Weight Loss with cpap

DOVE · Post by **DOVE** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:45 am

I am real newbie. I just got my bipap machine last night and I felt like I was suffocating. I called the health agency this morning and they are switching me to the auto machine. My pressure is 18 and I honestly cannot do it. I am having trouble adjusting to the mask, I fought with it 2 hours and said the heck with it and took it off. I guess just too much pressure. How long does it take to get adjusted to a mask?

I also wanted to see if anyone has actually noticed a weight loss since starting cpap.

Thanks

jasper · Post by **jasper** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:56 am

Good move Dave... either the ramp feature, or preferably APAP can get you used to the higher pressure. Mine wasn't that high, but I know what you mean. It's like sticking your head out the window with your mouth open at 60 mph.

Regarding weight loss, I'm still waiting (on CPAP for a year). Guess it depends on many other factors including age, physical condition and exercise plus other medical conditions. Some here have reported success, so it certainly is possible.

I also hoped to lower my BP meds and possibly get off the GERD med but that hasn't happened either.

Those things would have been bonuses, but at least the sleep apnea is under control!

jasper · Post by **jasper** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:57 am

Oops sorry, it was DOVE...

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:59 am

DOVE wrote:I am real newbie. I just got my bipap machine last night and I felt like I was suffocating. I called the health agency this morning and they are switching me to the auto machine. My pressure is 18 and I honestly cannot do it. I am having trouble adjusting to the mask, I fought with it 2 hours and said the heck with it and took it off. I guess just too much pressure. How long does it take to get adjusted to a mask?

I also wanted to see if anyone has actually noticed a weight loss since starting cpap.

Thanks

It takes most people 4-6 weeks to get used to this therapy. You felt like you were suffocating probably because the machine wasn't set up correctly by the DME or "agency".

If your pressure is truly 18 cm, you would be better off sticking with the Bipap and adjusting it vs. going to a Auto. Bipap will offer you the most exhale relief at those pressures.

Did you have a 2nd titration sleep study? What where the IPAP and EPAP pressures found there? and what did the "DME" set your Bipap to? IF it is a basic Bipap it will have other parameters such as Biflex and rise times if these are not set correctly you can feel like you are suffocating or hyperventilating.

KAZ · Post by **KAZ** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:10 pm

Interesting, I must have a great Doctor, my pressure is 20 and she put me on a Respy M BI PAP/BIFLEX which gives me time to get to sleep before the pressure rise. You will be better able to adjust with your new machine. As to weight loss, I put on weight like crazy before I found out the hard way that I have SA. I had zero energy, and couldn't walk from here to there without being out of breath. Now, I wake up full of energy and walk 5 miles every day without a problem. Even with the walking every day I still have to contend with the cold hard fact that you have to burn up more calories than you take in. I've lost 135lbs over a five month period, and I haven't suffered, or gone Hungary. I mainly stay away from sweets. So, in my case I could still put on weight if I counted on cpap alone. Good luck, make it work for you! Regards

bgoomba · Post by **bgoomba** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:12 pm

I have been on CPAP for 4 weeks now and have lost 8 lbs. I have not changed my lifestyle at all and still do not eat very healthy. I weighted 320 (usually bounced between 318-324) when I started. Now I am around 312 (310 -315 range it fluctuates a lot). I do feel better. I usually drop all kinds of weight if I have a really active week but have not had one of those since starting CPAP.

I cant really comment much on the pressure. It has never been much of a problem for me but I am at 11 so I have no idea how being at 18+ might affect someone. After a week, I didnt even notice 11. Breathing is normal and I cant tell there is even pressure there except when I first turn the machine on and my nostrils puff up. Thats only a 30 second problem. I dont use the ramp feature.

I wonder if ramping up gradually would work. Set the machine for something like 12 and get used to it. Then move up to something higher after a week.

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Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 2:56 pm

I have not lost weight due to the CPAP. However, the CPAP has made it possible for me to stick to a weight loss program. I think this is an important distinction, otherwise one may end up being disappointed after they start using a CPAP and they don't immediately lose weight. I'm sure some people have experienced CPAP = weight loss without any changes to their diet/exercise habits, but I didn't. It wasn't until I implemented calories in, calories burned I saw the weight loss. And I believe because of the CPAP I have the energy which allows me to focus on my weight loss program. 35 lbs. down, 20 to go.

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:10 pm

Have to agree with Guest, CPAP is not a weight loss device, however, it can give you the energy you need to undertake a weight loss program that includes physical exercise.

Susan

LavenderMist · Post by **LavenderMist** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:12 pm

I agree with all of the above concerning weight loss. You don't magically lose weight just because you put your mask on each night. A byproduct of cpap is that you eventually recover from sleep/oxygen deprivation to the point where you have the energy necessary to exercise. For me it took 21 mos for me to start to see some positive results in that direction. I've lost over 30 lbs and one of my blood pressure medication dosages was cut in half. I was able to stop another medication entirely. However, I joined a gym and worked at getting in better shape too. I've got a long way to go, but thankfully I'm not where I was a couple of years ago.

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 4:41 pm

I have been on CPAP now for 8 months. I am so use to the pressure now that I sometimes think it isn't blowing hard enough. I don't even think of it anymore but then I am only set at 10.

Now for weight loss. It did not happen for me at all. In fact if anything I have ADDED a couple of pounds. (not because of Cpap but in spite of it) I do feel more rested and I do work out at the gym now but I don't lose weight. I haven't changed my diet and that is really the only thing that is going to help me. That really sucks.

activensleepy · Post by **activensleepy** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 4:54 pm

I'm a newbie as well with 2 months on CPAP. I went from 186 to 175 in 5 weeks so it does happen. My fatigue was cut in half along with my appetite to boot. I believe my metabolism is better along with overall blood chemistry which probably explains a better hormone balance as well. It can happen, hang in there! Just waiting for the fog to lift!

amandalee · Post by **amandalee** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 4:57 pm

Re: weight loss.

I haven't lost weight yet, but now that I'm on CPAP I have finally stopped gaining. That's at least a start.

Before I got treatment for OSA, I would keep gaining weight no matter how much I exercised or how healthy I ate. I started CPAP in July, and now I finally have a little more energy to go to the gym and work out.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:57 pm

PAP treatment will give you the energy to move ... move the organism as it was designed (intelligent or otherwise) to do and it will find the optimal weight.

annie123 · Post by **annie123** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:49 pm

I have been on CPAP for just over a year. I concur with others in that CPAP alone won't lead to weight loss, but feeling better has made all the difference in the world for me.
I don't crave the comfort foods (read high calorie, high sugar, and high fat) that I used to so my diet is much better. I also have the energy to work out daily. I have lost 90 lbs so far.
I have been able to go off all of my blood pressure meds. and am "drug free" now.
I am nicer to the people around me.
I don't need a nap every day.
I am not so tired I am dizzy anymore.
Stick with it. The beginning was not easy, but the pay offs are well worth it!
-Annie

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 9:21 pm

Re: weight loss.

I haven't lost weight yet, but now that I'm on CPAP I have finally stopped gaining. That's at least a start.

Before I got treatment for OSA, I would keep gaining weight no matter how much I exercised or how healthy I ate. I started CPAP in July, and now I finally have a little more energy to go to the gym and work out.

this is my story exactly...3.5 years ago i started gaining steadily, no matter how healthy my lifestyle was--very active, healthy diet--and finally plateaued at a 40lb weight gain in less than 6 months...stayed there for a couple of years; i've been on cpap for 11 months now (wow!) and have not only NOT lost weight, i've actually gained 10 more pounds...i do have other sleep related issues, and i'm also 42, which puts me in the perimenopausal arena, but still...waaahhhh

Weight Loss with cpap

Weight Loss with cpap

Re: Weight Loss with cpap

weight loss

the deal with weight loss

weight loss / yes!

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