HOLY HOT

I have been on CPAP 1 week now and have noticed 2 things?

1. My cheeks are super hot and I am hot during the day... not every day but one and off.

and

2. My eyes are swollen in the morning and my right one is red. Now this may be a mask thing... I am exchanging it today to see if it helps.

Anybody else have these issues?

Do you have the humidifier heater turned on? Can you turn it off? Do you have the manual?

I have the humidifer on but not the heater.....

MissSax,

It would help us help you if we knew the exact make and model of the PAP machine you are using and the exact make and model of the mask you are using.

2. My eyes are swollen in the morning and my right one is red.

This may indicate that the mask is leaking. Or it could indicate the exhaust flow from the mask is hitting the covers and bouncing back into the eyes. If the problem continues after the mask change, you need to report this problem to the sleep doc. As important as it is to use the CPAP at night, it's also important that you figure out a way to make sure the eyes are not irritated every single night.

Usually the swelling of the eyes (or commonly addressed as bags under the eyes) is going to be a mask fit issue. You may need a smaller/less bulky mask, or consider pillows to pull the mask completely off your skin. The pillows style will also cut down on the amount of air that's sitting on your skin through the need (cheeks included). But don't jump to pillows if your pressure is too high - maybe a nasal mask would be enough to correct the situation.

Also, if you're using the humidifier than the heater IS on. It's going to be warmer the higher you have the humidifier. Consider lowering it - most companies will tell you to max out humidity to prevent dryness/irritation, but some people (myself included) are more sensitive to the high heat and need it a moderate settings.

What are the chances you're incidentally beginning menopause and hot flashes you might not be very aware of yet are more noticeable when you wake up following Cpap - as your whole system is now clearer because of Cpap?

Your body and brain adjust to being strangled in your sleep, stress hormones, poor sleep, and low oxygen levels.

When you stop having apnea, your body is "out of balance." You may have some strange effects as you "withdraw." Think of it as being like when you stop smoking, drinking, drugs, etc.

It wouldn't surprise me if you develop sweats, etc., as you readjust.

That is one thing I noticed. I use to wake up with cold feet and hands, even a little numbness. Now I wake up and I feel more of a consistent temperature all over (not hot though). My older brothers are having issues with their circulation and I have asked them to see about a sleep study. They constantly have cold/numb feet.

I've a skinny nose and the full face mask would generally leak around the top sides of the mask on either side of my nose near my eyes. If I had a leak there, I'd feel it and wake up. So I never had swollen eyes. Be patient while you find a good fitting mask.

I've noticed that my face/under eyes feel puffier than they used to before using an APAP machine. I'm using the nasal mask right now but want to try the nasal pillows to see if that would make a difference and feel more comfortable for me.

My face is often puffy or swollen if my mask is too tight. I suggest adjusting it to just tight enough bit doesn't leak. No tighter. I have also had to scrunch my face at night to make poor fitting masks seal. It can depend on your sleep position and mask style. Also if you change positions frequently. I have always used a nasal mask as a pillows does not work well with nasal congestion. I also have a full face mask for times I am too congested to breath through my nose. But that is the worst leaking mask I have experienced. I only use it for emergencies. Otherwise I don't go to sleep at all. It isn't worth the chance of dying with severe sleep apnea.