Vertigo from too much Moisture

Doug_C · Post by **Doug_C** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 11:39 pm

I have been using CPAP therapy for almost 2 years now. I have a remstar auto machine with a heated humidifier which is set on 1. Recently I have been bothered with bouts of Vertigo which started shortly after having a bad case of the flu and running a temp of around 104 degrees for several days in January of this year. I visited my general doctor (not the Dr. that prescribed CPAP therapy) earlier this week and he suggested that the vertigo might be caused by getting too much moisture from the CPAP humidifier and having it be forced into my inner ear by the pressure of the cpap (which is set for a range of 6 to 11). Since my prescribed CPAP pressure is 8, I have re-adjusted my cpap auto pressure range to 7 to 9 and I still want to continue to use my heated humidifier since the night I tried without was like having a fire burning inside of my nose. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Doug

LynfromOz · Post by **LynfromOz** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 1:01 am

Doug
If you have been having vertigo since January I would check on the possibility of MENIERE'S DISEASE. Sounds worse than it is. Simply put, it is a build-up of fluid creating pressure on the ear-drum, causing dizziness.

Years ago, in the rural area where I was living, a number of people (including me) came down with very severe vertigo after what local doctor's described as the 'flu. I know of people who suffered for years after, without getting relief via the medical profession.

I did some reading at the time and suspected I had contracted Meniere's Disease (I had several "bouts" over the next three years although I have had no attacks in recent years). The "attacks" seemed to be brought on by an increased salt intake ("cuppa soup" on one occasion) and I cured them by going on a three day cleansing diet (raw fruit & vegetables) while walking for miles (sightseeing excursions). Quite a pleasant treatment really.

Meniere's Disease is a recurring condition according to my research and experience so I still watch my salt intake.

I'm not saying that this is what you have but it might be good to rule out the possibility. Vertigo is very disconcerting to say the least.

Lyn

LynfromOz · Post by **LynfromOz** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 1:13 am

Forgot to mention that I use the Sleepzone Heated Hose with a passover (unheated) humidifier. Hasn't reactivated my Meniere's condition/vertigo since starting CPAP in July. Rain-out was very unpleasant 'though before I started using the heated hose.

sleepyred · Post by **sleepyred** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 3:06 pm

I do have bi-lateral Meniere's Disease, asthma, and horrible allergies, along with my restless legs and upper airway resistance syndrome. I'm a novice here, only had a 5 day trial and am on my second night of my cpap, but I am not any dizzier than I was already at night! I am on Klonopin for my restless legs and Meniere's and for some reason during my bad allergy seasons, spring and fall, I get dizzy at night. As quick as it starts, one night it will just cease. Strange. But I do not feel any more pressure in my ears than I already have (a part of Meniere's anyway along with the dizzies.) Hope this helps.

I do think my heated humidifier is helping my stuffy nose and allergies!

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 4:36 pm

A humidfier set on one should not cause vertigo IMHO it is not enough moisture and I have never heard of anyone getting vertigo from humidity. I live in the humidity capital, Houston and we would have it all the time if this were true.

Doug_C · Post by **Doug_C** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 5:03 pm

Thanks for the post Rock and Roll. I am inclined to agree with you but at this point I am grasping at straws to get rid of the dizzies. I definitely do not want to stop my CPAP therapy or discontinue using my heated humidifier if I can help it.

However, I don't know how you guys can stand the humidity in Texas. I've been told that the air there in the summer is thick enough that one could cut it with a knife!! I can take the heat as we get 110 to 114 degrees in the summer months here, but we don't get the humidity like you do.

Doug

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 7:35 pm

Yes it's humid but hot is hot at 110-114. I was in Vegas this summer and it was 114 and I was miserable, just in a different kind of hot.

I would take a anti vertigo antihystimine and theire are good ones out there. I have had vertigo and long before cpap and it is not fun. My heart goes out to you. Good luck.

john5757 · Post by **john5757** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 9:44 pm

I would be quite a challenge to me to live in the hot and humidity part of Texas. I wear Behind The Ear hearing aids and they take a beating in hot sweating weather even in Colorado. I had a bad case of vertigo once and I was stuck in bed for three days and I had to crawl to use the bathroom. On CPAP I did get dizzy when I had a problem with mouth leaking.

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rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 11:04 pm

I too wear behind the ear hearing aids. They hold up better than in the ear hearing aids though. It is tough illness and handicaps no matter what. But in the winter I don't have to shovewl snow to go to work

LynfromOz · Post by **LynfromOz** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 6:51 am

Doug
I assume the doc' checked for low blood pressure. I feel for you. Chronic vertigo is most unpleasant. I would still recommend trying a cleansing diet of raw fruit & vegetables for 2-3 days with lots of water, sunlight and fresh air to clear out any congestion. You should feel great afterwards anyway. Bananas have loads of potassium.
Lyn

trayj · Post by **trayj** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 12:15 pm

Hi all...I am a physical therapist who specializes in vestibular disorders. I also have OSA and am exploring APAPs, which is how I came across this thread...

Anyway, yes, vertigo is an awful thing. Doug, there may be many reasons you are experiencing vertigo..I won't get into all of them here, but I strongly encourage you to get checked out by a vestibular disorders specialist. There are many treatments available now, depending on the cause of the vertigo. Check out http://www.vestibular.org for a resource list of specialists in your state. There are some good docs and PTs in the San Diego area, but in other areas as well.

I don't believe the humidification or CPAP pressure is related to your vertigo, so you may see no correlation.

Please let me know if I can answer any more specific questions for you. Vertigo treatments have been developed, researched and proven to be effective over the last 5-10 years...I see either complete elimination or effective management of symptoms for most of my patients.

Good luck! -Tracy

Mask

Additional Comments: Aussie Heated hose for rain out/PapCap Headgear and chin strap

Machine	Mask

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