Sleep apnea (?) and not using a CPAP

[Wonderful.Cheese]

So 70 lbs ago I had very mild (barely qualified for having) sleep apnea and was told I needed a CPAP machine because of daytime tiredness. Well that didn’t help one bit. So I got put on nuvigil which did wonders. 

I have stopped my CPAP machine recently and I feel exactly the same. Husband says I don’t snore or make any sounds at all at night.

I have an appointment with my sleep dr in early March and I know she will want a 4th sleep study but I don’t want to. I see my pdoc in late February and I’m going to ask if she would be willing to prescribe my nuvigil for side effects from my psych meds.

I don’t want the sleep study to say I have borderline sleep apnea and need to continue my CPAP usage. The thing is garbage and doesn’t work. I really think I no longer have it though to do all this weight loss since 2014 when I began using the CPAP.

Is that bad? To not use the CPAP? And not do a 4th sleep study? What do I do?

[CrazyRedhead]

1 hour ago, Wonderful.Cheese said:

Is that bad? To not use the CPAP? And not do a 4th sleep study? What do I do?

To be totally honest, what I would suggest is go ahead and see your sleep doc, and do another sleep study if the doc thinks it's needed, just to be on the safe side......Maybe since you've lost a significant amount of weight, the study might support no longer using the CPAP.

I've never had to use a CPAP, but others that do tell me it is a PITA, so I understand not wanting to use it, if you think it's no longer needed..

Just the same, if your sleep doc wants another study, I would recommend doing it just in case.....Just my opinion.

I know you're also concerned about losing the Nuvigil, but couldn't you ask your pdoc about prescribing it for you?

Edited February 14, 2020 by CrazyRedhead

[Wonderful.Cheese]

On 2/14/2020 at 8:43 AM, CrazyRedhead said:

To be totally honest, what I would suggest is go ahead and see your sleep doc, and do another sleep study if the doc thinks it's needed, just to be on the safe side......Maybe since you've lost a significant amount of weight, the study might support no longer using the CPAP.

I've never had to use a CPAP, but others that do tell me it is a PITA, so I understand not wanting to use it, if you think it's no longer needed..

Just the same, if your sleep doc wants another study, I would recommend doing it just in case.....Just my opinion.

I know you're also concerned about losing the Nuvigil, but couldn't you ask your pdoc about prescribing it for you?

Thanks CRH. I know you are right. I will see what my sleep dr has to say at the appointment. I will probably end up doing another sleep study. I just truly hope the study shows I don’t have it anymore.

And good idea too. I think it’s a good idea to get my pdoc to prescribe my nuvigil. I see her before I see my sleep dr. So I will ask pdoc about it. 

[notloki]

Apnea is ultimately about blood oxygen levels, 90% saturation lower limit and they want them above 95% if possible. You need the CPAP or supplemental oxygen if you fall below 90% for very long. They tried to pin Obstructive Apnea on me but it turned out I have too few obstructive events to warrant CPAP and a OA Dx. However I spent a lot of time below 90% saturation, 161 minutes and went as low as 81%. This is dangerous and damaging. Cell death starts when saturation is below 90%. Being oxygen starved is unexceptable. The brain takes a major hit.

I have a Dx of nocturnal hypoxemia or hypoxia. They treat it with supplemental oxygen, you receive supplemental continuous oxygen through the nose, a nasal cannula. Much less gear and no masks. They also use it if you fail CPAP/can't tolerate. My daytime saturation is normal. I find now I am more awake all day and have a clearer head when I wake up. I take 2 liters a minute which means my oxygen Saturation is 100 % mostly.

I was thinking supplemental oxygen might be an option for you.