I'm back... lost weight still need cpap, got a new Resmed s9

[2girlsmom]

I haven't been here in ages. I was faithfully using my old Resmed s8 autoset until I lost 72 pounds. I put back on a few pounds due to foot surgery, but felt reasonably ok and quit using the machine. I gradually got more and more tired, so had another study. Turns out I still need CPAP, but only for REM and really only on my back. I am pretty down that I still need it, but since I do.... I'll "woman up" and use the darn thing. I got my old unit out after my titration and reset it to the new pressure (nice sleep tech told me the #). I'm doing better already! I can always have a repeat study once I lose 60 more pounds I need to lose...

So, since my old unit was 4 years old, the insurance paid for a new one. I have a Resmed s9 Elite now. It looks space-agey and super awesome. I have a slimline tube now and got another Quattro mask. I have already broken into the clinical menu (shhh, don't tell) and enabled seeing the AHI on my patient screen, changed the EPR and the ramp time (I like 15 minutes). The H5i is really nice. I like that the reservoir opens up for better cleaning.

It's funny, but I'm pretty excited to sleep tonight with this new machine. I kinda wish I had tried to finagle a new APAP, but I've been using CPAP on my old unit anyway. Looking forward to being around here again as UI get back into the habit of using CPAP again.

[chunkyfrog]

Congratulations! Good job!
Please note: There is evidence that the popularly held (and lazy) opinion that obesity
causes apnea may be only partially true--in many cases the very opposite is happening.
I believe that it may work both ways for most of us.
Apnea and obesity work off one another, forming a vicious cycle, but the apnea may have existed much longer,
not being diagnosed earlier due to prejudices about "only fat people have apnea."
This a WRONG attitude and is very destructive.

[2girlsmom]

Well, I really thought since I am young that losing the weight might help. I wasn't trying to pick on anyone so I hope no one is offended by my post. I'm still 60 pounds overweight and didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings. But yes, it is a common misconception only "fat people" have apnea.

In fact, when the sleep tech hooked me up for the titration she mentioned I was one of the only people she could get her arms around to put the bands on... apparently that's her experience too... I was almost 300 pounds when I was diagnosed and am still over 200... I am definitely still big, but my neck and face have gone down a ton. I was just hoping to not need the machine, but I'd rather use it and be healthier than not use it and suffer.

[Daisy004]

well done in losing all that weight, thats fantastic. I have been trying to lose weight for the longest time unssucessfully. Way to go you!!!! D.

[kaiasgram]

when the sleep tech hooked me up for the titration she mentioned I was one of the only people she could get her arms around to put the bands on... apparently that's her experience too

I bet that's because the medical profession is still more likely to suspect OSA in overweight patients and so refer them for sleep studies. I am not overweight but for many months was reporting fatigue and even some classic OSA symptoms (like waking up gasping for air!) to my primary care doc, and it took over half a year of frequent doctor visits before my primary referred me for a sleep study -- and that was only because I finally asked, "shouldn't we rule out sleep apnea?"

The fact that obesity is a risk factor for OSA has led to the unfortunate belief that non-overweight people are NOT at risk. This is unfortunate.

p.s. I don't think you said anything in the slightest bit offensive.

[chunkyfrog]

Me, too. Nothing you have said is offensive.
I still believe too many doctors hold on to old prejudices about fluffy people,
and would be far better doctors if they would simply wise up.

[Posey]

1st of all CONGRATS on the weight loss. I am not surprised you still need the CPAP because OSA may have contributed to the weight gain to begin with.
Today the RT at the DME tells me I may not need my BIPAP if I lose the extra 50 lbs. I just smiled. Yes, that would be nice but I won't count on it. I have a wishful thought that being rested will help to normalize BP and make weight control easier. As we see on this forum, slim folks & heavy + all in between can have OSA. Some get better with weight reduction, some with surgery and others need a CPAP.

[Janknitz]

Too late now but an APAP would have probably been a better choice:

1. If you only have apnea in REM and sleeping on your back, the pressure could adjust for those times and be lower when you don't need it. I'm surprised the doctor did not order an APAP in that situation.

2. You say you plan to lose more weight--with an APAP you can titrate at home to adjust your pressures as your weight decreases.

BTW, your weightloss has been awesome! Congratulations !!! What are you doing to lose the weight?

[2girlsmom]

I will hang onto my APAP and check how things are going as I lose more weight. I did ask for an APAP, but since I spent most of my time in the past on APAP at 12 (not sure why, as events happen mostly on my back and in REM... but maybe I am on my back more when I'm on xPAP than I am otherwise??) I figured straight CPAP works...

Except my AHI was high last night!!! What is up with that????

DO the s9's count high on hypopneas like the s8's did??

RE: weight loss. I did several things... low carb, weight watchers, etc. I'm currently on My Fitness Pal because it's free. I also started cycling some and going to the gym. The darn diet and exercise routine is the only way it will happen, unfortunately. Wish I had a magic pill....

[Pugsy]

DO the s9's count high on hypopneas like the s8's did??

Doesn't appear to. The S9 has a new algorithm.

[2girlsmom]

Next question, does it track "events" that occur while the ramp is going (I'm awake)?

[Xney]

Next question, does it track "events" that occur while the ramp is going (I'm awake)?

Yes, the machine can't tell when you're awake or not.

[Todzo]

I haven't been here in ages. I was faithfully using my old Resmed s8 autoset until I lost 72 pounds. I put back on a few pounds due to foot surgery, but felt reasonably ok and quit using the machine. I gradually got more and more tired, so had another study. Turns out I still need CPAP, but only for REM and really only on my back. I am pretty down that I still need it, but since I do.... I'll "woman up" and use the darn thing. I got my old unit out after my titration and reset it to the new pressure (nice sleep tech told me the #). I'm doing better already! I can always have a repeat study once I lose 60 more pounds I need to lose...

So, since my old unit was 4 years old, the insurance paid for a new one. I have a Resmed s9 Elite now. It looks space-agey and super awesome. I have a slimline tube now and got another Quattro mask. I have already broken into the clinical menu (shhh, don't tell) and enabled seeing the AHI on my patient screen, changed the EPR and the ramp time (I like 15 minutes). The H5i is really nice. I like that the reservoir opens up for better cleaning.

It's funny, but I'm pretty excited to sleep tonight with this new machine. I kinda wish I had tried to finagle a new APAP, but I've been using CPAP on my old unit anyway. Looking forward to being around here again as UI get back into the habit of using CPAP again.

Hi 2girlsmom!

Over about the past year I went from a BMI of 36 to a BMI of 31. I do use my CPAP data and I knew to watch for signs of unstable breathing as I was doing this. Much of the tendency I managed by doing aerobics and added some interval training which was awesome as a help. FWIW I also do Pulse Oximeter Guided Breathing to help prevent unstable breathing as well as for health. But the change proved too great and there it was – unstable breathing in my data and day feel - so - time to reduce pressure.

I was unable to connect with a Doctor and I know enough about unstable breathing to be more afraid of it than I am of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). So I reduced my pressure starting with a drop of 2 cm/H2O and continuing with drops of 1 cm/H2O - looking at my data for about ten days each time and finding indications of OSA when I hit 7 cm/H2O. So now I use 8 cm/H2O. My need for CPAP pressure apparently moved 7 cm/H2O (47%) in 300 days!

Way to go on the weight! It has benefits!

Take care!

Todzo

[2girlsmom]

OK, tightened mask up and getting an AHI of 1.5-2.5ish the last few nights. Leaks are better, and I turned EPR off except for ramp time. I think EPR being on was causing me to have more apnea events. I've felt more rested the last couple of days

[Xney]

OK, tightened mask up and getting an AHI of 1.5-2.5ish the last few nights. Leaks are better, and I turned EPR off except for ramp time. I think EPR being on was causing me to have more apnea events. I've felt more rested the last couple of days

Kewl, let's see how it goes.