New member Not New to Cpap - I got problems

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Nosleepever
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2014 7:42 am

New member Not New to Cpap - I got problems

Post by Nosleepever » Fri Aug 29, 2014 8:40 am

Good Morning all.


I am 38 years old and I use Cpap due to weight increased due to PCOS. As my weight increased my snoring increased. Nothing happened we just deal with the noise, hubby never really got bother by it so we continued as normal..then after a couple of years I started to fall asleep on the road so I knew then that it was time to talk to somebody before I kill some innocent person.

I was put on the Cpap machine...I hate it that thing on my face but I woke up refresh. I went thru a horrible divorce and I took up Exercising as away to deal with it and lost 80 lbs...No more snoring! no more sounds, doctor took me off the machine and congratulated me...I was happy as can be!

Got married again and after a while got pregnant which I again gained tons of weigh, here comes the snoring..it hit me so hard combined with the pregnancy that the lack of sleep/oxygen was making me an idiot I could not finish sentences, black outs. So I was put on the machine again.
after the baby the apnea go worst so I was put on the pill also to stay awake. I have not been able to lose more weight due to complications after the birth so now until I can get better from that I have to keep using the machine.

Here is the problem : I don't use it all the time because I am having the worst problem with it. I will put the mask on to sleep at night...but then I will wake up paralyzed from back pain, it is so horrible I don't want to use it again. I read on the board about this and people suggested new mattress I do have a new mattress but that does not seem to help..the upper back pain is horrible it makes it hard to breath when I get up. Just sitting up in a chair makes the pain go away but I don't have this problem when I don't wear the machine but of course I fall asleep all day long. I started my own home based business because of the sleep Apnea, the only good thing out of this awful thing it forced me to start my business but now I can't stay up during the day.

It is a horrible double whammy. I am starting slowly with my exercise but it is going to take a while before I lose enough weight to make a difference. How can I handle this back pain issue?

Sorry for the long post but I hope to be part of your community and just wanted to introduce myself


_________________
Mask: Mirage™ FX For Her Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: humidifier is inside machine so not sure.

JDS74
Posts: 3397
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:57 pm
Location: South Carolina

Re: New member Not New to Cpap - I got problems

Post by JDS74 » Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:10 am

You may be having a problem in the area of sleep hygiene.
That is the general area of making sure that preparation for sleeping and actually sleeping are best for you. It is possible that because of the mask, you are either sleeping more deeply and not moving around or that you are sleeping more on your back. Either of these may cause the back pain you mention since less movement could aggravate your upper back condition.

Links for information about Sleep Hygiene

Info on Sleep Hygiene
Sleep Hygiene Recommendations
Sleep Hygiene Tips

It would also be helpful if you could post your equipment information. I have a link in my signature block below on how to do this.

_________________
Mask: Oracle HC452 Oral CPAP Mask
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: EverFlo Q 3.0 Liters O2 PR DSX900 ASV
Oracle 452 Lessons Learned Updated
DSX900 AutoSV with HC150 extra humidifier and Hibernite heated hose
Settings: EPAP Min-10.0, EPAP Max-17, PS Min-3, PS Max-10, Max Pressure-20, Rate-Auto, Biflex-1.
Sleepyhead and Encore Pro 2.21.

User avatar
49er
Posts: 5624
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:18 am

Re: New member Not New to Cpap - I got problems

Post by 49er » Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:24 am

In addition to the advise on sleep hygiene, you might want to look into taking a low dose of Elavil at night. It is a tricyclic antidepressant that at low doses helps with pain and sleep. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with non drug remedies for pain but maybe someone else can chime in.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

49er

Nosleepever
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2014 7:42 am

Re: New member Not New to Cpap - I got problems

Post by Nosleepever » Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:03 am

Thanks for the response..I never heard from Sleep Hygiene, so I read all the links provided. I don't think that's the problem. I don't have a problem sleeping...I don't have the problems listed here like watching tv in bed or eating in bed, I don't drink, smoke, or exercise at night I do that in the morning. I do thank you for showing it to me but I am not sure that is my problem...did anything in post suggested that? if so let me know maybe I did missed something.

The doctor gave me Hydrocodon-acetaminophen for the pain, That did not help at all. I have an appointment with my Sleep doctor next month to ask him about this, in the meanwhile I am stuck if I don't use the machine I am passed out at my desk..if I use it I am paralyzed with pain for a bit.

Thank you all for your replies.

Leslie

_________________
Mask: Mirage™ FX For Her Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: humidifier is inside machine so not sure.

JDS74
Posts: 3397
Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:57 pm
Location: South Carolina

Re: New member Not New to Cpap - I got problems

Post by JDS74 » Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:43 am

I was primarily thinking about lack of movement and issues of position while sleeping.
I'm thinking that without the machine, it is more likely that you have arousals and move around more than with the machine. For some folks, lying essentially motionless during sleep does cause pain of various kinds. Arthritis in the spine can give symptoms like you experience. Hydrocodone + acetaminophen has its own adverse side effects - namely sedation of the intestines and bowels leading to constipation if used for a long time. Have you tried just acetaminophen alone just before bedtime to see if that helps at all.

It does sound like a trip to the doctor explaining what is happening would be beneficial.

_________________
Mask: Oracle HC452 Oral CPAP Mask
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: EverFlo Q 3.0 Liters O2 PR DSX900 ASV
Oracle 452 Lessons Learned Updated
DSX900 AutoSV with HC150 extra humidifier and Hibernite heated hose
Settings: EPAP Min-10.0, EPAP Max-17, PS Min-3, PS Max-10, Max Pressure-20, Rate-Auto, Biflex-1.
Sleepyhead and Encore Pro 2.21.

User avatar
Julie
Posts: 19898
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:58 pm

Re: New member Not New to Cpap - I got problems

Post by Julie » Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:46 am

Hi - what position do you sleep in? Are you for some reason trying e.g. to sleep on your back? It's the worst position to use as it provokes more apneas, so side sleeping is best. And sometimes when people wear the mask at first they feel they must sleep in a rigid position all night so it doesn't slip or leak, but that will cause all kinds of trouble and if it's what's happening, you need to address mask problems rather than anything... your mask should fit well enough to not leak and not need overtightening. If you have back problems from regaining weight or other reasons, you should be referred to a neurologist or at least have your GP check it out separately from OSA, not everything is about Cpap, regardless of timing.

Nosleepever
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2014 7:42 am

Re: New member Not New to Cpap - I got problems

Post by Nosleepever » Fri Aug 29, 2014 11:04 am

Hello, Thanks for the reply. To answer your questions :


I am used to sleeping in my stomach but after the birth of the baby I can only sleep sideways. So I sleep sideways not on my back.

I only get the pain when using the Machine...otherwise I am pain free but I do wake up at least 2-3 times a night when I don't use the machine.

The mask does not leaks or feels uncomfortable at all. I do get some jaw pain when the strap moves so I make sure it fits my head.

I do notice that wake up in pain in the same position I went to sleep so I am getting more deep sleep which is great, is the after effect that gets to me. Today was particularly horrible which forced me to search out online which is how I found you guys

Thanks! Leslie

_________________
Mask: Mirage™ FX For Her Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: humidifier is inside machine so not sure.

User avatar
zoocrewphoto
Posts: 3732
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:34 pm
Location: Seatac, WA

Re: New member Not New to Cpap - I got problems

Post by zoocrewphoto » Fri Aug 29, 2014 11:34 am

If I sleep longer (also on my side), I tend to wake up with bad back pain. I am getting stiff, and then I can't sleep. I have found that putting an ice pack on my back gives quick relief, and I can fall asleep again. I use a foam brick ice pack that freezes hard, but stays cold for hours, even when snugged up against my back. They are only about an inch thick, and the larger square covers most of my back.

Image

_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Resmed S9 autoset pressure range 11-17
Who would have thought it would be this challenging to sleep and breathe at the same time?

SiPap5/5
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2014 1:12 pm

Re: New member Not New to Cpap - I got problems

Post by SiPap5/5 » Fri Aug 29, 2014 1:37 pm

Dear nosleepever! First, never apologized for placing a long post, we all have different problems and the more history you provide the better. I have 28 years in respiratory care and a few months in polysomnography. I have set CPAP/BIPAP in hospitals and in home care settings. I can speak as a certified respiratory therapist NOT as a doctor. Just wondering! On the second time you had to be on the CPAP, did you have a new sleep study? 'cause if you didn't and are using the same previous pressures, the therapy may not be helping. Also, sleep disorders affect our nervous system and sadly enough once a brain cell died it doesn't come back. Once there is respiratory center damage it does not revers. It can be treated but doesn't go away. I have experienced long term CPAP/BIPAP users that have had to come back to sleep studies because they needed pressures higher due to the progressive/degenerative effect of sleep apnea; which is relative/unique to each individual.
have you consulted a doctor as to where you back pain comes from? I don't remember of CPAP therapy causing back pains! if nothing wrong, I have benefitted from back massages in the past!
On weight, simple, if it is on your abdomen area try this very effective technique: get a sport binder or place around your waist a layer or that plastic we cover food with. That makes me loose weight without thinking about it and it works without a question, and it is quick!
With therapy or without it, the airway is more likely to be more opened than on your back. So, sleep on your sides! It is possible. You can program your self to do it!
Good luck and best regards!

User avatar
archangle
Posts: 9294
Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 11:55 am

Re: New member Not New to Cpap - I got problems

Post by archangle » Fri Aug 29, 2014 4:21 pm

Welcome, nosleep. Sorry you had to join us.

I presume you've discussed this with your doctor.

What's your pressure?

How long have you been CPAPing in your latest attempt?

Try sleeping in a recliner with the CPAP.

Rather than give up entirely, try turning down your CPAP pressure temporarily. You may screw up your CPAP therapy, but perhaps you can adapt to a lower pressure and then increase it slowly if needed.

If you haven't already done so, get the SleepyHead software and study the data your CPAP machine generates. It's a bit like having a mini sleep study every night.

_________________
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead, PRS1 Auto, Respironics Auto M series, Legacy Auto, and Legacy Plus
Please enter your equipment in your profile so we can help you.
Click here for information on the most common alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check for yourself.

Useful Links.

purple
Posts: 837
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:06 pm

Re: New member Not New to Cpap - I got problems

Post by purple » Sat Aug 30, 2014 7:31 am

Might give a more complete description of the pain. I know that Aerophagia can create pressure that as it presses against the upper organs, causes a pain in the back. So, you are sure you do not have Aerophagia. In my days the worst of my GERD, I had two pains in my back. One was caused by stomach ulcers. Another from the Gall Bladder. At least pain in two different areas of my back. Please remember that pain often manifests above where the problem actually is.

More likely you have some kind of compound problem, two different things happening at the same time.

In the last few weeks I have had pain from Tendonitis in one arm. I was astonished that the heavy pain hitter Tramadol did not seem to help much at all with pain, but Tylenol did help far better.

The best way for me to sleep is to take two five hundred Tylenol just as I go to sleep. I will wake up some four hours fifteen minutes later, just as the Tylenol blood level is going down, but not knowing where I might be hurting. I take two five hundred Tylenol again, in a few minutes I am asleep again (else from experience I will have intermittent light sleep for the rest of the night). I will sleep again four hours fifteen minutes.

Well now, I am more troubled by my waking up and my humidifier tank is nearly empty. What a nearly useless small tank. But that is off topic.

You probably need to keep a little journal of what you try, and what does not work. It is interesting how much we can forget in a week about what helped a little, and what helped almost not at all. Be scientific, keep a record of what is going on.

User avatar
chunkyfrog
Posts: 34377
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
Location: Nebraska--I am sworn to keep the secret of this paradise.

Re: New member Not New to Cpap - I got problems

Post by chunkyfrog » Sat Aug 30, 2014 12:09 pm

Pain can be felt in the back due to problems in places other than the back.
Sometimes in women, heart problems may manifest in this way.
My mother-in-law nearly died from a badly infected gall bladder,
because her doctor failed to note her diabetes was causing the pain to be in her back--
instead of where it "should have been".
(Yes, please do rule out diabetes--it messes with everything)

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her

purple
Posts: 837
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:06 pm

Re: New member Not New to Cpap - I got problems

Post by purple » Sun Aug 31, 2014 7:16 am

good point Froggie