Do I still need a CPAP when my avg. AHI < 2.5?

[larsbrondum]

Hi experts,
I have been using a Phillips Dreamstation for the last 2-3 years, as I was diagnosed with 35+ AHI after my with observed obstructive apneas (my mother and sister has also been diagnosed and use CPAPS).

I'm OK with using the CPAP but my AHI is now below 2.5 in last 6 months average, why I consider if I still need the CPAP. I'm going a 8 week backpacking trip and would like to avoid bringing my CPAP, why I'd like to make an informed decision about this.

What do you think? Would any Oscar data help to clarify?

Brgds
Lars

[Pugsy]

Your nice low AHI is a WITH TREATMENT AHI. CPAP fixes the problem but only when you use it.
If you don't use it you still have the problem.

Think of it like needing eye glasses....without the glasses you are blind as a bat but with the glasses you can see just fine.
What happens if you lose your glasses and can't wear them????

[chunkyfrog]

"What happens if you lose your glasses and can't wear them????"
I put on an old pair, and keep looking.

[ChicagoGranny]

I'm going a 8 week backpacking trip and would like to avoid bringing my CPAP

... recipe for a fatal heart attack or stroke.

[chunkyfrog]

I'm going a 8 week backpacking trip and would like to avoid bringing my CPAP

... recipe for a fatal heart attack or stroke.

At best, a really lousy time--if you're lucky.
If you are planning on having a good time, take the cpap.
If not, run the risk of ruining the trip for everybody.
Nobody wants a corpse in their tent.

[zonker]

try this simple experiment-next time you go to bed, don't use your cpap.

come back and tell us how it went.

[chunkyfrog]

try this simple experiment-next time you go to bed, don't use your cpap.

come back and tell us how it went.

Note: Any decent doctor will advise against skipping even one night.
Most of us here are not doctors; so knock yourself out!

[Conrad]

I'm going a 8 week backpacking trip and would like to avoid bringing my CPAP

... recipe for a fatal heart attack or stroke.

At best, a really lousy time--if you're lucky.
If you are planning on having a good time, take the cpap.
If not, run the risk of ruining the trip for everybody.
Nobody wants a corpse in their tent.

For me, it would all depend on who the corpse used to be...

I was diagnosed with moderate to severe apnea and two years into my CPAP use I had ear surgery. As a result of that my surgeon told me to DC my CPAP use for 6 weeks. I didn't die, I didn't have a stoke, nor a heart attack. I snored a lot and my wife complained, that was the extent of it.

YMMV

[Ray4852]

your Cpap is part of your life now. A lot of people make a big deal about cpap usage in the woods. its easy if you know how to do it. look at it this way. be glad you don't need oxygen too. I need cpap and 2L of 02 for sleeping only. when it comes to camping in the woods for a month or more. I'm an expert with this great way of life. today we have some very good quality lithium batteries we can buy for up to 3 grand from 100 to 500 amp hour deep cycle battery. A cpap don't need a lot of power to use it with air only. you can buy a nice 250 amp lithium battery today for about 1200 hundred dollars. this will power your cpap for about 5 weeks. if you need to recharge it. solar power will help you out if you want to go this way. when you back pack you go in with a boat and set up camp. take a portable generator with a good quality battery charger with you too. if none of this sounds good for you. find a camp with electric and camp this way. what ever you do. don't make life hard for yourself. there's a way to do anything if you take the time to think it out first. you can do it. if you like the battery way, I think its the best way to go if you can afford a good quality lithium. I can recommend some good quality batteries.

[chunkyfrog]

. . .
I didn't die, I didn't have a stoke, nor a heart attack. I snored a lot and my wife complained, that was the extent of it.

YMMV

Your mileage did indeed vary.
My boss was a Scout leader, and right after a Klondike Derby (winter camping),
one father died right after getting home. (Maybe HE skipped cpap . . . )

[Conrad]

. . .
I didn't die, I didn't have a stoke, nor a heart attack. I snored a lot and my wife complained, that was the extent of it.

YMMV

Your mileage did indeed vary.
My boss was a Scout leader, and right after a Klondike Derby (winter camping),
one father died right after getting home. (Maybe HE skipped cpap . . . )

Your anecdote is a bit limited on details. Maybe his wife killed him for messing around?

[ChicagoGranny]

Maybe his wife killed him for messing around?

Not a bad idea.

Gramps had two friends who died in the night when they skipped CPAP. One didn't take his CPAP because he expected to be home that night. A bad storm forced him to stay with a friend. He was about 50.

Another forgot to carry his CPAP case to the airport. He died in his hotel room that night. He was in his sixties.

(Not the subject here, but we also know people who died in their sleep while their CPAP was gathering dust in a closet.)