Free from sleep apnea

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
User avatar
rosacer
Posts: 1221
Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:37 am

Free from sleep apnea

Post by rosacer » Thu Oct 30, 2014 3:43 pm

Hi Y'all

It has been some time I don't come to the site on a frequent manner or post, I have been very busy with the job and home.

I had baratric surgery on October 2012. I started to loose weight exercising like crazy and changing my alimentary habits. I lost something like 90 pounds which brought me to 10 pound from normal BMI.

As I was loosing weight I saw the pressure going down very fast from the maximum of 12cmH2O to 7cmH2O.

I had a sleep study in the hospital last December which was ordered to find the new pressure I needed, the doctor was very careful not to tell me I was free from sleep apnea, he said he wanted to know the new pressure. The tech plugged me to a machine set at 4cmH2O all the night and told it was no need to raise up the pressure. The morning I woke up very dizzy, I told to myself I still have sleep apnea and this guy didn't raise up the pressure

Because of the dizziness and the fact I was not tested without pressure/no machine at all, my pneumologist ordered a second sleep study in home this time with a Phillips Respironics for at home tests. I had yesterday the results and it says:
AHI= 2.0
UARS=2.3

The Dr told also that the oximetry was good. He added that I didn't need to use the machine anymore but if I wanted to use it I could do it also LOL. He was very happy and told it was not frequent to see somebody whom is freed from sleep apnea. He toke the time to send me a subtle message about my weight telling it was easy to regain it if I eat high calorie food (like liquid sugar loaded stuff) and he said my file would be kept at the hospital for 10 years and if I needed to go see him again he was there. He is a very gentle man and very good doctor His explanation for the dizziness is that maybe my ears react to the fact of not having the pressure the machine gives, he has no explanation from the results of the test because he sees all is normal

So, now I wonder how to manage to stop using the machine I tried to fell asleep yesterday without it and I was not able so I put it back again I feel like I need to be separated from a good friend it is weird the feeling it gives me because on the other hand this is the dream we have of getting rid of the machine one day, now the day arrived and a part of me does't seems to really believe it, it is not so easy.
I wonder if it is true I don't have sleep apnea any more even after the 2 tests

Your comments are welcome.

Rosie

_________________
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Headrest not modified, Hose Lift System, SleepyHead software. Pressure settings 7 cmH2O constant.

User avatar
Pugsy
Posts: 63941
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Free from sleep apnea

Post by Pugsy » Thu Oct 30, 2014 3:57 pm

Rosie, I am so happy for you.
It's kind of an odd backwards situation but just like a long time ago it was a bit odd getting used to sleeping with your new best friends (mask and machine) it's going to be a bit of an adjustment now getting used to doing without them but just take it slow or fast whichever you want to do and you will get there.

Don't be a stranger now though...you still have to stop by and chat every now and then.

Congratulations.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.

User avatar
kaiasgram
Posts: 3568
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 2:08 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: Free from sleep apnea

Post by kaiasgram » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:08 pm

What a great reward for all your hard work! I'm very happy for you Rosie, and I admit a little jealous ! I have a feeling that you will be able to adjust to your liberation from the machine.

Congrats!

_________________
Machine: AirSense 10 AutoSet with Heated Humidifer + Aifit N30i Nasal Mask Bundle
Mask: Aloha Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: SleepyHead-now-OSCAR software on Mac OSX Ventura

User avatar
rosacer
Posts: 1221
Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:37 am

Re: Free from sleep apnea

Post by rosacer » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:16 pm

Oh Pugsy my dear friend I own you a lot you was so kind always helping me with all my questions, to find a machine (I don't forget that one ), to help my friend from Ontario (the old guy with the pacemaker), etc etc etc Sure I will come back and chat with you and all the other friends I made here

There is a lot of kind people here I own a lot for the success of my therapy when I had no doctor, no machine and no knowledge about what was sleep apnea. I was a big mess at the time I found this site because of Slinky (I haven't see her from long time here), she was the one whom spoke to me about this place. It toke me one year to pay back my sleep debt so messed up I was and I had an incompetent doctor at that time.

YEHP I have good souvenirs from my time here, even if I'm on the foes list of someone we know

Hey Kaiasgram thanks very much. I would like that everyone of you could be freed from sleep apnea
maybe one day some more will be free who knows. I would have bet that I was on the small % of slim people with it, I'm still trying to believe I don't have it I have a big St-Thomas side

Do you know what, I think I'm a bit scared of not sleeping with the machine on and I don't remember what is not to use it. On the other hand, it was very good for me to have the humidifier connected to my nose my sinuses have the tendency to block with the dryness. I was used to the CPAP it was not a big torture most of the time, it was like a sleeping pill because I felt asleep not long after putting the mask on my face.

_________________
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Headrest not modified, Hose Lift System, SleepyHead software. Pressure settings 7 cmH2O constant.

User avatar
Pugsy
Posts: 63941
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Free from sleep apnea

Post by Pugsy » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:23 pm

It's kinda like breaking up with an old boyfriend...you really like him and like having him around but just isn't what you need for the rest of your life and you want him as a friend but that's it.
Time to move on.
Sad to see him go but we move on.

Though you know I remember back when I first started therapy there was guy who did elect to continue to use his machine even though it wasn't necessary because he said he just didn't sleep well without it.
He said he had used it so long that going without it was really messing with his sleep quality...simply couldn't go to sleep. I don't know whatever happened to him....maybe he made peace with it or maybe he still uses it.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.

User avatar
Tatooed Lady
Posts: 984
Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2014 6:18 pm
Location: Central Wisconsin

Re: Free from sleep apnea

Post by Tatooed Lady » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:29 pm

So...who says you HAVE to stop using it? You just said the humidifier helped your sinuses...IMHO, that means the unit helps you to breathe better day and night...and likely is a good part of the reason your OSA results are so good. If you're intent on quitting it, maybe start the night wearing it, then middle of the night take it off. Or vice versa. Cutting the hours might help to cut the cord.
Congrats on your weight loss and your OSA results!

_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Precious and POW are very very good to me.
As Bette Davis famously said, “Old age ain’t for sissies.”
I'm with the band.
So.Many.TOYS!

User avatar
Wulfman...
Posts: 6688
Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:41 pm
Location: Nearest fishing spot

Re: Free from sleep apnea

Post by Wulfman... » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:54 pm

Yes, that's great news. Congratulations!

But, I agree with "Tatooed Lady"......who says you HAVE to stop using it? Nothing wrong with a little extra air at night.

I've tried to envision trying to sleep without mine......and I can't. It's become too much a part of my sleeping.

Best wishes to you, Rosie.

Den

.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05

User avatar
BlackSpinner
Posts: 9745
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:44 pm
Location: Edmonton Alberta
Contact:

Re: Free from sleep apnea

Post by BlackSpinner » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:58 pm

My sinuses have been so much happier sleeping with humid filtered air all night! My asthma is happier too.

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: Hybrid Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows and Headgear
Additional Comments: Quatro mask for colds & flus S8 elite for back up
71. The lame can ride on horseback, the one-handed drive cattle. The deaf, fight and be useful. To be blind is better than to be burnt on the pyre. No one gets good from a corpse. The Havamal

User avatar
Tatooed Lady
Posts: 984
Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2014 6:18 pm
Location: Central Wisconsin

Re: Free from sleep apnea

Post by Tatooed Lady » Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:02 pm

My bladder is THRILLED by APAP. But I don't want to go too far into TMI territory.

_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Precious and POW are very very good to me.
As Bette Davis famously said, “Old age ain’t for sissies.”
I'm with the band.
So.Many.TOYS!

User avatar
palerider
Posts: 32300
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:43 pm
Location: Dallas(ish).

Re: Free from sleep apnea

Post by palerider » Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:05 pm

Tatooed Lady wrote:My bladder is THRILLED by APAP. But I don't want to go too far into TMI territory.
so, your apap luls your kidneys into a nice quiet rest whereas pre-apap they were up parting the night away?

_________________
Mask: Bleep DreamPort CPAP Mask Solution
Additional Comments: S9 VPAP Auto
Get OSCAR

Accounts to put on the foe list: dataq1, clownbell, gearchange, lynninnj, mper!?, DreamDiver, Geer1, almostadoctor, sleepgeek, ajack, stom, mogy, D.H., They often post misleading, timewasting stuff.

Janknitz
Posts: 8410
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:05 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: Free from sleep apnea

Post by Janknitz » Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:15 pm

How awesome! You are one of those for whom weight loss worked. That is such good news.

Thanks for letting us know.
What you need to know before you meet your DME http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx
Taming the Mirage Quattro http://tinyurl.com/2ft3lh8
Swift FX Fitting Guide http://tinyurl.com/22ur9ts
Don't Pay that Upcharge! http://tinyurl.com/2ck48rm

User avatar
rosacer
Posts: 1221
Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:37 am

Re: Free from sleep apnea

Post by rosacer » Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:31 pm

All is not pinkish with my friends. As Pugsy stated there is a relationship a little conflictive with this boyfriend and yes it would be better to see him go away although he has some good side.

Since surgery I started mouth breathing at the point of waking up with a pool of saliva on the pillow don't ask me how is it possible in the past I didn't mouth breath I have no clue as I don't understand why I started opening the mouth.

I needed to use a FFM which was making big cracks on my face, then I returned back to the Headrest and I started taping my mouth with 3M micro-pore tape waiting until when my skin accepts the offense of been ripped off each morning. Or my front tooth start bothering me again because of bruxisme due to the pressure.

Tatooed Lady, you are right I don't need to stop today and the Dr was very clear about the fact it was not harmful to continue using it, I think the best is to do it slowly because if I don't sleep I wont be better

Thanks Den for the best wishes I think it is true we get addicted to the clean and perfectly humidified air as BlackSpinner states.

BlackSpinner, it is so true the right amount of humidity makes wonders. I can count on one hand and I have fingers left the times I caught a cold the last 4 years. Seems like the dry sinuses are the cause of catching the cold on winter time around here in the Big North and yehp it made wonders for keeping my sinuses open.

Definitely, I think this night I will sleep with my CPAP you have convinced me

_________________
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Headrest not modified, Hose Lift System, SleepyHead software. Pressure settings 7 cmH2O constant.

Anemone
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2014 4:19 pm

Re: Free from sleep apnea

Post by Anemone » Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:37 pm

Good for you!

Makes quite the case for bariatric surgery being covered by insurance: less weight = less sleep apnea = less strokes, diabetes, et al.!

User avatar
rosacer
Posts: 1221
Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 11:37 am

Re: Free from sleep apnea

Post by rosacer » Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:47 pm

Thanks Janknitz

I wanted to let you know because I have read about a lot of people whom have lost most of their excess weight and have get rid of sleep apnea. Some have told they passed a sleep test others I don't know but they say their doctors told them to stop using the machine, I don't know how those docs can know those persons could stop the therapy without checking but that's what they say.

In any case here I'm with 2 sleep test and still doubting

I remember a member named titrator whom once wrote he have had a big weight loss and he had become free from sleep apnea.

Also, I once read one American University had made a study on bariatic surgery patients and had discovered a big % had been free from sleep apnea once the weight loss achieved.

Yes Anemone, bariatric surgery can be good if the patient is committed to change the alimentary habits and exercise for the rest of his/her life. It is only a tool, not a miracle. I have read about people whom have gained all the weight back and others whom haven't been able to loss more than a small amount of the excess weight. You need to be really ready to change a lot of things other way it doesn't work. But when you are able to make it work you get a new healthy life in your hands which worth all the changes and restrictions you will need to face for the rest of your life, because it is not a piece of cake but it is worthy YEHP.

_________________
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Headrest not modified, Hose Lift System, SleepyHead software. Pressure settings 7 cmH2O constant.

User avatar
archangle
Posts: 9294
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 11:55 am

Re: Free from sleep apnea

Post by archangle » Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:26 pm

Maybe you could wear the mask with no hose attached.

_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead, PRS1 Auto, Respironics Auto M series, Legacy Auto, and Legacy Plus
Please enter your equipment in your profile so we can help you.
Click here for information on the most common alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check for yourself.

Useful Links.