Extreme chest soreness after APAP use

LindaCPAP · Post by **LindaCPAP** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:43 am

Hi CPAP friends,

OK - I'm kind of getting used to my APAP and been trying to wear it while watching tv just to acclimate myself to the machine. So far I haven't had any problems. My settings will go between 4 and 7 and I feel fine. However, when I take it off, I get extreme chest soreness. Like if I squeeze my arms together I can really feel it. I don't like the feeling at all. Is this normal? I talked to two people at the health equipment store and neither one of them ever heard of that. It scares me. It feels very unnatural.

I'm still struggling with it at night. No matter what I do, I cannot fall asleep with it on. I laid in bed on Saturday night for 4 hours and just could not fall asleep. For some reason the air really invigorates me.

I want to keep trying but with all of the above issues I'm ready to throw in the towel.

johnnygoodman · Post by **johnnygoodman** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:21 am

Hello Linda,

I've very sorry to hear of your troubles. As a disclaimer, I'm not a doctor and neither are many of those who will follow my post with other suggestions.

That feeling is not normal, its alarming and should be brought to the attention of your physician immediately. I've never heard of this either, but its obviously happening in this case and should be addressed quickly!

It is odd that is feels fine during your acclimation but not when it is removed. Have you ever tried to run the APAP as a strait CPAP set to your prescribed pressure? What were the results?

Johnny

LindaCPAP · Post by **LindaCPAP** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:47 am

Hi Johnny,

I don't know if my machine will turn into a CPAP and I don't know what my pressures are supposed to be. Sounds pretty dumb but neither my doctor nor the medical provider spent much time with me. I will call my doctor. Thanks for your help.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:38 am

LindaCPAP wrote:Hi Johnny,

I don't know if my machine will turn into a CPAP and I don't know what my pressures are supposed to be. Sounds pretty dumb but neither my doctor nor the medical provider spent much time with me. I will call my doctor. Thanks for your help.

Please fill out your profile on the forum with the exact equipment you have. Look at the top of your machine for the make/model. Are you SURE you have an APAP? Could it be that the pressure of 4 is your starting Ramp pressure and your pressure of 7 is your prescribed pressure?

You need to get a copy of your prescription. It's good for life......in case you or your doctor should ever move away from each other. Also, get a copy of your sleep study. It could be beneficial for additional information.

The fact that they didn't spend much time with you should be an indication that they aren't that concerned with your well-being. A good clue to take control of your own therapy.

Den

Mile High Sleeper · Post by **Mile High Sleeper** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:57 pm

Linda, please get checked out by a doctor right away, especially since you mentioned heart issues in another post, to see if you have a heart condition now, regardless of previous tests.

When you see your doctor, ask him/her about costal chondritis (sp?) Google it. I've experienced this on CPAP and so have several other cpaptalkers. Use the cpaptalk search function to find their posts. On CPAP, if the chest is not used to expansion, the tendons get sore. The situation goes away as you get used to cpap. But it can be scary, and you need to make sure it's not a heart problem.

LindaCPAP · Post by **LindaCPAP** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:56 pm

YES! I think my chest discomfort is costochondritis! I read the symptoms for this condition and it is exactly what I have. I even called my sleep doctor's office and they never heard of anyone have this type of pain when using a cpap. Thanks for sharing. This is why I like this site because only the people using a cpap can understand.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:01 pm

Linda,

Have you read this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costochondritis

Den

LindaCPAP · Post by **LindaCPAP** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:11 pm

Wulfman - this is exactly what I have! Do you know if it goes away with continued use of the apap?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:22 pm

Well, first let me say that I don't want to "minimize" any medical conditions which you may have.......and consulting a physician MAY be warranted.

That said......
Many people have mentioned that they have encountered soreness in their chest/torso areas after starting this therapy. It seems to come from using muscles that are being used in a different way from previously. As that Wikipedia article mentioned, it usually subsides in a month or two. I would think that after that amount of time, if the soreness hasn't dissipated (or gets worse), it would be time to see the doctor.

You could also try some of the things it recommended for treatment, too.

Den

Mile High Sleeper · Post by **Mile High Sleeper** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:53 pm

My brilliant doctor diagnosed the costochondritis, after my chest pains stumped the urgent care doctors. Thanks for the link, Den. If you look at the picture in the wikipedia link, and press on the cartilages at the end of your ribs and around the breast bone, they may feel tender. The painful spots were very symetrical (on both sides). That was the telltale sign for me.

My costochondritis went away by itself in about a week.

Linda, if you haven't already done so, for more information, click on the yellow light bulb above/our collective wisdom and read.

Keep up the good work by educating your sleep doctor's office!

goose · Post by **goose** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:57 pm

The first thing that came to my mind when I saw you were set from 4 to 7, if it's truly an APAP range, that 4 may be far too low a pressure for you to breathe and the inflammation is coming from struggling for breath.

When I first started on xPAP I had a CPAP set at 5 and had a similar issue with soreness in my chest, but it diminished with a week or so.
BUT, I was still struggling to breathe so I had the machine set at 7, then immediately got an Auto machine (APAP) which is presently set in CPAP mode at 10cm H2O.....I also make my own changes in pressure now....

You could be struggling to suck in air which is causing the cartilage to become inflamed....

just a thought....

cheers
goose

Bigburd · Post by **Bigburd** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:34 am

Had this same soreness & tenderness myself. Seems to be getting better overtime. Feels like I strained myself.

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