CPAP side effects?

Doodeedoo in Toronto · Post by **Doodeedoo in Toronto** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 5:21 pm

I started OSA treatment with a CPAP almost 5 months ago. Within days signs of constipation apperared which continue until now.

I have not changed my eating habits or medications dosage.

I asked my doctor at the sleeping clinic but she said that never heard of such effect and I should look at other causes. I have but so far without success.

Has any other experienced a similar problem?

Ms Piggy · Post by **Ms Piggy** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 7:23 pm

NO, CAN'T SAY I REMEMBER THAT PROBLEM, MANY OTHERS THOUGH!
BUY SOME FIBRE LAXATIVE, PSYLLIUM , GREAT STUFF.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:30 pm

Have not heard of constipation as a complication of cpap. Obviously you mentioned it to your sleep doc-if it persists let your primary doc know about it too. Keep in mind a change in bowel habits can be a sign of a few serious conditions-so don't just pass it off lightly .
The only connection I can think of is that if you are now breathing more deeply and moving more air in & out-your body humidifies the air as it goes through the respiratory system-when you breath out you do lose water. If you don't take in enough water/fluid you can be in a chronic state of mild dehydration which is an important factor in constipation. Use a humidifier and drink plenty of fluids-that is at least 8-12 cups of water per day (caffeinated drinks don't count as they are mild diuretics-hard alcohol/wine don't count. Beer does count, juices, herbal teas, watermelon & high fluid content foods are good). The larger you are the more fluid you need-it could be more that the 3 qts mentioned above.
Make sure you get plenty of fiber, add fiber with bran or psyllium (like metamucil type medication, a stool softener like docusate, and a bowel stimulant if you need it. BUT FLUID IS NUMBER 1-do not take psyllium without enough water-it can make constipation worse.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 4:00 am

My guess is that the constipation accompanies a change in attitude.
In medical terms it can be described as a 'holding on' state of mind. Entering the emotional burden of a new therapy (cpap) is just the type of trigger that can do it.

There really is nothing in cpap itself that has any direct relationship to bowel movements.

Am sure that at some point you will experience a 'release' (actually psycho/medical terminology but also somewhat fitting to the situation). The so called release accompanies a change of tension in the mind/body, a relaxation. Are you alert/tense to the 'bigness' of going on cpap ?

I hope this explanation is not too obscure. In summary, it is most probably a reflection of a state of mind.

Cheers & good luck

DSM

(was going to say 'hang on there' but you are already doing that )

imsotired · Post by **imsotired** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 4:46 am

No bowel troubles for me either but I did have my 1st ever UTI a week after starting cpap that I blamed on cpap. After being used to getting up 2-5 times a night to empty my bladder I was sleeping through for 6 hours and I blame it on that.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 10:46 am

If there are no GI disorders-I'll still go with increased fluid loss during pressured breathing. It is one of the problems dealt with in ICU's with patients on vents (though those pressures are generally higher and some other physiologic changes occur too). Normally (with unpressured breathing) a human loses 500 to 1000 ml of body fluid/day. Variations with respiratory rate, resp volume, heart rate, temperature, humidity, and altitude.

roster · Post by **roster** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:20 am

Doodeedoo in Toronto wrote:I started OSA treatment with a CPAP almost 5 months ago. Within days signs of constipation apperared which continue until now.

I have not changed my eating habits or medications dosage.

I asked my doctor at the sleeping clinic but she said that never heard of such effect and I should look at other causes. I have but so far without success.

Has any other experienced a similar problem?

On which cheeks are you wearing the mask?

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 2:49 pm

I had the same problem with constipation from using CPAP.

I could not get my sleep doc to take me seriously.

And I tried ALL the tricks to avoid it, including exercise, high fiber, lots of liquids.

I have only heard of a couple of people having this problem during my years on the forum, so it does appear to be a rare side effect.

BUT IT IS A REAL SIDE EFFECT.

I finally switched to a dental device, and by golly, I am back to being regular again.

My GUESS/theory is that some stomachs just don't respond well to being filled with air every night.

What I REALLY don't like is that no one will take this VERY uncomfortable (heck, painful) side effect seriously and people seem to only be able to respond with crude jokes. Which I think is in really poor taste.

"Stomach problems" from CPAP was one of the justifications I gave for switching from CPAP to a dental device and getting the insurance to cover SOME of the cost, albeit not much of the cost.

My tummy is MUCH happier right now being regular and not being plagued by aerophagia. ...AND I sleep like a rock.

Doodeedoo in Toronto · Post by **Doodeedoo in Toronto** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 3:32 pm

Thank you very much for all the replies.

I have to say that I am taking Metamucil which seems to help. However, I discussed with my family doctor and I am having tests and a gastroenterologist referral. I hope it helps.

I believe the problem may be related to getting more air in the digestive system although I don't feel bloated and retaining less fluids.

Thanks again.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 4:24 pm

Are you taking Glucophage/Metformin by any chance?

Den

Sammie WI · Post by **Sammie WI** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 10:31 am

Doodeedoo + CPAP = Doodeedon't

Doodeedoo in Toronto · Post by **Doodeedoo in Toronto** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 3:54 pm

Wulfman, thanks for the question.
No Glucophage, no Metformin, no sugar problems.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 4:14 pm

Doodeedoo in Toronto wrote:Wulfman, thanks for the question.
No Glucophage, no Metformin, no sugar problems.

OK, thanks. I had a situation a year ago.....my doctor strongly suggested that I start taking the pills he had prescribed for me some months earlier......so I relented and started taking them. Within a couple of days, things weren't working right.....
After taking it for a week and things still weren't getting resolved, I quit taking it and the "plumbing" returned to "normal".
Needless to say, I haven't taken them since.

Den

CPAP side effects?

CPAP side effects?

Re: CPAP side effects?

it IS a (rare) side effect