New CPAP USER and swelling of ankles/feet

Hi everyone

I started using a CPAP Machine October 7, 2016 after being diagnosed. I was prescribed a level 8 air flow. Prior to being diagnosed and getting the machine I was up 5x a night peeing frequently. Since using the CPAP machine I am no longer getting up to pee and sleeping throughout the night, BUT my ankles and feet are severely swollen and very uncomfortable.

Has any one else experienced this? If so, does the body eventually adjust and water/fluid retention regulate after a while? I am afraid that I have addressed one problem but with the excessive water retention could potentially be facing hypertension in view of this. My sleep doctor says there is no connection between using a CPAP machine and fluid retention. Google seems to suggest otherwise. I am going to see my family doctor next week to ensure I don't have any other medical issues going on.

Thank you

Yes, you do need to see your Dr. ASAP.... Cut down on fluids, take a 81 mg aspirin, if allowed. Kidney and Heart problems can cause this type of problem, it's nothing to fool around about... CPAP isn't likely to cause this. Jim

Fluid retention is NOT one of the side effects of cpap therapy. The night time peeing is caused by events which stress your kidneys. Not needing to pee does not mean the fluid is retained, just that your kidneys are not being stressed by almost dying in your sleep.

You need to check this out ASAP.

BlackSpinner wrote:Fluid retention is NOT one of the side effects of cpap therapy. The night time peeing is caused by events which stress your kidneys. Not needing to pee does not mean the fluid is retained, just that your kidneys are not being stressed by almost dying in your sleep.

You need to check this out ASAP.

+1

I'm not certain of what medical school Google went to, but I would listen to the Doc. Since you state "headed toward hypertension," I assume you have no history of high blood pressure; if so, your doc may start you on one of the more common "water pills" like hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) which is very effective and low cost. One downside is that if you have a history of gout or kidney stones it can trigger problems because of the increase in urine flow.

to explain a bit more about what Blackspinner said, when you're having apneas, it stresses your system, co2 spikes, o2 drops, you gasp for air, that's a shock, your heart rate surges, that causes your blood pressure to spike, and through a series of events, your kidneys get a signal to create more urine, to lower the blood pressure.

it's *not normal* to have to get up multiple times a night, when you lie down to sleep, your kidneys are supposed to go into urine concentration mode, where they produce much less urine during the night, typically 8-12 oz, which is within the capacity of the average bladder.

nocturia (having to pee during the sleep cycle) is a common side effect of sleep apnea that often resolves very quickly when your body isn't being stressed like mad all night long.

the take away is... your kidneys are working more like they're supposed to now.

palerider wrote:to explain a bit more about what Blackspinner said, when you're having apneas, it stresses your system, co2 spikes, o2 drops, you gasp for air, that's a shock, your heart rate surges, that causes your blood pressure to spike, and through a series of events, your kidneys get a signal to create more urine, to lower the blood pressure.

it's *not normal* to have to get up multiple times a night, when you lie down to sleep, your kidneys are supposed to go into urine concentration mode, where they produce much less urine during the night, typically 8-12 oz, which is within the capacity of the average bladder.

nocturia (having to pee during the sleep cycle) is a common side effect of sleep apnea that often resolves very quickly when your body isn't being stressed like mad all night long.

the take away is... your kidneys are working more like they're supposed to now.

That, except for the fluid build up, that's a sign of bad things going on. Get to a real Dr. as fast as you can. Jim

HOTNJADED wrote:Hi everyone

I started using a CPAP Machine October 7, 2016 after being diagnosed. I was prescribed a level 8 air flow. Prior to being diagnosed and getting the machine I was up 5x a night peeing frequently. Since using the CPAP machine I am no longer getting up to pee and sleeping throughout the night, BUT my ankles and feet are severely swollen and very uncomfortable.

Has any one else experienced this? If so, does the body eventually adjust and water/fluid retention regulate after a while? I am afraid that I have addressed one problem but with the excessive water retention could potentially be facing hypertension in view of this. My sleep doctor says there is no connection between using a CPAP machine and fluid retention. Google seems to suggest otherwise. I am going to see my family doctor next week to ensure I don't have any other medical issues going on.

Thank you

Check these posts:

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread ... -retention

A post from there:

RE: CPAP and pitting edema (fluid retention)

You will need to put your feet up high for as long as you can. Like on a wedge pillow at night or up on an ottoman or recliner while sitting.

Pitting edema is when you press your finger into the swelling and it forms a dent that does not immediately go away.

"Regular" edema is swelling with no pitting.

Pitting edema is a quite serious problem and is the major symptom of a blood clot in the legs. It is a symptom of many other things as well but blood clot is the first thing most docs assume. This is especially a concern when the patient has recently flown in a long airplane flight, taken a long car ride, or engaged in more sitting (or even walking) than usual AND is accompanied by pain in the legs.

I recently flew to Minneapolis where I spent 7 days sitting a lot. I then flew back where I have done more sitting than usual. Then I took a 12hr car trip. Since then, my feet are quite large at night. By morning, the swelling is gone because I've had my feet up. We check my ankles in the morning and if they are still fluffy, I'll put them up on a pillow. This rarely happens though. I am quite sedentary and swelling is a more and more regular issue.

I agree with the others. Go see your doctor (not the sleep doctor) ASAP. When you fix one thing, often another thing shows up that was masked by the previous problem.

BUT my ankles and feet are severely swollen and very uncomfortable.


The same exact thing has happened to me. New CPAP user with a 15 psi airflow. Just started a couple weeks ago. Couple days later I was in urgent care because of swollen feet, ankles and calves. I thought I was having heart failure. I got a referral to cardiology and have had a blood workup. Still waiting on the rest of the followups. The only reason I am responding to this post is because last light I woke up disoriented and didn't know what was going on. This was around 12am. I tore the hose out of the mask attachment. This means I was without a CPAP for the rest of the night. Guess what did not swell up today??? Give you 3 guesses. I have ordered another hose and will get it tomorrow. I will use it. If my feet, ankles and calves swell again, I will know the cause. Will update as I know more from my tests and my Dr. talk.. Yes on the peeing issue. 4 to 5 times a night down to ZERO since the CPAP.

skeeterz71 wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 10, 2019 6:02 pm

BUT my ankles and feet are severely swollen and very uncomfortable.


The same exact thing has happened to me. New CPAP user with a 15 psi

15cm/h2o, 15PSI would cause you to explode all over the walls and ceiling.

This has NOTHING to do with cpap.
It is, however, one of the common symptoms of serious heart problems.
If it gets worse, get to an ER.

The swelling and pain in your feet and ankles may be caused by a minor health problem, but they could also be symptoms of very serious problems. I know you’re seeing your doctor next week, but like others I encourage you strongly to try to get in for an appointment as soon as possible.

Just thinking this through... Once sleep apnea is treated and the hormones that repeatedly signal the kidneys to flush with apneas are no longer present, it makes sense that any underlying issues with fluid retention might be unveiled. Not that CPAP caused the swelling, but rather, revealed the swelling. Hopefully your doctors can get things straightened out for you.

And if it suddenly gets noticeably worse--feel free to freak out, and show up at the ER.
Embarrassed is way better than dead.