Water retention and OSA/CPAP??

NeedinZs · Post by **NeedinZs** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:59 pm

Sounds weird, but has anyone else experienced water retention in the lower legs, feet, while using CPAP? Also INCREASED nightly bathroom breaks? (I guess to get rid of that water?)

I remember someone discussing nightly bathroom breaks on here before, but can't remember the reason for the discussion.

A couple weeks ago, this began happening and has increased steadily.
Just trying to find out, if it could be SA or CPAP related, or I have something else going on.

Tried to get in bed early last night, but was 11 by the time I dealt with kids (you know, one thing and the other.) Had to get up at 6.
In that time, I woke up 4 times with mask leaks, and had to visit the bathroom each time.
That seems a little extreme....

Anybody else experienced anything similar?

I can't believe I'm actually discussing this, but O, well.......

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:44 pm

It has been just the oppsite for me. I am diabetic so frequent potty breaks have been a way of life for me. On cpcp I go a lot less frequent, generally only once per night. I wake up after cpcp with no swelling in my legs. It has been a very positive thing for me. Still want to go to the door and see if I can hit the trash can with the machine but I keep talking myself out of it because I know it is helping.

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:53 pm

Since I started CPAP I have had much more water retention in the ankles and it started about 2 to 3 weeks after I started CPAP. I am now six months in and still have the problem. I have had myself checked and they can't find anything wrong but it does bug me. I take a diuretic about 4 times a week to help with this.
As for the night bathroom runs those have actually improved and basically gone away since I started CPAP. That's a good thing!

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 6:42 pm

I'm about 4 months in and I've begun to notice water retention in my feet and ankles. I have hypertension and take a diuretic for that anyway (for some years). My blood pressure's been slightly higher but I'm in a rather stressful time right now due to a heavy work schedule, so I think it's due to that.

nightingale · Post by **nightingale** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:25 pm

I can't believe I happened upon this topic tonight! I spent this morning at my doctor's office trying to discover the cause of significant edema of the feet, ankles, and legs to about mid-calf. Had chest xray to rule out congestive heart failure, all imaginable blood work, plus urinalysis to see if any kidney disease -- all negative. This has been going on since May, and getting progressively worse. This is a big medical practice, and they were stumped. Looked at side effects of all meds I take, including supplements.
Told me to come home and sit with legs elevated, get some compression hose, and low salt diet--I don't use salt or eat salty foods.
If anyone has read any data on this, please email me. Thanks.

Nightingale

nightingale · Post by **nightingale** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 8:47 pm

RE: Subject:CPAP side effects
Follow-Up posted by Gregory Harper, RRT, RCP (gharper@erols.com) on 9:8:27 8/23/97
Follow-Up: Hello Jean. The use of CPAP can decrease the amount of urine that you produce with a consequent increase in water retention and body weight. For the first two weeks of CPAP therapy I suggest that you weigh yourself every day when you wake up in the morning. If you notice a sudden increase in your body weigh (more than 3-4 pounds in one day), please contact your physician. This is especially important if you have a heart condition. He may prescribe a "water pill" or diuretic for you. I believe there are several reasons for this phenomena in CPAP users, including changes in antidiutetic hormone secretion. But the most likely explanation is the hemodynamic (heart pumping) changes that take place with increased airway pressure. Consider for a moment that your body in an enclosed fluid system with the heart acting as a pump. The left side of the heart pumps blood (fluid) to the entire body and back to the right side of the heart. The right side of the heart pumps blood through the lungs to the left side of the heart. Now when you are just falling to sleep and, possibly, at other times of the night, your airway is open and the pressure that normally splints the collapsible airway open is transmitted to the lower airway and lungs. This causes the pressure in the lungs to increase and they hyperinflate. This then causes a decrease in blood volume that would normally return to the right side of the heart to "pool" in the lower extremities (the feet and ankles) and cause swelling, weight gain, and decreased urination. This is usually a temporary situation as your body adjusts to the increased airway pressure while you sleep. If it persists, contact your physician. Also, if you experience increased shortness-of-breath or are more tired than usual, contact your physician right away. I hope that this information has helped. Please contact me if you have any further questions please feel free to contact me. Good luck and persevere.

I just found the above and plan to take it over to my sleep lab tomorrow and have them read and see if this can be my problem. I am tired all the time too.

Nightingale

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:51 pm

lower leg edema can be associated with simple water gain or CHF.

It is better to see your doctor about the leg edema, they can run a simple EKG in the office and know within minutes if there is a problem requiring further cardiology tests.

If you have hypertension and are taking a ACE inhibitor you can become low on potassium, if that is the case your doctor may add a diuretic with potassium to eliminate the water gain and supplement the potassium.

See your doctor, don't ignore that leg edema.

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:39 am

[quote="nightingale"]RE: Subject:CPAP side effects
Follow-Up posted by Gregory Harper, RRT, RCP (gharper@erols.com) on 9:8:27 8/23/97
Follow-Up: Hello Jean. The use of CPAP can decrease the amount of urine that you produce with a consequent increase in water retention and body weight. For the first two weeks of CPAP therapy I suggest that you weigh yourself every day when you wake up in the morning. If you notice a sudden increase in your body weigh (more than 3-4 pounds in one day), please contact your physician. This is especially important if you have a heart condition. He may prescribe a "water pill" or diuretic for you. I believe there are several reasons for this phenomena in CPAP users, including changes in antidiutetic hormone secretion. But the most likely explanation is the hemodynamic (heart pumping) changes that take place with increased airway pressure. Consider for a moment that your body in an enclosed fluid system with the heart acting as a pump. The left side of the heart pumps blood (fluid) to the entire body and back to the right side of the heart. The right side of the heart pumps blood through the lungs to the left side of the heart. Now when you are just falling to sleep and, possibly, at other times of the night, your airway is open and the pressure that normally splints the collapsible airway open is transmitted to the lower airway and lungs. This causes the pressure in the lungs to increase and they hyperinflate. This then causes a decrease in blood volume that would normally return to the right side of the heart to "pool" in the lower extremities (the feet and ankles) and cause swelling, weight gain, and decreased urination. This is usually a temporary situation as your body adjusts to the increased airway pressure while you sleep. If it persists, contact your physician. Also, if you experience increased shortness-of-breath or are more tired than usual, contact your physician right away. I hope that this information has helped. Please contact me if you have any further questions please feel free to contact me. Good luck and persevere.

I just found the above and plan to take it over to my sleep lab tomorrow and have them read and see if this can be my problem. I am tired all the time too.

Nightingale

TIGMONSTER68 · Post by **TIGMONSTER68** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:53 am

Hello,
I too have edema in the lower legs/ankles. It is disgusting, I never had it before and then I went on Lipitor/metaprolol/a water pill/plavix......it started almost immediately when I started these meds, and has not gone away with APAP use, even when I was told by my doctor that it is probably related to my OSA. I tried to tell him I never had this before and since I started taking these meds is when it showed up. He refuses to believe that it is a side effect of one of the meds. I was sure it was so when I stopped taking the metaprolol for a couple weeks, the swelling was going down, but he told me I either had to take it or I would die. Okay, so back on Metaprolol, and back to having swelling. I frequently visit another website that I can look up the meds i take and it is all people like us, not doctor's who submit their side effects etc....on all kinds of meds....and for BP meds there is almost always several patients who experienced terrible edema from taking them. Like 15-20 lb water gain. Now why won't the doctor's admit that it causes edema? I'm just as confused as everyone because now that I feel better, I look like crap because of water gain and my ankles are as big as my calves! GROSS!
Anyway, just thought I'd share!
Have a great weekend!
Jodie

Moby · Post by **Moby** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:32 am

I started cpap in late March, and moderate oedema developed in both legs up to my knees suddenly in mid July, after several days of being on my feet all day at work. I have never had oedema this badly before. It didn't go away with rest, and I went to the doctor this week to check it out.

She said it was due to poor venous return and recommended support stockings. She has ordered some blood work which I have yet to do, including kidney function and sugar levels. I feel energetic enough, so doubt there is anything seriously wrong. She said my heart sounded fine, and I couldn't do all I do if my heart was weak. However I think the poor venous return would not account for the oedema developing so quickly bilaterally.

It is very interesting to read of the possible connection of cpap and dependent oedema. However I don't see the connection, in the post quoted, with hyperinflated lungs and compromised venous return to the heart from the legs. I would be grateful if someone could elaborate on this for me.

Thank you for discussing this subject.

Di

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:31 pm

OK, so far I'm noticing that most or all of the people responding that they have edema appear to be women. So, I have another question. Are you pre or postmenopausal? If Post, are you taking hormones. I am post but take bioidentical hormone replacement. I'm wondering if there could be a hormonal connection here. I used to retain more water during certain parts of my cycle when I was premenopausal.

Perhaps there are hormonal changes going on that could be related to some of this. There was a thread not too long ago about men getting hairier due to increasing testosterone on cpap. Maybe men get hairier and women get heavier (due to water).

Any thoughts?

Moby · Post by **Moby** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:08 pm

Post menopausal (i think - no more mood swings or flushes).
on HRT.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 7:18 pm

Go to a good cardiologist, and have him or her do a thorough work up on you. swelling of the ankles or feet, can be caused by several factors, if nothing is found there, find a good Dr to check further, don't depend on lay peoples suggestions, you might be causing damage not having the issue attended to.I made the mistake of having ankles swelling and tried all excuses, thinking I could go on line and find the answer, well I finally did, when I went into afib, had the cardio version got my heart back in rhythm, put me on lasix no more swollen ankles, Hopefully your situation isn't that serious, but why take a chance, looking forward to hear you come back with good health news.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:42 pm

I am Post and I am on Premarin but still have those darn hot flashes but not as bad since i've been on cpap therapy for about 1 month now. I also have had the swelling ankles, feet, and leg pain for the past 3 weeks. I went to my Dr.(primary) and he told me to go to see a cardiologist because for about 3 years now i've had this heart thing that comes and goes but it dosen't happen real often... So, I will need to do that next. Also, I have to mention that I really think this water weight gain has something to do with using the humidifier, sometimes my tank only has 1/4 of water left in it even when I only sleep 6 hours and man, my lungs hurt really bad to, I have often thought I was getting phnemonia because that is what it feels like, I have posted that before and another thing is on one of the nights that I used sucked in all that water from my humidifier, the next day I was sick and for 2 or 3 days I sneezed (like 6 to 8 times in a row) and my nose ran (clear fluid) no color whats so ever, looked just like water and was as thin as water now, you tell me it dosen't have anything to do with the humidifier!!! I also use the snugglehose so I don't have the rainout thing... Where on earth is all that water going ? Good Question huh? I would say our Lungs and the letter from the RT explained the rest. What do you gals think??? PS- I used to get up 4 times a night to go to the restroom and I only get up one tima a night since i'm on cpap, strange

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 12:11 pm

why not just turn down your humidifier control, why need all that moisture, or you might be using that amount of water if your mouth breathing and losing it that way.
hope you find the cause, can't see how that much water in your lungs could be beneficial to you.
Ed

Mask

Humidifier

Additional Comments: ozzie heated hose.

Humidifier

Additional Comments: ozzie heated hose.

Water retention and OSA/CPAP??

Water retention and OSA/CPAP??

Swollen Feet & Ankles