strange side effects: swelling

[Doubtful Tom]

Anyone ever have problems with circulation and swelling in extremeties from cpap?
Shortly after starting cpap, I noticed swelling starting in my ankles. At first I thought this was due to sleeping with head of bed elevated to counter reflux caused by cpap, though I'd never had this problem before with previous bouts of reflux, due to sliding hiatal hernia. At the very least, I think the cpap is having indirect effect. There've been a few nights when I slept straight through the night (6 hrs, a lot for me) without moving at all, which is something I've never done, even before developing sleep probs. On those nights, it seems the cpap works so well and/or I'm so tired that I sleep right through without changing position an inch. If, however, sleeping with feet below heart level is causing circulation problem, then I would imagine that sleeping with feet in same position all night would compound the problem. I've tried alleviating the swelling with some yoga "legs-up-the-wall" stretches during the day, but to no avail. And sleeping on my side with legs curled is not an option because that position seems to aggravate the reflux, an atypical response, I know. The mere fact of the swelling doesn't bother me, but I'm feeling an increasing amount of pressue building up in one ankle during the day, both sitting and standing. I don't mean to suggest that cpap might be blowing air all the way into ankles, a rather ridiculous propostion, but I do wonder if it can effect circulation in general, with different effects in different folks. Most likely, this is just a positional problem, though not one readily corrected, given the reflux.

Anyone have similar experience, remote or otherwise, or some possible physiological explanation / solution?
thanks,
tom

[BlackSpinner]

Swelling can be a symptom of many nasty surprises and I think you should have that check ASAP. It could be from lack of movement due to actually sleeping, but that in its self is perhaps an important clue

[Janknitz]

Tom,

You need to see your doctor. Swelling can be caused by some serious medical conditions, so you need to have those ruled out before you go blaming the CPAP for your swelling. Please make an appointment TODAY.

And, I think it's pretty unlikely that the CPAP or sleeping in one position all night is responsible for your swelling. JMHO. Your legs are not dangling, or very much below your heart, even if you have your head elevated for the reflux. If you really are having swelling from not moving much all night, that again points to a circulatory issue that needs to be addressed--this does not happen if your circulation is adequate.

[kteague]

If this has already been covered I apologize, but are you on any medications or supplements? Also, what medical conditions that commonly cause swelling have already been ruled out by testing? While the onset may have been with CPAP use, seems other things would still need to be ruled out. I've had even extreme swelling, but turned out the medication to relieve me of it was making me worse the more they increased the dose. Also, I had a blood pressure pill that caused my ankles to swell. The more I sleep with CPAP the better my legs look in the mornings, but obviously that's not your experience. Best wishes narrowing down the possibilities for your problem.

[Doubtful Tom]

I'm not taking any meds, kteague, and the only supplements I take are an herbal tang custom-made for a stomach problem by a local herbalist, but I've been drinking that for a year without problem.

You guys have convinced me I need to go see my GP asap. I've had some numbness and tingling in my hands, as well, but thought I'd just strained something in my wrists with an exercise. The combination of the two extremities suggests a something more than a coincidence. Thanks for prodding me. tom

If this has already been covered I apologize, but are you on any medications or supplements? Also, what medical conditions that commonly cause swelling have already been ruled out by testing? While the onset may have been with CPAP use, seems other things would still need to be ruled out. I've had even extreme swelling, but turned out the medication to relieve me of it was making me worse the more they increased the dose. Also, I had a blood pressure pill that caused my ankles to swell. The more I sleep with CPAP the better my legs look in the mornings, but obviously that's not your experience. Best wishes narrowing down the possibilities for your problem.

[kempo]

Tom, Let us know the results of your visit to the doctor.

GOOD LUCK!

[Janknitz]

Hopefully it will be nothing, but you need to get it checked out without delay.

[Janknitz]

I'm bumping this to make sure you went to the doctor and wondering if anything was found???

[xenablue]

I can only agree with the others.

Hope to see you post here on this soon, Tom

Btw, a couple of my doctors told me that with treating my OSA, swollen ankles and lower legs should pretty much disappear - i.e. CPAP therapy should make it BETTER, not worse!

Take care,
xena

[minnie4]

Just started my cpap a week ago and am having exact same issue. Never had lower leg and ankle swelling prior to the cpap...
I too wonder if it is a circulation issue from sleeping more soundly....in other words...perhaps an underlying issue was always thers but I never noticed before now because I was more restless and therefors kept circulation going better, masking the true problem. Will make an appointment with my doctor soon!

[Julie]

I think you may have cervical issues... i.e. the straps in back are impinging on some nerves and that might be causing your neuropathy. You may need a different type of headgear and/or mask. See if you can at least loosen the straps, or maybe put a piece of foam between the back strap and yourself.

[White Rabbit]

08 sept. 2014 - monday think about it: about 1/3rd of your day is spent sleeping. So for untold years your brain has received X % less oxygen. can't say if some brain cells died -or- were severely distressed -or- some combination. -whatever the case, you would not feel anything, not like a broken arm. but is it reasonable to imagine that your thought processes would be affected? and most people report feeling better in various areas of their lives.
if you feel better, you behave better -or- at least differently. to feel better, to behave differently is to THINK differently. [maybe those distressed brain cells are now functioning different?] so i wonder if people have ended up getting a divorce, quitting their job, suddenly started a new hobby, decided to go back to school, or whatever? no one has mentioned anything like this on this site -only physical things, like swelling, dry eyes, etc. So any comments along this line???