Sleep Apnea - On CPAP and still no energy

MrRob · Post by **MrRob** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:25 am

Hello all,

I have been on CPAP since November and complaint with the CPAP for about 2.5 months since getting the Swift nasal pillows.

My health is horrible. I can barely walk a flight of stairs and when I do I am gasping for air. I am now 60 lbs over weight and the heaviest I have ever been. I do not have the energy to exercise. I try and eat pretty healthy (1700 calories) but I do tend to drink beer on the weekends. I keep gaining weight. I am a 34 year old male so 1700 calories should make me loose weight.

How do you suppose I get me health back? Loosing weight is a must. Exercise is a must. But no energy to exercise it is close to impossible to do.

twillson · Post by **twillson** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 10:52 am

MrRob,

Sounds to my like there is a lot more going on with your health than just OSA. What do your doctors think?

There have been plenty of threads warning new users that improvement in health from OSA can be very gradual, but there is no reason I am aware of that CPAP should make you feel worse, assuming that you are comfortable enough to sleep well with it.

I would try to rule out things like allergies, viruses, cardiovascular problems, and other major health issues if I were you. Are you on any medications? Do you think you might be suffering from depression?

I am not an MD, but I would urge you to consult one for two important reasons: 1) you obviously want to fix whatever problem you have, and 2) if it is serious, early diagnosis and treatment might be the key to a successful outcome.

Good luck. I hope it turns out to be something simple and temporary!

linda b · Post by **linda b** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:24 am

You are awfully young to be feeling so bad. Do you have any other conditions that can cause such shortness of breath -- such as asthma or are you a smoker? You might consider seeing a pulmonary doctor to see if anything is going on with your lungs to cause a reduction in lung volume. If your blood is not receiving the proper oxygen saturation needed then many different functions of your body can be affected. This includes your heart, brain, lungs, muscles, etc.

Last December I was diagnosised by a GP as having COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and was put on oxygen 24/7. A big nuisance, but I started feeling much better almost immediately. The daytime sleepiness was virtually gone, but not the shortness of breath.

Following up with a pulmonologist confirmed COPD with asthma as the primary cause along with emphasema. Advair and Singulair (which have helped quite a bit with the shortness of breath) were added. One thing I wasn't expecting was loosing 15 pounds without even trying! This doctor also recommended a sleep study among several other tests. Yes, I also have mild sleep apnea. I have not started on the xpap yet, but will be very soon and expect that I will soon feel even better. And hopefully even lose more weight. (There are proven connections between sleep apnea and weight gain.)

So, don't give up and don't assume that only one condition could be causing your problems. There is a wonderful community of people on this and other forums that will be there to lean on every step of the way.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:51 am

I have been to a Pulmonologist (Also the sleep doc). I have 5.34 volume of lung capacity (what ever that means)., The doc says its not great but its not horrible.

Depression is there definetly. I have tried Xanax and I tried a shrink for a while but lo luck.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:53 pm

Rob,
Go back and see your sleep doc. You may have something interfearing with the CPAP.... like maybe a nasal condishtion.

NoSlak · Post by **NoSlak** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:31 pm

I was thinking maybe your pressure is off, you may want to see what your results say from your CPAP machine if it is in fact stopping your Apneas from happening.

MrRob · Post by **MrRob** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:59 am

My CPAP is the Respironics Plus. I do not think it logs any data.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 9:01 am

MrRob,

What is your machine's pressure set at?
(and/or, what pressure were you prescribed?)

Den

MrRob · Post by **MrRob** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 9:24 am

My pressure is set at 9.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 9:51 am

MrRob,

You might want to jack it up a couple of notches (cm) and see if you see some improvement. IMHO

Best wishes,

Den

Flyboy · Post by **Flyboy** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 9:51 am

MrRob,

Have you had a cardiac stress test? Do you have a family history of heart disease? I had a heart attack in September and the only real warning I had was getting more and more out of breath--no chest pain (until the attack).

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:43 am

You might want to get your blood sugar tested too. Onset of type 2 diabetes can produce symptoms like yours.