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Re: Long term CPAP make you addicted?

Posted by Phil Stocker on November 26, 2002 at 11:30:12:

In Reply to: Long term CPAP make you addicted? posted by Old Apnea King on November 26, 2002 at 11:01:51:

I do not know if 'addicted' is the right word, but I can put two and two together. Take for example; Let's say "joe" gets put on CPAP after a sleep study. He does well for about a year then comes back into the doctor complaining about not feeling very rested anymore. The doctor orders another sleep study and in that study, they find out that Joe's pressure requirement has risen say from 11 to 13. So now, Joe is at an even higher pressure than before and nothing else has changed that would cause this. One could only realize that the body adapts to the pressure levels and build up a sort of tolerance to the CPAP. Next, take another person, say "Lisa". She is diagnosed with OSA and opts to have the surgery which basicall rotorooters your throat. After recovering from the surgery, she feels great for almost a year, then complains to her doctor that she is back to snoring again, and feel alot of daytime tiredness. After another sleep study, they discover that her apnea is back almost as badly as it was prior to surgery. She ha to get CPAP.

The point I am trying to make is simple. The bosy adapts. It is God's creation and he designed it well. Most of the time, sleep apnea is almost always found in those with weight problems, with the exception of the central nervous system type of apnea. The body will adjust to pressures no matter how high they go, and there is a limit to the amount of pressure that it can take.

I don't want to start a conspiracy thoery here, but when is the last time you have ever heard a doctor prescribe a diet and exercise program? Do most health insurance policies cover a dietician? A doctor would rather thorw a pill at you, or cut you up just to give us the quick fix that we want, knowing that it probably won't last. After being on the CPAP for almost 2 years, I CANNOT sleep, repeat CANNOT, sleep without it. Even if I am in a car, sitting upright, I feel myself start to fall asleep, then instantly I will jerk back awake like an electrical shock had been sent through my body.

Now I realize everyone is different, no two people are alike, but I'll bet you money that there are enough people out there using CPAP that have had this happen to warrant some sort of investigation into this matter.

Yes, I hate the CPAP!! Yes, I HAVE to use it nightly or I DO NOT SLEEP!!! I do realize its benefits, but I also think that there should be some thought as to another alternative that is less disruptive than this MACHINE..

I am thankful to GOD that I can sleep, and I do realize that there are people who have it much worse off than I. However, I feel that there is too much treating of the symptoms and not enough help for us to cure the root of the problem. For most, it is weight, but like I said, when is the last time a doctor wrote you a prescription for a diet and exercise? I know they cannot do it all for us, we have to take the initiative, but for alot of us, the motivation is lacking. Am I somewhat correct in this or am I just alone a frustrated in my own problems?


Thanks for listening,

Phil S.

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