I have beeen on cpap and bipap for 6 years. For 2 nights when my machine malfunctioned I had to sleep without it. To my surprise I was not tired and had felt the same as being on bipap. I have lost some weight not much but I've also put on muscle. Has anyone heard of someone reversing sleep apnea especially Central? Thanks

I've heard of Obstructive Sleep Apnea being reversed, primarily due to weight loss, that's for certain... not sure about Central SA though - that's more of a brain malfunction, so it would seem to me that losing weight may help to a small degree, but would not alleviate CSA totally. Of course, maybe something happened to your brain! (you're eating better, getting more blood flow due to exercise, taking vitamins, minerals, supplements - if that's the case, let us know what you did, cause I want to try it!) :D

If you have a mixture of CSA and OSA, well, maybe you had more OSA than you or your doctor realized? (rather than CSA) and your weight loss positively affect your condition.

I hope others will chime in on this.

In any case, congratulations on the weight loss and it sure would be nice if you could get off the bipap!

I do exercise quite a bit and have been retired for 1 year. I also exercised when I worked. On the 14th of april I started a 1600 calorie protein diet and have lost 4 pounds to date. My machine malfunctioned 1 week into this diet. I started at 193.5 pounds and want to get down to 180. Im also 59 years old and have been as high as 207 pounds. According to my sleep tests my central is much more active then obstructive. I take a multivitamin, plus e,c,d. I also take glucosimine, chondroitin,msn,celadrin.omega 3-6-9,salmon fish oil, calcium with magnesium,coenzime Q10 and an aspirin. Sorry about the spelling.

That's great. Sounds like you're taking care of your health in a positive way.

Depending upon your financial state, or how your insurance might cover the expense, it may be worth it to go in for another sleep study in order to determine if you still need the bipap.

If I felt pretty good after 2 nights without my CPAP, and there was any way possible I could eliminate the CPAP, I'd do it in a heartbeat - but I would go to see the sleep doctor first, and I bet if you do that, and it's been over a year since your last sleep study, the doc will recommend that you be re-tested.

Good luck!

Last nite went machine free again and felt good. When I see my family doc this Wed. gonna run it by him. Till then I'm gonna sleep without the bipap. I do have coverage and will call the sleep doc if I continue to have success. Thanks