Cpap -- to use or not to use...

[Renee1003 2]

Well.....my sleep study showed 18 apneas per hour. 89% sleep rate! Not sooooo bad but bad enough for a cpap to be highly recommended by dr. I refused and asked if we could just go forward in this journey, allow me to lose some weight and retake the study again 5-6 months after surgery. Doc agreed but was very careful in how he wrote his clearance letter to surgeon.

Surgery coordinator and I spoke yesterday and she said that anestegeology may not clear me now and she needs another consent stating that it would be ok to have surgery with cpap however, not before

If they say no I'm done! I've tried to wear that thing. It freaks me out. Like I'm having anxiety attacks!! And ok ok....what if I get it but don't wear it and they request the memory chip.

I have aetna. I have 80 pounds to get to goal. Just HALF of that and I'll probably be close to an apnea free life

Anyone ??? Can you offer some help or insight? Or feel free to bitch along with me.

~~~Renee

[lzj21428 0]

I also had to do a sleep study and was found to have sleep apnea. After I got the machine I didn't use it right away, but started about 2 weeks before surgery. The sleep Dr. had me come in and read the chip. He saw I hadn't used it that much, but was happy that when I did use it that my time of managing to keep it on was getting longer. I had to bring the machine with me to surgery and woke up in recovery with the machine and mask on. I did change masks and am now using what they call nose pillows. Instead of a full face mask, it's just a strap with two cushions that fit in my nostrils. Much more comfortable and I don't feel suffocated. Maybe you can try a different mask.

Good luck and don't give up on the cpap just yet. It really takes getting used to. And there is no guarantee that the weight loss will make the apnea go away.

[Paigey 7]

My sleep study showed 43 apnea episodes an hour. I never got a cpap and the only time I've used one was during my sleep study. I was asked if I brought a cpap to the hospital when I had my surgery, but once I told them I never bought one, it was blown off and nothing else was said about it.

Hopefully, your doctor won't make this a big issue either.

[Lauren L 0]

My insurance company (aetna) denied me, and told me to take a sleep apnea test, then after the saw i have it they still denied me... I appealed it and they then approved. I received a call from my sleep lab telling me to come and get my cpap. I told them I wasnt interested in getting it since my surgery is on monday. She told me I couldnt have my surgery without being on it. When I talked to my surgeons office they told me not to worry about it... so im not. I hope it all goes well for you!!! I wouldnt make a big deal about it unless they do!

[chocolatecity 1]

Well.....my sleep study showed 18 apneas per hour. 89% sleep rate! Not sooooo bad but bad enough for a cpap to be highly recommended by dr. I refused and asked if we could just go forward in this journey, allow me to lose some weight and retake the study again 5-6 months after surgery. Doc agreed but was very careful in how he wrote his clearance letter to surgeon.

Surgery coordinator and I spoke yesterday and she said that anestegeology may not clear me now and she needs another consent stating that it would be ok to have surgery with cpap however, not before

If they say no I'm done! I've tried to wear that thing. It freaks me out. Like I'm having anxiety attacks!! And ok ok....what if I get it but don't wear it and they request the memory chip.

I have aetna. I have 80 pounds to get to goal. Just HALF of that and I'll probably be close to an apnea free life

Anyone ??? Can you offer some help or insight? Or feel free to bitch along with me.

~~~Renee

That is the most uncomfortable thing to have to wear to bed, not to mention their is nothing sexy about wear a full blow oxygen tank to bed. At least that is what it feels like. I am only 31, and I feel foolish and awkward with it on. Plus, I've had 3 sleep studies done and I can't tell you that the mask made me sleep in better or feel anymore rested when I woke up. So I am not sure that I will get it.

[bwhitty 1]

The night I had my sleep study I asked for a split test (well the Dr. ordered it that way for me). I was so upset when they came in to put a CPAP on me. I went in after and was told that I needed it and once again was pretty upset. I went ahead and got it. I do hate to admit that I do wake up better in the morning. I don't like the mask though, I tried just the nose one then went to full face since the nose one was basically blowing my mouth open in the night so my throat was so sore. The full face is not the most exciting thing either :thumbup:

I figure that if my surgery was to hinge on me using it or not, I'd use it until I lost a good chunk of weight then ease off of it.

My attitude (because I want this surgery badly), is I will do what ever it takes to get it done.

[Ishkahara 0]

Hello all, I too have sleep apnea, rated as severe, and one of the reasons I finally decided to go the lapband route. There are no guarantees that losing the weight will mean I will become CPAP free, (although I do hope so)....but I have been using the machine now for 6 months, and I have been a new woman, in terms of how I feel, and how well I cope with the everyday issues now. I agree, it is uncomfortable and far from the sexiest night attire, but when you use it all the time, like I have to, you do get very accustomed to it, and the odd time that I have dropped off to sleep without it, I almost always wake up choking, but never do when I'm wearing it. It also means that I don't snore all the time, so my partner is happy enough about that, and when in a romantic frame of mind, just don't put it on, until later! Anyhow...my thoughts, for what they are worth, but I do think that the embarasment and discomfort of the CPAP machine is nothing compared to the potential health problems, without it....even death...so think about the long term.....ok?

[amybethy 0]

I had to take a sleep apnea test on the 18th and still have not hear from the dr how it went. I was not put on a c-pap machine during the test but was told that does not mean I won't need one. Hoping and praying I don't need one still. Have never even tryed to sleep with one on but can only imagine how crapy it would be to get used to.

[Randgalt 43]

43 per hour for me. I just started using CPAP this week and it's made a significant difference for me. I'm sleeping _much_ better. I don't wake up groggy.

[spoiltmom 44]

Honestly it takes getting used to. It was probably 3 months before I could wear mine all night. I would pull it off in my sleep b/c I felt smothered. The hospital never cared that I have sleep apnea or that I didn't bring a CPap. It was a non issue with the anesthesiologist.

If your feeling really tired or have high blood pressure the CPap will help with that though. It will just take you time to adjust to it.

[stateofzen 46]

sleep apnea is a pretty big deal. Cpaps are annoying, but untreated sleep apnea is associated with all kinds of really really bad health conditions (think heart attack). Probably weight loss will get rid of it, but maybe not (it's not always about weight).

It's up to you and your doctor, of course. But I'd really consider the risks before forgoing the cpap.

[Ishkahara 0]

sleep apnea is a pretty big deal. Cpaps are annoying, but untreated sleep apnea is associated with all kinds of really really bad health conditions (think heart attack). Probably weight loss will get rid of it, but maybe not (it's not always about weight).

It's up to you and your doctor, of course. But I'd really consider the risks before forgoing the cpap.

Absolutely agree with you!

[LowPSI 0]

I was recently diagnosed with apnea (49 x hr). I use the nasal pillow and I crank-up the humidity level and have the temp set at 75. I found that by increasing the pressure, I was able to overcome the occasional "suffocating" feeling.

It takes a little getting used to, but waking in the morning without feeling like I hadn't slept is great.

[Renee1003 2]

I figure that if my surgery was to hinge on me using it or not, I'd use it until I lost a good chunk of weight then ease off of it.

My attitude (because I want this surgery badly), is I will do what ever it takes to get it done.

Well - I will update you all ----- my Pulmonologist cleared me but he went "around it" to protect himself (which I believe I've stated) I spoke w/ his office again since and offered to do another sleep study WITH the cpap --- I found out that Aetna covers it 100% and no money out of my pocket for it - so I'm going to do the test and I'm going to get the machine and I'll use it the BEST that I can - i'll probably rip it off in the middle of the night but either way they'll have SOME RECORD OF IT on the "memory chip" and therefore I'm covering myself with anestesia.

I'm just so scared that Aetna is going to say NO after ALL OF THIS --- Then i'll REALLY need that shrink again!

[G Rose 0]

My apnea is severe too, and it probably took me six months before I was able to wear it without ripping the mask off in a panic attack in the middle of the night. Keep on with it and you do get used to it. And the consequences to untreated apnea can be dire.

Keep in mind that lots and lots of thin people have apnea too. In my case it's because my nasal passages are abnormally narrow, not because of my weight.