Weaning off CPAP

[Andre Garcia 3]

I have used an Auto-CPAP since 2008 since being diagnosed with mild to severe sleep Apnea (back when I weighed north of 330 pounds). Since using a CPAP, my AHI has usually been below 1 and I have slept soundly most nights. In November of 2016, I underwent Gastric Bypass surgery after a peak weight of 360 pounds and Day of Surgery weight of 334 pounds. Over a year later, I am down to 224 pounds and wake up some nights with super dry mouth. Over the past 9 months, I have been adjusting my CPAP's minimum pressure setting by 0.5 every 4-6 weeks lower and noticed that my AHI is below 1 over 90% of the time, and I hit an AHI of 0.0 3-5 times a month, especially lately. My minimum pressure started out at 11, and last month it was at 6. My body adjusts to the pressure I set it to and I noticed that my CPAP stays at the minimum pressure I set it to over 90% of the time (looks like a flatline), only coming up for about 30 seconds about 10-15 times or less a night, with little to no snoring being detected. I am wondering if anyone out there has successfully been able to methodically stop using their CPAP using the same approach I have shared above? I know there are plenty of you that said you hate your CPAP and just stopped using it, but as someone that has used it religiously for the past 10 years, I have anxiety over not using it and have thought I need to slowly adjust my body to not having/needing it. I do plan on having a sleep study done to see where I am at in terms of medically needing it (or not), but would love to hear from those of you that have succeeded or failed in weaning off your CPAP...would especially love to hear from those that COULDN'T quit cold turkey. Thanks!

[gr8ful1 122]

If I were you, I would just get a new sleep study and be done with it. I will probably wait until I'm at goal weight or very close to it, but it sounds like now might be a good time for you.

[momin2005 30]

I was told by a pulmonologist that I may never get off of my Cpap no matter how much weight I loose. I have small passages, so the pressure may reduce but that’s it. I’m I’m with that. I sleep so much better with it.