Weight Gain?

whirlygirl · Post by **whirlygirl** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 8:22 am

Has anyone gained weight after beginning therapy? I have been on CPAP since March and have gained 10 lbs. Being overweight before, this doesn't help.

sleepy gal · Post by **sleepy gal** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 8:33 am

Hi, you are not alone, I have also gained weight since CPAP.

Not sure it was/is because of CPAP itself, but rather the way I react to stress which is (unfortunately!) to eat. And CPAP and dealing with RLS/PLMD also was/is very stressful.

I am hoping things will get better.

Are there other things stressing you in your life? Have your eating patterns changed?

You might want to consider joining the CPAP weight loss group under "Its Friday again", just a support group.

Best of luck.

Sleeper · Post by **Sleeper** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 9:00 am

It is disheartening to hear this since the Sleep doctor told me point blank, "CPAP will make it easier for you to lose weight."

I'm very close to actually getting my machine, but suffice it to say that this has been a complete fiasco from Day 1. I guess for a lot of people it's worth the trouble, but my insurance co. has so far spent $4,550 and change on my behalf and I have yet to see ANY benefit -- only hassles. I would have preferred to have spent that money on a membership to good health club and nice vacation for myself, the two things which I can scarcely afford.

MissAmethyst2U · Post by **MissAmethyst2U** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 9:08 am

Whirlygirl, you are diff not alone! my doc told me the exact same thing! then when I went back for my second checkup after starting therapy I had gained like 2lbs and she was NOT happy, I actually left there crying she jumped on me so bad about my weight. Since starting CPAP in May I have gained prob about 8lbs I havnt really changed too much in my life either so if you figure out why this migh tbe going on please be sure to share...Good Luck!

peg · Post by **peg** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 9:29 am

Good morning!
My doctor and DME also told me that weight loss would be easier after starting CPAP. But, not because it is a magic pill. It's because you feel better and get up and going. I have not lost an ounce but I do believe that in time the weight loss will begin. I am walking more, taking more interest in my house and yard. OMG, the projects that I have going on and the ones still in my head. (I think that my baby liked it better when I was a little less energetic. Honey do list just gets longer and longer. )
Don't give up and be disheartened. Fight the good fight.
I do recommend the Leslie Sansone walking videos. Just pop one in the VCR/DVD and walk your little heart out. Relieves stress, gives you something to do besides eat. Get a buddy to walk and talk with you. You can do this anytime of the day or night and in all kinds of weather and in the privacy of your own home.

Don't give up and don't stop CPAP. This is a good therapy and it does work.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 10:25 am

Your doctors didn't lie. It is easier to lose weight on CPAP because it returns your body back to a state where your cortisol levels drop back to normal, which finally allows you to lose. It won't be automatic, like putting on the mask and the weight comes off, like most of us think. But I know before starting therapy, I couldn't lose after a certain point. The weight loss just would stop and would never go any lower. Someone said that was because of my elevated cortisol levels that are amongst the many things that are off when your have oxygen desaturations due to OSA.

Since starting therapy, as Peg has said, it has made me so much more energetic that between exercising and wanting to eat correctly now, I am almost at the 20-lb. mark after really working at it since the beginning of July. If I did nothing to help it along, I wouldn't have lost anything, I don't think. But because of the renewed energy that the therapy has given me, it allowed me to put myself back in the right frame of mind to be healthy and do what's right for my body - AND now that the cortisol levels are probably where they should be, I continue to lose weight the way I normally would expect to. Of course there are plateaus, but I am not complaining.

So don't expect to have the weight fall off without doing anything to make it happen, but you will have the ability now to lose it. Your doctors are right that it will be EASIER, or possible, now to take off the pounds. But you do have to be a pro-active participant in the endeavor.

And, yes, join the Friday support group we have thanks to Amy (Yawn). It is a wonderful thing. We do our Friday weigh-ins and give each other the encouragement we need to be successful. Better than going it alone!

SLEEPYCD · Post by **SLEEPYCD** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 11:01 am

Whirlygirl,

Don't despair, give it some time. I started CPAP in May 2005, OSA/RLS was SO STRESSFUL!!!! I Feel 80% better now!!!! I keep a journal, how I feel, blood pressure, exercise, ect., it really helped me. Try to get some exercise, start slowly and GIRLS LIFT SOME WEIGHTS a couple times a week!!!! I have lost 19 lbs since Dec 2004. My blood pressure has dropped and am getting alot more projects done!!!! Today, I will continue painting my house. Remember, taking care of YOURSELF is the most important thing in your life right now. YOU CAN DO IT and there are alot of wonderful people on this forum to help!!!!!

Carolyn

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 12:01 pm

Sleepless on LI wrote:Your doctors didn't lie. It is easier to lose weight on CPAP because it returns your body back to a state where your cortisol levels drop back to normal, which finally allows you to lose. It won't be automatic, like putting on the mask and the weight comes off, like most of us think. *snip*
Since starting therapy, as Peg has said, it has made me so much more energetic that between exercising and wanting to eat correctly now, I am almost at the 20-lb. mark after really working at it since the beginning of July. If I did nothing to help it along, I wouldn't have lost anything, I don't think. But because of the renewed energy that the therapy has given me, it allowed me to put myself back in the right frame of mind to be healthy and do what's right for my body - AND now that the cortisol levels are probably where they should be, I continue to lose weight the way I normally would expect to. Of course there are plateaus, but I am not complaining.

So don't expect to have the weight fall off without doing anything to make it happen, but you will have the ability now to lose it. Your doctors are right that it will be EASIER, or possible, now to take off the pounds. But you do have to be a pro-active participant in the endeavor.

Lori, what a great, astute post!! I've highlighted 2 areas which are IMHO, of supreme importance. Going on CPAP therapy is NOT a magic bullet for weight loss.....we have to be proactive in getting up off our bu##s and get to burning calories. Also, we have to exercise a bit of restraint in our eating habits in order for all this to be effective. (Now if I can just follow my own advice!! ) Hopefully, CPAP therapy will be but another tool in our weight management programs.

Again, Lori, a great post! Keep 'em coming.

This therapy WORKS!!! (but ya gotta do your part, too!)

djv1255 · Post by **djv1255** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 12:23 pm

CPAP didn't make a difference in my weight.

Three things made me start losing weight:
1) My doctor dropped dead of a heart attack. If he could, I could.
2) My new doctor is treating me and not just my symptoms.
3) I started keeping a food diary, weighing my self once a week and exercise.

Since Sep. 2004, I have lost 111 lbs.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 12:24 pm

Thanks, TXK. This is just what I found in my own situation. It would have been great as a bonus to be able to just shed the pounds by wearing the mask, but that's not reality IN MOST CASES. I had to work at it. But at least you CAN lose it when you finally get your levels back to normal, including that all-important energy one.

Thanks for your comment...did you join our Friday "club"???? Men and women welcome .

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 12:27 pm

djv1255 wrote:CPAP didn't make a difference in my weight.

Three things made me start losing weight:
1) My doctor dropped dead of a heart attack. If he could, I could.
2) My new doctor is treating me and not just my symptoms.
3) I started keeping a food diary, weighing my self once a week and exercise.

Since Sep. 2004, I have lost 111 lbs.

Well, that's what I call determination and stick-to-it-iveness!!! Holy cow!!! You must feel so great, not to mention how much fun to go buy the new wardrobe. For sure nothing old will fit anymore.

Congratulations on being so strong and successful! You are an inspiration to all of us. Thanks for sharing.

NeurosurgeryNP · Post by **NeurosurgeryNP** » Tue Oct 11, 2005 8:13 pm

I too gained 10-15 lbs after starting therapy. I was feeling so much better. Usually, I'd be in bed at 8 PM or so after a 2 hour nap when I got home from work at 3 PM. So, I never did much as far as going out with my firends/fiance. After I started cpap, I started to go out to dinner a lot more with my fiance and ffriends, hence, the weight gain.

whirlygirl · Post by **whirlygirl** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 6:40 am

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. It really helps to have a sounding board. This website has been invaluable to me for information and support...would you believe that my pulmonologist didn't even know it existed?!!

It's given me lot to think about. I have been stressed, not just with the CPAP process, but my life in general is very stressful. As an emotional eater, that ain't good. I admit I need to address what I eat, and to get back into a regular exercise. It remains to be proven to me that the weight will come off any easier than it ever has in my life, but I will give it a try.

djv1255 · Post by **djv1255** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 7:24 am

whirlygirl wrote:I have been stressed, not just with the CPAP process, but my life in general is very stressful. As an emotional eater, that ain't good. I admit I need to address what I eat, and to get back into a regular exercise. It remains to be proven to me that the weight will come off any easier than it ever has in my life, but I will give it a try.

I have a very stressful job and family life. I tell people I didn't handle the stress with drugs or booze. I tell them in the past I would overdose on Twinkies. I had 25 years of yoyo diets. Keeping a food diary has forced me to face my emotional eating. Good Luck. You and everybody else can lose weight.

cat-a-tonic · Post by **cat-a-tonic** » Wed Oct 12, 2005 10:42 pm

Maybe I could lose weight easier if I wore a full face mask - to breakfast, lunch and dinner!! Think that might work?

Mask