losing weight but apnea worse

[AnneO]

Hi all,

It's been almost one year since I was diagnosed with severe OSA and started using CPAP. I've managed to lose 55 lbs. (so far: I'm about half way to my goal). While I knew that weight loss wouldn't "cure" my OSA - I have anatomical issues - I had hoped to be able to lower my pressure. I had a re-titration sleep study last night and wouldn't you know it, not only do I need a higher pressure, I need to get an Auto-PAP. My worst apneas are happening during REM sleep and I needed a pressure of 20 (current CPAP is set on 10). However, I didn't tolerate 20 too well. I'm a little bummed out by this news. Apparently, in a small percentage of OSA patients, weight loss causes the throat tissue to get "flappier" (that is a direct quote from my sleep doc).

[Goofproof]

I can see that happening, I gained 35 LB with no pressure increase needed. Are you sure you aren't mouthbreathing, being treated at 10 with needing 20 doesn't seem right. If you could post your Dailys graph maybe something could be seen. Jim

[DreamStalker]

What does your software say ... it is quite likely more representative than a one night sleep study (that could have easily been messed up).

[Wulfman]

Hi all,

It's been almost one year since I was diagnosed with severe OSA and started using CPAP. I've managed to lose 55 lbs. (so far: I'm about half way to my goal). While I knew that weight loss wouldn't "cure" my OSA - I have anatomical issues - I had hoped to be able to lower my pressure. I had a re-titration sleep study last night and wouldn't you know it, not only do I need a higher pressure, I need to get an Auto-PAP. My worst apneas are happening during REM sleep and I needed a pressure of 20 (current CPAP is set on 10). However, I didn't tolerate 20 too well. I'm a little bummed out by this news. Apparently, in a small percentage of OSA patients, weight loss causes the throat tissue to get "flappier" (that is a direct quote from my sleep doc).

Any particular sleep position? What is your normal sleeping position and did they have you sleep in some other position? The reason I ask that is because too many sleep labs MAKE their subjects sleep on their backs when they don't normally sleep in that position......and it's typically the worst position for having apneas because the tongue falls back into the throat more easily and causes more apneas.

Den

[marshaeb]

.... too many sleep labs MAKE their subjects sleep on their backs when they don't normally sleep in that position......and it's typically the worst position for having apneas because the tongue falls back into the throat more easily and causes more apneas.

Den

From your mouth to God's ears. I completely agree with what you're saying, but that's actually what I'm hoping for. When I had my titration study, they couldn't get any "sleeping on my back" numbers from me. (It was a baaaaad night.) I'm to have a follow-up titration study next month, and if there's a wide enough difference between my normal side-sleeping pressure and my on-my-back pressure reqirements, my doc said he'll rewrite my script from cpap to apap. So even though I never sleep on my back, I hope I do long enough for them to get some really horrible numbers, the doc to rewrite my script, me to get an apap, and then to NEVER sleep on my back again. Makes perfect sense, doesn't it?

Marsha

[Snoredog]

I was skinny when I was diagnosed with OSA.

Only association with weight and OSA I can figure out is a slower metabolism. With OSA you are fatigued so you don't move around as much you gain weight. Use of CPAP lowers fatigue level you are able to move around more and speed up metabolism, you lose weight.

But the only problem with that theory is the processed foods we consume contain high fructose syrup. So much of the food we buy contains that corn syrup it turns into fat cells, fat that our body cannot use or consume so it simply builds up. A losing battle if you are trying to lose weight. They need to go back to using plain old granulated sugar, fat made from it we can use and burn.

[Bearded_One]

I was not overweight when I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and I probably had sleep apnea when I was quite thin. I am now obese, but my CPAP pressure is still within one cmh2o of my first titration, which was 14 years and many pounds ago. Even a UPPP and an MMA didn't change my titatration.

[CorgiGirl]

Only association with weight and OSA I can figure out is a slower metabolism. With OSA you are fatigued so you don't move around as much you gain weight. Use of CPAP lowers fatigue level you are able to move around more and speed up metabolism, you lose weight.

But the only problem with that theory is the processed foods we consume contain high fructose syrup. So much of the food we buy contains that corn syrup it turns into fat cells, fat that our body cannot use or consume so it simply builds up. A losing battle if you are trying to lose weight. They need to go back to using plain old granulated sugar, fat made from it we can use and burn.

The relationship of OSA to weight is more complex than simple sleep deficit causing fatigue and less activity. I was referred to a sleep doctor by my endocrinologist after not losing any weight while exercising 2 hours per day and eating 1600 calories. He told me (and I've since read online) that the hormones which control hunger and fullness are affected by sleep deprivation. If we don't get enough quality sleep (caused by apnea or other conditions), we don't make enough of the hormone Leptin which tells the body when we have enough fat reserves and signals satiety. Instead we make too much grehlin, which tells us we're hungry all the time. I've been on my xPAP now for almost a month and I am starting to see some changes in my hunger state -- I'm actually experiencing feeling full after eating without having a distended stomach from overeating!

I have been following the high fructose corn syrup vs. table sugar debate and can't find any credible scientific studies to support one being worse than the other. They are both simple sugars and are metabolized quickly, giving us a "sugar high" followed by rapid "sugar low" conditions. If you've found good studies, please post links! Thanks.

[frapilu]

Hi all,

It's been almost one year since I was diagnosed with severe OSA and started using CPAP. I've managed to lose 55 lbs. (so far: I'm about half way to my goal). While I knew that weight loss wouldn't "cure" my OSA - I have anatomical issues - I had hoped to be able to lower my pressure. I had a re-titration sleep study last night and wouldn't you know it, not only do I need a higher pressure, I need to get an Auto-PAP. My worst apneas are happening during REM sleep and I needed a pressure of 20 (current CPAP is set on 10). However, I didn't tolerate 20 too well. I'm a little bummed out by this news. Apparently, in a small percentage of OSA patients, weight loss causes the throat tissue to get "flappier" (that is a direct quote from my sleep doc).

AnneO, congrats on your 55 lb loss! Way to go! I'm sorry for your pressure requirement going the wrong way, though and I truly, truly hope it doesn't happen to me! I'm starting an Optifast liquid diet for 12 weeks as of Sept 16 in order to lose some weight because I just have so many health issues, including sleep apnea. I'm seriously counting on the weight loss reducing my numbers, not increasing them

Good luck & keep us posted.
France