Need CPAP advice...

I have been finding lately that I am tired again.  I have the urge to take naps, and I just don't feel rested anymore, which is how I always felt before I found out that I have sleep apnea.  Lately, I can't seem to get my CPAP mask to fit correctly.  I have the nasal pillows.  No matter how I adjust it, it just doesn;t feel right. 

Last night my hubby couldn't sleep and was up a lot of the night.   He said that he observed me sleeping with my mouth wide open.  I haven't done this in a long time.  I am wondering if I no longer need the machine anymore (I only had a setting of 7), because the air is too much and is making me open my mouth at night?  Make sense?  I don't know. Hubby has also sai he has observed me sleeping without my CPAP on the occasional night when I accidentally dosed off and that I am not snoring at all.

I will definitely ask to be sent for a second test, but in the meantime, would it be a horrible idea to stop the treatment and see how it goes??  What do you think?

Marny, I think it's an awful idea to stop treatment and you will probably be burned in hell for it.  I did, and feel guilty about it, still a year and a half later!  In my case I had it about 6 months before surgery and never went a whole night with it.  I never did get use to it and only wore it to get the minimum 200 hours in (just barely).  Now on the other hand, if I could get my thin hubby tested, I would probably sleep better if he used it.....

Kidding aside, we all know how important they are, but there's a good chance you don't need it anymore, but you really should be tested or at the very least get your provider to turn it down a couple of notches.  I know (mine told me anyway) that they could adjust by two settings without a prescription.

I use CPAP as well. A setting of 7 is not much. I find it hard if my setting is below 9 to get enough air. My Doc wants to see me 6 months after I have surgery to reasses my CPAP. Weight could certainly change the need for it.

I would suggest contacting your sleep DOC. The new clinic I just transfered to arranged a loaner of a APAP machine for a few weeks as the preeure fluctuates with your needs. This was in place of a sleep study as it was less than 2 yr. OHIP covers sleep study every 2 yrs. but you DR can apply to get a new one covered d/t weight loss with no problem.

I would not stop it without follow up as weight loss may cure the apnea but it does not always. Not worth putting health at risk.
Good luck

I agree you need to get tested again. I just went last night for mine and I found it hard to sleep without it for the test. They test me like I was a newbie. I should have results in a few weeks they said. At first she tried me with a 4 setting and started dozing off, then she said I had to sleep without it and be monitored that way. I was an 11 before surgery and doctor already changed it to a 9 and now I wait and see what these results are.

Hey Lynn.  Sounds like you had fun    ;)

How long did it take you to get approval for a second test?  I had mine less than a year ago, so I know that my DR. will have to send in a special request.  Did you contact your sleep clinic directly or go through your family dr. 

I contacted the sleep centre directly. Just told them the surgeon told me I needed it 6-8 months after my surgery so they sent the forms to me to sign and they did all the OHIP stuff. I think i had approval within a month or so. The doctor did put down my setting from 11 to 9 while I waited for the approval and my appointment. It helped alot.

Marnie,

On the screen menu on you CPAP... you should be able to access your stats. See if you can find your stats for AHI...

This is the Apnea/Hypopnea Index and is the "bottom line" of how effective your PAP therapy is currently performing. What you want to see is your AHI maintaining at a value of less than 5. 

You could bring your data card into the place that sold you your machine and have them check your stats. They can see if there is a big leak rate, either by mouth or by mask, if your pressure is high, what your API rate is and more. 

It is entirely possible that you may not need the machine any longer if your starting pressure was only 7. I have dropped 8 points of pressure over the last 6 months (I started at 18). BUT... you shouldn't just stop without getting input. Untreated, or badly treated apnea will halt your metabolism and can seriously undermine your weight loss efforts.