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How long until sleep apnea improved?

What a coincidence that you ask this question today! I am about 3-1/2 months post gastric bypass. I saw my sleep doctor today and was told to I could sleep without my mask and machine until late February, at which point we will do another sleep study. In the meantime, I am mask free! My situation is a bit different than most though, as I cannot wear my mask for several weeks due to facial injuries. This may have contributed to my doctor's decision to do a trial period off the machine.

I have complex sleep apnea (both obstructive and central sleep apnea) and use an ASV machine (which is about double the size and at least twice as expensive as a cpap). I will be very happy if I am able to pack this away permanently.
 
Kathi_S said:
What a coincidence that you ask this question today! I am about 3-1/2 months post gastric bypass. I saw my sleep doctor today and was told to I could sleep without my mask and machine until late February, at which point we will do another sleep study. In the meantime, I am mask free! My situation is a bit different than most though, as I cannot wear my mask for several weeks due to facial injuries. This may have contributed to my doctor's decision to do a trial period off the machine.

I have complex sleep apnea (both obstructive and central sleep apnea) and use an ASV machine (which is about double the size and at least twice as expensive as a cpap). I will be very happy if I am able to pack this away permanently.
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That’s so awesome!
 
There was a recall on some of the CPAP machines out there around June of this year. My doc said I didn't need to use mine anymore after I answered several questions for him and based on the reports my CPAP machine puts out. I had severe sleep apnea and I am thinking that after about 6-9 months it was greatly improved and in a normal range. (Sorry I can't remember the exact time line.)
 
I waited until I had lost about 80 lbs before I was retested, which was around the 6-month mark. My AHI had been 78 (1-5 normal, 6-15 mild, 16-30 moderate, 30+ severe). When I was retested my AHI was 15, however when sleeping on my back, my AHI was still over 30, but on my side, it was 5. I apparently sleep mostly on my side so the average was 14.

My sleep doctor said I could wear a special back pillow to keep me on my side so I didn't need the machine. She also said for short periods of time, like short travel, it wouldn't be too risky to sleep without the machine or pillow since my average was in the mild zone. I lost 30 lbs after that but didn't test again. I've been wearing that thing for 15 years, so it's just the norm, so I continue to wear it to be on the safe side. When I travel, I'll probably still take it with me. I may get tested again someday, but honestly, I'm not so sure I'd feel comfortable sleeping without it since it has been so long.

I know some people see results with only a mild drop in weight, and others never stop using it because apnea isn't always 100% weight-related.

If you use a CPAP that automatically adjusts its pressure, you should be able to run a report and see if the amount of pressure it is using is decreasing. The amount of pressure my machine used was cut by half pretty quickly, and when it dropped lower, that's when I figured I should get retested.
 
WazzuCoug said:
I waited until I had lost about 80 lbs before I was retested, which was around the 6-month mark. My AHI had been 78 (1-5 normal, 6-15 mild, 16-30 moderate, 30+ severe). When I was retested my AHI was 15, however when sleeping on my back, my AHI was still over 30, but on my side, it was 5. I apparently sleep mostly on my side so the average was 14.

My sleep doctor said I could wear a special back pillow to keep me on my side so I didn't need the machine. She also said for short periods of time, like short travel, it wouldn't be too risky to sleep without the machine or pillow since my average was in the mild zone. I lost 30 lbs after that but didn't test again. I've been wearing that thing for 15 years, so it's just the norm, so I continue to wear it to be on the safe side. When I travel, I'll probably still take it with me. I may get tested again someday, but honestly, I'm not so sure I'd feel comfortable sleeping without it since it has been so long.

I know some people see results with only a mild drop in weight, and others never stop using it because apnea isn't always 100% weight-related.

If you use a CPAP that automatically adjusts its pressure, you should be able to run a report and see if the amount of pressure it is using is decreasing. The amount of pressure my machine used was cut by half pretty quickly, and when it dropped lower, that's when I figured I should get retested.
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I’ve been using my machine for less than a year so I’m hoping I can come off of it! I have worn it every night and am sleeping great but it would be nice not to have to anymore because it can be annoying. I bet if I had been wearing it for years and years I wouldn’t be as concerned.
 
I had a sleep study done last fall as part of getting insurance to approve me with a BMI below 40 + the required 2 co-morbidities. I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, but I never picked up my equipment. My PCP understood my decision (of course she did not recommend me not using the equipment).

After surgery, she cut back my bp meds and told me I could have another sleep study done in 6 months after surgery. She's confident I will no longer "officially" need my sleep apnea equipment.
 
I love my cpap. I use a Resmed P11 nasal mask. VA just replaced my old machine with a new one before my surgery in May. I remember the first night I slept with it. I woke up feeling like when I was a little kid and wake up with the window open and a cool breeze blowing the curtains slightly. I don't think I was as rested since I was a teen. I can recall snoring at times in the military and even after and never having that fully rested feeling. I'll probably never go without mine even if the Dr. says I no longer need it. One of my bosses was also a fit guy and had a cpap, otherwise he would saw logs at night.
 
I used to feel that way about mine too. I thought the settings needed to be adjusted on my machine, as I was finding it harder to breathe with the mask on. After looking at my report, my doctor decided to take me off the machine completely. I must say that I am surprised to admit that I've been sleeping better without it. We've been using a humidifier in our room which helps our dry eyes and skin, and I don't have that exhaust blowing on my face all night.
 
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