# Can someone stop using a CPAP for sleep apnea?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-stop-using-a-cpap-for-sleep-apnea/313263>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 20, 2005, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-stop-using-a-cpap-for-sleep-apnea/313263 "2005-07-20T08:06:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-stop-using-a-cpap-for-sleep-apnea/313263/1 "2005-07-20T08:06:58Z")

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Originally from [this thread,](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6383512&postcount=24) before it got locked:

Does anyone know how often (if it’s even possible) for someone who’s been using a CPAP to treat sleep apnea to get off of it? Like, say, after weight loss or whatever?

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**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-stop-using-a-cpap-for-sleep-apnea/313263/2 "2005-07-20T14:14:35Z")

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There are a number of alternatives to CPAPs.

Dentists often advocate [Oral Appliance Therapy](http://www.massdental.org/public/health.cfm?doc_id=21).

There are other [Intraoral devices](http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/ode/guidance/1378.pdf) that can be used.

In addition, a large range of types of surgery are available depending on the cause and severity of one’s condition:

[http://home.hawaii.rr.com/dochazenfield/snoring.htm](http://home.hawaii.rr.com/dochazenfield/snoring.htm)

> [@](#):
>
> Diathermy palatal reduction (office procedure effective for both snoring and sleep apnea)
> 
> Surgically straightening the septum (middle part) of the nose. This usually works well for snoring, and it may be part of the recommended treatment for sleep apnea. Also, it may help the patient better tolerate nasal CPAP.
> 
> Removing the tonsils and/or adenoids if enlarged
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> Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (removing the uvula and part of the palate, or back part of the roof of the mouth)
> 
> Other surgical procedures on the back portion (base) of tongue or through the neck
> 
> “Snoreplasty” or injection of sclerosing agents into the palate (for snoring only)
> 
> Implants of struts into soft palate; Pillar® palatal implants (for snoring only)
> 
> Laser palatal reduction (for snoring only)

Some people have tongues that are too large or positioned in such a way as to obstruct the air passages. That can be treated by [mandibular myotomy](http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/apnea.html):

> [@](#):
>
> A procedure called mandibular myotomy was crafted by Drs. Nelson Powell and Robert W. Riley who are associated with the Stanford University Sleep Disorders Center. This procedure, mandibular myotomy ( mandibular = relating to the lower jaw bone, and myotomy = surgical division of a muscle) with genioglossis (chin and tongue) advancement, involves cutting a rectangular piece of bone in the anterior (front part) portion of the mandible (jaw) to which the tongue muscles are attached. At that point, the rectangular piece is pulled outward, rotated 90 degrees and attached so it overrides the defect produced by the osteotomy (cutting of bone), where it is reattached. This pulls the tongue forward six to ten millimeters and almost always eliminates the sleep-related obstruction.
> 
> These surgeries requires much research and consideration before you undertake it. They should only be performed by surgeons with considerable experience and documented training and skill in both ENT surgery and maxillofacial surgery.

In short, there are large numbers of ways to get off a CPAP. But you can’t choose one off the Internet. Talk to your doctor, your sleep clinic, your specialist, and your insurance company first. These procedures are highly individualized and many of them may simply not be suited to you personally. The same applies even for something as simple as weight loss. While most people with sleep apnea are overweight, mere weight reduction may not help if the cause of apnea is a physical obstruction.

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**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-stop-using-a-cpap-for-sleep-apnea/313263/3 "2005-07-20T20:25:54Z")

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I understand that there are non-CPAP treatments for apnea, but I’m more curious about the frequency of folks who _started_ using a CPAP for apnea and subsequently not needing it.