No more CPAP!

[ouroborous 519]

Well, after ten years with that damnable device cutting into my head, dripping humidifier Water down my nose while I sleep, giving me sinus infections and blowing so much air into my belly that I wake up with an earth-shattering fart each morning (sorry for TMI, but it's true and you CPAP'ers know what I'm talking about), I may finally be free of the contraption!

For you non-CPAP'ers wondering what the big deal is, imagine that you can't just "go to sleep" -- instead you have to set up this big, uncomfortable contraption that also tethers you to a wall socket. You get used to it after a while, but it's always in the back of your head that you can never "just sleep" -- you have to have electricity, you have to have your equipment, and you're always fighting with some hose or strap or something that chafes or tangles you up or leaks.

I just got back from a sleep study; my sleep doc ordered a "split night" study where the first half of the night would be without a mask, and the second half with the mask to get my new pressure -- if I needed it. Well, I slept the whole night through without my mask, and although I don't have the official results yet, the sleep tech said that it looked like I was sleeping well without the mask. Even on my back (which is the most challenging sleep position for apnea sufferers). I was definitely dreaming at several points during the night.

So I'm pretty sure that this means I'm done with it. HUZZAH! That ALONE justifies the VSG surgery. When I go to Hawaii next month, I won't have to lug the CPAP with me, through the TSA checkpoints, find outlets in the hotel room... etc. etc. etc.

And I still have 20 or so pounds to lose, so it's only going to improve if I'm "borderline."

I'm so excited! I didn't think it would be possible for me to ever get off the CPAP, and yet here I am!

[thinoneday 445]

Yippee!!!!!! Your too funny about the TMI . . . loved it! Keep up the fabulous work!

[Rootman 1,101]

Congrats, I wear a CPAP too. Been having a hell of a time with leaks till it dawned on me to tighten the straps - seems my head isn't as fat as it used to be anymore

I too look forward to being rid of the dreaded thing, the cotton mouth in the morning is the worst - even though I have a heated humidifier on it. I've had to crank up the heat on it way past where I normal had it, I am so dry after the surgery, some days I wake up and can't even speak my mouth is so parched. I went to bed at 8PM last night because I was tired from a tough day, woke up at my normal time just before 6am to an awful smell, I thought my wife was burning our morning eggs, after it got worse I woke up enough to realize the humidifier was out of Water and the tank was starting to burn YIKES! Don't know yet if I ruined the tank or heater but that was scary, I could of asphyxiated myself.

[ouroborous 519]

Congrats, I wear a CPAP too. Been having a hell of a time with leaks till it dawned on me to tighten the straps - seems my head isn't as fat as it used to be anymore

I too look forward to being rid of the dreaded thing, the cotton mouth in the morning is the worst - even though I have a heated humidifier on it. I've had to crank up the heat on it way past where I normal had it, I am so dry after the surgery, some days I wake up and can't even speak my mouth is so parched. I went to bed at 8PM last night because I was tired from a tough day, woke up at my normal time just before 6am to an awful smell, I thought my wife was burning our morning eggs, after it got worse I woke up enough to realize the humidifier was out of Water and the tank was starting to burn YIKES! Don't know yet if I ruined the tank or heater but that was scary, I could of asphyxiated myself.

Yeah it's little incidents like these that make me VERY ready to be CPAP-free once again!

[Oopsseedaisy 90]

I don't use my CPAP machine -could never get used to it and I had an allergic reaction to it. My brother in law got a mersa infection in his sinuses from his.

I am glad you are going to rid of yours!!!!!!!!! Go sleeve, go sleeve!!!!!!!!!!

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,281]

That is excellent!!! I'm sure your test results will come back positive. Congrats on such a huge milestone.

[M2G 1,836]

Congratulations, I hope you can come back and report being CPAP free from now on (once you have your test results.)

And thanks for explaining some of the details behind a CPAP, I truly had no idea what a pain they are. That sounds miserable, and getting rid of one would definitely be worth having surgery!

[ouroborous 519]

Yes, CPAP is unpleasant! It's just that we CPAP'ers sort of get used to it after a while -- after all, what's the point of complaining about something that (you're told) you're going to have to live with for the rest of your life?

It's just when the prospect of not having to deal with it is waved around that you start to realize what a PITA it really is!

[Bryn 3]

nice!

ironically, i just picked up my cpap today

[Nikkeystar 12]

Congratulations! I'm looking forward to the day when I can stop using mine.

[LittleSteve 4]

I got a feeling that my sleep apnea is not waight related but I still have 10kg to go as well.

[KabinKitty 10]

I have Bi-Pap machine that does not blow continuously, but gives me a break to be able to breath out. I could not handle the continuous air pressure. I use a low pressure setting and HOPE to toss my machine out the window also one day soon. Actually I will probably give mine away to someone. Even with ins I had to make monthly payments to purchase mine.

I have to take a readout of my Bi-Pap machine usage to my yearly physical. If I have not been compliant enough I won't pass and could lose my job! So, you talk about feeling tied down to a machine, I can really relate to that! It's just one more slap in the face for not being able to lose these extra pounds on my own.

I'm happy that you are doing SO well!! My surgery is a week and a half away and getting off hbp meds and the machine are my two weight loss goals.

I can identify with traveling with that stupid machine! Tearing it down, packing it up and lugging it around. Mine is an older one too, so it's not tiny and petite like the newer models. I also have a heated humidifier and have woke up to that nasty, hot plastic smell when it ran out of Water. I thought I was gonna get lung cancer breathing in those awlful odors!!

[sleeve 4 me 910]

Congrats!!!! That's awesome!!!!

[FitatFifty 11]

Such good news! It's good to know there is hope to leave my CPAP machine behind!! Congratulations, and I know just what you're talking about!!!

[Chawk 0]

Where do old cpap machines go to die? I am hoping to send mine there soon!