Eval time

[Mercergirl]

I am at the five year mark with my CPAP. My primary care doc ordered it and there has been no follow-up for five years (PC doc has changed twice in five years). My original sleep study indicated severe sleep apnea, greater than 30 per hour. I have requested reports be sent to my current PC but she says she can't/doesn't read them. Not her specialty.


Is this unusual to not have any professional follow-up on pressure, AHI, usage (other than compliance reporting), etc. for five years? Having lost 50 pounds I believe I may not need a CPAP now. My AHI has been under 2 for the past year. 

I have an appointment with a new respiratory tech to evaluate my situation, perhaps do a sleep study and get a new CPAP. The device recommendations are most helpful and should I need a new machine, I will be using those recommendations.

[Sleepster]

Usually your insurance company would require regular follow-ups so that you can continue to get your supplies.

[SarcasticDave94]

More or less sounds like normal apnea patient treatment. Weight loss may lower AHI, but I doubt it will eliminate CPAP use. I had bariatric sleeve surgery, and I subsequently lost 100 pounds. My AHI was still severe at 37 or so. Basically it halved my AHI, but I still need a machine to treat the apnea.