Atkins and Sleep Apnea

**Sd1136** · April 17, 2006, 02:47 PM

Re: Atkins and Sleep Apnea

I have sleep apnea
You really should do research on this
This can be dangerous and you really should usea cpap
There are so many issues dealing with sleep apnea and all.
I was told losing weight might help or might not
and when i get to goal to go back for another sleep study
(did you go for one yet?)
and from what I read the surgery doesnt always work ether
so I hear its painful and doesnt always work
sandi

**theredhead** · April 17, 2006, 03:27 PM

Re: Atkins and Sleep Apnea

My DH used to snore like a freight train and he had pretty severe apnea as well. When he started losing weight on Atkins, it just stopped! He's lost 75 pounds and has kept it off for about two years. Now he rarely even breathes loudly when he sleeps and I don't think he ever stops breathing like he used to. It's been a miracle!

I've read about this happening for many people, so I hope it happens for you too! It would be pretty motivating, I'll bet.

**sombersusie** · April 17, 2006, 03:37 PM

Re: Atkins and Sleep Apnea

losing weight can definitely make sleep apnea go away. My husband also gasped and snored all night long. Finally he went in for a sleep study and they found out he stopped breathing over 900 times in one night! He got the Cpap machine which helped him tremendously, no more snoring and more fully rested. But now that he has lost all the weight, over 200lbs, he no longer needs the machine, he doesn't even snore! Yes excersise is a huge part of his life now too, but i'd have to say that losing the weight was the key for him...

**changing** · April 17, 2006, 04:11 PM

Re: Atkins and Sleep Apnea

I am proud to report that my DH has shown marked improvement in his snoring/sleep apnea! He's been struggling with it for years... his dad had it too but when he did went on Atkins, it completely disappeared. DH has been doing Atkins for 3 months with me, and after a 20-pound loss, he no longer snores.

Amazing!

**dotsamantha** · April 17, 2006, 04:58 PM

Re: Atkins and Sleep Apnea

I have Narcolepsy, very different than apnea, but similar issues. Obesity can aggravate the apnes, so losing weight can only be good. I agree that you should use a cpap if the doc recommends it. All you can do is try. As for me, my illness has no relation to my weight, but my general health does influence my daily up and down. If i feel good i sleep a little better, and if i'm sleeping a little better, i stay awake more during the day. Do you have obstructive or central apnea? That can also have an influence on your day-to-day.

**Kent** · April 17, 2006, 08:59 PM

Re: Atkins and Sleep Apnea

I'm the husband SomberSusie spoke of. I had really severe case of sleep apnea (read turning blue at night with a pulse ox of 70). I would "wake" over 700 in 8 hours. It was really bad -- I even had an accident falling asleep at the will. I was on a BiPap machine for 2 years before starting Atkins. It was a huge blessing, and I would highly recommend using it if one is needed. Since losing the weight, I no longer need it anymore. For awhile, I only used it for the night time routine, but I haven't used it in 6 months now.

**Lisa M** · April 17, 2006, 09:06 PM

Re: Atkins and Sleep Apnea

I dealt with sleep apnea when I was over 245ish...it has made a world of difference losing weight. I do find that I'm awake with more energy during the day and can sleep so much sounder at night. Then again, a good mattress will help that too. lol. Make sure you keep up with your doc and his advise about sleep apnea

Best wishes on your journey!

Originally posted by Kent

I'm the husband SomberSusie spoke of. I had really severe case of sleep apnea (read turning blue at night with a pulse ox of 70). I would "wake" over 700 in 8 hours. It was really bad -- I even had an accident falling asleep at the will. I was on a BiPap machine for 2 years before starting Atkins. It was a huge blessing, and I would highly recommend using it if one is needed. Since losing the weight, I no longer need it anymore. For awhile, I only used it for the night time routine, but I haven't used it in 6 months now.

Aaah....that's so sweet! I didn't know you two were nuptually connected.

**Thinker** · June 1, 2006, 04:50 AM

Re: Atkins and Sleep Apnea

Eeeesshhh.

I'd put on about 15 lbs only recently after losing a tone of weight on Atkins 4 yrs ago. nd am working it off now. However, I've noticed that I get a gasping feeling sometimes and wake up. It's very upsetting. I don't snore or have dry mouth. I remember having this when I was much heavier (90 lbs above this level). My guess is that you just need to be heavy enough. Am currently 6' tall and 215 lbs. I have reasonably big frame. At 200lbs, I'm thin - almost skinny.

I've reads articles saying that sleep apnea can be exacerbated by reflux. I know that if I'm "off Atkins", my reflux (once sever) returns.

- Thinker

**LC_Dave** · June 1, 2006, 06:28 AM

Re: Atkins and Sleep Apnea

My sleep apnea was very severe at 473 pounds. I would wake up every hour or so.

I went to the doctor, but I stopped short of getting a sleep study.

I was just angry at my weight and having to fork out all this money because of it.

I'm glad to say it's almost all gone! I have lost 120 pounds and that has helped.

One thing I learnt though is to eliminate Dairy. Because the caesin can clog up up, if you eliminate it, after about two weeks, you will sleep very soundly!

Dr. Mike Eades of Protein Power, said that a low carb can treat sleep apnea. He has seen it in his clinic.

**meena-beena** · June 1, 2006, 06:56 AM

Re: Atkins and Sleep Apnea

I am waiting for an appointment to do the sleep study. The last time I was at the dr. we were discussing my extreme exhaustion during the day. She ran all kinds of blood tests and everything came back normal. She thought it might be hypoglycemia but changed her mind after two weeks of testing with the glucometer. (Atkins actually keeps my sugar an even 80 throughout the day) So she suggested I have a study done to see if I am suffering from sleep apnea.

The funny thing is though, I honestly don't know if it's sleep apnea or all the carbs that were making me exhausted. Ever since I started Atkins I've had a ton more energy and I feel more awake. I'll just have to have the study done to see. It also helps that I've dropped a few pounds. ^.^

**staziaw** · June 1, 2006, 09:18 AM

Re: Atkins and Sleep Apnea

I went from snoring like an angry tiger to snuffling like a purring tiger (this according to my roommate!). I think the combination of losing 40 pounds, eliminating gluten and sugar, and reducing my dairy consumption all play a part. I've also noticed, since my allergies and asthma have diminished and my reflux has disappeared, that my sleep is deeper and better. Now, to explain the weird dreams I have . . . .

Stacy

**Thinker** · June 1, 2006, 08:50 PM

Re: Atkins and Sleep Apnea

Originally posted by staziaw

I went from snoring like an angry tiger to snuffling like a purring tiger (this according to my roommate!). I think the combination of losing 40 pounds, eliminating gluten and sugar, and reducing my dairy consumption all play a part. I've also noticed, since my allergies and asthma have diminished and my reflux has disappeared, that my sleep is deeper and better. Now, to explain the weird dreams I have . . . .

Stacy

Hi, What's the deal with dairy & sleep apnea? I haven't heard this one before.

- Thinker

**staziaw** · June 2, 2006, 09:22 AM

Re: Atkins and Sleep Apnea

Dairy appears to make me (ew, this is gross) mucus-y. I think that leads to gunk in the throat and sinuses. I could be completely wrong, but I find that I sleep better when my dairy is kept to a minimum!

**meena-beena** · June 3, 2006, 10:12 AM

Re: Atkins and Sleep Apnea

You are right. Everytime my kids are sick, the dr always says to keep them off dairy because it causes excess mucus. It was the same deal when my little one got his tonsils out. The dr said, NO ICE CREAM! I was shocked of course because everyone knows you give someone who's has their tonsils out ice cream. He told me the exact same thing--it causes excess mucus back there, a no-no for someone who's just had his tonsils out.

Who knew?

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Atkins and Sleep Apnea

Atkins and Sleep Apnea

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