weight gain with CPAP use

[K.Nityanandam]

I have gained 3 kgs weight in one months use of CPAP I was 81.4 before starting CPAP therapy and now after 4 weeks I weigh 84.4.Some research has suggested that weight gain is possible in CPAP compliant people.Any comments from forum members are welcome

[Walla Walla]

Seems to be a common problem when starting out. A lot of opinions on why. The one that I go with is when your body is suffering from apnea events your metabolism doesn't get a chance to slow down during the night. After you start treatment your body can relax and your metabolism slows down during sleep. You end up burning less calories and start gaining weight. The answer is cut back on the food.

[Timur]

Yup, recent research studies indicate that many PAP users put on weight due to changes in basal metabolic rate. This seems to vary quite a bit, you see people reporting smaller versus larger weight gains, but some weight gain seems to be quite common. So to maintain the same weight and not to put on weight is the challenge. I really watch my carb intake and also exercise daily. You'll need to determine what works best for you as what works for me might not be right for you. But unfortunately if you've put on weight you will need to do something as your metabolism is now slower.

[silentsnore]

Also, look for signs of edema (swollen legs/feet and hands). That can easily add a few pounds/killos.
Increased water retention is known side effect for some CPAP users, yet it's not recognized by the medical community at large.

[S.L. Ping Beauty]

I to did notice a slight increase at first, but the good news (at least for me) is that once a person get finally good rest then he or she can take better stock of their lives. Once I got dialed in I was able to better see the areas of my life that need improvement. This past January was about a full year of CPAP for me and since the first of this year I was better able to adjust my eating (quality and quantity) and as such I have shed 40 pounds by only changing my diet.

Am I bragging, well maybe a little, but I am relating a real instance of how CPAP and better sleep is playing a small part in overall improvement in my life- both physically and mentally.

[Marillion]

For some, there can actually be a weight loss. Not getting enough sleep causes the body to hoard a certain hormone that prevents the burning of calories. Getting enough sleep through therapy allows the body to burn more calories and also to effect more repairs on the systems in your body which can also burn more calories while you are sleeping.

For me, there didn't seem to be a difference one way or the other with regards to my weight but there have been many other benefits due to successful therapy.

[Walla Walla]

So there's the final answer. Sleep Apnea treatment either makes you gain, lose, or maintain weight. Glad we could help.

[ShoshTrvls]

I've been using an APAP for a month, and I've definitely seen a weight gain. (Of course, now that I'm not so tired when I get home from work that I just want to crawl into bed, I am also going out with friends a bit more in the evening, so there's that too).

[sonicboom]

Eat less and smarter and exercise more. Its a simple formula. Calories in must be less than calories out (by whatever method).

[ShoshTrvls]

No offense, but I think that advice is a bit simplistic. There are many factors that go into weight gain and loss, and for many people, the body's metabolism continuously compensates for superficial "eat less, exercise more" solutions.