I never had headaches but now I do, cpap?

[Jane1966]

Hi,

I have been on CPAP since April 8, 2010. I have a repironics c-flex plus on pressure 8. I didn't have too much trouble adjusting the first two weeks, but this week I have had a headache every day in the afternoons. It appears to be a sinus headache and is not a pounding, piercing headache but it is annoying and distracting. This morning I even woke up with a headache. I do have allergies and frequent sinus/nose blockage, but I do not normally get headaches. If I do get headaches, they go away within a day. This daily headache only goes away if I take tylenol or motrin. I have just taken a zirtec-d and it seems to be helping a bit though so this could be my allergies symptoms worsening changing as I age, but it seems to me that is coinciding with the cpap use. I have a Respironics comfort gell full face mask and I noticed that after two and half weeks, the gel pad and other soft plastic parts seem not to be holding their shape quite as much and I have to lower the mask to its lowest level around the top nose to prevent leaking. I have a medium size. I just called the nurse at the sleep doctor's office she told me to check my BP to be sure it is not my BP, although she said my BP is normal (it's been under 120/80) during doctor's visits. I haven't had high blood pressure. I just had a full blood work up in February and had all good numbers. But, I will go to CVS and check it just to be sure. I am getting a monthly replacement gel pad at the end of next week and the nurse said she would arrange to send a new prescription to the DME so I could try other masks if necessary. Maybe this will help. She also said to call my primary care doctor. My questions are:

1) Has anyone else developed headaches like this on CPAP when they generally didn't get headaches?
2) If anyone developed such headaches on CPAP did they go away?
3) Did CPAP theraphy modify your normal allergy/sinus reaction--ie make it worse or different?
4) As the gel pads lose their shape on your mask, does your therapy worsen or does it hurt your sinuses?

Thanks for replies, they are appreciated!!

[Julie]

Hi, two suggestions... try turning your humidifier down because it can cause congestion in some people (I never use it at all). And if your mask is very tight, especially across the back of your neck, loosen it up - it should never be uncomfortably tight anyhow.

[dwsupt]

Ditto- Julie covered my thoughts.

[Jane1966]

Thanks Julie et. al. I have been keeping the humidifier at 4 because it generally feels good to have the humid air and seems to make breathing easier, but I will try it at 2 tonight and see what happens. I will be extra careful about the fit tonight too.

[DLB]

Jane1966,

After my first night on CPAP at 8cm H2O, I had a horrible headpounding headache.

In response, and out of desparation, I had my pressure switched to Auto from 8cmH2O to 12cmH2O and felt some immediate improvement, but still had daily headaches for the next 3 or 4 weeks. Sometimes I would wake up with a headache and sometimes it would develop from late morning through the afternoon, but was a huge improvemaent over that first night.

After observing my average pressures over this period being around 10cm H2O, and feeling better, I had my minimum pressure raised a little every couple months and saw my average AHI gradually decline as a result. I am currently on Auto from 10cm H2O to 12cmH2O and having better results. Sometimes though, I will still get headaches every afternoon for a week or more, and then they stop again. I don't know if these are associated with CPAP or not though. I know that many factors impact headaches so they may or may not be related to CPAP now. I'm convinced that not having enough pressure and AHI=5 or greater did directly contribute to the headaches I was experiencing early on however.

The weird thing with the auto mode is that it tends to oscillate between the min and max settings fairly regularly through the night and doesn't seem to correlate directly with apneas, hypopneas, or flow limitations like I know it should. I have to believe and hope that it is reacting to data that is not available to me and not just randomly bouncing around.

The data does show more leak issues at higher pressures. I have tried a couple different masks during this period, but find that I prefer the nasal mask as long as the pressure isn't too high. I have had to use nasal spray a few times when I had a sinsus infection.

I recommend working closely with your medical professionals to adjust your pressures appropiately and see if that helps wth the headaches.

Regards,
DLB

[Jane1966]

DLB,

Good idea.. if the headache doesn't improve by adjusting humidity--and it has become more humid in Florida this last week so this may be the issue, it is probably the mask or pressure. I don't really want to put it at a higher pressure, but it is what it is I guess if I need to do so. I would probably have to get the doctor to approve a higher pressure setting but I have an appointment in not too long.

[Marietjie]

Jane 1966 - go to - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=50494

Scroll down and read Ryckmann's reply re humidifier

[BlackSpinner]

DLB,

Good idea.. if the headache doesn't improve by adjusting humidity--and it has become more humid in Florida this last week so this may be the issue, it is probably the mask or pressure. I don't really want to put it at a higher pressure, but it is what it is I guess if I need to do so. I would probably have to get the doctor to approve a higher pressure setting but I have an appointment in not too long.

It is your therapy, your machine and your data. If you feel bad on cpap then take charge and take control of your health. No diabetic will wait for a doctors approval to change the level of their medication and neither should you.

If you don't have a data capable machine to show you your leak rate and AHI throw it back at them and tell them you want proper therapy.
Most DME must allow you to change mask with in 30 days - you don't need a prescription for masks when you all ready have one.

With cpap therapy you have to go in with your metaphorical army boots on and your metaphorical AK47 at ready or they will rip you off royally.

[Jane1966]

Thanks Marie,

This was the post you referred to me:

I have the same troubles. I found that despite the setting on my built-in humidifier, I still wake up with a dry mouth or sinuses. I have had success with these steps and I suggest you try it...

1. "Pre"-humidify your bedroom. Buy a tabletop humidifier from CVS/Target/Walgreens/Etc.
2. Buy a humidistat (it tells you the real room humidity) for about $10-$30 depending on how fancy you want to be.
3. Using these two devices, keep your room humidity between 40% and 55%.

If your room is to arid (15-25% humidity) your sinuses/mouth will dry out. If it's too humid (60%+) mold/mildew could start to grow (not to mention, your skin will feel sticky).

I live in Maryland and here, during winter, my house was down to 20% or lower during the driest months. IT WAS KILLING ME!!! No matter how awesome your CPAP machine's humidifier is, that little sucker can't compete with your cavernous, desert-like, bedroom.

Now, I sleep much better! I hope this helps you.


The humidity in my area of Florida is 68%, so I think I need to turn down the humidifier for now. Thanks.

Regarding Blackspinner. You are right. You do have to be pro-active about your health care. Don't worry, I am not going to sit around like a passive bunny.

[pdean44]

I was getting headaches in the beginning as well now and then. I turned down the humidity and also did not wear the straps so tight including the chin strap which i was over doing a bit.