Lost weight, lost need for CPAP

[pee_jay]

I'm 6 feet tall and was 280 lbs. Lost 30 lbs over 5 months and don't need my apnea machine anymore (based on how I feel, and my normal pulse ox and AHI results--both of which were bad, but are now in normal range).

I know they say it's not all about weight, but weight must have had something to do with it in my case. I noticed that even when trying to read a book in bed, I'd get obstructed. After losing some weight, my throat seemed to tighten up a bit, and I didn't notice anymore obstructions when I was awake (like sitting in bed reading a book).

It's been 5 months since I lost the weight and stopped the CPAP machine. I'm not recommending that anyone do this. I am saying that I have felt fine since doing that, and that my data back up my feeling. I didn't have a sleep study to confirm this, fwiw.

[pee_jay]

it was actually 5 months since I lost the weight and just the past month that i went off the cpap.

i still have my machine (and 5 different masks) and will go back to CPAP if i need it, though i would like to sell it all if it turns out that i can do without it.

best.

[ozij]

I'm 6 feet tall and was 280 lbs. Lost 30 lbs over 5 months and don't need my apnea machine anymore (based on how I feel, and my normal pulse ox and AHI results--both of which were bad, but are now in normal range).<snip>
I am saying that I have felt fine since doing that, and that my data back up my feeling. I didn't have a sleep study to confirm this, fwiw.

Hi pee_jay
It would be very helpful to others if you were to post the data you used to back your decision.
Especially the AHI results that you have aquired -- which pressure did you use to confirm you no longer need a CPAP?

[nmevan]

congratulations!!!

did you have severe OSA...moderate or what?
what were your AHIs during your sleep study?
also...how did you lose the weight?

thanks

evan

[WhoDatSleeping]

Please share how you lost the weight!

[Mary Z]

The only problem is you obtained your data while still on the cpap. You may still need it, without a sleep study you cannot be sure. Not to be negative- I'm glad you're feeling better and like you no longer need it and that may well be the case. Congratulations and your weight loss.

[apneazombie]

Hello! Apparently in my case the doctor suspects I lost then gained about ten pounds rapidly...I remember going through a really hot summer where I had no appetite, and went from 125lbs to almost 100! It freaked me out, but I gained it back soon as the weather got better and I felt like eating again. My doc noticed I had extra tissue growth in my throat, and I plan on seeing him again to discuss potential surgery, which will be great if it works! Even the specialists at the sleep clinic raised their eyebrows when they first say me - I'm 5' 3" and 125lbs and female, not a typical candidate, hehe! I've even talked to people about the condition, and some even questioned me if I was sure I had it!
So kinda long story there, but I think weight can contribute.

[Goofproof]

Congrats, on the weight loss, We all need to do that. However I imagine you are just fooling yourself into the false idea you no longer need XPAP. Losing weight alone will make us feel better, if you had a XPAP that collected full data, (a APAP) and the software you could post data to support your idea. Without data, it's just "Pie in the Sky". Many people are disalusioned to the wrong conclusions by how they think and feel, it take data to make thinking worthwhile.

It could be you are one of the few that were diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and didn't really have it, but I doubt if many are, the cash cow of treatment is tempting from a money point. Jim

Good luck, if you are truly cured that's great, if you are just fooling yourself then the damage that will be done to your body is yours. The hose is little price for me to pay to keep breathing.

[roster]

I'm 6 feet tall and was 280 lbs. Lost 30 lbs over 5 months

If you are 250, then your BMI is 34 and you are obese.

As others have pointed out you don't know what your untreated AHI is. And you don't know how many respiratory related arousals you are having each night.

You are playing the dangerous game of 'denial'.

[chunkyfrog]

Again I must concur with the roster.
My experience is the exact opposite from the OP: I was obese; I am now down to less than 2 pounds 'over weight'.
Guess what? My machine says my events have gone up along with my pressure--significantly.
I understand this can be 'normal'.
Me? --NORMAL? no way!

[archangle]

Shun! Shun the unbeliever! SHUNNNNNN!!!!!!

Chill out guys. They claim obesity causes apnea and/or makes it worse. Don't denigrate the idea that losing weight may make CPAP unnecessary.

CPAP is not a religion. The CPOPE blesses the idea that people can recover from needing the holy CPAP ceremony every night and leave the flock.

Of course, it is possible he still needs CPAP and is doing himself harm by not doing it. That's also true of all the people in the general population who haven't ever had a sleep study. A sleep study or at least a consultation with his doctor would be a good idea.

He should also be mindful to keep apnea in mind if he develops any health problems in the future, too. Apnea side effects could creep up on him slowly in the future and make him not realize it's due to no CPAP. It happened to me when I got my machine set wrong and it took me a long time to realize CPAP was what was causing my problems.

[Janknitz]

Pee Jay,

Congratulations on losing the weight. It's great that you are feeling better.

Hopefully you will have another PSG to confirm that your OSA is improved to the degree that you no longer need CPAP--just a precaution but it can give you very valuable information and bragging rights.

[kempo]

Congrats on your weight loss but I am jealous. I'm 6'3" 230lb. and I was 280lb. before cpap. My pap pressure is still the same. Oh well, I feel much better anyway.

[So Well]

You guys are being scammed by pee_jay the TROLL.

Everything he is posting is probably lies - about sleep apnea, about his machine, about his weight, about the testing, about building his own CPAP and sleep testing equipment.

jules already figured him out in an earlier thread.

See viewtopic.php?f=1&t=58410&p=549693#p549693 and viewtopic/t58410/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45 ... or#p406116 and a little humorous one about expanding nostrils at viewtopic.php?f=1&t=58377&p=549694#p549694

[pee_jay]

You guys are being scammed by pee_jay the TROLL.

Different PJ.

I lost my weight by cutting out carbs from my diet. It wasn't easy at first, but now I am used to it. I used to snack on gummy bears, but have replaced them with almonds, olives, and string cheese. I highly recommend Gary Taubes' book, "Why We Get Fat: And What to Do About It". For my body, at least, cutting down on carbohydrates has made huge difference.

My pre-XPAP AHI was 23 and I was prescribed a pressure range of 10-16. My data revealed that I typically was near 12 or 13, and only once reached 16. On the XPAP, my AHI was down to under 4 on good nights (no mask issues, etc.). I noticed that my morning headaches and daytime fatigue were markedly reduced within a couple weeks of XPAP use, and was initially very satisfied with the therapy.

However, XPAP therapy became difficult for me to deal with after several months. It seemed that the machine's algorithm didn't agree with my breathing patterns during certain transitional sleep stages, and I would find myself awake and gasping for breath. These sleep disruptions were a big setback, but I was determined to make it work. I tried different masks and purchased a hull pillow, but still was having disturbed sleep.

During this turmoil, I began a low carb diet. I eventually noticed that my upper airway seemed to "tighten up". By this, I mean that I noticed that before losing the weight I would obstruct while awake in certain positions and during certain activities (e.g. while in bed reading a book or surfing the net with my laptop). I had to position my head in a certain way while awake to keep my airway open. But at some point during the weight loss, I realized I was no longer obstructing during those sort of activities, regardless of position.

I was not about to write off XPAP, but I did take liberties and stopped using it more often (I had done this before when I would have bad nights, but would pay the price for that). And I slowly began to notice that I did not experience the morning headaches and fatigue that I had experienced, when taking a day or two off from XPAP, in the past. Then I noticed that, presumably from the weight loss, I was not obstructing during the day. So I put 2 and 2 together and here I am.

Pre XPAP, I was desaturating to the upper 70s. I purchased a pulse oximeter early on in my XPAP therapy, to monitor its efficacy. I never desaturated while on XPAP (at least not during the nights I monitored myself with the pulse ox). But I have not noted any desats since losing the weight and being off XPAP. I checked every night the first week I was off therapy, and once a week or so since.

My primary care doc did put me on Synthroid since then, which may be energizing me a bit. But I felt pretty good without it, too. Much better than I did when I first was diagnosed with apnea and was having the headaches and fatigue.

It seems clear to me that the weight loss was key in helping me on the apnea front. However, I have read that weight loss is NOT a cure for apnea. I am not suggesting my experience would apply to anyone else. Just MY experience, fwiw. And my doc wants me to get another sleep study but since I feel good and my insurance plan has a high deductible, I'm putting it off.

And that's about it. Thanks for listening and good health and much happiness to all of you!