Question:
Is there a difference between the C-pap machine and having oxygen at night?

Dr wants me to see of I need oxygen at night so I will sleep better. Isn't that the same thing the c-pap machine does? I was told I don't have sleep apnea and don't need the machine but need a second sleep study with oxygen.    — jocelyn (posted on October 31, 2002)

October 31, 2002
The C-pap is to keep your airway open. Cpap stand for Continous Positive airway pressure. When people are heavy and lay down in bed it is diffcult to get good air exchange. I would imagine that your oxygen level is dropping while you sleep. During my sleep study mine dropped to 46%. That's not good!!! But, I also have sleep apnea. I have oxygen that goes into my cpap machine. Ask your Dr if he thinks you have OHS (obesity hypoventilation syndrome)also referred to Pickwickian syndrome. Or look this up on the web. It can explain alot and why he wants you on oxygen at night. Good Luck
   — kimmarie68

October 31, 2002
Sometimes were put on oxygen rather than C or bi pap. O2 is much more comfortable and elminates the slight risk of Bi pap inflating our intestines post op and causing a leak. Either way it keeps our oxygen saturation in the high 90s where it belongs.
   — bob-haller

October 31, 2002
Nasal CPAP blows air at a specific pressure into the nose and down the throat to open the passage ways that would otherwise close during sleep (if you had sleep apnea). Often a person on oxygen alone will not receive the total benefit as apnea keeps waking a person up and oxygen alone won't stop that. If you don't have apnea but do have an underlying respiratory condition such as asthma or COPD oxygen will improve your saturations and the quality of your sleep without the use of CPAP.
   — LLinderman

November 1, 2002
hi i had to go on both of them but after i lost some weight i didnt need them anymore.
   — ROSEMARY A.

November 1, 2002
A CPAP machine is not the same thing as oxygen. CPAPs force recirculated room air down your airways, not pure oxygen. Evidently your oxygen saturation is low despite not having episodes of obstructive apnea to warrant a CPAP. I'm not sure what could cause that.
   — sandsonik