Major changes - Getting Close to Done with CPAP

[DonO]

I haven't been here in awhile, because I adjusted to CPAP much easier than I expected and haven't had any issues. I was still wrestling with high blood pressure and the CPAP didn't do much to bring it down. Then in May I had a heart attack. I was already working on lifestyle changes because of the high blood pressure, but now I got serious. After going through cardiac rehab and working with a nutritionist, I joined the YMCA and started working out five to six times a week as well as eating much healthier and lowering alcohol consumption. So far, I've lost 35 pounds and am within four pounds of being at my goal of below 200 lbs.

Recently, I noticed that when I downloaded my data from the DreamStation, the AHI's were mostly less than one. So, I did another sleep study this week. My AHI has gone from 73 at my last study that put me on the CPAP to now around 18 (that is the preliminary, the actual numbers are expected to come in a little lower). While not completely cured yet, I am starting to sleep without my CPAP and will do that for a month and test again.

I know lifestyle changes won't work for everyone and some have great difficulty in making the changes necessary. However, losing weight and getting healthier certainly won't hurt. And, I feel much better, have more energy and no longer crave unhealthy foods. It is funny that after some time eating healthy that your cravings and taste change. For example, instead of a bowl of ice cream for a snack, I prefer a piece of fruit.

Anyway, I thought I'd drop by and give hope to some who are looking at alternatives to being a hose head. Getting healthier isn't a panacea, but for some it could eliminate the machine that becomes part of your life. If you do attempt this route, be sure to go slow, keep at it, and get some professional help. It isn't an overnight process. My next goal is to get rid of the drugs they have me on. Good luck!

[realshelby]

Good job with getting the weight off!

But what are you talking about by quitting the cpap therapy? 18 events, or even a few less, is still quite a lot by medical standards. If already having heart issues, sleep apnea treatment isn't something I would quit just because I "think" I am getting healthy by losing weight. It is conceivable that your sleep apnea is harder on your heart than the 35 pounds!

Your weight, be it too high or normal, isn't a guarantee that you do or don't have sleep apnea.

[DonO]

Yes, I agree. However, I'm working with a Doc and if I can get rid of the CPAP and go down to a snore guard or a dental appliance and test under 5, then I'm happy. My wife has moderate apnea, I don't recall her numbers and a dental appliance is working for her. She did the test, got the appliance and did the test again. I know there is a bias on this board against dental appliances, but they are proven to work in some cases and are much more convenient than a CPAP. I'd rather go that route if I still need something. However, if that doesn't work then I can always go back on the machine. It is still sitting on my nightstand. Like I said, make sure you engage your docs and other professionals when making these kinds of changes. It isn't something to do on your own.

[zonker]

However, if that doesn't work then I can always go back on the machine. It is still sitting on my nightstand. Like I said, make sure you engage your docs and other professionals when making these kinds of changes. It isn't something to do on your own.

i like your attitude! it's in no way like the usual "i lost weight and now i don't need cpap!" brag that is what is mostly posted here. you are wise enough to actually TEST to see if your apnea is gone, rather than make a bold statement and move on.

please keep us updated as to how this goes for you. i'd be interested in hearing it.

good luck!

[Midwest_non_sleeper]

How old are you DonO? If you don't mind my asking.

[DonO]

How old are you DonO? If you don't mind my asking.

Pushing 60 pretty hard.

[jnk...]

. . . get rid of the CPAP and go down to a snore guard or a dental appliance and test under 5 . . .

So how will you track nightly AHI then to make sure you NEVER get above 5 AHI? And how will you keep from feeling miserable when you have a cold or stopped-up nose or had a meal or drink too close to bed time and have increased AHI those nights? And how will you prove your overall health and overall sleep are better without CPAP than they would be with? And what makes you think a dental appliance will be easier than CPAP? (I have used both; CPAP has fewer irritations and doesn't make my jaw ache.) And what makes you think you will be more successful at keeping the weight off than the contestants on The Greatest Loser have been, since they damaged their metabolism by panicking their bodies into now having a much slower metabolism from the decrease in calories and increase in exertion? And how often will you need to have sleep tests to confirm month-to-month and year-to-year how you are doing?

Just some questions to think about, since abandoning PAP therapy can sound much more attractive in theory than it sometimes is in practice in reality.

[Midwest_non_sleeper]

How old are you DonO? If you don't mind my asking.

Pushing 60 pretty hard.

Well, it sounds like you're doing a pretty bang up job. Keep it up!

[Midwest_non_sleeper]

. . . get rid of the CPAP and go down to a snore guard or a dental appliance and test under 5 . . .

So how will you track nightly AHI then to make sure you NEVER get above 5 AHI? And how will you keep from feeling miserable when you have a cold or stopped-up nose or had a meal or drink too close to bed time and have increased AHI those nights? And how will you prove your overall health and overall sleep are better without CPAP than they would be with? And what makes you think a dental appliance will be easier than CPAP? (I have used both; CPAP has fewer irritations and doesn't make my jaw ache.) And what makes you think you will be more successful at keeping the weight off than the contestants on The Greatest Loser have been, since they damaged their metabolism by panicking their bodies into now having a much slower metabolism from the decrease in calories and increase in exertion? And how often will you need to have sleep tests to confirm month-to-month and year-to-year how you are doing?

Just some questions to think about, since abandoning PAP therapy can sound much more attractive in theory than it sometimes is in practice in reality.

These are actually really good points...and something to think about when contemplating stopping CPAP therapy.

[DonO]

. . . get rid of the CPAP and go down to a snore guard or a dental appliance and test under 5 . . .

So how will you track nightly AHI then to make sure you NEVER get above 5 AHI? Just like I did before going on CPAP, my wife will tell me to go get testedAnd how will you keep from feeling miserable when you have a cold or stopped-up nose or had a meal or drink too close to bed time and have increased AHI those nights? CPAP is still on night stand, I can always use it, but I'll probably just suffer through like everyone else who has a cold or congestion with over the counter meds and rest. Not sure drinking or eating near bedtime will be an issue. I drank and ate just about up to bed time before my last test. And how will you prove your overall health and overall sleep are better without CPAP than they would be with? regular medical checkups, lab work, general feeling. I am a heart patient and get checked out pretty regularly. Also, now I know the symptoms and feelings of apnea, so I'm pretty sure I will know. And what makes you think a dental appliance will be easier than CPAP? (I have used both; CPAP has fewer irritations and doesn't make my jaw ache.)maybe it won't be, but seeing how easy it is for my wife to use, I think it is worth a try. And what makes you think you will be more successful at keeping the weight off than the contestants on The Greatest Loser have been, since they damaged their metabolism by panicking their bodies into now having a much slower metabolism from the decrease in calories and increase in exertion? And how often will you need to have sleep tests to confirm month-to-month and year-to-year how you are doing?

Just some questions to think about, since abandoning PAP therapy can sound much more attractive in theory than it sometimes is in practice in reality.

And, the Biggest Loser? really? That is not reality. Its entertainment. My weight loss has been over a nine-month period, not over a series of weeks. Their exercise routines are unsustainable and their calorie reductions are unsustainable. That show is all about entertainment and frankly, I don't watch it because it is not realistic. My exercise routine is more like walking, rowing, elliptical or biking at a moderate pace within a heart beat range that a trainer has approved. And, it is only once per day for around an hour. My eating restrictions aren't that great because I rarely feel hungry. When I do, I eat, just healthier than I used to.

If I need to get tested again, I will. All it takes is a phone call and pick up the testing equipment for the night. I don't see that as a big deal. You make it sound like once I come off CPAP I can never go back on and that isn't the case. My machine is paid for and I have a stock of supplies. So, if I should fail and regain weight, then I fail and go back on CPAP. But, I'm not planning on failing. It hasn't been that hard to get to where I am. I didn't do a Biggest Loser type of plan, it was slow, steady and methodical steps over enough time that I hope to develop good habits. We'll see if they stick. If they don't, I'll come back and let you tell me "told you so".

[Mogy]

Congratulations on the big improvements! From an AHI of 73 down to 19 is great.
A heart attack can be a big motivator. Best of luck on maintaining your diet and exercise routines.
It seems like a great plan to me.

[zonker]

Congratulations on the big improvements! From an AHI of 73 down to 19 is great.
A heart attack can be a big motivator. Best of luck on maintaining your diet and exercise routines.
It seems like a great plan to me.

several years ago, a friend's husband had a heart attack. she said "nothing focuses your mind quite as well as a heart attack."

[kteague]

Congrats on your new healthy lifestyle. If I'm reading your post right, you are currently not sleeping with your CPAP, right? Have you already delved into your remaining disordered breathing beyond the count and considered the duration of those events? If your events are fairly short with no desats, it is not as alarming, yet would be of some concern to me. When my AHI was similar, it adversely affected me. A percentage of our events cause arousal. Those sleep stage disruptions over time could inhibit one's body and brain from the recovery and resoration that comes with adequate amounts of certain sleep stages. I'm not against anyone not having to use CPAP if not needed. If I had your cardiac history, I think I'd be more comfortable to err on the side of caution. At the very least I'd want to have an oximeter that records overnight to keep an eye out for potential trouble. Good luck going forward. I hope you'll come back and let us know how this pans out for you. The stories of weight loss resolving OSA aren't very frequent on here just by the nature of the board, but I agree it would be an encouragement to see such stories evidenced. I sincerely hope you turn out to be one of those success stories.

[D.H.]

Note that 18, while a big improvement over 73, is still to high. CPAP is the gold standard for the treatment of sleep apnea. The alternatives are for those who can't tolerate CPAP or for whom it is not effective.

Since you've been able to use it, I don't think you should be considering any of the alternatives.