central apnea

Anyone here been diagnosed with sleep apnea and central apnea? Does it ever get better? II have a CPAP I haven't used since my RYN 5 months ago but after reading the posts on this sight I think I'd better dust the thing off. My eyes have been reopened!  Does a wls person usually end up on a lower number on the machine? I quit using it because I couldn't get used to it or get a good night sleep.

Hi Robin,
I've been diagnosed with complex apnea (both obstructive and central).  I just got my BiPAP on Monday.  What an ordeal!  I did pretty well the first couple of nights but last night woke up sick to my stomach and feeling bloated.  I think it is going to be a long difficult road to get to the point where I can sleep comfortably every night.  I do think it's very important to use it though, so I'm going to tough it out.  I don't have an answer on the number on the machine.  Hope you can get used to yours.

I was put on a cpap 5-6 years ago, pressure was 17, Feb. 2008 had another sleep study and they moved me to a bipap with pressure from 17-27.  I just went in last night and I am not even in the teens (my sleep has been declining since December, had my surgery in October).

From Oct. 2008 to a few weeks ago I have lost 200 lbs and I have another 100 to lose.  Just because I will be at the 'right' weight or a healthier weight doesn't mean I will no longer have sleep apnea.  I have several friends who also have sleep apnea, 2 of them are in great shape so it is not always a weight thing.

I never go without mine.  I always use it.  I never even lay down to take a nap without putting my mask on.  I have read stories about people simply not waking up because they didn't use their machine when sleeping or napping.

I now have a personal story to tell. My brother-in-law has a friend that died, within the last month, when he fell asleep in his recliner and simply did not wake up.  They did an autopsy and everything was okay, he died from sleep apnea.  the story is more gruesome because another brother-in-law is on the rescue squad and the guy lived at home alone so it was a few days before anyone checked on him.  It was the weekend and he had 3 days off so no one at work was looking for him.  Sad really when it could have been avoided by just wearing the damn mask.

-Jaime

My dr always tells me when I don't wear the mask I am taking years off my life. I definitely will wear my mask and have to take c-pap (16 setting) to the hosp with me for use after surgery. Thanks for the enlightenment

I hadn't heard that before, years off my life, DAMN!!!

I took my bi-pap to the hospital with me, I wore it most of the day after surgery, I was so tired and kept falling asleep, plus I was so tired it made breathing even when awake easier.  I felt better when wearing it, even when awake.

I know that sounds strange but none of the nurses or doctors told me not to or that it wasn't a good idea, so I wore it, heh.  Only the first day but still at night always.

I got good news today, my pressure was at 25-27 from last Feb when I was 515lbs in October I was 570 lbs.  I had a sleep study done this past wed. and got the results today, I am down to a pressure of 8.  Whoo HOOO!!!!!

Oh, that is not gloating, it is excitement on my end.

-Jaime

You are doing great! both sleep apnes wise and weight loss is astounding. I hope I have such success. I have to take my c-pap to the hospital to wear after the surgery and spend 1st night in ICU in case off problems, plus they're putting in a IVC Filter to keeep me from getting blood clots from my legs       Keep up the good work                 Linda

years ago i was diagnosed with apnea- went from cpap to bipap and finally ASV set up- i tried and tried to get used to it- have not been on it now for several months- i had lost 90 #'s ( weigh****chers) and still had the same symptoms. complex apnea- more on the central end. my body forgets* to breathe. it gets slower and slower- i don't have the 'gasping choking' typical with obstructive apnea. frustrating i had lost the wt. but still had the breathing issue. now my wt is climbed back with edema to boot- ckd/heart related. i would still wake up on the ASV- chest pain- having to constantly change positions during the night. spasticity / neurogenic bladder adds to the all night party :( prayers for all affected!

maybe i should try the ASV usage again and not expect it to relieve the chest discomfort/ wt gain etc ??

I have had two sleep studies since having WLS and each time my pressure was lowered -- but sadly I am still using my CPAP.  When you had your sleep study done did they tell you that you had obstructive or central sleep apnea?