Using a CPAP cause sleep apnea if you may no longer need to use one?
Thursday, December 4th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Tom K. asked:
When I was first diagnosed with sleep apnea in the summer of 2005 I eighed 280lbs and smoked 1 1/2 packs of cigarretts a day. I had 117 episodes per hour. I was given a CPAP machine set at a pressure level of 10. Since then I have quit somking, over a year know, and now weigh 225lbs on my way to 200lbs. I am still using the CPAP though set at the same pressure. The problem is I am starting to feel tired again during the day. Not to the level it was before I started therapy, but I can feel a difference. I made an appointment with my doctor but the earliest she can see me is July. I was wondering if anyone knew if I am actually causing sleep apnea or something similar by using the machine?
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When I was first diagnosed with sleep apnea in the summer of 2005 I eighed 280lbs and smoked 1 1/2 packs of cigarretts a day. I had 117 episodes per hour. I was given a CPAP machine set at a pressure level of 10. Since then I have quit somking, over a year know, and now weigh 225lbs on my way to 200lbs. I am still using the CPAP though set at the same pressure. The problem is I am starting to feel tired again during the day. Not to the level it was before I started therapy, but I can feel a difference. I made an appointment with my doctor but the earliest she can see me is July. I was wondering if anyone knew if I am actually causing sleep apnea or something similar by using the machine?
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December 4th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Ummmmmmmmmm this is March and the earliest the doc can see you is July. Call and ask to speak to the doc directly not the receptionis and not the docs nurse. Talk directly to the doc and tell him/her your situation and see what she suggests.
December 5th, 2008 at 9:45 am
you may need to bump up your pressure contact the company who supplied your unit, ask if they can lend you an oximeter.do you use the ramp button?
December 8th, 2008 at 7:31 am
I do not think that using the machine will cause sleep apnea but certainly your risk factors have changed and with the decrease in your weight, your pressure settings may definitely need adjustment. You need to contact your physician, not necessarily to see them, but just to talk this over. The physician may want to set up another sleep study for you, or maybe have you set up an Auto-PAP machine that detects itself how much pressure you need. Do not wait until July to get an answer. See another physician if your doctor cannot see you earlier.
December 11th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
In general, no if your CPAP machine is too high it will not cause you to have obstructive apneas. It could be causing you to have more arousals. And this is differently the reason that you feel more tired than normal. I don’t understand why your doctor can not get you in to see her until July, I would call and request to talk with her. B/c it seems that you would need to have a CPAP Retitration to firgure the amount of cm you need. Congratulations on quiting smoking.