male only Life with CPAP

[theantichick 2,204]

@@theantichick What's the name of your hybrid mask. I'm intrigued.

Mirage liberty

sent from mobile device

[RichardVST 20]

Question - I've lost 150lbs and according to my sleep doctor, I am cleared to go off CPAP. Problem is I cannot sleep without my CPAP anymore. I am using the lowest pressure setting, but for whatever reason I am so programmed to use the CPAP, I cannot sleep without it - even though technically I don't need it anymore. I hate the CPAP. Nothing would make me happier than to get rid of my CPAP - especially when I travel. Any recommendations on how I can train myself to sleep without my CPAP? I am a lousy sleeper anyway and rely on sleep meds - another issue... But how can I wean off the CPAP?

Any help or similar experiences and solutions are greatly appreciated.

[Shrinkinqtpi 202]

You are blessed. Your best option is cold turkey. Have a day filled with outdoor cardio, friends/family, sunshine and as much happy activity and stay up as long as you can then climb in bed and wait. Enjoy!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[bgjon5 17]

When I received my Cpap I wore it the first night and slept like a baby, the next morning I was flying around the office from the ACTUAL solid sleep I received from that 1st day forward I haven't slept without it except for the week I was in the mountains without electricity my compliance at the time of surgery was like 95%

[kyle.odom 57]

I have been on a bipap machine since March. My sleeve surgery was 4/14. I have the nasal only mask and I really like it. I HATE the whistling sound the full face mask made when it wasn't properly sealed around my face. My pressure setting was extremely high and I had a hard time getting used to the machine. At my 3 month check up I asked them to lower the pressure setting for me so that I could adjust to wearing the mask. (I would wear it for only 45 mins per night. I would unknowingly take it off in my sleep) that seemed to help. I am almost 4 months post op and have lost 80 lbs. I have recently started having issues with the mask again. I haven't worn it over 4 hours / night since getting the machine almost 6 months ago.

My doctor told me that I may have to have another sleep study to try the auto flex machine? I'm not really seeing any difference in how I feel since I do not wear it for any length of time. I do put it on every night, I just pull it off and don't realize it.

Anyone had similar issues? Does the auto flex seem to help?

Kyle

[QueenOfTheTamazons 634]

I know you only asked for males but ... I had to get a CPAP in January. It took about a month for me to get used to it. The first few weeks I lasted about 3-4 hours a night. The sleep technician said that was more than most people. I am more comfortable now and sleep on my side or sometimes on my stomach without a problem. I usually wear the mask until about 4:30am and for 5-6 or so hours now. They tell me that falls into the "compliance" area. They monitor mine electronically which can be a little Big Brother creepy at times. I went away for the weekend without the machine and got a text asking if I was having problems because I hadn't used the CPAP in 2 days.

I only have mild sleep apnea and although it hasnt been the miracle cure of all my ailments as I think my PCP thought - I do sleep better. I'm not as tired all the time. It's important you use it consistently - sleep apnea is no joke. Good luck!

My insurance required 25 out of 30 days of compliance in order for them to cover the cost. I started out just turning in the memory cards but around the 1 year mark, when the insurance would essentially give me my machine (i own it now), it started not recording the data. So i was given a wireless accessory that reoorted my sleep each night.

I am use a pilaro q mask for 18 months now. It covers just my nose. I am a side sleeper and a bit on an aligator roller. The 6ft hose generally gives enough flexiblity that i dont pull the machine off the side table. For side sleepers, i recomend a fluffy pillow so that uuu

and a firm one for support.

[JConforti 91]

As part of my surgeon's process, the NP ordered a sleep study after mentioning snoring and daytime somnolence. Sure enough, I have added sleep apnea to my list of co-morbidities (also hypertension). Received my AutoPAP machine yesterday and gave it a whirl last evening. It's...going to take some getting used to.

For those with apnea, have you learned to adjust to sleeping with the mask? Have the benefits of the machine outweighed the mask? Were you able to follow the guidelines of sleeping with the machine 30 days prior to surgery and during your hospital stay?

I want to make it work. My sleep study test results showed an AHI of 26 and SpO2 of 71%, and I know proper treatment can aid in weight loss, lowering hypertension, etc.

I use CPAP for nearly 10 years.

Yes it does take a while to get use to it but if you stick with it and use it every night you will see a difference in how you feel.

The most important thing is to make sure your gear fits well. If it doesn't it will leak and the air and noise will wake you. It's also a bit unattractive and I wear a full face due to being a mouth breather while I sleep.

For me, I'm afraid not to use my cpap for several reasons;

First- I'm afraid I'll die in my sleep. Last year I had another study and found it stopped breathing 98 times/hr and my pulse ox dropped into the lower 70s.

Second- if I don't wear it I will snore horribly.. to the point my throat will be sore most of the day.. not to mention my wife can't sleep either.

Third- I will feel like I'd did not sleep and will effect my entire day.

In closing, it is something that is a little hard to get use to but once you do, the benefits are outstanding.. at least until you don't need it any longer.

Sent from my SM-G935V using the BariatricPal App

Edited January 23, 2017 by JConforti

[HB76356 122]

It definitely takes some getting used to, but it's well worth it. I was a different person after I used it for less than a week. I used to go to bed early, like 9 - 10 hours of sleep, just to be half dead all day. Now I'm perfectly fine with 6-7.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using the BariatricPal App

[dp47 5]

For me the CPAP was and remains a immediate life-changer. After a couple nights I felt better than I had felt in years. Then I started having difficulty with dryness, nosebleeds, sinus congestion, sores from the mask, etc. The CPAP supplier was worthless, I figured out what to do by reading sleep apnea forums. After some trial-and-error I finally found the right mask for me and eventually got my machine changed to one with humidifier. It's been a resounding success ever since.

[ohboyx3 13]

For me the CPAP was and remains a immediate life-changer. After a couple nights I felt better than I had felt in years. Then I started having difficulty with dryness, nosebleeds, sinus congestion, sores from the mask, etc. The CPAP supplier was worthless, I figured out what to do by reading sleep apnea forums. After some trial-and-error I finally found the right mask for me and eventually got my machine changed to one with humidifier. It's been a resounding success ever since.

Can you share what you changed in you regime.

[dp47 5]

7 minutes ago, ohboyx3 said:

Can you share what you changed in you regime.

Sure. It was more than 10 years ago, but here are the highlights. After sleep study I was prescribed CPAP. The "respiratory therapist" from the home medical equipment supplier brought the machine, mask, etc, and showed me how to use it. First night was good. Second night was great and I felt great! After a couple weeks though I started having a hard time with sinuses that seemed to be both dry and congested at the same time. Also I'm a side sleeper, the mask was pressing against my face and making sores. The respiratory therapist was worthless, had no helpful advice, and the next available appointment with my doctor was months later. So I researched in forums like this one (but for sleep apnea of course) and learned about other kinds of masks, etc. I bought and tried several kinds of mask until I found what worked for me -- nasal pillows, specifically Mirage Swift.

I avoided the type of CPAP with humidifier for a while because I had heard stories of people getting infections, etc. But then I finally got a new CPAP with humidifier and it eliminated the remaining nasal problems. Just have to use distilled Water and clean it regularly.

The main point is that the CPAP was a life-changer but I had to do a lot of homework on my own to make it work for me. I expect WLS will be similar in that regard.

[dp47 5]

I should clarify . . . I am pre-WLS, pursuing Gastric Sleeve, not yet scheduled as I am working through the pre-requisites.

[BigUtahMan 207]

I love my cpap- as it lets me breathe and sleep. Embrace it and enjoy the benefits of great sleep!

[jrsone 43]

I have used a CPAP for years, full face mask too. I'm used to it. You learn to adjust to the tubing and the mask itself, I mean you have to.

One of the reasons I'm excited about this surgery is getting off the CPAP. I started out well but as time went on it wasn't as effective and I wake up really tired. I think it's likely due to weight gain. I have an appointment with my sleep Dr. in October to make possible adjustments.

[Killian 265]

As part of my surgeon's process, the NP ordered a sleep study after mentioning snoring and daytime somnolence. Sure enough, I have added sleep apnea to my list of co-morbidities (also hypertension). Received my AutoPAP machine yesterday and gave it a whirl last evening. It's...going to take some getting used to.
For those with apnea, have you learned to adjust to sleeping with the mask? Have the benefits of the machine outweighed the mask? Were you able to follow the guidelines of sleeping with the machine 30 days prior to surgery and during your hospital stay?
I want to make it work. My sleep study test results showed an AHI of 26 and SpO2 of 71%, and I know proper treatment can aid in weight loss, lowering hypertension, etc.

I have had a machine for about 10 years now. It is awesome, cant sleep without it. I use the pillow mask that goes in yoir nose and works great.