Getting my CPAP made a huge difference in my success in losing some stubborn pounds

I've had my CPAP about 5 years and it has made such a difference in my life ... being able to sleep through the night and wake-up feeling rested.

Even so, as more weight comes off, I am hoping to eventually put the machine in the back of my closet.

I have sleep apnea and have a CPAP but I have to admit I don't use it. Very bad I know. I also have restless legs and periodic leg movements. I take meds for my RLS but the meds aren't working so well anymore. RLS is TORTURE.

I've had my cpap for 2 months now, what sort of mask do you use?
I use a full face one but I always feel dehydrated when I wake up, I'm considering saving up for a nose only one .
Will it really help loose weight?
If I loose weight will I be able to one day be able to put my cpap at the back of the cupboard,

It will help you lose weight only in the sense that your body and mind will function better with good sleep, as it was intended to. You will still need to put in all of the ordinary work of maintaining a healthy diet and effective exercise. Without good sleep, exhaustion and depression make these things more difficult to WANT to do. So, no, the CPAP won't help you lose weight directly, but it will help you be willing and able to.

Sorry I got a bit side tracked on that post what I was asking about is the types of masks, I find my full face one dehydrating
I believe a good nights sleep is just as important as exercise but good nutrition trumps them though they are best teamed together

Hi, I have had OSA for around 6 years.

Just wanted to find others in the same situation, as there isn't much support from the hospital, more of a 'use this (CPAP) and we'll see you again in two years when it's due for a service'.

Hi All,

I am new to this group and thought I would intro myself.

My name is Datenshi and I have complex sleep apnea caused by both central and obstructive problems. I have had a CPAP for about two years and I am guilty as well for not using it as much as I should. The major reason though is I have anxiety issues and having things on my face (the mask) or up my nose causes me anxiety and makes me feel I am going to suffocate. Weird, I know since it is pushing air into my respiratory system, but it still causes anxiety.

Besides that I have anemia, hypothyroidism, chronic pain and couple of other things which all affect energy levels and metabolism. So other than geocaching (which involves hiking) I don't really exercise since I am too exhausted all the time.

Despite all this though I don't feel sorry for myself since and I am optimistic that the new changes to my diet will help. I have cut out pop and other caffienated beverages, I am eating mostly organic foods, I have decreased the amount of gluten in my diet, reducing the amount of dairy products I consume, and I am growing my own sprouts to add to things like sandwiches and salads and make low-fat chicken chow mein.

I look forward to reading more about your experiences and offer support.

Take care,
Datenshi

Hiya,

I’m 31 and from Glasgow. After just over a year of extreme tiredness to the point where I was passing out at work and worried I had narcolepsy and had to take a month off work prior to my assessment at the sleep clinic I was finally diagnosed in 2008 with OSA. A condition I suspected because my Father was diagnosed with it at the age of 50. I’ve been using my CPAP everyday since it was given to me and I have never missed a night. Having seen how bad it can get without treatment I am never going back to that. In addition, without treatment the condition can damage your heart. I have a full face mask with humidifier and that definitely works best for me as I’m a mouth-breather when I sleep. My husband and I both have to wear earplugs at night because of the noise the machine makes, but we’re now so used to it that it doesn’t bother us.

In terms of weight, I was just under 12 stone for about 4 years, it never really changed despite changes in my lifestyle. Since starting CPAP I have had steady weight gain to the point where I am now 15.1 stone and so need to lose at least 4 stone (56 pounds). My specialist seems to think this has something to do with the fact that over the years due to my apnoea I have not been sleeping properly at night and so I was burning more calories. (Friends staying over always used to call me “Flipper” because of the amount I moved about at night before diagnosis.

I have been told that if I lose weight my OSA will not impact on me as badly and I can reduce the pressure of my machine, however it has been made clear to me that given the nature of OSA even if I reach target weight I will still require my CPAP. I’ve got used to the fact to be honest and I am just thankful I don’t require any medications with horrible side effects to manage this condition.

Pleased to meet you all.