WOW! I actually don't know what to say! Maybe I should get back on my CPAP! Haven't used it in years though. Though, every time my oxygen level has been checked at the doc's I have been fine. hmmm Ok, I probably don't need it then now that I am thinking about it.

KO I soooo have to agree with you!!

jiffypop: If things had kept going the way they were and the one doc didn't find the sleep apnea, you could have died! The weight on your lungs plus the low oxygen count! phew... I am so glad someone was paying attention!

What put you into the hospital for 5 weeks?

When I started gaining more then 20 pounds a month when I was eating a lot of salads and being tired all the time I was finally diagnosed with low thyroid! Once I was put on meds for it I started losing the weight! The low thyrois was keeping my metabolism down!

Hi Needs2, I am curious why you stopped using your CPAP machine previously. My DH has sleep apnea. He never had low pulse ox before he was diagnosed, but it isn't necessarily low all the time. Sleep deprivation, apnea and micro-wakenings all can contribute to weight gain. The longer it goes untreated, the more the weight issues kick up. When my husband got his CPAP, he was like a completely different person. He had more energy (of course) and that gray pallor went away permanently. You might want to get re-evaluated for it.
Jiff, sorry you had such a rough time! I gained 35 lbs while I was in the hospital recovering from GBS. I freaked! The surgeon explained to me I was retaining huge amounts of fluid and I was peeing pink crystals into my Foley bag, lol. I hope your clotting issues have resolved!

OH WOW Jiffy,

Brian's OSL is about 77%
he FINALLY is getting his CPAP on WEDNESDAY (6 days before his surgery)

I bet this man (who is about 440 now) drops weight like a fiend after surgery.

original_serendipity: When I was living in CA I was diagnosed with the sleep apnea and I had severe asthma. I was put on the CPAP machine, at 75%, which I felt so energized and like I was high on oxygen! LOL I was on 3 different inhalers for my asthma and 2 med pills.

I moved to Ohio in 2001 and over the course of 3 years I was able to discontinue ALL my inhalers. Which I took myself off of after having to have a biopsy on my vocal cords. Of course my voice came back to normal after a month of taking myself off the inhalers but the calluses won't ever heal.

As for the CPAP machine I was finding I was needing it less and less. I haven't used it now for about 5 years. Every time the doc checks me he says I am fine. *shrugs* Go figure. I know that the climate here has some humidity in it and I feel that is what has helped my breathing a lot. Where I lived in CA, Sacramento, the air was sooooo dry! I still have asthma and I still feel it from time to time but haven't really needed any assistance for it except for the Singulair and Loratadine which seems to help. So I guess those are what I am on now to control my asthma. So much better then when I first moved here! LOL

Oh, I'm also on Prilosec for acid reflux. The surgeon that did the biopsy asked if I had it and I told him not that I know of. He felt that the acid reflux was the main cause of the callasus (sp) on my vocal cords. But the not being able to talk for over 4 months I feel was CAUSED by the inhalers.

As for sleep, I can only sleep 3 hours at a time due to my dropped bladder. That's another whole story in itself! LOL I need to lose some weight then I can have the surgery to staple it back where it belongs. That is my last option for it. I'm on a patch for it and without it, I would be having to go to the bathroom every 20 minutes!

So, I'm not sure the inhalers/CPAP machine would do me much good now. I can always talk to the doc when I see him again to see what he says. Can't hurt!

Pink crystals?

ladybugnessa: I hope the best for Brian! I know he will feel much more vitalized after being on the CPAP after only 1 night! I know I did! I felt very high and it was from all the oxygen I was finally getting!

original_serendipity: I just realized how much weight you have lost on your scale! Congratulations!

I can't wait till I see myself at 299! LOL *I will finally be below 300!*

Thanks! Sometimes I forget I've lost so much. I was down to 123 for a bit because I was sick and I can't seem to stop comparing where I am now to then. I looked like crap, I was exhausted, my heart was under massive strain. Everyone kept telling me I lost way too much weight.

Wow! That's great that your asthma is much better controlled. Did you know that fat cells put off a chimcal that increases asthmatic response? More fat in the cells=more asthma problems. Since I lost weight, I haven't had to take anything for asthma. I get a bit wheezy in the spring, but I can control it with atarax and xopenex. Sacramento is in a valley where there is A LOT of agricultural-caused pollution. Pesticides, burning the fields after harvest, petrochemicals and a snot-load of air pollution from traffic. No wonder you had such bad asthma!