After losing 150 pounds?

[projecttoday]

Three years ago I did the sleep tests and was prescribed a CPAP for severe obstructive sleep apnea. So I've been using the CPAP for 3 years. My usage is successful according to the doctor.

Now, since I was prescribed the CPAP, over the last 3 years, I have lost 150 pounds.

When I last saw the sleep doctor (3 years ago before I lost the weight), he said I would need to use the CPAP for the rest of my life. He said we were done and that I only needed to contact him if I have a problem.

Obviously, it would not be a good idea just to stop using the machine just because I lost 150 pounds. But I don't want to use it if I don't have to. How to proceed? I was thinking of contacting one of those testers who will do it for a few hundred dollars.

[raisedfist]

I suppose you could sleep for a night at a fixed CPAP setting of 4cmh2o and see what happens. Cost would be $0 .

[Chris8243]

I would suggest talking to your primary care doctor about it, in the exact same way you asked us. Reasonable question!

I'm kinda surprised, although I probably shouldn't be, that the sleep doctor would dismiss you for the rest of your life, unless you have a problem. Sure sounds like they were not interested in helping/following up with you. I've never had a doctor treat me that way. On the other hand, I've fired a few docs (never went back.)

[realshelby]

Is there a chance that cpap helped with the 150 pound weight loss?

That would be reason enough to keep up with it. It appears that weight alone isn't as big a factor as many think in needing, or not needing, cpap therapy.

Maybe you could get by with less pressure or other changes to make it more comfortable. As much as I don't like dealing with a hose all night, cleaning the mask and putting water in the machine, I can live with using it till I am gone....I simply sleep way better and my wife actually gets sleep now that I don't snore!

[Janknitz]

Your sleep doctor was a dismissive prick. He decided you need CPAP because you were fat and didn’t have the fortitude to lose weight. While it would be tempting to go back to see him just to gloat, you need a better sleep doctor who’s not in to fat shaming.

You MAY not need CPAP any more. Or you might. A lot depends on those internal structures that may have nothing to do with body weight. Testing is the only way to be sure.

And if you learn that your apnea no longer needs treatment, don’t throw away your CPAP. The only thing harder than losing 150 lbs (Congratulations, BTW!!!) is keeping it off for the long term.

[kuk_sleeper]

Congrats on the weight loss. 150 pounds!!!! That is an achievement. Any tips to share with us?

I am not experienced as others in the forum so take my advice with a pinch of salt. But are you still seeing events in your CPAP data. If you are still seeing events then isn't that a good indication that you still need the CPAP. If you are not seeing any event then it might be a sign to have a conversation with your sleep doctor.

[ChicagoGranny]

How to proceed?

Is the machine listed in your equipment profile the one you are currently using? What are your pressure settings?

[Wulfman...]

Three years ago I did the sleep tests and was prescribed a CPAP for severe obstructive sleep apnea. So I've been using the CPAP for 3 years. My usage is successful according to the doctor.

Now, since I was prescribed the CPAP, over the last 3 years, I have lost 150 pounds.

When I last saw the sleep doctor (3 years ago before I lost the weight), he said I would need to use the CPAP for the rest of my life. He said we were done and that I only needed to contact him if I have a problem.

Obviously, it would not be a good idea just to stop using the machine just because I lost 150 pounds. But I don't want to use it if I don't have to. How to proceed? I was thinking of contacting one of those testers who will do it for a few hundred dollars.

Why not? It's not going to hurt you to keep using it. It's only air.
Maybe the sleep apnea caused the weight gain to begin with and losing the weight won't get rid of the sleep apnea.

From a personal note, within a relatively short period of time, I became so comfortable with wearing mine every night that I couldn't imagine trying to sleep without it.


Den

.

[projecttoday]

Thanks all for responding.

I lost the weight by watching my weight and counting calories. I also exercise. I have kept the weight off. I doubt that the CPAP had anything to do with the weight loss.

I use the same machine that's in my profile. The pressure is 6.0cmH20. I lost track of the card reader for uploading the data into the computer, so I'll have to hunt that up.

I was tested for sleep apnea (with tests costing > $3000 each. Insurance paid for it). This was toward the end of 2015. The doctor didn't fat shame me. Started CPAP January 2016. The last time I saw the sleep doctor was a few months into 2016. He said that I would need to use the CPAP for the rest of my life. Contact him if I have a problem.

CPAP isn't the worst thing in the world but I'd just as soon not. I don't like being tethered, so lowering the pressure wouldn't help much.

Can anyone recommend a low-cost tester? I could travel if necessary. I know there's a guy in Northern California who does it and I was planning to visit San Francisco (for the first time) anyway.

[Goofproof]

I'd rather use my machine to provide data than take another sleep test, I get my Sleep Test every night, for free. It comes with the treatment, very little effort added, and no extra cost. Jim

If I was lucky enough to loose 150 lb, I'd be so happy band jumping around I'd shake off another 75 pounds, but I'd still make sure my XPAP was on every night.

[Sheriff Buford]

What are your daily readings? How many apneas are you getting on a daily basis? I know you are being treated, but if some are occurring, then you can be sure many more will occur without the machine.

Sheriff

[ChicagoGranny]

I was tested for sleep apnea (with tests costing > $3000 each. Insurance paid for it).

$3,000 is the "list price". Your insurance company would have had a contract price that was much lower. Depending on the area you live in, the contract price could be as low as $1000 or as high as $2000 for an in-lab sleep study.

[projecttoday]

Okay, I got a new card reader and am now up-to-date with SleepyHead. My recent AHI's are mostly under 5, though some are over. Last night's was 2.05. One night (which could include a daytime nap) in this past September it was 0.38. On the other hand one night in November was 8.43. Those seem to be the extreme. I think the average would be no more than 2.

What do I look at for events?

[zonker]

Okay, I got a new card reader and am now up-to-date with SleepyHead. My recent AHI's are mostly under 5, though some are over. Last night's was 2.05. One night (which could include a daytime nap) in this past September it was 0.38. On the other hand one night in November was 8.43. Those seem to be the extreme. I think the average would be no more than 2.

What do I look at for events?

may i humbly suggest that you take some screenshots and attach them here so that the experts can give you some pointers?

pls read this link to see how they want the charts organized-

viewtopic/t172378/Sticky--Newbies-PLEAS ... STING.html

also, pls, would you post them here, in this thread rather than start a new one? it will help folks keep better track of you.

good luck!

[Pugsy]

You look at what kind of events first.
The 3 categories are
Central/clear airway
Obstructive apnea
Hyponea

Centrals are open airway events and more pressure won’t reduce those kind of events and a few here and there isn’t a cause for fixing anyway.
For OAs or hyponeas in large numbers or dense clusters then maybe a little more pressure is needed depending how many and when the are being flagged.

Anything flagged near or during a known awake time is probably not a real event and is usually removed from the evaluation process.