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Off the CPAP
#1
Off the CPAP
I have been a fully compliant cpap user for the past 67 months and felt decent. I had originally been diagnosed with OSA on a 3 channel home test with an AHI of 6 and RDI of 8. So after doing a fully independent out of pocket home sleep study (9 channel, no legs) I officially don't have OSA. My highest AHI was on my back at 4.6. That being said, I do have a very deviated septum and floppy (what a horrible sounding word) uvula. My ENT sent me to a specialist and I am going to have an MRI to see if the airway restriction could be the deviated septum. As I was leaving, the ENT (and sleep medicine doctor) said that based on my report, he would think that the CPAP might actually interfere with my sleep more than help and that based on my report he wouldn't have put me on CPAP, just lose some weight (I'm 25 lbs overweight) and at least use some flonase or possibly look at the airway. Long story short and although I was having bouts of extreme exhaustion and the CPAP seemed to help, I decided to stop the CPAP for a week to see what the effects would be. My question to you all is for those with moderate sleep apnea, if you stopped using cpap suddenly, how long do you take before you would feel the feeling of relapsing to tiredness. I've actually woken up feeling pretty good the past three days and my energy levels have not dropped much. I do understand that there might be a cummulative effect so I am being cautious. I have an MRI thursday and will see what my sinuses show. I am not saying that I don't have some sleep disorder, my full test showed an AHI - 2.4 REM AHI - 4.6 RDI - 10.9. over that time I had 11 hypopneas, 45 RERA's and 13 apneas + hypopneas. I had the fewest events when sleeping on my left side. I slept for 5h30min during the study and managed to sleep in all positions. Thanks for any advice.
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#2
RE: Off the CPAP
I don't know because I never go without my machine. Someone here should be able to help you out with your question. Hope your MRI renders good news.
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#3
RE: Off the CPAP
If they get you some Flonase and it proves helpful, you may never lose enough sleep to feel the effects. The exhaustion is, as you say, a cumulative thing. I hope they don't leave you with *no* treatment, while they (or you) decide what to do next.
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#4
RE: Off the CPAP
I had a very enlarged uvula a couple of years ago. The doc suggested laser surgery. I did some research. Proper hydration took care of the problem. I was dehydrating at night. Hydration led to.... which led to....

My xPAP machine with humidity and heated hose took care of the hydration problem.

Just a thought, Jeff
Sleep is worth the effort.
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#5
RE: Off the CPAP
Daso, I don't think many of us would choose to continue PAP therapy if we had the option to easily resolve the physical issues that require it. It seems your use is based on mild apnea that may be resolved fairly easily. Go for it, and good luck! You'll be the first to know if it works.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

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