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I've been using a CPAP machine for sleep apnea for over a year now.  During that time, I've lost a lot of weight and there are times when I feel like I don't need the CPAP.  I've gone a few nights without it and actually feel better the next day.  I didn't snore those nights according to my husband.  My question here, does anyone know if you have ever been diagnosed with sleep apnea, do you always have it?  Do I need to continue to use the CPAP?  A friend of ours said that once you start using the CPAP you need to KEEP using it, forever.  We just recently moved out of state so I don't have a new doctor yet.  I will be seeing one next week so I'll ask that question and see if I should have another sleep test.  Just curious if anyone has had this experience themselves.

 

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That would be great if with the weight loss you no longer needed the machine.  I would contune to use it faithfully to have your most recent data available for the sleep doc when you go.  Only a sleep test will tell you for certain if you no longer need the machine.  I know I feel better because of the machine, but that doesn't mean I don't need it anymore- it means it's working.  Keep us posted.  It would be good to hear from someone who was able to come off CPAP because if weight loss.

I've been told by my GP that losing weight can help you become less dependent on CPAP therapy. But I agree with Mary, only a sleep study will tell you for sure if your loss was enough to shelf your machine.

If you've been on it for a short time, you might feel better when you sleep with out it because you've not gotten "the system" you need to get a good night sleep with CPAP. I had a friend with CPAP that took almost 2 years to really work out all her issues and get the best result with CPAP (took some mask changes, machine adjustments, moving the machine around, adding a nasal spray, working with the humidifier to keep from drying out, ect).

Good luck!

Thanks Jackie.   I figured as much, having another sleep study before making any changes with it.

 

Jackie said:

I've been told by my GP that losing weight can help you become less dependent on CPAP therapy. But I agree with Mary, only a sleep study will tell you for sure if your loss was enough to shelf your machine.

If you've been on it for a short time, you might feel better when you sleep with out it because you've not gotten "the system" you need to get a good night sleep with CPAP. I had a friend with CPAP that took almost 2 years to really work out all her issues and get the best result with CPAP (took some mask changes, machine adjustments, moving the machine around, adding a nasal spray, working with the humidifier to keep from drying out, ect).

Good luck!


Thanks, Mary, I see a new doctor on Tuesday and we'll say what he says.  Being a new patient, he may wait to do anything.  We'll see.


Mary Z said:

That would be great if with the weight loss you no longer needed the machine.  I would contune to use it faithfully to have your most recent data available for the sleep doc when you go.  Only a sleep test will tell you for certain if you no longer need the machine.  I know I feel better because of the machine, but that doesn't mean I don't need it anymore- it means it's working.  Keep us posted.  It would be good to hear from someone who was able to come off CPAP because if weight loss.

ask for a b12 mma urine test at the same time

urine not a blood test

What is the "mma?"  I am making a list for my appointment on Tueday.  Thanks for your reply.

i am not sure

try and google it

MMA (Methylmalonic Acid) tests

2 May 2011 – MMA (Methylmalonic Acid) tests are often mentioned when B12 (and homocysteine) is discussed. Some claim that MMA tests is a 'gold .

From what I read when I googled the test I wouldn't worry about it.

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/mma/tab/test

Yeah, I heard the same spiel from my ENT.  However, it's slowly becoming apparent that having sleep apnea is what causes a person to gain weight in the first place.  

Jackie said:

I've been told by my GP that losing weight can help you become less dependent on CPAP therapy. But I agree with Mary, only a sleep study will tell you for sure if your loss was enough to shelf your machine.

If you've been on it for a short time, you might feel better when you sleep with out it because you've not gotten "the system" you need to get a good night sleep with CPAP. I had a friend with CPAP that took almost 2 years to really work out all her issues and get the best result with CPAP (took some mask changes, machine adjustments, moving the machine around, adding a nasal spray, working with the humidifier to keep from drying out, ect).

Good luck!

As a followup here; I did see my new doctor yesterday & he said in another month he would like to schedule a sleep study to see exactly where I stand with sleep apnea.  He also said that if one is using a CPAP or BIPAP and doesn't really need one, that it can cause lung damage.  The only way to test for it is by a sleep test. 

Kate,

I agree. It's a catch-22.  I do think that sleep apnea does contribute to weight gain. I remember being sooo tired before I got my CPAP that I could nod off anywhere. And I mean anywhere (noisy cafes, in the middle of conversations) and I could sleep through fire alarms. How can you have energy to execise when it's taking all of your will just get to the end of the day so you get home and crash on the sofa.

I read somewhere that Harvard did a study where they briefly woke up healthy college kids during sleep studies, not enough for them to even remember being woken but enough to cause a sleep disturbance - the next day they were tired, cranky and craved more high carb food.  I'll see if I can find it and link it. My sleep doc told me that not getting good quality sleep can mess with hormones, including those that control hunger and your sense of fullness.

Patricia - good luck on your next study!!

Kate said:

Yeah, I heard the same spiel from my ENT.  However, it's slowly becoming apparent that having sleep apnea is what causes a person to gain weight in the first place.  

Jackie said:

I've been told by my GP that losing weight can help you become less dependent on CPAP therapy. But I agree with Mary, only a sleep study will tell you for sure if your loss was enough to shelf your machine.

If you've been on it for a short time, you might feel better when you sleep with out it because you've not gotten "the system" you need to get a good night sleep with CPAP. I had a friend with CPAP that took almost 2 years to really work out all her issues and get the best result with CPAP (took some mask changes, machine adjustments, moving the machine around, adding a nasal spray, working with the humidifier to keep from drying out, ect).

Good luck!

Patricia, please keep us posted on what happens.  You will help a lot of people in the same situation.

Thanks

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