Anyone else with a stiff neck all the time?

Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Sat May 10, 2008 5:48 am

Hi all,
My neck has been stiff now for several months. Maybe its my fibromyalgia, maybe its age........who knows what. But I've been wondering if it has something to do with CPAP. Maybe I sleep more soundly now and just get stiff during the night.?? Maybe I've taught myself to not move much with this mask on? It feels like its the muscles on each side of my neck.
Anyone else encounter this?

alnhwrd · Post by **alnhwrd** » Sat May 10, 2008 6:07 am

Yes, in the first couple of weeks I was on CPAP I had a terrible stiff neck. My first in years, so I figured it was like you said, I was sleeping soundly for the first time in ages. Nothing like it since. I was kinda glad, figured it was a sign the Cpap was working! What a thing to be happy about!

CentralScrutinizer · Post by **CentralScrutinizer** » Sat May 10, 2008 7:14 am

I've only had my CPAP for about 19 days... however, I have similar issues... Not as bad now as it was the first week I used CPAP.

I have from time to time had problems like this before CPAP however... Generally past neck problems have been due to not having my pillow just right.

I figure that my neck stiffness and/or tension is due to not finding the right/ideal posistion for my head/neck. For the past four days or so, my neck stiffness has not been to bad.

I can't really say 100%, but I do think this is due to my body/neck trying to deal with the strange stuff on my face and/or while sleeping trying to keep my head still as much as possible...

bkrabach · Post by **bkrabach** » Sat May 10, 2008 7:26 am

Funny you mention that... I've been on CPAP for just over two weeks and was just telling my wife on Wednesday about how I had been experiencing a stiff neck. I was concerned about it as it was panic issues when I had an upper respiratory infection on top of my undiagnosed OSA that caused me to get checked out in the first place and I'm still dealing w/ the echoes of the panic now. It's good to hear from others that are starting that you are experiencing similar. I have found that my neck is starting to feel better in the last day though.

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Sat May 10, 2008 8:03 am

For me it was spinal alignment. Have your partner check to be sure your neck is straight after you get suited-up. There may be a difference in your position before/after cpap.

I think most people use too many pillows or bring their chin too close to their chest, thereby contributing to increased number of throat closures or kinking of the airway.

But hey - JMMO,
Just My Meaningless Opinion,
GumbyCT

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yardbird · Post by **yardbird** » Sat May 10, 2008 8:13 am

I've been on CPAP for years and occasionally still get a stiff neck. For me it's because I've changed the position of my machine or gotten a new mask and the HOSE routing is different in some way. And we know that if you tug on that hose it's going to pull your mask out of kilter and leak (usually into your eyes! heheheh) so I'm subconsciously moving my BODY to a new position and trying not to put pressure on the hose. My wife watched me one night. She said it looked funny. If I suspend the hose so it moves with me more easily, I have far fewer issues with this.

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Sat May 10, 2008 9:39 am

I already had neck problems (bulging disks) so I can't really blame the stiffness all on the mask, but I did find myself conflicted between assuming a position best for my neck or one that didn't put pressure on my mask. Also, headgear that fits tightly around the base of the skull or upper neck is a recipe for disaster for me. Glad that my modified Headrest mask has given me more wiggle room in positioning and comfortable straps.

Country4ever · Post by **Country4ever** » Sun May 11, 2008 7:46 am

Thanks everyone,
I hadn't thought about that strap that goes lower down in the back of my head. Maybe that does have something to do with it.
Yesterday I did a google search about exercises for the neck, and I'll start doing them regularly. I did side to side stretches yesterday, and it seemed to help.
I think we do, unconsciously/subconsciously probably hold our heads differently when we sleep now, trying to avoid leaks/tubes, etc.
I know that I have alot more body pain in general in the mornings since starting CPAP, and I do think that's from not moving around so much at night, now that I'm sleeping more soundly.
I guess I'd rather have the body aches and pains than not getting good sleep!
Thanks everyone.

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Anyone else with a stiff neck all the time?

Anyone else with a stiff neck all the time?

Stiff neck