I saw a doctor for the first time since I started using CPAP as a treatment of sleep apnea. It was really hard to make an appointment with the doctor and it took almost two months. Finally, I saw the doctor today. This is a summary.
Nothing to do with the CPAP device
When I made the appointment, I was told I had to carry the CPAP device when I would see the doctor. Therefore, I packed it into a carrying case before the appointment. However it was not touched at all during the appointment.
I just asked a question why I needed to carry it. The reason is it is possible that the doctor consults how to use / adjust it if people have issues. In my case, there is no issues at all and the doctor does not have to do that.
Thee symptom is improved, no issues
As a conclusion, the symptom is significantly improved and I just need to do whatever I have been doing with the CPAP device. That is only instruction from the doctor.
The event per hour, which is breath stopping events detected by the device, is 0.5 per hour. That is a pretty good number and I just need to continue to use CPAP. The target is 5 per hour and my number below the target. There is also no issue for air leak from the mask.
Possibility to eliminate CPAP
One thing I am really interested in was a possibility not using CPAP device. As a conclusion, the doctor still believer I have to use it for a while.
The primary reason is the setting of CPA device is 6 cm H2O ~ 8 cm H2O. Overall average is 6.1 cm H2O which is recorded by the CPAP device. However, the maximum value is 7.5 cm H2O, that means the CPAP device adjusts the air pressure to high due to apnea events. If there is no event, there is no reason the pressure is going up and staying below 6 cm H2O. Therefore, it is better to use it for a while.
Weight reduction might help some improvement, however, jaw structure for Asian would be a primary cause of Sleep apnea in many cased. Therefore, even if people loose a lot of weight, it is still better to use CPAP device in many cases.
On the other hand, reducing weight and keeping a right weight is very important to stay healthy for the other reason, thus, it is better to continue reduce my weight anyway.
Next appointment
The next appointment will be a year from now. Of course, I might need to see him any time if I have any issues / problems. Other than that, the doctor thinks once a year would not be a problem in my case.
So, it seems that I have to use CPAP for a while and continue to do the weight reduction targeting to 63 kg.
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