severe neck and upper back tension

GaryA · Post by **GaryA** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 9:35 am

I, too, have had problems. But for me it has been my back around my shoulder blades. I've been using my pillows to prop up my CL2 mask. I'm a side sleeper and if I don't prop up the mask with pillows, the mask pulls to the side and hurts my nostrils.

I tried to tighten the straps, but that just gave me a head ache. To me, the big problem is the straps themselves. If I'm restless during sleep, they pull the mask out of position. I ordered the CPAP PRO mask, and it should come soon. If the mouth piece doesn't bother me, it might be a solution.

Inpjs · Post by **Inpjs** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 2:08 am

I have always had neck problems due to disk problems but have learned how to sleep and move to prevent the agonizing pain. However since my therapy, I too have been noticing upper back stifness. Not too much on the neck but definately the upper back estending to the backside of my arms. I am going to look into a new pillow this weekend myself.

Inpjs · Post by **Inpjs** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:02 pm

I just today bought a memory foam to help my stifness and soarness, I'll let you know how I make out with it.

this has got to get better.

onecoknower · Post by **onecoknower** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:33 pm

The first thing I noticed when I started cpap in January was the stiffness - for me a combination of less tossing and turning (due to better sleeping) and sore neck/back.

I started taking advil before bed and it helps alot. I've also experimented with pillows and stuff and think I found a regular pillow that scrunches up just enough.
Donna

lfriddle · Post by **lfriddle** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:46 pm

I was really glad to find this posting. I have only had my machine for about four weeks. I didn't have a problem until about two weeks ago (although I still seem to be waking up a lot). But one morning I woke up with my right neck so sore I couldn't even stand to move it at all. Had to stay home and miss work. It has been sore ever since although now I can at least stand it. I have tried different pillows and now trying a large foam pillow. Before CPAP I used a very flat pillow, almost none. I've tried positioning the hose every way I can think of but nothing seems to be helping. I was beginning to think that perhaps it was being caused by someting else. Sounds like I need to keep trying.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:24 pm

my neck, shoulders and upper back have never been the same, after 3 years of CPAP.
I tried PAP pillow, memory foam pillows, flat pillows, full pillows, stacks of combos of all of these, hoses routed up and down and a pile of masks.
Massage therapists were even not able to keep my neck loosened up.

I even got desparate enough to try a chiropractor....which totally turned me off by wanting me to sign up for 36 almost daily sessions, WAY past what insurance would pay. At that point I didn't care if he could help or not...I won't support a business model like THAT.

I think about the only way to do anything about it is stretch stretch STRETCH. I am working on trying to get better at stretching my neck etc and put together an easy routine that I can and will keep up with easily during the day, every day.

Vader · Post by **Vader** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 10:08 pm

snork1 wrote:my neck, shoulders and upper back have never been the same, after 3 years of CPAP.
I tried PAP pillow, memory foam pillows, flat pillows, full pillows, stacks of combos of all of these, hoses routed up and down and a pile of masks.
Massage therapists were even not able to keep my neck loosened up.

I even got desparate enough to try a chiropractor....which totally turned me off by wanting me to sign up for 36 almost daily sessions, WAY past what insurance would pay. At that point I didn't care if he could help or not...I won't support a business model like THAT.

I think about the only way to do anything about it is stretch stretch STRETCH. I am working on trying to get better at stretching my neck etc and put together an easy routine that I can and will keep up with easily during the day, every day.

I went to chiropractors for over ten years, and I've come to realize that they're mostly all FOS!
The best thing I ever did was find a really great physical therapist who gave me a bunch of good stretching exercises (including some with a Theraband) that have really helped me feel better, and best of all, to avoid surgery.

Inpjs · Post by **Inpjs** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 2:53 am

I bought a memory foam pillow two days ago and noticed a diff. the first night using it. I was still a little stiff when i awoke, but nothing like I was feeling before. This morning was even better.

If youve been having neck and back pain since for three years, I highly doubt it's due to CPAP therapy. Have you ever had an MRI of the neck? I seen chiropractors who did full spinal xrays and found nothing but when my primary care doc. sent me for an MRI that's what showed that I had a protruding disk in my kneck that was pressing down on the nerves to my back and even my chest.

I had no injury to bring this on either,,, alot of belly sleepers end up with this type of problem due to the twisting of the neck.

ZZZzzz · Post by **ZZZzzz** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 11:01 am

Zorr - sorry you're so sore.

I'm unclear as to if the soreness started before or after your CPAP therapy.

Severe muscle aches and pain was actually my very FIRST symptom of Sleep Apnea. I started seeing a chiropractor to help with the tension/stiffness.
It hurt to step up in to the shower.
It hurt to bend over and get my treadmill shoes on.
Sometimes it hurt like the dickens just to move around in bed.
I've noticed it's much worse after sitting or sleeping.
Once I sit down at my desk, it smarts to get up and walk again. Especially the first few steps. It feels like relaxing the muscles allows them to contract and stiffen and you have to stretch them back out EVERY time you use them.

MY SLEEP CLINIC THINKS MY MUSCULAR PROBLEM IS RELATED TO SLEEP APNEA.
("Bev, you're muscles are starved for oxygen.")

Now that I'm on effective CPAP nightly, the nurse told me to give it 'three to four more months' to see muscle improvement.
That's about the 4th of July when my first mild stiffness started to happen one year ago.
By the way, that's also the time frame when I'm supposed to see my slightly elevated blood sugar come down also.
Not being able to move around freely at night does contribute to the stiffness.
Many friends/coworkers with OSA talk about muscles problems. Several had leg cramps and Charley Horses. One had "sharp, stabbing leg pains that brought tears to my eyes."
I also have to add an honorable mention to my tension: TOO MUCH COFFEE!
I don't drink as much now that I'm on CPAP.
I better close before my reply requires chapters, a forward, and a dedication.
Good luck***(My forum buddies have really increased my luck!)
-Bev

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