Sleep apnea and the cpap

Today I received the dreaded news.  I have sleep apnea.  I'm really not looking forward to wearing this thing while I sleep.  Is there anyone out there who's going through this?  What's it like?  And are you still wearing the CPAP, even after surgery? I'd appreciate any insight.

Hi Nola - I had a great deal of difficulty with the CPAP.  If I could get comfortable and fall asleep with it, I would sleep really well, but eventually, I'd end up pulling it off at night.  It can be a lifesaver.  I have stopped using mine now that I've lost 63 pounds.  My particular type of sleep apnea would wake me every time I entered REM sleep, so I wasn't dreaming and I wasn't resting.  Now that I've lost weight, I dream the craziest dreams at night and I remember them all too.  I guess I just don't need it any more.  I sleep like a log. Linda

Wow.  I never realized that it could be the apnea that was keeping me from dreaming.   I learn something new from you wonderful people on OH all the time.  Thanks for replying Linda.  And may I say, you look wonderful! 

Nola,  I have stopped using my C-PAP last summer due to weight loss.  I had used it for about 10 years.  Started out with masks but ended up with nasal pillows which I think worked so much better being a side sleeper.  They are also cooler than a mask as masks made me sweat.  If you can insist on them you might do that as I think you will be happier and more likely to use the machine.  My symptoms were relieved immediatley with the C-PAP and feel that without it, I would be dead by now of a heart attack, stroke or a car accident.  It was something I learned to love because of how it made me feel.  It was quite difficult to stop using because it was such a help to me.  Scared to try without it but I did and now don't need it.  It can save your life,  Sometimes it can help you lose weight because you have more daytime energy and your metabolism is greatly increased.  Didn't work that way for me---imagine!!  Good luck with it.  Julia

Thanks for your response Julia.  It helps to hear that you used a CPAP for ten years.  If you can do that, then I can be brave enough to use it for what I hope will be shor-term.   That is IF I get the surgery and IF I lose enough weight to get rid of the apnea.

I forgot to mention, Nola, that the good part about sleep apnea (if there IS any good) is that it is one of the major co-morbidities that qualifies you for weight loss surgery. Linda

Nola: I had started to wear the mask back in 2/2005, a year later, I lost 51 lbs.  The day after surgery, I did not have to wear it at all anymore, which was a huge blessing to me.  I had surgery 8/22/2006, and to this date, I am down 273 lbs,  A majority of that was lost before surgery.  I now weigh less than what I have lost.  It is a marvelous feeling.  I have 18 month old twins boy/ girl to watch grow up. Peggy

You are an inspirantion to me Peggy.  One of the reasons I decided on this WLS journey is the desire to have a baby.  Time is running out, I'm 41...but I'm also a newlywed.  I have never had children but I"ve always wanted to. Thanks again for responding to my post.  Stories like yours give me hope. Nola

Really? I didn't know that.  I guess that does make it a good thing then....lol.

Our twins were born thru a surrogate, I can't have kids, I will turn 50 the 29th of this month.  My husband has 3 adult kids and lord knows he does'nt need any more lol.  These 2 keep me plenty busy. Peggy