Question:
I am just weaning myself off my CPAP

I am 2.5 months post op (lap rny) and have lost 77 pounds! I've been using a CPAP every night for 8 years. I'm to the point now where I don't need it. The few times I've slept an entire night sans CPAP, I've woken up with a sore throat. My partner says I am not snoring or breathing abnormal while sleeping. Has any one else gone through this when they ended their long term relationship with the CPAP?    — Smitty B. (posted on March 7, 2003)

March 7, 2003
I don't want to be a wet blanket here, but you should probably have another sleep study to make sure that you are truly ready to be off the CPAP. I thought that I was, because I had lost nearly 100 pounds and didn't notice any difference on the few nights I went without it. I scheduled another sleep study and, to my GREAT dismay, the recommendation was to change the pressure from 18 down to only 14. If you were using a humidifier with yours, that could be the cause of the sore throat. On the other hand, if you are sleeping with your mouth open, that may mean you're not quite ready to be finished with it. I know lots of people take themselves off, but I wanted to be sure. It's at least worth a call to the doctor who recommended you have the first sleep study.
   — garw

March 7, 2003
Since you are having the sore throat I ama ssuming you are still not sleeping 100% correct. Call your pulmonologist and have your machine lowered and get off of it that way. Normally around 100lbs off they would be willing to redo the sleep study to be sure if your need it and at what settings.
   — zoedogcbr

March 7, 2003
Please see your doctor.It is not say to do it on you own
   — Debra F.

March 13, 2003
Sweetie, what took you so long? After I had my WLS, I didn't even NEED the CPAP machine. IF you can do without it, get rid of it, but FIRST, check with your doctor (either your PCP or your surgeon). My surgeon took me off the 2nd day post surgery, THAT ended my "long-term relationship" with the CPAP machine. I started out at 7liters, and ended up at 11!! Thank God, I'm at least *half way* normal breathing. I play tennis now!!!Look forward to the divorce from the CPAP, LOL
   — yourdivaness

March 13, 2003
Temple, after reading the other posts, I'm inclined to believe that it might be a good idea to have another sleep study done to be for sure. Maybe if both your PCP and surgeon *agree*, then you can discontinue it. I did mine on my own, mentioned it to my PCP AND surgeon and both agreed and said" you don't need it anymore now anyway, so why keep it?" Sorry I made the suggestion to discontinue it on your own. Everyone is not like me.
   — yourdivaness