Off CPAP for Now...New Experiment

[beneyw]

After many years as a back sleeper with the expected mouth breathing and with no luck finding a decent FF mask I decided to try and sleep on my side with no CPAP. So far, 3 nights and better sleep, no tape and no bloating.

Any reaction, comments? Originally diagnosed 4 years ago with "moderate sleep apnea."

[BlackSpinner]

No sleep study to show whether you have apneas on your side? Stupid move.

[KatieW]

I don't know you, or your history with OSA or cpap, but seeing as how you say it's a new experiment, how long is your experiment, and how are you measuring the results? Are you monitoring your sleep in any way? ...partner's observation, video camera, oximeter?

If you were my spouse, I would be sitting up all night watching you, in case you stop breathing.

[elg5cats]

I don't know you, or your history with OSA or cpap, but seeing as how you say it's a new experiment, how long is your experiment, and how are you measuring the results? Are you monitoring your sleep in any way? ...partner's observation, video camera, oximeter? If you were my spouse, I would be sitting up all night watching you, in case you stop breathing.

Not sure I would sit up all night and watch you, might consider clobbering you with a stick for not thinking this through, or send you out to the shed to sleep!!!!! Perhaps, you post is evidence your thinking is not clear. All punishment aside, how did this "experiment" become logical in your thinking???.....side sleeping may help with OSA, but I doubt it's a cure especially if not a true positional breathing problem. No taping is obvious, but lack of events is known how? Dust your machine off, put your mask back on and think about this more clearly!!!!

elg5cats

[Goofproof]

If you were my spouse, I'd double down on your life ins. De-nile is a wonderful thing. Jim

Years after descovery, and still not willing to make treatment work. That's Deep in De-nile.

[kteague]

Beneyw - I know from your posts it's been a frustrating route for you with the leaky masks (and leaky mouth), but you've got to know that you're not likely to get anyone to cosign on your plan. Unless... your sleep study showed your apnea to be 100% positional. Is that the case? Otherwise, I am concerned about the risk you are willing to take. Since you do seem to be acclimating to switching from back sleeping to side sleeping, maybe you'd find a lower pressure would be therapeutic for strict side sleeping, thus reducing the liklihood of mask and mouth leaking. Side sleeping may be part of the answer for you, just not going commando. Be safe.
Kathy
P.S. Just saw the prior post, so just consider mine reinforcement.

[beneyw]

I expected the responses but at the same time I know full well the current mask, taping and other attempts have all been failures. This is but a 'temporary' situation as I will make arrangements for another sleep study when I return to SW FL. I spend summers in Maine and could not find a local physician who had any appreciation of sleep studies so could not get one scheduled. My only sleep study was with me on my back 100% of the night which frankly I believe was a 'setup' from the getgo. It has been a long haul with pretty much no real help from so called professonals re: better mask fitting, advice, etc. Be that as it may, I will go through all of this again with another facility with hopefully better results on all fronts. I sleep alone and can only submit since sleeping on my side I feel better in the morning, no dry throat or other usual aggravations with the back sleeping and CPAP.

IF anyone knows of a good sleep center and/or physician in the Naples area of Florida, please let me know.

[SleepyT]

I agree with the others. I believe your decision is a mistake....and your body will suffer for it. Isn't there anyone in your life worth living for?

[Autopapdude]

Would you like to sell your life insurance policy to me? I'd be happy to buy it. Get your butt to a sleep doctor immediately, and stop the foolish nonsense. You did't miraculously cure your OSA--I am a positional apnea person as well, and you'd never catch me without my autopap. If you want to experiment--great. Just don't ask anyone to endorse your decision. I want no responsibility for it, as you're putting yourself in peril. What a fool!

[beneyw]

I agree with the others. I believe your decision is a mistake....and your body will suffer for it. Isn't there anyone in your life worth living for?

Histrionics aside, my evaluation as of this moment is admittedly 100% subjective but I am more awake during the day. It is a temporary attempt at different approaches and I take full responsibility for my actions. I know many out there are as equally frustrated as I am with their current treatment but I am seeking solutions, not condemnation, but be that as it may thanks for your commentary.

[beneyw]

Would you like to sell your life insurance policy to me? I'd be happy to buy it. Get your butt to a sleep doctor immediately, and stop the foolish nonsense. You did't miraculously cure your OSA--I am a positional apnea person as well, and you'd never catch me without my autopap. If you want to experiment--great. Just don't ask anyone to endorse your decision. I want no responsibility for it, as you're putting yourself in peril. What a fool!

I asked for and got reaction, never seeking approval.

[SleepyT]

I asked for and got reaction, never seeking approval.

OH! My fault then....I didn't know you just wanted a reaction! I thought you WANTED us to talk you out of your faulty thinking! If I had known you just wanted drama...I would have skipped on responding.

Still. I hope you'll be ok....hope you'll come to your senses, my friend. Good luck!

[mdintx]

It would be a good idea to verify that your sleep apnea is positional. A new sleep study with a doc that's willing to go through the results in detail. Also, a oximeter would be a good acquisition. Pick one up and take some data of your side sleeping experiment. Also, you may want to consider one of the dental appliances for the long term. Good luck with your experiment.

[Julie]

Beneyw - Sleep studies always test you on your back so they can get a 'worst case' scenario and know how bad your apnea is. It doesn't mean you're supposed to sleep like that normally. Most of us sleep on our sides routinely, but never dream of thinking that because we're not on our backs that we no longer have apneas. You're cheating yourself terribly!

[Kiralynx]

Well, first, it's obvious that you didn't want anyone to talk you out of your experiment. Kind of like someone who deliberately bangs a wasp nest to see what reaction they'll get. Should some of the replies sting, well, that's why.

Second, if you're going to do this experiment, at least go about it in a more scientific manner than the purely subjective of "how you feel." You WANT the side sleeping to solve the apnea issue, so it's not surprising that you feel better. Get a good pulse oximeter, and SEE if your O2 levels are staying up. If they are, you might be on to something.

I was diagnosed because the O2 drops caused hip pain. My hips hurt WAY worse if I sleep on my back (this is from pre-Bipap) than they do if I sleep on my side. But they STILL hurt when I'm sleeping on my side.

I've gone exactly two nights without my Bipap since I got it, while waiting on my full-face mask to arrive when I had a respiratory infection. Even sitting up in my chair, I hurt like the blazes, sure sign my O2 was dropping. I didn't own an oximeter at the time, so I couldn't determine that they did drop objectively. I'd've liked to have that data. Should this happen again, I now have an oximeter to test properly.

I don't enjoy sleeping with my mask and machine, and I worry about hurricane seasons and the possibility of no power. But I will not give up my mask and machine and my data from same until I have a technique which is as effective as mnask and machine, and have objective data which demonstrates its effectiveness. Pain is pain, and I'm not into it.

Experiments are fine... as long as you're gathering objective data, and not engaging in wishful thinking.