weight gain + lost "wind"
Relatively new user here - I've been on a face mask for about 5 months.
As others have noted, I've had some weight gain, which I think is mostly stomach muscle. In the first couple of months I would wake up alert and mentally rested, but physically tired. In particular my chest muscles would be aching. I put this down to using those muscles more to "fight" the pressure of the CPAP. That's gone away, but now my stomach is getting bigger. I exercise regularly and don't overeat. What can I do?
Another phenomenon: I seem to have lost some "wind". I'm a sometime singer (sing lead in a geezer rock band) and since I've been on the CPAP I seem to get out of breath much more. I've had to change the way I breath in phrasing, so I don't run out of wind.
Even for things like going up stairs, I'm huffing and puffing more. What's up with this? I've never had these problems before - I would have thought this stuff would get better...
Any advice appreciated.
RE: weight gain + lost "wind"
(05-22-2014, 08:38 AM)SledDawg Wrote: Relatively new user here - I've been on a face mask for about 5 months.
As others have noted, I've had some weight gain, which I think is mostly stomach muscle. In the first couple of months I would wake up alert and mentally rested, but physically tired. In particular my chest muscles would be aching. I put this down to using those muscles more to "fight" the pressure of the CPAP. That's gone away, but now my stomach is getting bigger. I exercise regularly and don't overeat. What can I do?
I don't know that weight gain would be because of you generating stomach muscle. I would think it more likely that with improved sleep your seeing some change in your metabolism. Probably temporary. Are you using the autoset machine? If so, you might try setting the EPR on and a setting of 2 or 3. That will result in less pressure being required on the exhale. For instance at 3, the exhale will be 3 less than whatever your inhale is set on. By the way, what is it set on? On your sidebar it says 4.5. I believe that is probably your humidity setting, not your pressure.
The symptoms you describe could be caused by too high a pressure, but don't change it just yet.
(05-22-2014, 08:38 AM)SledDawg Wrote: Another phenomenon: I seem to have lost some "wind". I'm a sometime singer (sing lead in a geezer rock band) and since I've been on the CPAP I seem to get out of breath much more. I've had to change the way I breath in phrasing, so I don't run out of wind.
Even for things like going up stairs, I'm huffing and puffing more. What's up with this? I've never had these problems before - I would have thought this stuff would get better...
Any advice appreciated.
Carrying your new spare tire around will cause you to lose some "wind." You will experience the problems you describe until you return to your former slim trim self. I know, because I sure wish I could do that.
RE: weight gain + lost "wind"
Hi SledDawg,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
I'm not sure what would be causing your problem.
Rock On.!
Hang in there for more suggestions and best of luck to you with your CPAP therapy.
trish6hundred
05-23-2014, 07:55 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-23-2014, 07:56 AM by MAPnea.)
RE: weight gain + lost "wind"
Hi, SledDawg,
Welcome! … and since you asked for it, here's my advice:
I would suggest a trip to your primary care physician just to see if something else is going on. Becoming noticeably "short of wind" may have nothing to do with CPAP therapy and may be a signal for something serious with your heart, lungs, thyroid or medications (if you are taking any). Please continue to take good care of yourself and let us know how you are doing.
RE: weight gain + lost "wind"
Welcome to the forum. I suspect the short wind is from the additional weight and not from the CPAP. I go to the gym regularly as well and don't over eat. My weight and especially stomach have only gotten larger and it is very discouraging. I also get short of breath and physically tired. Carrying around 60 extra pounds I didn't have 4.5 years ago will do that. This is also what caused sleep apnea to become worse for me and prompted my husband to strongly encourage me to get checked out. I probably have had sleep apnea for a long time but not severe enough to cause me to notice symptoms.
My problem with weight has to do largely from some post cancer medication I am taking which has shut down my metabolism. I have read on-line the medication has the same effect on others and makes losing weight very difficult if not impossible. I am hopeful of going off it in December after 5 long years.
