male only Trying to ween myself odd the CPAP

[Rootman 1,101]

BTW: That's OFF the CPAP, NOT ODD

I've been an a CPAP for like forever, maybe like 10 years. I've lost 103 pounds and was having fits keeping my mask from leaking, I've lost so much fat on my face that I have to keep adjusting the straps to keep it tight enough to not leak. I found I had to shorten the over the head strap so much to keep upwards pressure on the nasal pillows that it put the top around the head strap right next to my eye and it bugged the heck out of me.

So 2 nights ago I just decided to try and ween myself off it. I know I should go and have another sleep study but just don't want to go through the expense and waiting.

I fall asleep very uneasily as I am not used to the weird feeling of not being masked. I seem to sleep through the night and awake in the very early AM hours only once, this is opposed to waking every couple hours to air whistling around my mask and having to adjust it again. I seem to sleep LONGER but not as deeply, if that makes any sense.

I wake up with a stuffy nose and dry throat. The wife says she does not hear me snoring so that is a good sign.

Anyone have any hints on how to make the transition easier? Just go for it?

[Paul11011 372]

After losing 60-70 lbs I noticed that I was waking up with an unbelievably dry mouth. I went into my sleep Dr and told him what was going on. He adjusted the pressure on the machine down. He explained that with the weight loss I no longer needed that higher pressure to get down my throat so I was instinctively opening my mouth, the air would rush out and dry out my mouth. I'm now at 109 lbs off and am starting to have the same dry mouth thing, might be time to get the pressure reduced some more.

Wow what a long story to summarize a point. Keep your Dr aware of the changes you're seeing. They may not require a complete sleep study and will likely have some ways to help you with the trouble you're experiencing. I would not recommend going off the CPAP without first consulting with the Dr to see if you can find a solution. I know I can not wait until I get to ditch that damn awful thing, but it needs to happen in a way that does not sacrifice health. Oh another thought, if you're not getting restful sleep, it could negatively affect your weight loss. Good luck.

[b_bob 0]

I don't know where you are in your journey but I just got rid of my cpap after I lost about 50 lbs. I had been using it for nearly 12 years. (loved it) It was a bit unnerving at first to lose such an old firend but after a couple of nights I was in the groove.

My wife is thrilled because I no longer snore.

Just check with your PMD and monitor yourself.