Set back

Anyone have to show compliance with their CPAP? I was told I had to show 75% compliance for 30 days. I sometimes wore it 6 hours, and sometimes 3 to 4 hrs, which equated to 75%, but that didn't count because only days I wore it over 4 hours counted (wish someone would have told me that). So irritated, I have to wait another week for my date. This is total crap!

I had to show 60% compliance. I had a hard time because I have a toddler who still doesn't sleep through the night. I would get up with him and then be too groggy to remember to put it back on. They wouldn't schedule my surgery until I had two weeks at 60%, which did push my surgery back by several weeks. I understand your frustration.

It's so frustrating. The worst part is I only have a very mild form that sleep medicine stated they usually wouldn't treat , but my surgeon requires CPAP for even a mild version.

I'm so bummed. Thank for your response. At least I'm not alone.

Take this as the good news part... a lot of people get off CPAP after surgery.

I still have to go in at some point for a new sleep study to prove my apnea is gone, but my mask quit fitting and I quit using mine a couple months after surgery and have not had any symptoms recur.

That is great! I never had symptoms to begin with. Was diagnosed using this wrist apparatus. I'm a skeptic that I even have sleep apnea!

Getting used a CPAP sucks, but it's SUPER important to prove that you can comply with a doctor's orders after surgery. If you can't commit to following instructions about wearing with your mask, why should they expect you to follow your post-op eating plan, either-- especially when going off plan can have life-threatening consequences?

It's just the worst. I see what you're saying though. Thanks!

I did not have to show compliance since my BMI was high enough to qualify for the surgery by itself, but I have used one for 6 years pretty much every night. The data on my machine indicates a daily average for that entire time of 6.35 hours. That being said, I hate it, mostly because I am claustrophobic and have to take medication to be able to tolerate the mask. A major motivating factor for me to have the surgery is to stop using my CPAP. With any luck, I will stop using it by the end of the year. I do agree that the issue is more likely to be whether you can comply with medical directives than simply getting a benefit from the CPAP machine.

I hope you get off of it too! I'm beginning to wonder if you aren't right. My doctor is very strict for safety reasons, which I appreciate.

It happens a lot. Different surgeons have all kinds of rules. Some do nicotine tests, for instance.

I know it's a pain, but work the plan and all of this will be a fading memory.