No going back...

Hello all,

After a month with CPAP, I recently tried a night without using my CPAP machine. What I discovered was that I am now conscious of my apneas. I wake up with a choke or snore and now, I am completely aware of it. This makes for a very difficult night (unless I sleep on my side, which is not always comfortable).

Does anybody else have any similar experiences?

This worries me because with my lifestyle, I will get the odd nights where I am trapped without a machine. I might be unexpectedly away from home one night, etc. I feel like I have become dependent on my machine whereas before, I didn't even know I had a problem.

Prevail

...why would you be unexpectedly without your machine? Get a travel one and keep it with you in your car or wherever it is you travel to. One night is all it takes to have something drastic happen... don't let it.

Also, re: being "dependent" on your machine... you SHOULD be. You should NEVER sleep without it. Saying you're dependent on your machine is like saying you're dependent on oxygen. Of course you are. It keeps you breathing. And last I heard, breathing is good.

Hi Prevail

Good advice from CollegeGirl.

Now I see your Forum name is Prevail. Here is your chance to live up to your name.

To get the oxygen you need whilst asleep you have to use your machine. If you travel this means being pro-active in looking after yourself. It may mean you getting a second machine, or changing your job, whatever.

In order to "prevail" we have to go to any lengths in order to get a good nights sleep, and avoid desaturating.

Cheers

Mars

And don't sleep on your back, machine or otherwise, because it provokes more apneas than any other position.

Prevail, so now you know. You need the machine to rest properly. I second the idea of getting a travel machine to keep handy so you never have to spend a night mask-less. Just like we always have our cell phones with us wherever we happen to sleep, we also need to have our cpaps with us.

CollegeGirl wrote:...why would you be unexpectedly without your machine? Get a travel one and keep it with you in your car or wherever it is you travel to. One night is all it takes to have something drastic happen... don't let it.

I like this idea of keeping a back up in your car incase you get stuck away for a night. I have been using my cpap now for about a month and can not imagine being with out it. Ofcours I hardly ever go any where.

If your single and "sometimes" get caught away from home without your machine I understand. You might not alway know you'll be spending the night not at your home. Just don't go to sleep there. Make up some excuse why you have to go home "afterwards".
Your life could depend on it.

Prevail

Welcome to the forum. I understand your concern, as I work in South Korea, many times of the years. I think that you may have to make the conscious desicion to make the cpap machine part of your everyday life style if there is a chance that you will be away from home for the evening or a few days it needs to be like your toothbrush in the bag, even if it makes things a bit more awkward your health is not worth the risk.

Anyong-hi jumushipshiyo
Chris

Now hold on just a minute here.

From what I've been reading in these forums and my understanding of the science, I got the understanding that there's no harm in missing a night here or there. Things happen like power failures or machine malfunctions so I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a night or two without a machine. Am I wrong?

Prevail

You have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea.
The interruptions in your sleep and the resulting stress has probably already damaged your health.
Had you continued without XPAP, it most likely would kill you.
But it is reversible. This is why there is no way that sleeping without your machine is a good idea.
Any excuse you use to avoid using your machine is an expression of denial.
Get over it--for your own sake. You deserve a healthy, full life; and you can have it.
Seize the day!
Love,
Frog

Prevail wrote:Now hold on just a minute here.

From what I've been reading in these forums and my understanding of the science, I got the understanding that there's no harm in missing a night here or there. Things happen like power failures or machine malfunctions so I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a night or two without a machine. Am I wrong?

Hi,

It depends on exactly what you are being treated for, and how serious your case is. If you have a low AHI, like 15 or 20, you might be able to get away with sleeping upright in a recliner. But if your blood oxygen level drops to below 88%, it could trigger a heart attack, stroke, or seizure. Since I am just some random guy on the Internet, you should probably talk to your doctor about it. But if you can tell when you are not using your machine, as you suggest that you can, then you should probably not attempt to sleep without it.

-john-

I agree with the others....best not to skip a night...and as your topic title implies...there is no going back. It is understandable you might be ashamed or embarrassed about having to wear a mask while you sleep...but you can move past that. A lot of cpapers have had to work throught the denial....

Prevail wrote:Now hold on just a minute here.

From what I've been reading in these forums and my understanding of the science, I got the understanding that there's no harm in missing a night here or there. Things happen like power failures or machine malfunctions so I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a night or two without a machine. Am I wrong?

Prevail

Yes there is. Your body no longer produces certain blood products to protect you from the low oxygen levels. Your mind has accepted the fact that it is now safe to sleep. All cpap does is keep your airways open so you will get the right amount of oxygen - It doesn't "cure" anything. If one takes ones artificial leg off , one still is missing a leg. Cpap is no different.

jweeks wrote:It depends on exactly what you are being treated for, and how serious your case is.

I agree.

I have severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (severe OSAS) and some complications from years untreated. If I choose to sleep without PAP therapy, I could be taking my life in my own hands or seriously damaging my health.

On the other hand, someone with very mild OSAS and no major health troubles may be told by his doctor that a night or two without xPAP may be no big deal. People like that can be considered (by mainstream medical establishment, anyway) sufficiently compliant using xPAP much of the time for a majority of the nights. I am not one of those people, myself, but I hear they are out there.

Not everyone with OSA has positional apneas, so the avoid-back-sleeping idea is useful for some, but not all.

Some keep a battery for use during power trouble.