPAP. I'll have an oxymeter test to see if I am getting enough oxygen, and if so I will be considered cured. To summarize, it sure looks like weight loss was enough in my case to cure my apnea.
  • monteymole
    monteymole Posts: 47
    Thankyou to all who responded to my question im so thankful for all your comments . It seems like alot of people have got the disorder something I didnt know alot about but im certainly going to try my best to lose the weight , I did not know it could be genetic ? Please fee free to add me so you can see how I go on my journey :)

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