Change from "severe" to "no" apnea!

Hi guyz and galz. I had first sleep study in September and it showed "severe" apnea with longest period 41 seconds without breathing. They were going to do a split study in December, but it turned out to be another baseline since I didn't "qualify" for using CPAP since I had no apneas at all that night. Wha? After study in September, I read online that meds at night for pain can relax muscles in throat. I figured if I had to live with pain or die from not breathing, that living was my choice. I weaned myself off neurontin and klonapin. My internist scoffed at my plan and said I was in denial. He probably still won't admit that I may have helped myself. I am seeing him in the AM and am curious how he will explain the difference. The pulmonologist who read the sleep study says he is going with the test that shows apnea and wants me to use the CPAP. He has scheduled me for a third sleep study but I have to check with Medicare to see if they'll pay for it especially since second test shows no apnea. In neither test did I get to stage 3 or 4 of sleep. I need to figure out what to do about that. Also, I mentioned to the pulmonologist that sometimes I catch myself not breathing during the day and he looked at me funny and said he never heard of such a thing. I am also one of those shallow breathers. Has anyone else had such a drastic difference in levels of apnea? Thank you in advance.

Tell your pulmonologist that I also catch myself 'not breathing.' But my doc says he's never heard of that either. Perhaps it's time all of us 'forget to breathe'-ers make ourselves known. It may cause a study to be done.

Peter