Weight loss = Lower Pressures? Not for me!!

[damonreavis]

I started out at a pressure of 14, 5 years ago about 400 pounds. Since themI have went up to 454 pounds and now am at my present 303 pounds. I felt like my pressure was too high because I have not been sleeping well. (I lost 143 pounds in 6 months). I had another sleep study completed this week and they want me at a 16?!? How is this possible? Can i demand a recount?

[BlackSpinner]

Congratulations on your weight loss!
But yes other people here have had the same results.

[Vader]

Congrats on the impressive weight loss!

[chunkyfrog]

Wow--what an accomplishment--Kudos!
On the pressure/weight loss matter, I have lost--no, make that 'discarded' about 40 pounds since I started CPAP.
My pressures dropped the day I switched from my Elite to my Autoset.
(Hmm, I must have been titrated a bit high.)
Since then, I have dropped around 30 pounds (I'm happy), and my pressures are maybe a tiny bit lower overall.
I consistently have higher pressure with full face masks over my Swift FX pillows.
The biggest difference is that my old masks don't fit for caca--my face is so much thinner now.
Not complaining--no way.

[archangle]

Congratulations on the weight loss. I bet you feel a lot better. Keep it up.

303 is still heavy, though. And some thin people have apena, too. "Big boned" people like me tend to get apnea even if we're thin. I'm not joking. I am "big boned." I can't find hats big enough to fit my head, and there ain't a lot of fat between the bone and skin on my head. Big heads and thick necks tend to have apnea problems. I'll admit I do have way too much flesh hanging on my big bones.

You have an auto machine and software. What pressure does it choose if you give it a pressure range? I've tinkered with mine to find what works for me.

You should also realize that a sleep study is just a guess at the exact "right" pressure. It's an attempt to find a pressure that relieves your dangerous symptoms, even it it's not perfect. One night in a strange situation is not a good measure of what happens at home. Even at home in the same situation, the right pressure may vary. That's why you want to check your symptoms at home with a good machine.

[Janknitz]

We've seen other examples of people needing MORE pressure with weight loss. That's why it's important not to ASSUME that weightloss has cured apnea. It MUST be confirmed with a PSG before someone who has successfully lost weight can discontinue CPAP. There are often underlying issues causing apnea that are independent of body weight alone.

Congrats on your weight loss--that's AWESOME!!!

[damonreavis]

You have an auto machine and software. What pressure does it choose if you give it a pressure range? I've tinkered with mine to find what works for me.

My sleep has been flawless for years so I have not messed with the software at all.

I know that losing weight may not cure Sleep Apnea but her is my issue. Previously I could not sleep 2 minutes without a mask, I would choke/gasp horribly!! Now, I can sleep fine throughout the night with no cpap machine, wake up in the morning feeling just fine to very slightly tired. That is why I assumed my pressure should be lowered. But like I said, it went up from 14 to 16.

[kempo]

Congrats on your weight loss. I started off with settings of 8-10 on my apap. I lost 50lb. and now my settings are 10-12. I know it doesn't seem right but I know a few slim and trim athletic types who have higher pressure settings than I.

Keep up the good work on your weight loss!

[chunkyfrog]

And don't quit the machine.
Some of the stress hormones produced due to untreated apnea mess with your metabolism.
Feeling good is great, but your innards are even more sensitive than you are aware.