CPAPtalk.com

So here's my 2 cents...

I was officially diagnosed with sleep apnea at about age 31, though I was fairly certain I had it well before that (longest with out breathing 85 seconds, mean without breathing 32 seconds, stopped breathing 50 times and hour). When diagnosed, I was 6'4" about 220 lbs which I would hardly consider overweight or obese given I'm fairly athletic and always have been. About a year and half later I had weighed myself again and tipped the scale at 245 lbs one evening and 238 lbs. the following morning. After that, two things happened... I decided I needed to lose weight and my ferret chewed up my CPAP mask. I lost 20 lbs in the next 2 months and have since lost another 5-6. My observations: Without the mask you stop breathing causing your heart to pump harder and faster to deliver what little oxygen is in your lungs. It's hardly any different than exercise with the goal being to increase your heart rate for an extended period of time. The 8 lbs I lost over night was water weight (about a gallon) lost through sweat, vapor in breath while sleeping, and getting up to use the restroom. I finally ordered a new mask and fully expect to start gaining weight again, though I'm not super thrilled about it.

I've been using my cpap for approximately 3 months and I have gained 10+ lbs. Very discouraging. I am eating the same (although not "healthy") and I exercise very little. Thinking at my age of 53 that menopause may be a part of it, sans uterus so can't determine if it is actual menopause. My stomach is very bloated and causing me to be depressed. Any suggestions beyond the obvious of eating healthier and exercise. (I'm working on it as of yesterday).

I also gained about 10 pounds, but after about 4 months my apatite returned to normal, and I have dropped 3 of the 10. Seems that getting well rested shifted my apatite into overdrive. I ate quite a lot extra.