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Permalink Reply by Anna Gree on June 3, 2010 at 12:19am

I have been using mine nearly 2 years. I have been sleeping fairly well. At least 6 hours a night, sometimes more than 8. My apnea is not severe. I had a six month check up today and have hardly any apneas anymore, no mask leaks to speak of, and my 90% is 11.8 - this is all better than it was in the beginning. I have lost about 35 pounds since my heaviest when I started CPAP therapy. I spoke with the ARNP about getting another sleep study. If I lose 10 to 15 more pounds, they would like me to have another sleep study. I honestly think the actual obstruction is my adenoids and she spoke with me today about surgery to get them taken out someday. I would love to not have to use the machine. I cannot sleep without it. I had to one night in February and thought I was going to die the next day.

I really don't know if I will ever be able to stop using it. I am certain my mother had sleep apnea and that it eventually killed her from a stroke, but we didn't know about it in the early 90's. My mother always snored very, very badly and would fall asleep every night on the couch after dinner reading a book. But I am willing to have another study when I lose the weight (I am on medication for another condition that will probably be lifelong that suppresses appetite.) to see what they recommend. I personally don't know anyone who has ever been able to stop using it, but I don't know that many people who use one. We shall see. When I wear just the chin strap and try to nap, I sometimes do okay if I am sleeping sitting up in my recliner.

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Permalink Reply by Lee Longnecker on June 5, 2010 at 3:08am

500 bucks fo a sleep study is an un heard of price....Did you get a full study in a lab, or a screening study? And where is this company?? Just curious....

Leslie Scott said:

2500 for a study... where do you go?? I want to work at that lab. Here they are only $550!!!

Pam Bright said:

I cannot afford $2500 for another sleep study just to tell me I do not need my CPAP any more.

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Permalink Reply by Lee Longnecker on June 5, 2010 at 3:14am

Give them a year, and see if they are still symptom free.....Rarely have I heard of surgury "CURING" sleep apnea....It will stop you from snoring....but give them some time and see how it pans out before you jump into a painful and invasive procedure....there is no going back from surgury.

Jenny Foerst said:

Nonetheless, the CPAP device seems like a very crude way to solve what ought to be more simply and permanently solved. I would have even the most horrendously painful surgery in a heartbeat if it had a reasonable chance of getting me off the mask. No doubt about it. I know 2 people at work who had OSA severely. Both went to this doctor at Duke who does the same (multiple) surgeries at one time on all who come to him for apnea. Both these people were "cured" by the surgeries, and even though they said it was insanely painful and took a month to recover that they would do it a second time if they had to--to be free of the apnea AND the CPAP.

Kim A. said:

I just stopped using my CPAP this week. I used it literally EVERY night for 6 years, even traveling around the world. I am the CPAP poster child, even though I am 45. I think it is a lifesaver. Two nights ago I made the jump to a Herbst oral appliance and despite some vivid dreams, which I hope are temporary, it seems to work very well. I had lost about 30 pounds in the past year and practice neck posture exercises daily, which I am sure helped. Still, my main obstructive issued have to do with incorrect teenage orthodontia (pre-molars removed causing a narrow palate) causing my huge tongue to be too far back in my crowded throat. My oral appliance, on its initial setting, seems to correct that easily. CPAP just might be, but is maybe NOT necessarily a life-long sleep aid if you work hard at keeping excess fat off and maintain overall good health. Everyone is different.
Why would one want to get so down on something that clearly improves quality of life anyway? Even if it is a "life sentence"...why not choose to frame it as a "life saver" and a gift instead? Perspective can change everything. I always felt grateful for my CPAP, scuba hose, nose redness, traveling burden and all. Try to focus on the positive benefits of a drug-free sleep aid.
Is a CPAP sexy? No. Is it fun or convenient? No. Will you live longer and feel better....yes! No-brainer in terms of pros and cons.
My pulmonologist and I agree...you will just instinctively KNOW when you may not need the CPAP anymore. It will start to feel "too much" and your brain will start sending you messages asking if there is a less cumbersome way to manage to apnea. Hope that helps......Life Coach Kim

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Permalink Reply by kim smith on June 16, 2010 at 12:32am

Congratulations on the weight loss !!! I have to say I joined weight watchers and lost 88 lbs at one point, but contrary to what one may think my blood pressure went higher instead of lower and my sleep apnea did not go bye bye ;-( . Our bodies all have different ways of reacting, and I guess just as in everything else in life each of us is unique and will respond or not respond in different ways. Hope everyone is well !!

Sandra King said:

I had a Sleep Study one year ago and have been on CPAP since Dec. 30, 2008. I have lost 75 pounds since May. About a month ago, I started feeling that my CPAP air pressure was too high. I started burping air and it started hurting my lungs. I had to stop using CPAP and slept sitting up for a couple nights until I could see my sleep doctor again. He could not change the pressure on my machine without having another sleep study done. After the sleep study, he was able to lower the pressure on my machine from a 9 to a 6. The pressure now is so little that I forget it is even on. My sleep doctor said that he was hoping to eliminate my need for CPAP. I have 65 more pounds to go to lose all my excess weight. I am staying on CPAP until my doctor says I no longer need it. He said that my insurance would pay for a new sleep study after losing 20 pounds or more. There are many causes for sleep apnia. Mine appeared after gaining a lot of weight. Never stop CPAP therapy without being retested and given the OK by your sleep doctor.

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