[CPAP] Is CPAP harmful if not needed

[jdez91]

Can a CPAP machine be harmful if you don't need it? My oximeter is consistently 97 or higher, even while sleeping. My doctor prescribed the machine based solely on my weight. (Bp is good, circumference of neck is below range, no daytime drowsiness, etc). However, now that I am using the machine, I have headaches, brain fog, and a difficult time staying awake during the day. Some insight would be appreciated.

[DavePaulson]

Your doctor obviously doesn't think so. I would think he would give you a data capable machine and plans on checking the results. If you could find out exactly what kind of machine you have and post data people here could help determine that.  Download  [url=https://OSCAR Official Download Page ----> CLICK HERE ./]SleepyHead[/url],  this is the software that people on the forum are used to working with, it provides a wealth of information about your treatment. There is a guide to useing it here. Beginner's Guide to SleepyHead. Reports from other software would be ok if that is what you are using already. There are a couple of guides on how to post and organize your charts here. Posting an Image in 5 Easy Steps       Organize your SleepyHead Charts. If you need more help with any aspect of posting data don't hesitate to ask.

Best of luck,

Dave

[trish6hundred]

Hi jdez91,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck to you with CPAP therapy and hang in there for more answers to your questions.

[offshorecca]

Did you have a sleep study?

[holden4th]

You must have presented to your doctor with more than a weight issue for him/her to prescribe PAP therapy and surely they would have got you to do a sleep study? If not, then you may have a point.

[Sleeprider]

Can a CPAP machine be harmful if you don't need it? My oximeter is consistently 97 or higher, even while sleeping. My doctor prescribed the machine based solely on my weight. (Bp is good, circumference of neck is below range, no daytime drowsiness, etc). However, now that I am using the machine, I have headaches, brain fog, and a difficult time staying awake during the day. Some insight would be appreciated.

The answer to your question is generally no, however there are important exceptions.  A small number of people placed on CPAP therapy for treatment of obstructive apnea will develop central or complex apnea.  The symptoms resemble what you are describing, so having a machine that produces data is especially important to monitor the effectiveness and effect of treatment.