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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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I guess so far, my lungs are still ok and I probably do need the CPAP; but only a real sleep test will verify that for sure.  He listened to my chest, my back etc. and said it all sounded good.  I'll keep you'all updated.  FYI only.  I'm also a diabetic, my numbers are like I'm not so he told me to STOP the Metformin because it can cause kidney damage.  I go back in a month.

Weight loss often or perhaps usually results in needing a lower pressure. Weight loss seldom eliminates the need for CPAP entirely. Cheaper than a new in-lab sleep study would be a 30 day rental of an auto titrating PAP if yours is not an APAP.

 

On the other hand if it has been a couple of years since your last in-lab PSG (or to humor a new to you and your history sleep doctor) an in-lab sleep study isn't that bad an idea at all if you have good insurance to pay for it. If, however, you have a high deductable or no insurnace coverage I'd certainly seriously discuss the loan of an APAP and why w/this new sleep doctor.

 

AND if you and the doctor mutually agree on an APAP rental rather than an in-lab PSG be wary of the pressure settings!!! You do NOT want or need a wide open 4-20 cms pressure range. A pressure range 2-3 cms above your current set pressure and at 4 cms or 3 cms below your current pressure setting for the first 2 weeks (depending on how high your current pressure is) and then the next 2 weeks narrowing the pressure range to 1-2 cms below the reported 90%-95% and 2-3 cms above the reported 90%-95% reported pressure range should arrow right in on the new pressure setting you need.

 

As far as PAP therapy damaging healthy lungs .... eh. I'd ask Dr Park about that. I have my doubts about that. On the other hand MAYBE it MIGHT encourage some lazy, shallow breathing. MAYBE. As I said, I would ask Dr Parkk about that.

Mine is an auto titrating machine that was set from 3 to 22.  When I first went on it, some of my readings were at the higher end, 20 being the highest; then as I lost weight the high was around 16 to 17 and now when I do wake up and read it, it's around 5 to 7.  It also has a "data card" that I send to have download/uploaded with readings that tell how many times I quit breathing, I think that is the real kicker there. 

 

As for the lungs, he said if it's set high and you're getting all of that air, that is what would cause the lung damage. 

If your mask headgear stretches or is too big to begin with, a pair of scissors to cut the straps to length and a strip of velcro to put the cut ends back together works very well.

 

I pull up a fold of strap to what feels like a good fit, then hold the fold in place w/velcro for a few days and when I've got the fit right I cut out the fold and velcro the cut ends together.

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