Weight Gain = Pressure Increase Needed?

tom2112 · Post by **tom2112** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 1:17 pm

I've been on CPAP for over a year now. At first it was great. I hadn't slept so well since I was a baby! Gradually over time, the good sleep went away, and now I'm tired again. I gained weight over that period of time too - 15 or 20 pounds. I'm not sure if the added weight is the cause or the result of worse sleep - or just unrelated all together.

I understand that when you gain weight, your CPAP pressure needs to be increased. Is that something I can do to my machine and try it out? I really hate to have to go back for another sleep study just because I gained weight.

Would an APAP solve this problem? Would that require another sleep study?

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Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:09 pm

tom2112 wrote:I understand that when you gain weight, your CPAP pressure needs to be increased.

I don't know if that's entirely true. It could also be that your pressure wasn't correct to begin with or you possibly have some other "issues" which CPAP therapy can't address. It also could be that you've been losing therapy air from mouth leaks (if you have a nasal-type mask). Ever wake up with a dry mouth?
Since your CPAP (S7 Lightweight according to your profile) has no data collecting capabilities, you're kind of in the dark in how your therapy is working (or not).
If you have your prescription and the extra money, check into other CPAPs or APAPs that DO record sleep statistics with our host.....CPAP.COM.

Respironics has four machines that will collect that information and software IS available in the U.S.
REMstar Pro 2 w/C-flex (CPAP)
REMstar M Series Pro w/C-Flex (CPAP)
REMstar Auto w/C-Flex (Auto)
REMstar M Series Auto w/C-Flex (Auto)

Best wishes,

Den

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:35 pm

As Den says, without good nightly data, it is *very difficult* to track your progress.

I may be wrong re the Liteweight (never got my hands on one), but it may show the average data for AHI AI & HI in the LED. That could help a bit but to do the best analysis you need full nightly data.

Good luck

DSM

(PS I went through this weight gain / declining cpap benefits cycle 3 times in the past 2 years but after very detailed monitoring of my nightly results & adjusting my machine plus use of a Pulse Oximeter, I got to a point where I was getting consistenly good results from cpap & then was able to tackle the weight issue - today have lost close on 40lbs from the heaviest I had been in the past 12 months.

I am in little doubt that ... poor cpap ==> weight gain ==> poorer cpap ==> more weight gain etc: etc: add to that increased depression & sluggishness (leadenness is a good word)

D

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:39 pm

Thanks guys!

The S7 lightweight doesn't record any data that I can figure out. I read up on it when I got it, and remember that's it's a "dumb" device, not a like some of the other "smart" recording devices.

DSM, I think you're correct. From other opinions and online info I've read, the poor cpap / weight gain is a definite downward spiral. I definitely feel "leaden". I don't think I would call it depression, per se. Just a complete lack of motivation to do anything. And being tired saps the energy out of you to even accomplish simple routine tasks like house work.

I think I'll call my DME supplier and see if it's been long enough, and maybe I can get them to issue me an APAP that records full data. I don't think leaks are my problem, as I use a full face mask. I'm sure you can still have leaks, it's just mouth-open leaks aren't a problem.

I have noticed that I am very dry when I wake up - not dry mouth - nasal. I have a heated humidifier, so I shouldn't be that dry. The humidifier is using up the water too. Either I've got the humidifier turned up too high, and it's running out early, or I've got a big leak and the water's not getting to me. Now that I think of it, one of my turbinates is usually swollen when I wake up, and I can't breathe out of one side of my nose. That hasn't happened since before I got the humidifier. Hmmmm....

cpapqueen · Post by **cpapqueen** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:13 pm

When was the last time you replaced your mask and/or mask cushion?? Sounds like all you may need is a good seal.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:50 pm

cpapqueen wrote:When was the last time you replaced your mask and/or mask cushion?? Sounds like all you may need is a good seal.

I've been using the same (UMFF) mask for just about two years and it still looks practically "new". Unless you're very hard on the seals, they should last a long time......and the rest of the mask should last almost indefinitely as the smaller plastic parts are replaceable if they break.

Den

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:46 pm

I can add a little light to this, shadow that is. I have picked up 16 lbs in the last three months, not that I needed it, really I need to lose 140 lb, but it's not going to happen. It crept on over the holidays, and surprised even me, but I can tell the dead man I'm carrying was dragging harder.

I keep full records daily on my treatment, my pressure has went down to the lowest it's been since I started XPAP, and my AHI is also the lowest.

I am sure that's not what the books says, but that's what's up here. Chocolate Cakes have been taking it hard the last three months, so has the insulin. Jim

jskinner · Post by **jskinner** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:21 am

Anonymous wrote:I think I'll call my DME supplier and see if it's been long enough, and maybe I can get them to issue me an APAP that records full data.

If they say no, how about renting one for a month or so?

tom2112 · Post by **tom2112** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 1:17 pm

Good idea on the rental! If they won't give me one, I can pay for it. I have an appointment with my ear/nose/throat Doc on Monday. I'm going to ask him for a script for an APAP with recording features. He's the one that got me started on CPAP and the whole sleep study. So he'll probably write it. I hope he doesn't want another study...

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 12:19 pm

If he won't write it for APAP, CPAP.COM will fill a CPAP script with APAP if you want. Jim

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 1:53 pm

In fact, if you have a copy of the original prescription, cpap.com could get your order shipped ASAP.

tom2112 · Post by **tom2112** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 11:25 pm

I didn't know that about CPAP/APAP scripts. If nothing else, I will get a copy of the old script while I'm at the doc's.

Thanks guys!

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