Can headgear cause dizziness/fogginess problems?

[DreamOn]

I was searching on another topic, and came across this thread. Hope there's something helpful in here:

viewtopic/t47904/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32 ... 13#p277313

Thanks, Katie! Lots of ideas to consider there.

[padawan]

Start with the basics. Total Apneas and Index, Total Hypopneas and Index, oxygen levels, centrals, limb movements, sleep stages. Was this test with or without using cpap? If anything there is a red flag, someone will ask for more specifics.

The test was done with CPAP:

Apneas, Total: Count 2 Index .3
Hypopneas, Total: Count 25 Index 3.9
Events (Apnea + Hypopnea): Count 27 Index 4.2
Sa02 Range 90-97%
Sa02 Mean 95%

Arousals: Count 40 Index 6.3
Awakenings: Count 0 Index 0

Jerks PLMS, Count:57 Index: 9.0
Jerks Total, Count:70 Index 11.0
Jerks with Arousal, Count 4 Index .6
Jerks with Arousal Total, Count 5 Index .8

Are these limb movement numbers something to worry about?

[padawan]

I have, at times, had fogginess, headaches and the unable to concentrate feelings too, but didn't have the type of
equipment to check any results at the time.

Re nose sprays, I had to stop using them as I seemed to get a kick back effect. I don't have the
problem as much now so wonder is this is mainly an initial reaction we have on starting treatment. I switched
to salt and water rinses (neti pot type of treatment) when required, plus, or only, a salt water nasal spray used, sometimes
copiously, before going to bed - give it time to work before lying down.
After use I refill a commercial puffer type squirter with my own with my own sea salt and water mixture.

There are all sorts of comments on masks and fixes for leaks etc etc that people have found by trial and error on previous postings.
Worth taking a look at.

Asteline and Nasonex do not have a rebound effect on me, but I do know what you mean (Afrin, for example). I also do the Neti-pot thing because by ENT recommended after sinus surgery I had last summer.

[padawan]

As a matter of fact the mask does press hard around the bride of the nose/eye areas. That's the only way I have been able to stop the leaking. I'm sorry to hear you have the same symptoms, but in a way it's sort of good to hear ONLY because it helps me know I'm not going nuts! I have just tried using a hybrid with nasal pillows in the last couple of days to try exactly what you're suggesting - get the pressure off my head and nose area to see if that has any effect.

I was thinking that maybe your full-face mask was putting pressure on your sinuses, causing the discomfort you described. Since there's no pressure around the nose bridge and eyes with the hybrid mask, maybe that will do the trick after awhile. I sure hope so!

My symptoms just came up within the last week or so. Before that, I was feeling fine and getting great results. I'm going to switch to my nasal pillows for a while and see if that makes any difference. I also think I may be a bit dehydrated, so I'm going to drink more water during the day.

~ DreamOn

I tried nasal pillows for the last couple of nights. They worked OK until my nose went shut. I did notice however, that the dizziness/fogginess the next day seemed every so slightly better. I am going to experiment with loosening the straps on my FF mask. I have adjusted it per the PA's directions (bridge all the way out, tighten headgear to control leaks), but now I think I will try to work with the bridge (as perhaps the manufacturer intended?!) and loosen the straps.

[DreamOn]

I tried nasal pillows for the last couple of nights. They worked OK until my nose went shut. I did notice however, that the dizziness/fogginess the next day seemed every so slightly better. I am going to experiment with loosening the straps on my FF mask. I have adjusted it per the PA's directions (bridge all the way out, tighten headgear to control leaks), but now I think I will try to work with the bridge (as perhaps the manufacturer intended?!) and loosen the straps.

I hope that you can find a way to wear the FF mask looser, with it still not leaking. It'd be great if that relieves your symptoms. It'd be interesting to know if your problems are due to pressure on the sinuses from the mask.

Just a thought.... It's possible that the few days with the nasal pillows may have eased any sinus problem, both because there's no pressure near your nose bridge/eyes with the nasal pillows and, also, the humidity and more direct air up your nostrils could've given them a little "bath". If you think that is a possibility, then you may want to experiment with nasal/sinus irrigation.

~ DreamOn