Retaining fluid & weight gain

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
sleepless in ny
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Retaining fluid & weight gain

Post by sleepless in ny » Thu Jun 09, 2005 7:08 pm

I know that the subject of swallowing air has come up plenty on these boards, but I have a different type of question about it. I know that I have been swallowing air as I have pains in my stomach in the morning. But,,,can it cause fluid retention in your fingers, ankles and feet??? I have gained 6 lbs since starting cpap treatment 2 weeks ago. Can this be possible? I just went to my pcp on Monday, but forgot to mention this to him. I bough some Diurex at the pharmacy today, but it has alot of caffeine in it so I can't take it tonight.
Has anyone else had this happen? I also went to my dme on Monday as my machine wasn't working properly. I was given a new one & it seems to be working ok. I'm thinking that I will have to give up my swift nasal pillows and go to a full face mask. I'm very claustrophobic so I didn't really want to do that, but I can't stand this bloated feeling. It is sooooo uncomfortable.
Kathy


If life is a bowl of cherries what am I doing in the pits? Remstar Pro C-flex Heated Humidifer,, Mirage Swift Nasal pillow system

chrisp
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Post by chrisp » Thu Jun 09, 2005 7:22 pm

Try raising the foot of your bed a few inches, 2-3. Also, try a different pillow or tilting your head back jus a bit to have a better airway. Experiment . I wouldn't take any diuretics. Might upset the balance. Try wearing support hose also. The less pills the better.

Cheers,

Chris


unclebob
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Post by unclebob » Thu Jun 09, 2005 7:40 pm

Hi sleepless in ny,

Fluid retention is not good. I had a major build up in my lungs over a short time - few days, just got sicker & sicker and pretty much couldn't breath. Good news was I was able to take a whole bunch of time off work as I had congestive heart failure.

Got everything fixed but later the nurses, mostly female, and my cardiologist, also female really started to admire my ankles. Leg & ankle women I call them. Seems I get fluid build up due to the weakened heart muscle so they gave me a neat pill to alleviate this. You may need to get one as well just don't take it at night and you're guaranteed to meet a lot of new friends during the day.

All kidding aside, you should see your doctor about this. You could have other health problems associated with your heart or blood pressure.

Don't wait.

Bob F

unclebob

Janelle

Post by Janelle » Thu Jun 09, 2005 8:21 pm

Fluid retention is most likely going to be in feet and ankles, not just weight gain overall.

But the weight gain is definitely something to mention to your doctor. I gained 15 pounds in the first 3 months, possibly sooner. Turned out when I talked them into another sleep study nearly 6 months later that I was still not getting the deep restorative stage 3/4 sleep. This is what will get your cortisol levels back in sync and cause you to lose weight. SA keeps cortisol levels high and causes most apnea sufferers to be overweight and sometimes grossly overweight.

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There
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Post by There » Fri Jun 10, 2005 9:46 am

That's intriguing, cos I just had my second follow-up appointment post-CPAP and the doctor wrote off the fluid-retention completely. He also said that even though I was still tired, if I was feeling better at all, there was no reason to do another study. Frankly, I was a little put off by that, but if he's not going to do one, he's not going to do one. I have other options in the area.

Have to say, though, the tech at the office was just great. Worked with me for a good hour to sort through the various masks they have and I am now on my FOURTH mask since starting treatment.

Tina
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Kluemaster
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Post by Kluemaster » Fri Jun 10, 2005 1:16 pm

There wrote:
Have to say, though, the tech at the office was just great. Worked with me for a good hour to sort through the various masks they have and I am now on my FOURTH mask since starting treatment.

Tina

How are you liking the comfort lite? I have a comfort select, and am overall happy with it, but I decided to try an Activa due to so many saying that it was a great mask. Hence, when I ordered my goodknight humidifier, I ordered an activa at the same time.. all OOP, just because I'm sick of dealing with the insureance over this issue and thanks to CPAP.com, I'm able to do it on my own, as long as I budget for it.


AllShookUp
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Re: Retaining fluid & weight gain

Post by AllShookUp » Sat Jun 11, 2005 9:42 am

[quote="sleepless in ny"]I know that the subject of swallowing air has come up plenty on these boards, but I have a different type of question about it. I know that I have been swallowing air as I have pains in my stomach in the morning. But,,,can it cause fluid retention in your fingers, ankles and feet??? I have gained 6 lbs since starting cpap treatment 2 weeks ago. Can this be possible? Kathy

Kathy
I had that exact same problem. Before cpap I did have minor ankle swelling, but not everyday. After cpap I started having swelling that seemed to be all over my body. My legs, feet, ankles, arms, hands and fingers would swell and get so stiff. My entire body seemed bloated. My Doctor put me on water pills which helped a lot, but I switched from my FF mask to the CC mask. I think breathing through my mouth and nose with my humidifier on 4 may have caused some of it. Now most of the stiffness is gone and my swelling stays at a norm. I try to keep carbonated water at a minimum because that also adds to my water retention. I have started drinking a lot more water. Sounds funny, but drinking more water can rid your body of excess fluid. I am also going through the change which I think cpap has definitely escalated many of the symptoms. My ENT says that my heart is probably working better now since I don't have as much fluid. Not sure if that is exactly right or not, still feel like the mask change has helped. Changing masks has also alleviated my Aerophagia.

Patti

Texas Expert in Sleep Wrestling

Dot
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Post by Dot » Sat Jun 11, 2005 5:49 pm

I also gained with bloat after being on the machine a few months. Didn`t happen when was only sleeping 2 to 3 hours, but started when I started sleeping almost 5 hours straight. Mentioned it to my Family Dr and told him I felt like a balloon ready to pop. He said it was the machine and told me to do a lot os stretching when I wake up to help remove the air bloat collected over night. It did help remove gas, but not the weight gain.
At my first check-up a few months with the Lung Dr after starting using the C-PAP, the Dr said I had neither gained or lost and that was good. Gained after sleeping more hours, but my last apt with this Dr was canceled so Dr could go on vacation. Family Dr isn`t concerned over the gain. I hate the full feeling and the bloat.

Susan M

Re: Retaining fluid & weight gain

Post by Susan M » Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:33 am

Yes, I have also been using the CPAP machine for a couple of months and I feel like the Goodyear Blimp!! I can no longer wear my rings and my ankles look and feel like telephone poles. The swelling is horrible and I have probably gained 8-10 lbs. I plan to start using my diuretics again today. I have an appt. with a weight management physician but can't get in to see him until December.

I have been diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension so I will have to continue with this machine regardless of how I feel. I can't really say that I feel better than I did before beginning this treatment; however, I have no choice but to continue on with the CPAP treastment.

I thought I was the only person with this weight-gain and fluid retention problem, but I am hearing more and more reports of this happening.

Susan

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archangle
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Re: Retaining fluid & weight gain

Post by archangle » Sun Oct 21, 2012 5:58 am

Susan M wrote:Yes, I have also been using the CPAP machine for a couple of months and I feel like the Goodyear Blimp!! I can no longer wear my rings and my ankles look and feel like telephone poles. The swelling is horrible and I have probably gained 8-10 lbs. I plan to start using my diuretics again today. I have an appt. with a weight management physician but can't get in to see him until December.

I have been diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension so I will have to continue with this machine regardless of how I feel. I can't really say that I feel better than I did before beginning this treatment; however, I have no choice but to continue on with the CPAP treastment.

I thought I was the only person with this weight-gain and fluid retention problem, but I am hearing more and more reports of this happening.

Susan
Call your doctor's office and discuss the bloating, especially the ankles. That can be a sign of serious medical problems.

Why were you prescribed diuretic and why did you stop?

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Denial Dave
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Re: Retaining fluid & weight gain

Post by Denial Dave » Sun Oct 21, 2012 6:09 am

Goodyear blijp is the perfect description. I had bloating really bad for my 1st 2 weeks, now its every other day or so. Stretching & bendibg helps relieve it.

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BlackSpinner
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Re: Retaining fluid & weight gain

Post by BlackSpinner » Sun Oct 21, 2012 8:35 am

Susan M wrote:Yes, I have also been using the CPAP machine for a couple of months and I feel like the Goodyear Blimp!! I can no longer wear my rings and my ankles look and feel like telephone poles. The swelling is horrible and I have probably gained 8-10 lbs. I plan to start using my diuretics again today. I have an appt. with a weight management physician but can't get in to see him until December.
Get to a real doctor ASAP. This is not weight management issue. It has to do with your heart. Water retention is not the same thing as fat. It MUST be seen immediately. I just went through this with my father. Don't wait!

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hopingitworks
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Re: Retaining fluid & weight gain

Post by hopingitworks » Sun Oct 21, 2012 8:49 am

There are actually several potential medical problems that can contribute to edema. But regardless of the cause it should be investigated without delay.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv ... _retention