Lost weight Sleep Doc made drastic change in Pressure

[deerhound]

I have lost 135# in the last year and went to see my Sleep Doc. I had been using my VPAP Auto in fixed mode EPAP 10 -IPAP 14. I was starting to struggle with the whole PAP thing but my AHI was pretty good at 1.7. My doc read the reports and decided to set my machine back to Auto with EPAP at 7, Max IPAP at 15 and Pressure Support at 4. Wow! AHI .7 Almost no leaks, I am back to using my nasal pillows and all is good. I am so much more comfortable now and sleeping much better. My last sleep test 1.5 years ago had me set up at EPAP 15 and Max IPAP at 25. I guess losing weight can make a big change. I still need to lose 100# more but when that comes off, maybe, just maybe I will be able to shut my machine off . I am not counting on it but you never know! I'm really happy right now because the trouble I was having with my treatment seems to be solved for the time being.

[Nozzelnut]

Congrats on the weight loss! Keep up the great work; I know it's a daily struggle.

[avi123]

According to my Sleep Doc who holds MDs in Internal, Pulmonology, and Sleep, medicines, a person needs to lose the fat tissues in the throat to recover from OSA. Just general weight loss is not enough. BTW, if you lost 135 lbs then you probably weighted before more than 450 lbs. How have you lost that much? Just by quitting food?

The SPO 7500 Oximeter goes for $350. By adding $500 you could have bought ResMed Oximetry Complete Kit #369100 for S9s.

[kteague]

A huge congrats on that weight loss! Sounds like using a lower pressure will prove to be more comfortable for you. While everyone responds to weight loss differently in regards to CPAP needs, loss of excess weight is just plain good for ya so here's hoping you are feeling better and better as the excess weight comes off. Good luck going forward. Let us know if your pressure needs continue to lessen - you know that's almost the stuff of folk lore around here , and I'm sure an encouragement to others with the same weight struggles.

[deerhound]

The SPO 7500 Oximeter goes for $350. By adding $500 you could have bought ResMed Oximetry Complete Kit #369100 for S9s.

When I bought my SPO 7500, they weren't making S9s so I couldn't have bought the ResMed Oximetry Kit #369100 for S9s. Now you know even more!

[palmer1121]

congrats on your weight loss and feeling better with the changes in your pressures. You should be so proud of yourself!

[MagsterMile]

How wonderful to lose all that weight and feel and sleep so much better. I'm patting myself on the back for a 10 lb. loss and looking to drop another 30 lbs.

[deerhound]

Thanks for the congrats on losing weight. I had a Vertical Gastric Sleeve procedure done by a wonderful surgeon named Duc Vuong. He runs a great program in which his main concern is teaching us new habits in regard to food. I was required to lose 85# before he would even do surgery on me. I have lost the rest after the procedure. Dr Vuong has a few rules that his patients follow. One of them is rule 3. You can eat all the fresh fruits and vegetables you want, anytime you want, as much as you want. By following this rule my caloric intake is way down and my hunger is taken care of. It has been a long time since I have felt this good. I still have a lot more weight to shed but I know in time I will do it. Right now we have in Albuquerque, NM a world class bariatric surgery program. If anyone close to Albuquerque is considering this type of surgery I highly recommend Dr Vuong. He is an excellent surgeon, but the rest of his program is what makes the difference. Dr. Vuong has weekly support groups that he runs himself. They are mandatory for 2 months before surgery and 2 months after. His patients can attend the group meetings any time afterward that they want. It is amazing to be able to see my doctor for no charge, weekly if I need it. His motivational skills are a real gift for his patients.
Now that I have used my new settings for a week I am so happy to have the lower pressures. My sleep is better, and my AHI has gone down from 2 down to about .8 on the average. I had been slowly changing my settings but I never guessed that such a big change would be what was needed. I have been fighting my masks and leaks, switching from pillows to full face and back and just not being able to get comfortable. I am glad to be back to where I am comfortable with pillows and able to get some uninterrupted sleep. My Sleep Doc says that once I lose a bunch more weight and stabilize he wants to do another sleep test to see if I still need CPAP. Maybe by this time next year I will find out.

[pbriggs]

WOW - that is fantastic - keep it up.