Why many are still tired after starting CPCAP

[mandrew]

A lot of people start CPAP therapy and then comment on the various forums that they are still tired, but maybe see some improvement. Here is something to keep in mind. We are quick to forget that one of the main reasons that many have OSA is that they have grown overweight, which brings on this problem. The CPAP machine can help keep the airway open and decrease events, but it cannot address the original problem that created the snoring issues! Bowling balls average from 14-18 lbs. Have you ever picked up a bowling ball? Kind of heavy aren't they. You wouldn't want to carry one around all day, would you. You would become tired. If you are about 40 - 50lbs overweight, that is the equivalent of carrying around around THREE bowling balls!!!! No wonder you are still tired!!!

CPAP can do marvelous things to help you become oxygenated, but it is our part to get serious about loosing the weight that causes most of the problems to begin with. CPAP is a plea for users to begin a lifestyle change. For most people, CPAP is the end result of making poor lifestyle decisions, and for some, perhaps the last opportunity to consider how to regain some health before their health situation becomes crippling and debilitating.

[LSAT]

A lot of people start CPAP therapy and then comment on the various forums that they are still tired, but maybe see some improvement. Here is something to keep in mind. We are quick to forget that one of the main reasons that many have OSA is that they have grown overweight, which brings on this problem. The CPAP machine can help keep the airway open and decrease events, but it cannot address the original problem that created the snoring issues! Bowling balls average from 14-18 lbs. Have you ever picked up a bowling ball? Kind of heavy aren't they. You wouldn't want to carry one around all day, would you. You would become tired. If you are about 40 - 50lbs overweight, that is the equivalent of carrying around around THREE bowling balls!!!! No wonder you are still tired!!!

CPAP can do marvelous things to help you become oxygenated, but it is our part to get serious about loosing the weight that causes most of the problems to begin with. CPAP is a plea for users to begin a lifestyle change. For most people, CPAP is the end result of making poor lifestyle decisions, and for some, perhaps the last opportunity to consider how to regain some health before their health situation becomes crippling and debilitating.

Weight may be a factor for some, but, it does not cause MOST of the problems.

[chunkyfrog]

But many get fat as a RESULT of untreated apnea.
These people are MANY, but IGNORED out of ignorance and professional LAZINESS.
Thank you for helping promote this deadly stereotype.

[palerider]

CPAP can do marvelous things to help you become oxygenated, but it is our part to get serious about loosing the weight that causes most of the problems to begin with. CPAP is a plea for users to begin a lifestyle change. For most people, CPAP is the end result of making poor lifestyle decisions,

only here for a month, and six posts, and already spewing insulting, not to mention incorrect, bullshit.

we're really better off without you.

[chunkyfrog]

I typed "BS",and then went for a less direct approach; but yes, that WAS exactly what I was thinking.
Where do these know-it-alls come from, anyway?

[kteague]

Your point about excess weight possibly contributing to persistent tiredness is valid. We can't expect to feel our best when our weight is working against us. As an obese person I realize that. And it only makes sense when new CPAP users complain about still being tired to consider that maybe they are generally too unhealthy to feel good. What your post doesn't take into consideration is all the non-obese and those whose obesity and/or OSA did not come from poor lifestyle decisions. I had symptoms of OSA before I gained weight, but in spite of those symptoms was avidly active. A nearly catastrophic health crisis prevented even slight exertion for years. I don't think you meant any harm with your post, and you were on point about the possible effects of obesity. But you will surely get push-back on what comes across as being judgmental. From years of reading on here, I don't think I am an outlier. Your prior posts to others have seemed encouraging and helpful. Sorry you've hit a bump in the road so quickly here. A lot of us have said things that weren't so well thought out and got push back. I do hope you will you can accept it and stick around to share you successes with struggling newbies.

[chunkyfrog]

Too many cases of apnea are never diagnosed until weight is gained.
Imagine the suffering that could be bypassed if not for STUPIDITY.

[JustinD9]

Starting CPAP is also associated with weight gain i.e. people can actually put on weight at the beginning. (Not huge amounts though) In the studies (think it was more than one) they hypothesized that the body not being as stressed didn't burn as many calories or something like that than when untreated.


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[zoocrewphoto]

I noticed an improvement within a few weeks. I was less tired, more cheerful, etc. I did not lose any weight. I'm sure I would feel even better if I lose weight. But good cpap settings made a huge difference for me without any change in weight.

These are two different problems, and improvement in each can help you feel better. You may get better results with both improvements, but I have found that improvement in one area will give some noticeable results.

[Arlene1963]

I'm not sure if this paper has been cited here before, but here goes. I found it quite interesting.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/812910_3

It provides a detailed overview of the incidence of residual sleepiness with XPAP treatment, and concludes that approx. 10% of patients using XPAP complain of continuing sleepiness, and also daytime fatigue.

[Jay Aitchsee]

I'm not sure if this paper has been cited here before, but here goes. I found it quite interesting.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/812910_3

It provides a detailed overview of the incidence of residual sleepiness with XPAP treatment, and concludes that approx. 10% of patients using XPAP complain of continuing sleepiness, and also daytime fatigue.

Yes, this is an interesting article, Arlene. Here is an alternative to the Medsape site:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... 12039/full

[chunkyfrog]

I lost 8 pounds within the first 8 months; but my body eventually found them.

[Julie]

The percentage of clinically depressed people in the normal population (not diagnosed with OSA) is supposedly just under 7%, could they not make up a lot of the 10% of Cpap pts not feeling better on otherwise well treated OSA? And other psychiatric conditions might fill in the blanks - things like ADHD, sometimes seen together with OSA, etc? Sorting things out to exact numbers is hard because we're all different, and change as life goes on - not profound, but maybe just one of those fuzzy areas that will never be defined perfectly.

[Arlene1963]

Thanks for posting that site, Jay. For some reason Medscape is now prompting me for a password.

Also, the Wiley Online Library provides far more information than the Medscape article.

[ChicagoGranny]

the weight that causes most of the problems to begin with

There is a problem with this post because it alludes that being overweight is the sole cause of obstructive sleep apnea. You need to acknowledge that there are other problems that are proximate causes of OSA:

- Narrow airways due to anatomical issues
- Faulty signaling from the nervous system to the muscles that hold open the airway

Disclosure: Gramps and I have been slim all of our lives, and both of us have severe OSA which is treated very effectively with CPAP.