Sleep apnea?

[SuperDaddy! 1]

When I took the test I woke up 147 times in 5 hours....basically every third breathe! When you suffer from Apnea, it is impossible to get enough deep REM sleep because your body has to force itself awake enough to clear the airway by shifting or moving the muscles (all done sub-conciously) They sent me home with a CPAP machine that day...and I truly HATED it for several weeks. My wife said I looked like Darth Vader with the stupid mask on...but I grew to really love it and how I feel after a good night's sleep. I've used it for two years now. I'd love to tell you that I'm never hungry becuase I sleep better...but I still had the band placed in October! If you promise yourself that you're willing to try it for a few months even if you don't like it....once you're used to it you'll LOVE it!

Jon

[WanaBeALoser 0]

"My wife said I looked like Darth Vader with the stupid mask on...but I grew to really love it and how I feel after a good night's sleep."

LOL! My husband and I jokingly refered to mine as "the sex toy". They do make a person look as sexy as anything I have ever seen!

[pugmum 0]

Wow, a lot of us have sleep apnea! I was really surprised that I have it since my husband said I snore, but do not quit breathing. Then I got to thinking, how would he know, he is (literally) deaf in 1 ear and sleeps on his good ear! LOL I guess it's good to know that losing weight will lessen it significantly.

In regard to restless leg syndrome, that is awful! I have only experienced it once, but that was enough. Some antidepressant medications can be the primary cause. My step-mother had it really bad and they put her on the medication I see advertised, just can't think of the name, it made a huge difference for her.

Kelli

[GeezerSue 7]

I have a Bi-PAP. I inhale at 18 and exhale at 14.

I don't need it now that I've lost almost 50 pounds since the DS surgery.

BTW, research has shown that rats with the same sleep interruption as sleep apnea provides DO eat more and DO gain weight.

[vinesqueen 2]

I started back on my CPAP machine a few nights ago. I haven't been using it for several months, but going home for the holidays made me realize that I really, really need to go back on it.

It doesn't have any affect on my weight, since well, nothing apperently does, but it sure makes a HUGE difference for my fibromyalgia.

I impressed the heck out of the techs when I went for my first sleep study, I had 182 arousal periods during the night. You know it's a bad thing when you impress the sleep study folks. The doc said that it looked like I was trying to kick myself away to jump-start my breathing.

I have RLS too, hate it hate it hate it

[Aussie John 0]

Been using a CPAP machine for just over a year now,can't speak for anyone else but mine has turned my life around.When i first started using it,i slept in a few times and was late for work.Now regularly have 8 hours a night and don't go to sleep at work anymore[not good when you are a truck driver]. Mine has been great for me.

[Guest Kira M]

I love my CPAP too. Both my partner AND I use them. They make for some interesting bed head hair. lol I don't plan on giving up my CPAP even after my weight comes off (unless it's just down right uncomfortable). It's soothing to me. I don't even take short naps without it.

Speaking of sleep... that's what I should be doing right now. Nothing like a late night carb frenzy and a cup of coffee to keep one up into the wee hours of the morn. Bad bunny!! :faint:

[DeLarla 22]

I did 2 sleep studies (when I was 315 pounds) and had bad sleep apnea. The machine was really hard and awkward, but only for the first week. Once you get used to it, you'll get addicted to the thing because you'll finally get a solid night sleep.

If you are like me, you feel complely disgusting and lowsy after losing too many night's of sleep. Listless, lazy and plain out of energy. Once you catch up on sleep, everything in life becomes easier. Getting out of bed isn't a chore. You'll feel rejuvinated and normal.

I still have my machine, but it chokes me since the settings are too strong after losing 70 pounds (or so.) As you lose weight, you might choke, too, so make sure to keep in touch with the facility that provided the machine so they can adjust the settings for you.

And never, ever stop using the machine till your sleep apnea resolves. Many people (like me, yeah!) don't need the machine once we lose weight because we no longer have sleep apnea! Good luck with your band. I hope your CPAP machine grows dust on it one day like mine is!

[DeLarla 22]

My dogs were petrified of my Darth Vadar mask! Plus I had to wear hard arm braces in my sleep due to carpal tunnel. Getting old is so graceful and beautiful, isn't it? Living science experiments!

[DiDi 0]

I never could tolerate a mask. It would leak or just be bothersome & wake me all the time. Plus I couldn't sleep on my side or belly. With the nose pillows I harldy even feel it at all & can sleep in any position at all with no slipping, even flat on my stomach!! I'm positive its weight related in me, never had it till I got over 200lbs. So I hope will be OK when I lose some. My insurance covered everything, no expense on my part.

[Dody 0]

Absolutely no complaints about my C-pap. Took to it like a duck to Water. Only complaint-it messes up my hair do and every day is a bad hair day.

[kim2bhealthy 3]

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea just over a year ago, and have been using my CPAP since then. I have to say that I do sleep more soundly, and feel rested when I wake in the mornings, so it has definetly helped me. I almost must say that I absoluetly hate having to use the thing! It is one of my main inspirations for trying to lose weight (along with co-morbidities). I hate that I have to wear a mask hooked to a machine with a 8 foot leash (hose) when I sleep! I rolled over the other night and pulled the darn thing right off of my nightstand (to be fair this is the only time I've done this in over a year). I hate for family or friends to see me wearing it, its embarrassing. I hate that I have to haul it with me if I sleep away from home, go on vacation, etc. I hate looking at the darn thing on my night stand all the time! I hate having to fill the humidifier on it with Water, I hate cleaning it and the mask, I hate hauling it to my Dr's Office to get it adjusted!!! Uhum, anyway, like I said, it has helped with the sleeping, even helped to bring my blood pressure down a little (though you wouldn't know it after this rant)! When I get the band, and drop some weight and get to get rid of the thing, I might just run-over it with my car!

[marcus 0]

I here exactly what you are saying kimmy, i definately hate mine CPAP machine as well and having to wear it is one of the major inspirations for me to get the surgery as well. I can't wait to lose weight and get rid of my machine. I just may ride over mine with my car or burn the dang thang.

[Morsaille 4]

I hated it and am so glad I wasn't foolish enough to buy mine! I am with Marcus. My teeth and jaw hurt every morning. I was jaw clenching while my nose was doing the breathing. My insurance only paid for the testing and two months rental fees. Luckily, that was all the time I needed to get the diagnosis on my medical record and decide I didn't want to use CPAP ever again. Even though ins. wouldn't cover WLS, having the OSA diagnosis will allow me to write-off surgery and fills on my taxes.

I have only lost 25 pounds, but my DH says that I have not snored for the last two weeks. Yay!

So, my advice Kelli? Since you are post-op, you probably won't need it for more than a year. Rent until you know if you'll like it. You cannot E-Bay medical equipment. Aargh!

[HotLikeHer 0]

Wow, OK, looks like I need to go into my pulmonologist for a follow up. I havent seen him since just before my surgery when I got my CPAP machine, I am only at 8cm, but I seem bothered by it.. I didnt know that is was to get adjusted as ya lost weight..,,OOPS My Bad,,lol

So I guess I need to make that appnt..