Okay guys.. let's talk apnea after surgery.

I've had apnea and have used a bipap for the last 4 years with a pressure of about 19. I've NEVER had an issue with it in the past, but now after surgery, I wake up constantly with my mouth wide open and air blowing out of it.

Anyone had this happen to them?

Hey Eric I have had the same problem.  I have used a CPAP for about 8 years.  I had the pressure adjusted down by the sleep clinic, but it still keeps blowing me away.  I go back tomorrow for another shot at fixing it.  The good news though, is that I am now not snoring without the CPAP.   Hope that means I will get to stop using it soon.  Steve

I have used CPAP for 15 years.  Recently turned it down from 18 to 10 and sleep better than ever.  I'm not snoring without it.  Remarkable since I wouldn't have even fallen asleep for a minute wihout it pre-surgery.  I think I am only hanging on to it out of habit now.  The white noise puts me to sleep.  I was searching for tips on discontinuing it after being dependent upon it for so long, but found nothing. Apparently there aren't many long-term users that stop!  Except us losers! Before I turned mine down (I confess I did it myself) I was in the same boat - the presure was blowing me away and I wa waking up with painfully dry mouth.  Turning it down fixed that.  I know I should have the sleep doc check my O2 levels, but I feel great, good color, etc.  Wife's a nurse and she keeps an eye on me. Good Luck, CB

I just called the sleep center about it and they said they've never heard of it... they're going to send a chin strap. I asked if the surgery itself could have caused it.. her response was:
"Most people have the surgery as opposed to getting a cpap, so you're in the minority"...

dooooo whhhhaaaat? I love how medical professionals are clueless sometimes.

Thanks for the responses.. I'm still 300 lbs from goal, so I'll be using it for a while

I logged about 10K hours on my CPAP before I "retired" it. While I do not recommend it, I backed the pressure on mine down twice (myself) before putting it away forever. The chin strap helps, used one for a while. I have heard of a guy that actually use to duct tape his mouth shut, too. The strategic placement of hard pillows to keep me on my side helped, too. Lower back, between the knees mostly. Take care. JP

Never used a machine.  But since surgery I sleep with my mouth wide open.  It dries out my mouth.  My teeth have gotten bad.  My dentist thinks it is because of my dry mouth.  Just giving you the heads up.  Brian

You probably need yoru pressure adjusted.  I know after losing about 30 lbs, I'd wake up feeling like I was being choked by the air...the pressure was too high...I just stopped using the machine (which i dont' recommend). My doctor, who is also a pulmonologist, told me that if I wanted to be a "purist" i could go for a sleep test, but at this point (now I'm at goal), he didn't see any reason for it. I don't snore, I don't wake up in the middle of the night (except to pee...i keep drinking till i sleep), and I'm not tired during the day...so in his mind i'm cured of sleep apnea. Good luck to you. Scott

[Hy-Jak] Scott, Good to see you out and about. Neck healing up OK? Hope all is going well. Best Wishes- Dx

Hey Dx thanks for asking.... I'm doing really well...so well in fact I have to remember not to do more then the doctors told me I can do...lol. Pain is a good reminder.  I didn't take any oxycodine until this evening but then   I overdid it and had to go back on the narcotics.   I'm suppose to be able to do short distance driving starting tommorrow, but I have to see if i need the oxycodine again...I kind of will miss the oxycodine, I never took illegal drugs before (i mean never) and when i had the DS, most of the drugs they gave me just put me to sleep, and I came home basically on tylenol.  BUT OMG WHAT AWESOME DREAMS this stuff is giving me. A few nights ago, I had one with Britney Spears (pre crazy) and she was being held in a nicaraguin work camp in the back of a burger king in my old home town...she kept trying to escape, and finally made it to my old high school where she was recaptured by the rebels milita (apparently they owned the town).  She tried to get help but no one believed she was briney spears...and finally she escaped by hijacking a car, and smashing into a bus.   I'm telling you it's better then HBO!!!! lol. .  Again thanks for asking!!!! Scott