Something iteresting you may not know.....

I have not been a fan of these sleep studies and I really thought this sleep apnea was absolutely the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. When they started talking about a CPAP to sleep I really thought someone is just trying to make a lot of money off overweight people which are the main group targeted. I became enlightened when I had to have some more testing done after an echocardiogram came back showing mild pulmonary hypertension. If you go on line to web md and look this up it's pretty scary stuff. I went to my pulmonary doc who ordered these tests and he told me not to be concerned with the PH because it is what he calls "secondary" to sleep apnea. The sleep apnea is believed to be causing it, treat the cause and it's pretty likely to go away. Especially with WLS which is know to clear up the condition as well. Meanwhile I have to be fitted for one of these lovely machines, mask, etc., but I feel a whole lot better about it knowing this is not permanent and that it will clear up a condition that could be life threatening. When they first told me I had mild PH, after what I read in one report, it talked about life expectancy from diagnosis to death is about 5 to 7 years. All they do is give you drugs, possibly a lung transplant, etc. It's not good, so sleep apnea is nothing to fool around with. It's very hard on your heart and can cause heart failure in addition to PH. Just a little info for people like me that thought this was all nonsense.... CaroleM in Arizona

You are so right Carole! I had sleep apnea for years and didn't get it treated. In 1999, I had a mild stroke and they traced it to having had untreated sleep apnea for years. Not fun. - Bobby

Gosh, just thought I would check out other forums and found this one. I have to say something. I, too, have severe sleep apnea found out in '97. I have been wearing a mask since then, mostly a C-Pap mask, but for one year on a Bi-PAP mask. Even 1 1/2 years after surgery I still need to wear it. My sleep apnea has improved since I lost weight, but it is still there with me. I do feel so much better since I lost the weight. I am sleeping so much better, not as tired. Before WLS, even with the mask every night, I was groggy, tired and no energy, and feeling just plain ugly. I am trying to lose more weight (at a biggggg stall), but not losing and that is the only way I probably would be able to get rid of this #$@**!@ machine. (you get what I mean). Karen

Carole, I just read your post and want to thank you for it. I am having a sleep study done tonight. My pulmonary doc just diagnosed me with ph. It is scary. I don't know yet how bad it is, but I am hoping that, as you say, it can be corrected if it is sleep apnea related. I had gastric bypass 6/01/06 and have lost nearly my goal of 100 lbs. I have been so healthy and now for this to happen is devastating me. I was previously on a cpap and after my surgery decided to go off it because I didn't feel I needed it. Please email me back and let me know what they found out with you and if you are cured of your ph!! I have to have more tests done, but I am praying that they are normal. Any words of encouragment would really help!! Thank you Joanne