When can one discontinue CPAP useage

[Wulfman...]

Correction to my last post: ".....only ONE WEEK after starting....."


Den

.

[Day_Dreamer]

What type of home sleep study did you have? If your AHI was only 3, you would not have been deemed to have sleep apnea.
More detailed and accurate information is need re your sleep study to help you.

Thanks!

ARES sleep study


RHI was 16
Mean spo2 96.00%
Pulse rate went up a few times Mean PR 76 with 61times changing by 6 BPM

I am trying to cut and paste it is there any other pertenant info

I am a newbie and not getting great help from my doctors. The people from the sleep lab seem like they get large commissions as a pretty young women had been calling every other day to get me in the lab.

Was unable to do the titillation test. Doctors prescribed the CPAP on the internet

This is a very stressful time, so if you need to start a post with oh dear please just don't post



Average pressure on my R9 = 8
AHI per R9 less than 2

[Day_Dreamer]

Oh dear... did no one explain to you that you have a 'condition' .

Nobody

Saw an ENT specialist "loss weight and you can discontinue the machine" The Machine will help you loose the weight.

Friend who has CPAP "Once you loose the weight you can stop"

Therapist "You know sleep apnea is caused by being overweight"

MD "you have mild apnea" you can either lose weight or get a CPAP or dental device

What are the levels of someone who has taken the test and is told they do not require a machine? normal

My test results were Mild and I needed to drink a few beers and take a sedative (which makes the results worse)

I have been working out 1-2 hours a day Cardio and weights
Gave up caffine after 2
stopped consuming Beer /wine
discontinued Clonopin

This is depressing

Soooooo........you came to a CPAP user support forum looking for people dumb enough to tell you "Yeah, go ahead and quit using this life-saving therapy." only two months after starting. REALLY???
And, now you're disappointed at the responses? WOW!


Den

.

No not at all sorry if it comes off that way... its depressing because you guys sound like you know what you are talking about and I have received bad medical advise. Please reread my posts before you attack me. I just found out I am going to be on a machine the rest off my life please have sympathy

[BlackSpinner]

No not at all sorry if it comes off that way... its depressing because you guys sound like you know what you are talking about and I have received bad medical advise. Please reread my posts before you attack me. I just found out I am going to be on a machine the rest off my life please have sympathy

Every Single One Of Us is in the same boat. Most of us are not trying to float down the river De'nial in the state of Ignorance.

Got to the top and read the thread about change.

This is simple life changing therapy that happens while you sleep with very few side effects. You can't get better, easier therapy that makes such a dramatic. I type this with a migraine as a side effect from some new medication I wish everything medical treatment was as easy as cpap therapy.

[Wulfman...]

Oh dear... did no one explain to you that you have a 'condition' .

Nobody

Saw an ENT specialist "loss weight and you can discontinue the machine" The Machine will help you loose the weight.

Friend who has CPAP "Once you loose the weight you can stop"

Therapist "You know sleep apnea is caused by being overweight"

MD "you have mild apnea" you can either lose weight or get a CPAP or dental device

What are the levels of someone who has taken the test and is told they do not require a machine? normal

My test results were Mild and I needed to drink a few beers and take a sedative (which makes the results worse)

I have been working out 1-2 hours a day Cardio and weights
Gave up caffine after 2
stopped consuming Beer /wine
discontinued Clonopin

This is depressing

Soooooo........you came to a CPAP user support forum looking for people dumb enough to tell you "Yeah, go ahead and quit using this life-saving therapy." only two months after starting. REALLY???
And, now you're disappointed at the responses? WOW!


Den

.

No not at all sorry if it comes off that way... its depressing because you guys sound like you know what you are talking about and I have received bad medical advise. Please reread my posts before you attack me. I just found out I am going to be on a machine the rest off my life please have sympathy

We're not "attacking" you. Just trying to bring you into reality.
Every single one of us got that realization when we started. It's how we approach it that's important.
Personally, after I found out what was wrong with me and causing my perpetual tiredness.......researched the therapy and the equipment that was required, I was actually relieved. I've been on this therapy and hanging around this forum for nine years now.


Den

.

[Janknitz]

AHI per home sleep study = 3
RDI = 16
Average SPO2 = 96%
SPo2 less than 90% = 0

Sorry, but this reads like an April Fool's joke. It doesn't appear to me that you have sleep apnea, not even mild OSA (I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV). Your AHI is below 5 (some people are thrilled when they get an AHI of only 3 ON CPAP), you don't experience desaturations, and at 16, your RDI is just one over the treatment threshold of 15. So I'm not sure why your doctor has insisted on CPAP treatment in the first place unless you were complaining of a lot of symptoms.

I would want an in-lab test to confirm the results, particularly if you have lost weight. (Some people can have severe apnea at any weight, and losing weight does not necessarily cure apnea, but with the mildness of your numbers you may be one who IS helped by weight loss). And go by symptoms. What led you to ask for a sleep test in the first place? Have those symptoms improved since you lost the weight? I'd also want to be certain that other possible causes of any symptoms have been ruled out--i.e. checking your thyroid function and making sure you don't have something else going on like RLS or PLMD.

[djhall]

No not at all sorry if it comes off that way... its depressing because you guys sound like you know what you are talking about and I have received bad medical advise. Please reread my posts before you attack me. I just found out I am going to be on a machine the rest off my life please have sympathy

I know it sounds like a minor distinction, but all we can really say is that the most probable outcome for people who are diagnosed with OSA is that you will be on a machine for all or some of the rest of your life. However, you are an individual, not a probability, so you either will or you won't, regardless of the statistics. All you can do is use this as a wake up call to start making positive changes for your health, including changing your diet and exercise primarily for the other health benefits that brings, while also trying to make peace with the idea that still needing the machine no matter how healthy you get is still a likely outcome (or that aging will overcome the improvement from weight loss and cause you to return to the machine in the future).

Your numbers are somewhat questionable, as an AHI of 3 is normal, but an RDI of 16 is treatable and insurance doesn't pay for a diagnosis of normal sleep, so the presumption is that you do indeed need the treatment your doctor is prescribing.

[djhall]

The people from the sleep lab seem like they get large commissions as a pretty young women had been calling every other day to get me in the lab.
...
Was unable to do the titillation test. Doctors prescribed the CPAP on the internet

I skimmed past this on the first read through... no tittilation test (complete with clever misspelling)? Got a CPAP prescription from an INTERNET doctor? The caller on the phone is pretty?

I agree....Methinks a forum regular may indeed be playing an April fools joke and counting on us reading so fast we miss the clues.

[Day_Dreamer]

No not at all sorry if it comes off that way... its depressing because you guys sound like you know what you are talking about and I have received bad medical advise. Please reread my posts before you attack me. I just found out I am going to be on a machine the rest off my life please have sympathy

I know it sounds like a minor distinction, but all we can really say is that the most probable outcome for people who are diagnosed with OSA is that you will be on a machine for all or some of the rest of your life. However, you are an individual, not a probability, so you either will or you won't, regardless of the statistics. All you can do is use this as a wake up call to start making positive changes for your health, including changing your diet and exercise primarily for the other health benefits that brings, while also trying to make peace with the idea that still needing the machine no matter how healthy you get is still a likely outcome (or that aging will overcome the improvement from weight loss and cause you to return to the machine in the future).

Your numbers are somewhat questionable, as an AHI of 3 is normal, but an RDI of 16 is treatable and insurance doesn't pay for a diagnosis of normal sleep, so the presumption is that you do indeed need the treatment your doctor is prescribing.

Thank you for reading!

The problem is, I was unable to complete an in office sleep test. I tried a few times. Since working in lower manhattan during the attack, I have been treated for severe anxiety. I cannot stand being wrapped up.

I paid for the machine and supplies
My doctor read the results of a Home sleep study and prescribed it.

Can anyone recommend a good sleep doctor in lower Manhattan???????



I am hardly ever tired in the morning

[Day_Dreamer]

AHI per home sleep study = 3
RDI = 16
Average SPO2 = 96%
SPo2 less than 90% = 0

Sorry, but this reads like an April Fool's joke. It doesn't appear to me that you have sleep apnea, not even mild OSA (I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV). Your AHI is below 5 (some people are thrilled when they get an AHI of only 3 ON CPAP), you don't experience desaturations, and at 16, your RDI is just one over the treatment threshold of 15. So I'm not sure why your doctor has insisted on CPAP treatment in the first place unless you were complaining of a lot of symptoms.

I would want an in-lab test to confirm the results, particularly if you have lost weight. (Some people can have severe apnea at any weight, and losing weight does not necessarily cure apnea, but with the mildness of your numbers you may be one who IS helped by weight loss). And go by symptoms. What led you to ask for a sleep test in the first place? Have those symptoms improved since you lost the weight? I'd also want to be certain that other possible causes of any symptoms have been ruled out--i.e. checking your thyroid function and making sure you don't have something else going on like RLS or PLMD.

High BP lead to the study
frequent waking up
frequent urinations
Waking up with headaches

I have been exercising like crazy and dieting
I also stopped drinking ( would have about 4 beers a week )
Cut down the anxiety medications for 5 pills a day to 1.5
Stopped taking sleeping pills

These symtoms have been elevated greatly in the 95 days since I started the lifestyle change
My morning BP is sometimes high (actually pre high). No more morning headaches. More energy
Sex drive has been elevated

Also while I am having difficulty adjusting to my new machine, I have not experienced any noticeable change yet (I know its only been a week)

Please respond
THANKS!

[Day_Dreamer]

The people from the sleep lab seem like they get large commissions as a pretty young women had been calling every other day to get me in the lab.
...
Was unable to do the titillation test. Doctors prescribed the CPAP on the internet

I skimmed past this on the first read through... no tittilation test (complete with clever misspelling)? Got a CPAP prescription from an INTERNET doctor? The caller on the phone is pretty?

I agree....Methinks a forum regular may indeed be playing an April fools joke and counting on us reading so fast we miss the clues.

Nope
PM me an I'll give you my phone # to discuss

[Todzo]

Diagnosed with Sleep Apnea 2 months ago

I just got my CPAP machine a week ago. The delay was caused by my anxiety as I could not complete a sleep study on premises. I purchased a Machine out of pocket!

AHI per home sleep study = 3
RDI = 16
Average SPO2 = 96%
SPo2 less than 90% = 0

Since the home test I have been exercising, lost about 30Lbs and stopped caffine after 2:00

Any opinions are greatly appreciated

Thanks

I am a bit concerned about the 30 pounds in two months. That is way too fast!!!

I have come believe that Sleep Apnea and Metabolic health are linked in such a way that better metabolic health means less sleep apnea. But sudden weight loss is not healthy.

I think you would be very wise to obtain the services of a dietitian and personal trainer for at least three years. My weight loss goal is one pound a month.

Only one sleep test. Well the “in the home” thing is probably good because that is where you actually sleep and the emotional tension from the cost is likely less. But you are still looking at only one night. The tests are subject to false positives and negatives.

Your Respiratory Disturbance Index is your only qualifier as having Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Oxygen levels are good.

The fact that you did not make it through your in lab test makes me wonder if you may well have a low arousal threshold[1].

The fact that most of your "events" are respiratory disturbances make me think you may well deal with high respiratory control system (loop) gain[1].

It might be wise to have a little conversation with your doctor asking him to use PALM[2] to determine if you are a good candidate for CPAP.

I think that both arousal threshold and loop gain could be related to a too low or too high vitamin D3 level. Where I live we get no UVB from the Sun from about August to April. Vitamin D levels drop all that time.

Those who are working with the D3 hormone (A.K.A. Vitamin D3) (e.g. Dr. Stasha Gominak, Michael F. Holick, Ph.D., M.D., Vitamin D Council) seem to be finding that the very low side of the “normal” range of 30-100 ng/L produces a range of symptoms including OSA, pain, and infection. All believe that a level lower than 50 ng/mL is not good and Dr. Stasha Gominak recommends 60-80 ng/mL for good health.

It would probably be wise to check your vitamin D3 levels. See “The Vitamin D Council” for assay details.

[1] Danny J. Eckert, David P. White, Amy S. Jordan, Atul Malhotra, and Andrew Wellman "Defining Phenotypic Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Identification of Novel Therapeutic Targets", American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Vol. 188, No. 8 (2013), pp. 996-1004. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201303-0448OC

[2]
Sairam Parthasarathy M.D., Emergence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Phenotyping. From Weak to Strong! American Journal of Respitory and Critical Care Medicine VOL 188 2013
-- critical closing pressure [Pcrit] - Arousal Threshold - ventilatory control Loop gain - and genioglossal Muscle responsiveness. Pcrit, Loop, Arousal, Muscle (PALM)--

[Julie]

It IS possible you have something called Positional Sleep Apnea, which would mean that depending on how you react to e.g. sleeping on your side vs your back (the latter provokes apneas), you might not need Cpap... but you cannot properly test this yourself and need a lab study... figure out some way to get one (and take it easy on the workouts, they may not be the nth answer to everything).

[Day_Dreamer]

Diagnosed with Sleep Apnea 2 months ago

I just got my CPAP machine a week ago. The delay was caused by my anxiety as I could not complete a sleep study on premises. I purchased a Machine out of pocket!

AHI per home sleep study = 3
RDI = 16
Average SPO2 = 96%
SPo2 less than 90% = 0

Since the home test I have been exercising, lost about 30Lbs and stopped caffine after 2:00

Any opinions are greatly appreciated

Thanks

I am a bit concerned about the 30 pounds in two months. That is way too fast!!!

I have come believe that Sleep Apnea and Metabolic health are linked in such a way that better metabolic health means less sleep apnea. But sudden weight loss is not healthy.

I think you would be very wise to obtain the services of a dietitian and personal trainer for at least three years. My weight loss goal is one pound a month.

Only one sleep test. Well the “in the home” thing is probably good because that is where you actually sleep and the emotional tension from the cost is likely less. But you are still looking at only one night. The tests are subject to false positives and negatives.

Your Respiratory Disturbance Index is your only qualifier as having Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Oxygen levels are good.

The fact that you did not make it through your in lab test makes me wonder if you may well have a low arousal threshold[1].

The fact that most of your "events" are respiratory disturbances make me think you may well deal with high respiratory control system (loop) gain[1].

It might be wise to have a little conversation with your doctor asking him to use PALM[2] to determine if you are a good candidate for CPAP.

I think that both arousal threshold and loop gain could be related to a too low or too high vitamin D3 level. Where I live we get no UVB from the Sun from about August to April. Vitamin D levels drop all that time.

Those who are working with the D3 hormone (A.K.A. Vitamin D3) (e.g. Dr. Stasha Gominak, Michael F. Holick, Ph.D., M.D., Vitamin D Council) seem to be finding that the very low side of the “normal” range of 30-100 ng/L produces a range of symptoms including OSA, pain, and infection. All believe that a level lower than 50 ng/mL is not good and Dr. Stasha Gominak recommends 60-80 ng/mL for good health.

It would probably be wise to check your vitamin D3 levels. See “The Vitamin D Council” for assay details.

[1] Danny J. Eckert, David P. White, Amy S. Jordan, Atul Malhotra, and Andrew Wellman "Defining Phenotypic Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Identification of Novel Therapeutic Targets", American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Vol. 188, No. 8 (2013), pp. 996-1004. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201303-0448OC

[2]
Sairam Parthasarathy M.D., Emergence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Phenotyping. From Weak to Strong! American Journal of Respitory and Critical Care Medicine VOL 188 2013
-- critical closing pressure [Pcrit] - Arousal Threshold - ventilatory control Loop gain - and genioglossal Muscle responsiveness. Pcrit, Loop, Arousal, Muscle (PALM)--

Thanks vey much for taking the time to help

Interesting stuff

I think I need to devote my efforts to finding a good doctor

[Todzo]

Thanks vey much for taking the time to help

Interesting stuff

I think I need to devote my efforts to finding a good doctor

Oh man, THAT issue. I am looking at more than 200 miles to find one. May you be well guided!!!