How many have had their pressure lowered w/weight loss?

[debstieb]

I have lost a few pounds since starting cpap, and am not sure if my pressure needs to be lowered or not. Some nights it seems like too much and some it seems like not enough. I know that an auto machine would answer this question for me, but I can't afford it, and also want to know from people on this board if this is true.

Thanks,

Deb

[dsm]

For myself - absolutely.

When at say 85 kg - my machine is ok for me on 10/12 or 10/13 settings.

If weight gets up around 88-91 kg - 10/13

If over 91 kg 11/14


Am in little doubt that I could draw a graph relating changing weight to changing CMS settings (based on all else being the same).

Cheers

DSM

[Lee Lee]

I lost 47 pounds and mine went UP from 10 to 13. Go figure.

[Goofproof]

I've gained 30 lb over two years, my pressure stayed the same. Jim

[hades161]

Everyone is different thats for sure, I guess it kinda would depend on what you did to lose the weight. If say you just took weight loss pills or had a surgery I would think it might drop. Now say if you took up swimming, diving, running, or a musical instrument, something that really works out the lungs and the neck who knows. There have been a few posts on how taking up a musical instrument helped others pressure wise. So if that is the case then it stands to reason activities of this nature would help as well.

That being said though I did see a post not to long ago on the forums here by a 65 year old, non obese, marathon runner who still had OSA and was unable to get his pressure down.

So its really hard to say but it most certainly can't hurt.

Most things I have looked up on this and read around here supports the idea that losing or gaining 10+ or more will most likely change your pressure needs. Personally I think it would depend on where your body put those extra pounds or took them off.

I like the Auto-paps for this reason, life changes so fast at times that its nice to be able to adjust to your needs without a PSG test everytime or the play it by feel approach. Even if you run it in Cpap mode all the time its still a nice option to have.

[Wulfman]

ANY data-capable machine CPAP will also be capable of telling you how your therapy is going. If your pressure is close enough at one weight, it's no big deal to tweak with your pressure for a different weight.

I would think that unless a person either loses a LOT of weight or is at a really HIGH pressure (when all that weight loss occurs), there may not be much need for pressure changes at 10, 20 or 30 pound variations.

Den

[Guest]

I think I have had OSA most of my life. It doesn't seem like the weight makes much of a difference for me because I have felt fatigued and have always had to nap during the day most of my life, and have always been in pretty good shape. I don't know if my allergies make it worse,or what the common denominitaor is, but I just know that some nights I feel like I need more and some less. The RT told me that I would need a new titration if I lost/gained weight (10+ pounds). I gain/lose that much quite often. I guess I will have to save for an auto.

I really appreciate all the help and feedback that I have gotten here. It's not that I don't trust the doctors/RT'S/DME'S, The bottom line is that you know more than they do. (IMO)

Thanks,

Deb

[Wulfman]

I forgot to mention in my previous post that was able to lower my pressure from 18 to 10 when I lost about 150 lbs.........I got rid of my doctor.

Den

[ozij]

I forgot to mention in my previous post that was able to lower my pressure from 18 to 10 when I lost about 150 lbs.........I got rid of my doctor.

Den

You just told those 150 pounds to get lost, and they did???

O.

[lifeartist59]

Hi Wulfman, how did you lose that much? Congratulation, by the way! I am struggling to lose more, lost 32 so far and none in the last month or so. I always appreciate your help, so any suggestions???? Thanks too!

[rwalther]

I've come down 20 lbs, and lowered my max pressure from 20 to 14. My average now is 90% at 13, and Average around 10 or 11.

It was much higher 20 lbs ago.

I find that I have a lot more energy, and am working out for about 45 minutes every day.

Unfortunately ... 20 lbs is a "rounding error" on my almost 300 lbs displacement, but at least it's a start.

Rusty

[Wulfman]

Hi Wulfman, how did you lose that much? Congratulation, by the way! I am struggling to lose more, lost 32 so far and none in the last month or so. I always appreciate your help, so any suggestions???? Thanks too!

I was joking.......my sleep doctor weighs about 150 lbs (probably less)......soaking wet. I actually reset my machine pressure the first day I started using it.....and before my first visit with him after starting therapy. He wasn't any too happy about me doing that and consequently it was my last meeting with him. He had also prescribed 2 L of oxygen which I never used, either. Basically, once I got my prescription, machine and software, we parted ways. He was also an arrogant, obnoxious little jerk......I couldn't stand to be in the same room with him.

I took charge of MY therapy.

I HAVE lost some weight since starting therapy.....but I avoid scales so I can't say how much.....I go by how my clothes fit.


Den

[lifeartist59]

Oh I sure missed that one, hahaha. I sometimes wish I could do that too!

[socknitster]

Not from weight loss. But from tonsilectomy and getting GERD under control. My pressure has been reduced from 16 (original scrip) to 10 or 11. Hoping weight loss will follow with better sleep.

Actually I am well past the midway point in my pregnancy and only gained 3 lbs so far--certainly not trying to loose weight and being just as concious of my diet as I have always felt I was.

Jen