Question:
A couple of questions, now that I have been diagnosed.

I had my two sleep studies done and have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. I have 120 episodes per hour. I should be getting my cpap machine today or tomorrow. Aflac is at my husbands work today for the new insurance year. He told my husband that I won't be able to get life insurance since I have been diagnosed with SA. Is this true? I still have 7 or 8 years left on a 20 year level term policy. My question is... can sleep apnea go completely away, or will this diagnosis follow me forever. I have the same question for the high blood pressure, will the diagnosis of that go away once I have surgery and loose weight? The second question is... Shouldn't I be dead with 120 + episodes per hour? I can't wait to have more energy.    — D. K. (posted on October 14, 2003)

October 14, 2003
While everyone is different, I can say that at least 2 people I know who have had this surgery, are no longer using their CPAP machines because their sleep apnea is gone. I can relate to the Blood Pressure issue personally. When I lost 45lbs, I was able to cautiously go off my main BP med and my BP went to high norm without the micardis. When I hit -70lbs my BP was normal, but I still continue my diuretic for a non-blood pressure related issue. Best wishes -
   — M B.

October 14, 2003
I think my sleep apnea was worse than 120 episodes an hour, I cannot remember,,,,lol But your not dead because your brain wakes up everytime to make you breath, that is why you are tired and have no energy! It should get better after surgery and yes possibly even go away (i am hoping) Make sure everyone at the hospital knows you have it so they can act accordingly & bring your machine with you to use! Also make sure that you check and see how long you need to use your CPAP before you can have surgery. Your CPAP will bring up your oxygen levels, so many times you have to use it at least a month prior to surgery! Good Luck!
   — Saxbyd

October 14, 2003
As far as insurance goes, my brother who has sleep apnea had a difficult getting life insurance and PAYS for what he has. To address your other question, yes, sleep apnea can go away with weight loss, but there ate thin people with sleep apnea. I read your profile and you mentioned the tissue in your throat. If that is a problem, weight loss will help but you might have other issues to address. I have lost around 180 pounds and no longer use my CPAP. Just recently though, I've felt the need to ask for another sleep study because I felt some of the old symptoms sneeking their way back. Best of luck to you...using the CPAP made a HUGE difference in the way I felt.
   — Pamela B.

October 14, 2003
I was at 125. I was pretty close to dead, or so I felt. I know people in my live group who were 150+! Imagine! My apnea is gone now. My husband was at 25/hr and his was gone almost immediately.Some people never use their CPAP right after surgery, but I was afraid to let go of mine for quite awhile. Since we had two of them, each was recalibrated once so I followed them down, and even then, still had it running under my pillow longer than I needed it.
   — vitalady

October 15, 2003
First, sleep apnea CAN go away after signifigant weight loss. Unless its caused by an abnormality in your throat, it will most likely go away. And high blood pressure, if not stress induced can go away too after weight loss. I too have sleep apnea with about (If I recall correct) 160 episodes per hour. Basically, you stop breathing, gasp, breathe again. The problem comes when your throat won't open back up again even after gasping, which is why we use the cpap machine. As protection. People do die from this, but usually if it untreated. 120 episodes is considered mild to moderate sleep apnea. There are people who stop breathing 300 times an hour and still are alive. It just makes for restless sleep. My sleep doc wants me to remain on CPAP (actually a CFLEX, which as my doc explained, is just a more expensive model of CPAP) for 2 years regardless of weight loss.
   — Renee B.