CPAP and losing weight

[Barely Awake]

Diagnosed 7 years ago I didn't start losing weight on CPAP until I restructured my diet (to counter diabetes) coinciding with a new mask and an APAP machine both of which suit me very well. As I don't exercise at all, not even walking, I put the weight loss down purely to my diet changes at first, but I then noticed from my sleep diary that weight loss varied with sleep. Anecdotal I know, but roughly speaking a week of good sleep will see me lose a pound even if I have strayed from the diet, whereas sticking to the diet on a bad week for sleep will see me stay the same or put a pound or even two back on.

Anyone else noticed this, or am I imagining it?

[Sparticus]

Health & Fitness

I think this subject alone should have its own section on the forum as it one of the most important topics on here.

Weight effects OSA in many ways as mentioned in many articles that are just too many to mention. I certainly dont believe that losing weight will cure your OSA, thats nonesence but it will improve the condition, by how much is different for everyone. I train and workout in a gym four times a week spending many hours running and using weights and class myself as fit so I can continue with my hobbie.



If losing weight and having a good BMI is a cure for OSA then why do I have the condition? Also does this mean that theres no hope for any of us and losing weight is a waste of time? I dont believe so, maybe if I stopped what I was doing and became unfit would I revert to a stage in my condition that was much worse than how I suffer now.

There needs to be a lot more research into weight and OSA as I believe that losing weight is a benefit to easing the symptoms of the condition. As fit as I am my OSA has of late been around 8.0 (AHI) Yesterday my AHI dropped to 3.5? Was this because at the weekend I was high up in the Scottish mountains climbing or because I changed mask, maybe I was leaking I dont know but what I do know is there is a definate benefit to being fit and active.

I know that lots of people on here have other health issues and wont be climbing any mountains in the near future but maybe an attemp on the stairs or a short walk could make a big difference. I know since I started my gym work my health wellbeing and my OSA have improved a great deal.

[martin]

My weight and fitness levels vary a lot throughout the year but spring/summer weather when i do more walking I notice that even if i haven't lost any weight my energy levels are higher. Not quite up to climbing mountains with an ice axe but by late summer fit enough to go for gentle walks in the Alps (as long as the chairlifts do the first bit). Weight loss and/or fitness improvements certainly seem to lead to a more comfortable life.

[jackyk]

i felt loads better when i lost 3 stones. unfortunatly i put 2 back on. now need to get head into gear and lose some.
i am still fit tho, work fulltime in an active job and do a lot of walking in spare time.
is being thin a magic cure??????????

[ElleCee]

I've lost 8 stone and still need cpap, so no, it is no cure at all

On the negative side, because I walk loads more I am suffering with painful knees and I am still tired but begining to think that is something other than OSA.

On the plus side, I can get in to 'normal' sized clothes, no longer have diabetis or asthma. I can paint my toe nails and I get treated as a real human being.

AND

I FEEL GOOD !!

[Sparticus]

I've lost 8 stone and still need cpap, so no, it is no cure at all

On the negative side, because I walk loads more I am suffering with painful knees and I am still tired but begining to think that is something other than OSA.

On the plus side, I can get in to 'normal' sized clothes, no longer have diabetis or asthma. I can paint my toe nails and I get treated as a real human being.

AND

I FEEL GOOD !!

I completely agree there is no cure, not even losing weight although it WILL ease some symptoms and make you feel better. Im in the gym every day and Im still having problems getting my readings down. I have several Americans now helping me on another forum that I go on and I believe that several million heads are better than 1 lol

[Barely Awake]

I've lost 8 stone and still need cpap, so no, it is no cure at all

On the negative side, because I walk loads more I am suffering with painful knees and I am still tired but begining to think that is something other than OSA.

On the plus side, I can get in to 'normal' sized clothes, no longer have diabetis or asthma. I can paint my toe nails and I get treated as a real human being.

AND

I FEEL GOOD !!

Putting diabetes and asthma behind you is huge, and if I were you I would ask the GP about the knees and perhaps see a specialist so it doesn't stop your progress.
Re the weight loss, I suspect I had apnoea since childhood so losing weight wouldn't then alter anything, but I reckon the weight simply made it worse. Weight also alters your sleeping position,so affects apnoeas in that way too. The other thought is that once everything gets a bit flabby in the throat, it might stay hanging loose after losing weight.Whatever the explanation I am signed up to the hosehead club for life I reckon.

[ElleCee]

Hi Barely,
I have seen a specialist and had an MRI. I have a tear under my left knee and have significant arthritis so it isn't going to get better. My fault because I let the weight go in originally I suppose.
Not sure about you but in a way I feel some sort of security using the apap.
Last week I had a cold and couldn't use the mask too well and I felt like sort of naked and vulnerable without it. Strange how our minds work!

Losing weight is good but not a 'cure all'.

Lorraine

[Barely Awake]

Hi Barely,
I have seen a specialist and had an MRI. I have a tear under my left knee and have significant arthritis so it isn't going to get better. My fault because I let the weight go in originally I suppose.
Not sure about you but in a way I feel some sort of security using the apap.
Last week I had a cold and couldn't use the mask too well and I felt like sort of naked and vulnerable without it. Strange how our minds work!

Losing weight is good but not a 'cure all'.

Lorraine

It isn't a cure all, as you say, but as you know (and I have recently twigged) it can liberate and change how you feel about yourself. I have been on CPAP for 7 years and whilst it has evidently been working to some degree my sleep diary and general well being suggests I have never had so much quality sleep as I am now getting from a Sleepweaver & APAP (System One) combo. I hardly have any leaks (providing I don't catch the hose in the night). Moreover, unknown previously, since finding this set-up I haven't dropped below 5 hours, I had my first back to back 8 hours and have strung together 7s and 8s for months. As I don't exercise at all, not even walk far, I truly think this new sleep pattern is as much to do with my losing 5 stone as the minor tweaks to my diet. The weight loss in turn has beckoned confidence so I hope to build on this now I can concentrate and devote to things as I am not so sleepy.

[martin]

On the plus side, I can get in to 'normal' sized clothes, no longer have diabetis or asthma. I can paint my toe nails and I get treated as a real human being.
AND
I FEEL GOOD !!

Waitaminute.......is the painting toenails obligatory?? Coz if so I'm going to reconsider the attempted weight loss.!!! I have standards...honest...they may be low but I do have them.

[ElleCee]

Oh Martin,
What can I say, I saw you painting your toes when we last 'met' and even if it was only a fungicide, it is still classed as painting them!!

Get out of that one <ggggggg>

[martin]

I deny it totally , i was only using a fungicide because there's not mushroom in here ! And my fungicide may come in several attractive colours but that's just a coincidence.

[ElleCee]

Good answer!
Well done on getting out of that one!




now what can I try next time.......

[martin]

Alas , you win, i have just been told that i do not have standards.....however low.....but since i was told that by the lady i married, i still retain the moral high ground.....i think....but suspect i'm going to be clobbered when this turns up on my email tomorrow.....shrugs, cest la vie.

[ElleCee]

At least someone loves you, perhaps she will paint your nails for you and save you the effort of having to bend yourself in half to do it.

If she put up with you snoring and now copes with the cpap you have to be doing something right