Beneficial effect of CPAP on snoring even not using CPAP device

[Aspidium]

Diagnosed with severe Sleep Apnoea syndrome in July 2022 (AI+HI index 60/hour), I have been using an APAP device (adapting incoming pressure but not decreasing pressure at expiration) for 6 months, which proves to be dramatically effective (AI<1 per hour and AI+HI < 5 per hour. While before using the device I was heavily storing ⅔ of the night, I am no longer snoring while using the machine. Moreover, and surprisingly, I am no longer (or only little) snoring while happening to sleep without device. Then, I am making the hypothesis that expiring against the pressure generated by the machine (7.5 cmH2O) might have strengthened my pharyngeal/tongue muscle, therefore reducing snoring. I looked at the medical literature but found no article supporting my observation. I am interested knowing if anyone made any similar observation.

[Julie]

Generally what is seen when lots of hypops and snoring are reduced is that the person has stopped back sleeping so much and has begun side sleeping - usually makes a huge difference.

[chunkyfrog]

"Happening to sleep without cpap"---please try not to do that.

[ozij]

There's a "carryover" effect. When I was retested in 2017, my doctor wanted a "flushing out" time of 2 weeks without CPAP. I've heard others say 48 hours is enough.

[chunkyfrog]

There's a "carryover" effect. When I was retested in 2017, my doctor wanted a "flushing out" time of 2 weeks without CPAP. I've heard others say 48 hours is enough.

Oops, I read "retested" as "arrested"--and got a little bit excited . . .

[Janknitz]

CPAP is a treatment, not a cure. Like wearing glasses, they help when you are wearing them, but don't help when you are not. While there might be a brief carryover effect, it doesn't mean you are cured, and going without CPAP even every once in a while is NOT a good idea. Even if you aren't snoring for a night or two, it doesn't mean you aren't having apneas and desaturations.

It's like the death of a 1000 cuts. The cumulative effect of oxygen desaturations, stress hormone secretion, etc profoundly impacts your health, and magical thinking isn't going to protect you.