weight loss by CPAP

Chappy · Post by **Chappy** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:01 am

I was just reading jqp's thread on testostorone. Somebody had replied how OSA causes all sorts of problems and chemical imbalances. I'm going to spin off that.

I remembered my doctor said that OSA causes high levels of cortazone which is known to cause one to gain weight. He also said that with treatment (CPAP) one could lower cortazone levels and possible expereience weight loss. I sort of skoffed when he said that.

But, it could be true. Has anybody experience weight loss after using CPAP?????

Chappy

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Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 11:52 am

Absolutely!

But, YMMV.

Den

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jimbassett · Post by **jimbassett** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:05 pm

When I started CPAP in Jan this year I weighed 260 and had been at that level for several years. When I weighed at the Dr.s office a cpl days ago I was 240. My Dr was alarmed untill I told him about CPAP. So it does make a difference. jim

SleepingBeauty · Post by **SleepingBeauty** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 1:53 pm

I have dropped 20 pounds since January!

I think the weight loss is partially due to the cessation of the nightly doses of adrenaline and cortisol. I also attribute mine to the fact that I have so much more energy now. Instead of curling up in my recliner when I come home, I have the energy to do so much more now. I have resumed my exercise routine, my house has never been more clean and organized, and I am just overall much more active. I think just the ability to move around and be active longer will eventually take off our apnea pounds!

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:09 pm

I am hoping that this will be true for me. I am at my heaviest right now -- but I have barely had the energy to put one foot in front of the other to do the bare minimum I could get by with. After three nights I can already tell a difference in my energy level .

kantite · Post by **kantite** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:55 pm

The first most common one is the Weight Loss treatment. Weight loss can be effective in eliminating the problem for some people and is the first recommended course of action, especially if the sleep apnea has developed in association with a recent weight gain. And there's also CPAP - a Breathing Machine. If weight is not the problem or a patient cannot lose weight, or if weight loss alone is not effective, a mechanical breathing device called CPAP can be used at night to open the throat, which may correct the problem. As long as the patient has sleep apnea, he must either use the machine or undergo surgery to treat the problem.

fraynes1 · Post by **fraynes1** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:42 am

I'm new to this, what is OSA?

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:13 am

fraynes1 wrote:I'm new to this, what is OSA?

It stands for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

You came to the right place. Please go to the yellow lightbulb "Our Collective Wisdom" (above) and start reading. Lots of information there.

Den

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:13 pm

I initially lost 6 pounds, in the first few weeks, but I've put that back on in spades. It's been just so hectic at work I've been eating way too much fast food. That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it.

I think maybe if I was forced to eat all meals while WEARING the cpap, I might lose weight. I sorta thought that's what this subject line was suggesting when I first read it.

Hey! Maybe I'll write a book and go on Oprah and get an endorsement and make a million! THE CPAP DIET!

LOL,
Barbara

Wyl · Post by **Wyl** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 6:28 pm

I had already been losing weight for a long time because I've been committed to an exercise "program" where I eat lunch at my desk while working then spend an hour out walking. But I've gotten a nice bump in my progress since I got back on track with CPAP in July. I had my latest studies then, and got my new machine on 7/20. Up to that point I was averaging about 0.5 - 1 pound a week of weight loss, but I've lost 14 pounds since 7/20 without changing anything else other than using CPAP again (I had been non-compliant for a long time). That's right at 2 lbs. a week.

I'm starting to get excited, getting close to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I had peaked at 238 lbs in 2005 (BMI 36), and as of the other day I was at 173 (BMI 26). I'm just overweight now instead of obese -lol- 24 lbs. to go to get to my final target of 149 (BMI 22)!

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:13 pm

Could, could, could, but probably not, not, not, your weight goes down when you take in less fuel than you burn. Lifestyle changes, eating less, working more, cut weight, XPAP may make you feel more like making the needed changes.

Anyone that wants the 30 lbs I've gained since starting XPAP treatment, send me a post paid box, i'll share. Jim

scenestealer · Post by **scenestealer** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 1:15 am

From what I can tell, it's not just a magical CPAP treatment equals weight loss. Of course, I'm still struggling with sinus issues that are hurting my overall compliance and my benefiting from CPAP.

That said, I've lost 7 lbs in the last two and a half weeks.

When I started CPAP I actually gained weight, largely I think because I was having aerophagia issues, which made me unable to exercise from the stomach pain. And with the machine waking me up constantly, I kind of wasn't really getting good sleep, which made me even more exhausted initially, and further interrupted my exercise regimen.

But three things seem to be STARTING to work right now:

#1 - it's part of the current medical theory that when your body is under stress, at least those of use who have a tendency toward heaviness will RETAIN weight. Some theory says that's because as we evolved, our bodies saw stress as something that happened when we couldn't find food, and fat was stored as a way to make it through the otherwise lean times. Whatever the reason, a lot of people have to have all their ducks in a line healthwise before their bodies will shed the pounds. No matter how much I exercised before, it seemed like my body just WOULDN'T lose the weight, and now (knock on wood) it seems like it's willing.

#2 - I have more energy, more stamina, and less aches and pains. And most importantly, I don't wind up wrecked and hung-over feeling for a week afterwards if I overdo it. My body can heal itself now.

#3 - One of the many weird things that seem to be getting cured by CPAP is that I am both less hungry all the time (especially in the evenings), and my hypoglycemia is regulating itself better. Both those things have made it easier to eat less.

So no, it's not magical, but yes some of the factors are made easier so that you can do the work yourself. I've found that I have to get out of bad habits, not eat just because I normally have a snack before sleep, and not put as much food on my plate as I used to just out of habit. But it's working, and my body is capable of things that would have floored me even a month ago.

Crossing my fingers for a bunch more progress like this...

tillymarigold · Post by **tillymarigold** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:00 am

Scenestealer is right. I joined Weight Watchers in July and I've lost almost 12 pounds, not bad in 6 weeks. I think the single biggest thing for me is exercising, before I would exercise but it would get progressively more difficult every day until I'd injure myself and have to take several days off, then it would start over. But my metabolism has also kicked into high gear, I think. I did used to exercise this much and watch what I ate, and was still gaining weight then.

The reason people are less hungry on CPAP is that when you're tired, your body produces ghrelin, the hormone that signals hunger (this is why people often get hungry if they stay up very late). People with sleep disorders have elevated levels of ghrelin, so they are hungry all the time because the body wants food to provide energy when you're tired. So when your OSA is treated, your ghrelin levels return to normal so you're not hungry all the time.

Also, lack of sleep inhibits production of leptin, which is the hormone that makes you feel full and also speeds up your metabolism. In other words, lack of sleep makes you not feel full after eating enough and keeps your metabolism low.

I'm hoping to reach a healthy weight by my next birthday in July.

Lee Lee · Post by **Lee Lee** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 11:07 am

I lost 8 pounds the first couple of weeks, and it was Thanksgiving!
The most important thing it did for me was help me be able to excersise.
Never had the energy for that before!

amandalee · Post by **amandalee** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 11:55 am

#3 - One of the many weird things that seem to be getting cured by CPAP is that I am both less hungry all the time (especially in the evenings)

Me too. While I haven't lost any weight yet (unfortunately) at least I seem to have stopped gaining, thankfully!
I find I'm craving carbs less and no longer binge on candy, cake, etc.

Mask

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