Being overweight - make a big difference?

[p123]

My BMI is well over 40 so I think, not just for sleep apnea, I really need to lose weight.

At the moment, Im 280+ lbs.......

Anyone else lost weight and made a big difference?

[Sleeprider]

A large neck increases your odds of severe obstructive apnea. Press on your throat lightly with the back of your hand and you will likely immediately notice airway resistance. Overweight people carry their weight differently, and if it focuses on the belly, neck and face, you will have a lot of benefit to losing weight. I have the same need to lose weight, and it's a lot easier to talk about than accomplish. I'm sure your NHS consultant will lead-off with weight loss.

[eok361]

The best I can tell, I've had OSA since I was in my early 20s. At that point I was 6'-0" and usually 175lbs (give or take).

When I was diagnosed I was roughly the same weight.

Flash forward to 6 months ago (62yo now). I was 225 and had to have 2 stents inserted into my arteries. Since then I'm now down to 198, and dropping. That took major lifestyle changes, but it's been worth it.

Unfortunately, I switched machines right at the same time, from a Philips to Resmed. They seem to report data different ways.

But to your point: Anecdotally, I haven't noticed a significant change in therapy. I still have good nights--and bad nights.

The benefits of losing weight would be holistic, and not merely sleep apnea related. But you might see better results. It (literally) can't hurt to try.

[unadvisedfun]

If it is any “inspiration”: Getting my BMI under 30 cut my AHI by about half and resolved a metabolic issue and migraines I was having.

I’m about 6 feet tall with diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea and suspected UARS. I went from about 260 to 207 pounds in 9 months. I do keto diet, fasting and exercise. My untreated sleep study AHI dropped from AHI 28 (RDI was 37) to about AHI 16 (RDI of 31) untreated. 

Neck from 43.2 cm to 36.8cm

Once I started PAP I was able to gain more muscle and my stubborn flabby belly started to shrink too. I still need PAP for now but looking into oral appliances.

[SarcasticDave94]

When I was first diagnosed with Apnea, I was about 300 lbs. Sleep study gave the AHI of about 75. Due to a heart condition concern, it was a pressing issue to lose weight. I had to get bariatric surgery to lose any significant weight, and 1 year after that surgery I was down to 200. And the next sleep study the AHI was about 37.

To help this make sense, I did a sleep study and couldn't stand the static CPAP so I quit it. Had to do the surgery, lose weight, and find out I still had apnea. Test 2 and I went to bilevel for a week before Central Apnea sent me down another rabbit hole fight.

Yes weight can affect the apnea, but it's part of your whole health portrait.

[p123]

thanks all - yeh im currently doing my best to lose weight. Appreciate its not all but it does help I guess.

[Cpapian]

The interesting thing about excess weight is the amount of health problems it contributes to. Probably moreso as we age. I've always thought of weight as an ego issue. I. E. One wants to look their best. But after a family member had a serious health problem I've started to look at it differently.