Guest guest Posted February 27, 2003 Report Share Posted February 27, 2003 Just remembered I need to tell you about this. Saw my pulmonologist on Tues to ask for a LOMN, which he said he'd write, no problem, but he wants me to go back for another sleep study, as it's been 2 yrs since I had one, and since I'm not using my machine, he believes I probably still have a fair amount of sleep apnea left. Now this is where I thought of you: he said that the sleep apnea can be a BIG factor if I've stopped losing weight. And when I think back to when I stopped losing, it's about a couple months after I quit using the machine ! I did always know that not getting ENUF sleep can make you gain weight, but I never really connected that with the apnea. Of course, it makes sense; I mean we THINK we're sleeping all night, but we're really not: we wake up many many times a night--just not to a wakefulness where we realize we've woken up. So I am going to haul the damned thing back outta the closet and give it a try again and see if it makes any difference. The other thing he said, and this is the MOST important I want to tell you, is that if I'm planning on having surgery--ANY kind--it's imperative I go back on the machine asap, to build up my blood oxygen levels. Not only does the apnea cause possible problems for anesthesia and coming out of it well, but it takes away your ability to heal properly bcuz of the lack of oxygen in the blood. So I want to caution you that you should probably go back on your CPAP at least until after your p/s, so that you have every chance of a good outcome. In fact, I'm going to copy this to the boards, bcuz I'm sure there are probably others out there contemplating surgeries who like you, and like me, have quit using their machines bcuz they are simply not symptomatic anymore and who don't realize there are hidden things going on even if you feel well rested and not drowsy, etc. It's kinda like not taking your vits and pro shakes--you might feel okay, but on the inside bad things may be happening that we're just not aware of till our labs catch up to it, and then WHAM. Carol A Carol A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2003 Report Share Posted February 27, 2003 Just remembered I need to tell you about this. Saw my pulmonologist on Tues to ask for a LOMN, which he said he'd write, no problem, but he wants me to go back for another sleep study, as it's been 2 yrs since I had one, and since I'm not using my machine, he believes I probably still have a fair amount of sleep apnea left. Now this is where I thought of you: he said that the sleep apnea can be a BIG factor if I've stopped losing weight. And when I think back to when I stopped losing, it's about a couple months after I quit using the machine ! I did always know that not getting ENUF sleep can make you gain weight, but I never really connected that with the apnea. Of course, it makes sense; I mean we THINK we're sleeping all night, but we're really not: we wake up many many times a night--just not to a wakefulness where we realize we've woken up. So I am going to haul the damned thing back outta the closet and give it a try again and see if it makes any difference. The other thing he said, and this is the MOST important I want to tell you, is that if I'm planning on having surgery--ANY kind--it's imperative I go back on the machine asap, to build up my blood oxygen levels. Not only does the apnea cause possible problems for anesthesia and coming out of it well, but it takes away your ability to heal properly bcuz of the lack of oxygen in the blood. So I want to caution you that you should probably go back on your CPAP at least until after your p/s, so that you have every chance of a good outcome. In fact, I'm going to copy this to the boards, bcuz I'm sure there are probably others out there contemplating surgeries who like you, and like me, have quit using their machines bcuz they are simply not symptomatic anymore and who don't realize there are hidden things going on even if you feel well rested and not drowsy, etc. It's kinda like not taking your vits and pro shakes--you might feel okay, but on the inside bad things may be happening that we're just not aware of till our labs catch up to it, and then WHAM. Carol A Carol A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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