Is sleep apnea temporary?

[Protege]

I was just asking a question!

[Mosquitobait]

Sleep apnea can be temporary for some people. For most of us though, it's a permanent thing. Some people lose weight and get off Cpap. Some have apnea due to medications or other drug use and the problem goes away when their meds change or drug use is eliminated. Some eliminate apnea just by getting another health issue under control. I know my Dad had apnea and his apnea stopped after he had a heart attack. Overnight. Of course, from then on, he had a host of OTHER problems, but no apnea or snoring.

My problem is less about sleep apnea (I barely qualified for a machine) and more about the fact that I have a low heart rate (which may be the cause) and cpap helps that. As the doctor said, right now, the best they can get me is 91% and if I fall below 89% I will be getting a pacemaker and then maybe not need a cpap (I'm not counting on that). I didn't actually have significant problems until after I lost 30 pounds, and they are pretty confident the heart issue predated that, so of course, losing weight can cause flab that causes apnea.

[Mosquitobait]

It is absolutely a temporary condition.
Once you completely stop breathing apnea is no longer a problem.
Clostraphobia on the other hand me become a concern in that form fitting box.

You don't have to be nasty about it. Geez.

[OpalRose]

I didn't notice anyone getting nasty.

[I_will_never_sleep_again]

I didn't notice anyone getting nasty.

I agree with you.
Someone asked a question, and the good people on this board took the time to answer as best they could.
The people on this board care about others starting Cpap , and spend a lot of time answering questions.
Sometimes the answer might seem a little harsh, but I think they are trying to drill it in our (newbe heads) of just how important that getting treatment is.
I fought it at first, but you finally got through to me.
I thank all of you for that.

[OpalRose]

I didn't notice anyone getting nasty.

I agree with you.
Someone asked a question, and the good people on this board took the time to answer as best they could.
The people on this board care about others starting Cpap , and spend a lot of time answering questions.
Sometimes the answer might seem a little harsh, but I think they are trying to drill it in our (newbe heads) of just how important that getting treatment is.
I fought it at first, but you finally got through to me.
I thank all of you for that.

Agree, we try, and sometimes it seems like "tough love" so to speak.

The only thing that got through to me when I was considering whether I would use Cpap or not was my Doctors statement that it was my choice, but he didn't think I'd be around in five years.

[eseedhouse]

I was just asking a question!

That was your fist mistake...

[sonicboom]

I have found that weight loss is tougher for me with cpap because, as another member wrote a little while back, food looks better, smells better, and tastes better. In addition to low carbing, portion control and moderate exercise can help with weight control and perhaps weight loss. While losing weight would help my OSA I like the security of having it and I doubt I'll ever leave it. Once one understands that CPAP protects against attacks to the heart and therefore may prolong your life there doesn't seem to be a legitimate argument for leaving it unless you are struggling with it.

[wxmcpo]

I don't think it ever goes away once you have it, but personally I have seen an improvement in my AHI with weight loss. I have seen my AHI reduce from anywhere from 9-12 to consistently around 4 to 5 (still have the occasional 6 or 7) while losing 30 lbs. The toughest part is maintaining the weight loss as we get older and that's usually when the higher numbers return.

[OMyMyOHellYes]

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