So.. 20 pound weight loss and I'm cured of sleep apnea?

Just got back from my 3rd sleep study. Tech didn't hose me up all night,
and when I asked about that, she said that I had very few apneas during
REM, and snored very little. Not enough for CPAP. Her recommendation is
that I not use my CPAP because it would be too much pressure.

I feel like I slept lousy-- got up to go to the bathroom once, woke up
on the hour at 2, 3, 4 and got up at 5. Back hurt and I couldn't keep
laying down. I also have a slight headache... like the pre_CPAP days.

Prior history (I first went to Dr. complaining about my snoring... at
my partners urgings)

Feb '02 First diagnosed - Severe REM-related obsructive sleep apnea and
upper airway resistance syndrome resulting in significan sleep
fragmentation without oxygen desaturatiopn. Recommended therapy - CPAP @
8cm H20. I use Breeze headgear, & heated humidifier.

Went up to 9cm in April 02.

Things were fine for a while but started daytime sleepiness again, and
getting up at night again.

Went for 2nd sleep study in Feb '03. They noted very mild PLM and
decided best pressure is 14cm H20 to control OSA.

That was fine for a while.

For the last few months, I've been having trouble keeping my lips
closed. I've resorted to taping mouth shut, but even then, that leaked
sometimes. I wasn't mouth breathing, more mouth venting. I also started
to get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night again.

I had a physical with a new Doctor mid-September, and my weight at that
time was 279.5. Started LowCarb diet first part of October, and have
lost 20 pounds so far. As I look at myself, I wonder just where those 20
pounds came off from... but now I think I know... it must have been my
neck/throat area!!

Since I've been low carbing, I've been drinking a lot more water. Mouth
feels really dry all the time. Could my "cure" be more due to less water
in my body... rather than a measly 20 pound weight loss?? My throat
was very dry last night.



shawn
279.5/258/150
LC since 10/03

I believe I've had apnea since age 18-20. Now in my 40's and finally
diagnosed and CPAP'ing since last year.

On that subject, I'm curious what the "Breeze" headgear looks like, and if
it differs from mine, which is primarily nasal oriented. This year, and I
mean since January, I've had lots of allergy attacks and/or low level colds
that make it impossible to use the equipment full time. The Dr. put me on
Flonase, which worked well when I accidentally used it twice a day for 2
months... :-) (I knew something was wrong when the prescription was getting
used up too fast.)

I've been wondering about asking if a nose/mouth mask would be the answer.

Also means my 40+-lb weight loss hasn't made anything easier, so far, and I
also have the extremely dry mouth/throat symptoms at night.

If someone says I'm not drinking -enough- water, I might have to agree.

BTW, also diagnosed Diabetes Type-II in '97.

Steve - Sep '02 (restart)
343/300/195


"shawn" wrote in message
...
snip
I use Breeze headgear, & heated humidifier.

Things were fine for a while but started daytime sleepiness again, and
getting up at night again.

snip

I had a physical with a new Doctor mid-September, and my weight at that
time was 279.5. Started LowCarb diet first part of October, and have
lost 20 pounds so far. As I look at myself, I wonder just where those 20
pounds came off from... but now I think I know... it must have been my
neck/throat area!!

Since I've been low carbing, I've been drinking a lot more water. Mouth
feels really dry all the time. Could my "cure" be more due to less water
in my body... rather than a measly 20 pound weight loss?? My throat
was very dry last night.



shawn
279.5/258/150
LC since 10/03

Scionyx wrote:
I believe I've had apnea since age 18-20. Now in my 40's and finally
diagnosed and CPAP'ing since last year.

On that subject, I'm curious what the "Breeze" headgear looks like, and if
it differs from mine, which is primarily nasal oriented.

Breeze headgear is a nasal cpap mask. Highly recommended. (I needed a
prescription from my Dr. to change, but that wasn't a problem.) Only
problem with the Breeze is the plastic guide keeps breaking. They have
re-enforced the current design. So far mine has lasted for 4 months
without breaking.

Check out alt.support.sleep-disorder for recommendations of masks and
info on sleep apnea.
Clifford