So, just how long does a person need to wear a mask?  Can sleep apnea be cured by wearing the mask?  Is there anyone who has lost weight and is now off the CPAP.  My husband seems to think that if he loses weight, he'll be able to stop wearing the mask.  I just think he's looking for a way out.  I'd like for him to go back and have another sleep study performed just to see if anything has gotten better.  I think his sleep apnea is more important to me than it is to him....

Eva


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Best Regards,
Eva

It is possible that losing all excess weight could cure his apnea, however, many thin people also have apnea, so there is no gaurantee.  Of course, healthy weight loss has it's own benefits regardless.  If he is able to reach his ideal weight, he can request a repeat sleep study to see if he can discontinue cpap, or just sleep at a lower pressure...which is also a worthy goal.

The main point I want to make, is he should discuss his weight loss with his doctor, and follow his doctors advise.

Evike wrote:

So, just how long does a person need to wear a mask?  Can sleep apnea be cured by wearing the mask?  Is there anyone who has lost weight and is now off the CPAP.  My husband seems to think that if he loses weight, he'll be able to stop wearing the mask.  I just think he's looking for a way out.  I'd like for him to go back and have another sleep study performed just to see if anything has gotten better.  I think his sleep apnea is more important to me than it is to him....

Eva

Hi Eva,

I'll try and answer your questions in order. Usually a sleep apnoea sufferer will use cpap for life. The word 'cure' seldom arises. Sleep Apnoea is a respiratory sleep disorder. Disorders are seldom cured, but can usually be managed. CPAP is a management device.

Losing weight is helpful, but is not guaranteed to get you off cpap. It is good for your general health. Some sufferers have managed to get off cpap through weight loss, but realistically they are few and far between. I once asked at a conference if there were any 'figures' for those successful in getting off cpap through weight loss. A figure of 2% was mentioned. With sleep apnoea everyone is different.

He might well be looking for a way out. Has he lost much weight recently ? I know a sufferer who lost 5 stone weight (19 stone to 14) and managed to get his cpap pressure reduced substantially, but was never able to get off the machine completely. Is it long since he had his last study ? Has there been a major change in his weight ? If there have been any big changes it is certainly worthwhile having another test.

Your last sentence tells a story, typical of many spouses/partners of sleep apnoea sufferers. Your husband may not be fully aware of the dangers of not dealing with his disorder and if there has been a significant time span since his last visit to his sleep doc it would be wise to schedule an early appointment. I always believe it wise for the spouse to attend also.

Kind regards,

Daniel

I am dating a guy who has sleep apnea and i am worried that if i marry him i will be in big trouble getting my sleep.  He hasnt started treatment yet and hopefully will be doing so soon.  To wives out there, how does your spouse having sleep apnea affect your relationship especially as it relates to getting a good nights rest?

I'm a wife, but I'm the one with SA.  My mask and CPAP have bothered my husband not at all.  The mask and machine make less noise than the air purifier we used to run (which he had no trouble sleeping with, either).

The hard part for some people is using the mask and machine EVERY night.  Some people take to it right away, others have a struggle to get comfortable with the therapy.

You will NOT get any rest if he snores.  Or if he stops breathing in his sleep and you are awake enough to be aware of it.  If he uses his CPAP every night my guess is you will sleep quite soundly.

Blessings,
--pseudonym

My partner doesn't have any problem with my being on CPAP or with my machine.

My girlfriend will kick me in the butt if I even start nodding off in bed without my CPAP on. She is VERY supportive and realizes that for a better quality of life for me (and significantly for her too) I need to use the CPAP every night.

So far, I'm more energetic even after a long day of work, I'm a LOT less grouchy (which my girlfriend is very thankful for), and I don't fall asleep at work. Cons? None, really - except for getting my mask to fit right. I'm still working on it, 3 weeks since starting therapy.

preshyprecious wrote:

I am dating a guy who has sleep apnea and i am worried that if i marry him i will be in big trouble getting my sleep.  He hasnt started treatment yet and hopefully will be doing so soon.  To wives out there, how does your spouse having sleep apnea affect your relationship especially as it relates to getting a good nights rest?

My wife gets a MUCH better nights sleep now that I am on CPAP.  The snoring was brutal before.

I'm the spouse that doesn't have sleep apnea.  We got separate bedrooms years ago because I couldn't take the snoring.  We're settled that way now, but when we travel I can share a room and still sleep. The machine is very quiet and I don't notice it at all; I do occasionally hear odd sounds from the mask but it has never been a problem.

Evike wrote:

So, just how long does a person need to wear a mask?  Can sleep apnea be cured by wearing the mask?  

Short answers:  How long?  For the rest of your life.  Can it be cured by CPAP?  No.  CPAP is a treament, not a cure.

Eva...  Try getting your DH to learn as much s possible about SA...learn for himself verses hearing it 2nd hand.  He will soon be fully involved in his own therapy.  My sister had a significant weight loss...50% of her starting weight (over 100 Lbs)  she no longer needs the CPAP.  With this in mind...encourage him to lose.  However, as said above, he will have to have sleep studies along the way to re titrate his pressure.


Preshyprecious...  If the minor sounds of the CPAP are something you can not get use to...then there are earplugs.  It is more of a white noise you may hear.  Heck of a lot better than laying there listening to him stop breathing and gasping for air throughout the night.  Bottom line...it is all about love.  Better or worse, sickness & health.