Buteyko Breathing for Apnea

Just wondering how many if any people have learned Buteyko Breathing for Sleep Apnea? I've probably had OSA for 20 years but was diagnosed and put on an APAP about 18 months ago. My prescribed pressure is 13 though I was using a lower one to reduce leaks. Recently took a Buteyko course and have successfully been off the APAP for 4 days. Three of those days were extremely restful and one was moderately restful. My wife say my snoring is reduced but not gone. I understand from my instructor that the program is cumulative as you build back a health level of Co2. The jury is out but I'm hoping this continues to get better and better. Anyone else?

-S-

I looked up this Buteyko Breathing thing you describe and most of the medical community sniff at this course of treatment. Most also admit it hasn't been studied. Typical medical community I guess. In any case, the biggest issue I would see is that it isn't actually doing anything for your apnea as the only thing that serves as a way to gauge the effectiveness is your wife's comments on the level of snoring.

As a suggestion to get some idea of the effectiveness, buy a PULSE OXYMETER (wrist watch type that records) and check your BLOOD O2 levels during the course of the night. Of course, if they drop low, then the technique probably isn't curing apnea as your breathing is stopping for this to occur. This thinking may be off so hopefully someone can jump in here that isn't a rank amateur like I.

I am not sure what was meant regarding the "health level of Co2". Please explain that... thanks and good luck.

Hi Steve, if you are trying to gauge your improvement from home only, what wiredgeorge suggests could possibly be one way to look for improvements. but not everyone has desaturations with sleep apnea.

You are right of course, I was only speaking from first hand experience and can't speak for others. My lack of O2 for extended periods directly led to me feeling like a zombie during the day and it was fixed when O2 levels bumped through therapy. I can't think of any other way to get a sense of how well a Buteyko Breathing course of therapy is actually working.

Hi SteveTC. If you think the Buteyko breathing is helping treat your sleep apnea, the only way to really know would be to have your sleep study repeated. Sleep apnea is can be caused by several factors, but the most common is obstruction of the airway caused by tissue collapse. Even if your snoring has improved, I encourage you to follow up to make sure your airway is not collapsing and/or causing significant changes to your blood oxygen levels at night. Best wishes!