OSA and Weight...

[jennie_len]

I am going to bring up a somewhat sensitive subject. Sleep apnea and weight. I am curious to know how many out here with OSA are overweight. Now, I know that is a lot to ask of people...to just come out and say "I am overweight". But I am trying to get a real idea of just how much weight really effects this disorder.

I have always had some form of sleep apnea. My mom would not let me sleep in my own bed until I was about 10 or so due to me constantly struggling to breath. However, I never officially investigated it until this year and was diagnosed with an extreme case (at age 26). I have lived my whole life with this problem, however within the last 6 months or so, it has begun to really show in my daily life.

I have always been a little on the heavy side, but nothing that anyone considered dangerous. Within the past year I have gained an obscene amount of weight, without changing any of my eating habits. I have gone from 160 lbs to 225!!!! AHHH!!! And I am trying my best to lose, but...but...

So, in the end, my question is this: does sleep apnea cause weight gain, or does weight gain create a worse case of sleep apnea?

Or is it just an endless loop, where both issues become great friends and help each other out all the way thru? It seems that obesity and OSA go hand in hand....or do they?

And is there anyone out there that has a somewhat severe case that is as young as I am? (Just curious, since the Dr. seemed totally suprised with my age).

As always, any comments are helpful. I know we aren't Drs, but you guys are the ones that live with this as well...and your experience is worth gold.

[bookwrm63]

Jennie,

Here are some threads that cover this topic:

viewtopic.php?t=17769&highlight=weigh

viewtopic.php?t=18333&highlight=weigh

viewtopic.php?t=3368&highlight=weigh

viewtopic.php?t=14722&highlight=weigh

Hope this helps!

Mary

[blarg]

So, in the end, my question is this: does sleep apnea cause weight gain, or does weight gain create a worse case of sleep apnea?

Or is it just an endless loop, where both issues become great friends and help each other out all the way thru?

It's a cycle for many. Of course there are also lots of people here who aren't overweight at all, but once you have sleep apnea for whatever reason, you're that much less motivated to go out and exercise, etc.

[WearyOne]

I believe weight is a big factor with most OSA patients--causing or contributing to it, and being a factor because of it (so tired you can't exercise or eating to help stay awake).

I did not have sleep apnea at all at a sleep study 9 years ago when I weighed about 50 pounds less than now (even though I was slightly overweight then). Now, as of a sleep study in 1/07, I do. (Low moderate range.)

On the other hand, the sleep tech I had in January is very slim and he was diagnosed about a year ago with severe sleep apnea.

The best thing you can do if you're overweight or obese, like me, is lose it. It's possible you could cure your apnea (I know people who have), or make it better. And if neither of these things happens when you lose weight, there are many other health issues that you will avoid or improve with the weight loss. I've been struggling for years with this, but I made up my mind yesterday that no matter what, this weight is coming off!

Pam

[jennie_len]

Thank you to everyone that has been so willing to explain their ideas on this subject. It is hard to digest the why's what's and when's, but in the end, the same age old concept is true: loose weight, live better.

I am going to put my foot down and do my best to slim back down. That is the only real way I can get an answer anyway, right? Get skinnier and see if the OSA gets better. If anything at least I will look hot while I am struggling to breath!

[Inpjs]

I have always been fit and gained 17 lbs in the year before I was diagnosed with OSA.

I have read the OSA throws off chemicals in your brain that lead to weight gain.

[Bamalady]

Hi Jennie-

Here is a link to a thread I started about gaining weight after starting treatment. Before CPAP, my BMI was in the average range. I gained 23 pounds in total in about a year's time and have managed to lose only a couple of those.

viewtopic.php?t=14386&highlight=bamalady

[Wulfman]

Another article:

http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/article.p ... 006/07&p=8


Den

[DreamStalker]

Yep ... I think it is a synergistic cocktail of weight gain feeding apnea which in turn feeds the weight gain. Add to that aging and changes in hormone levels and you have a recipie for an out-of-control ballon

[sharon1965]

i went from a healthy weight of 115-120 lb. to 165lbs. in less than six months without changing my (healthy) eating habits and living a very active lifestyle, then i felt like i crashed, gained weight rapidly and felt weak and exhausted beyond anything i had ever experienced...i did some research and found articles linking osa and general sleep deprivation with weight gain, due to imbalance in the hormones grehlin and leptin...my dumb-ass family doctor told me to eat less and move more...what a moron

[rotoplooker]

I slept very well up until around 4 - 6 years ago.

I am now a little overweight but I am very fit still.

Seems very hard for me to lose weight no matter how hard I exercise whilst eating healthy, however, I'm not gaining weight anymore.

Unless something else is happening in my body I'd say OSA is affecting things for sure.

Roto

[WannaSleep]

When I was initially diagnosed I was 45 pounds overweight and was diagnosed with "severe" OSA. I lost 50 pounds over six months (yes, healthy eating, no alcohol and exercise) but wasn't sleeping any better so I went for another sleep study. The good news is that losing the weight lowered my the severity of my apnea from "severe" to "moderate" but I still have it. So weight definitely affects the severity of OSA, but doesn't cure it, at least in my case.

Charlie

[Sleepy-eyes]

I'm 5'11" and weigh 185 pounds. I'm 62 years old and am found in the gym three days a week with aerobic and free-weight training. I think I'm fit. But when I was diagnosed with OSA, one of the first things the doctor told me was "lose some weight". I asked him just where I might start trying to lose it!!!!!!!! He just laughed and said "lose it".