What are indications that CPAP can be discontinued??

[gpk111]

I've lost some weight and feel refreshed after I wake up, even after not using the CPAP machine I've been on for a couple of years. I don't want to stop prematurely. Are there objective measures one could use to determine if it's appropriate to stop?

My wife says I don't snore any more when I nap, but I have no real objective metrics. My AHI numbers were consistently low even before my exercise and weight loss program. Pressure readings are down ever so slightly, but I suspect within a statistical error range. I have an oximeter on order as a surrogate for expensive sleep studies.

Any other thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

[Goofproof]

When you drown in De-Nile, or otherwise stop breathing for the last time. Jim

[dave21]

As Goofproof suggested, I really wouldn't stop using CPAP until you've had a medical checkup. The reason why we're all on CPAP is that we don't get enough oxygen a night. That means in the worst possible cases that depending on the type of sleep apnea we have, we could unfortunately not wake up from our sleep when we go to bed.

In reality most of us do because our brain wakes us up, however, Sleep Apnea is one of the main causes why you hear about people dying in their sleep. I wouldn't recommend stopping the use of CPAP until you've had another sleep study. You might have to pay for this yourself depending on where you are located, but if what you believe is true, then it might be the light at the end of the tunnel that most of us are looking for to ultimately be removed from CPAP.

Thanks
Dave

[Hawthorne]

Getting an oximeter is a good idea but I would want another sleep study to determine if I could indeed stop using cpap.

[JeffH]

I've lost about 80 lbs this year and my pressure needs have not gone down at all. I tried lowering the pressure and my AHI got worse. It has way more to do with how your throat is built than what you weigh.


JeffH

[kteague]

Since you have an autopap, maybe you could begin lowering the bottom pressure in your range a bit at at time and see if your pressure still increases to address events. I would be methodical about this and wait on discontinuing use of your treatment until the evidence bears out the decision.

[stephanie13724]

I've lost about 80 lbs this year and my pressure needs have not gone down at all. I tried lowering the pressure and my AHI got worse. It has way more to do with how your throat is built than what you weigh.

This is SO true! Please do not discontinue the use of your CPAP until you have been TESTED again. I understand that sleep studies are expensive. An overnight oximetry with a readout isn't a horrible idea, but it is definitely not as accurate as a sleep study. On the flip side, a home sleep study, such as Type 3 would not be a bad idea in a situation like this. You can ask your physician if they have that available. But please, please, PLEASE do not stop using your machine until you have been TESTED. Some doctors don't seem to be very concerned with sleep apnea and will tell you that "if you feel better, then you probably are" or something STUPID like that. You need evidence that your body will be healthy without the CPAP before discontinueing it. After all, you only get one body.

[gpk111]

Thanks for all the good counsel!

The point about the relationship of throat psysiology and weight is an interesting one and as you all point out, not necessarily predictable. Helps make a case for supplementing XPAP treatment with an oximeter.

I expected my APAP to go down with weight loss, but it didn't. It may be the machine behavior at a setting of 5 or my throat. I'm reluctant to move the lower pressure setting before I observe the oximeter.

I'm thinking about pursuing these steps:

1. Observe oximeter readings (btw, found a new CMS 50e on ebay for $90 from the manufacturer)
2. Lower pressure
3. Go for an in home sleep test

Gerry

[roster]

Sure, drop your pressure one cm per night and check every morning to see if the results are acceptable. Check the results using 1)your machine's data and 2)the recording pulse-oximeter and 3)subjective judgement of how you feel the next day.

What is your pressure setting?

BTW, in my estimate, not many people are cured of sleep apnea by weight loss. "It's not the size of the neck on the outside; it's the size of the airway in the neck."

Nevertheless, you are doing a fine thing by losing weight.

[Emilia]

My sleep doctor told me has has yet to see a cpap patient come off the machine due to weight loss.

[Beachmeezer]

I lost 50 pounds and thought maybe I didn't need to do this anymore. So I went a few days without it - felt great! few more days and about a week later I felt like crap. Then I had to start the cycle all over again to get back into the routine etc. I still needed it. I feel sleep apnea is one of the root causes of my weight gain - I had it before I got heavy so of course it's still there now that I've lost weight.

Only a sleep study is going to tell you if your sleep apnea is cured.
Kim

[elena88]

well, it sounds like you are doing so much better!

that would be the cat's meow if you did not need the cpap anymore.. but as everyone said, best make sure to be safe..

please let us know how it goes, in any case, Im glad for you that you are doing so well.

elena

[chunkyfrog]

I dozed off on my brother's sofa and woke up with everyone looking at me and laughing.
Yep, I'm one of THOSE! Apparently, I can put a chainsaw to shame.
I can't even go 5 minutes without my Snuffle-up-agus outfit.

[scrapper]

I will not be discontinuing my cpap until I'm dead..........probably not a minute earlier.

[Prevail]

I, too, lost a lot of weight. I did this before I knew I had sleep apnea and even though I snore less, I still stop breathing. Even during periods where I don't snore, I still stop breathing.

I would say do a home study. My doctor let me do a home study for free where I just borrowed one of these babies for one night:

http://www.resmed.com/ap/products/scree ... clinicians

I don't think it would be too expensive to borrow one of these. Either way, it will measure apneas and hyponeas.

Prevail