Finally, I have my new CPAP machine and looking forward to a good night's sleep. They used to say that you could not “catch up” on sleep, but studies show you can, that is according to Mark Harrell, who used to be involved in sleep study research. Mark is married to my cousin, Wendy, and has been very instrumental in helping me understand sleep apnea.

Mark, who is now a PA, helped me decipher my sleep study reports and just as suspected, even though I am at a normal weight, I still have sleep apnea. My sleep pressures remained the same even though I don’t have as many episodes as before weight loss, I still need my CPAP machine. After a while of not using my machine some of my symptoms had returned, such as morning headaches and tiredness.

I would encourage you if you were diagnosed with sleep apnea before weight loss surgery, do not give up your CPAP machine until you have been rechecked. Mark says too much pressure can be as bad as not enough.

First ask your physician to give you a prescription for the “auto trial”. After the trial, if you need to continue your CPAP, you will want to find out if your insurance company will pay for an auto titration CPAP machine, or you could pay the difference. You can request that your physician prescribe this auto-adjusting machine, which adjusts the pressure, as you need it.

I’m really hoping that going back to my CPAP will help with maintaining my weight loss and restore my energy. I’ll keep you updated of how things are going…Sweet dreams!