Headaches

washout1015 · Post by **washout1015** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:40 pm

Hello everyone, I am a new user, just started two nights ago, so needless to say things are rough starting out. I have noticed that throughout the day I have increased headaches. Is this related to starting the machine or could it just be that I slept wrong? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:51 pm

One of the causes of headaches, can be mouthbreathing, you have a nasalmask, do you tape, or seal your lips shut, so you can't lose air through your mouth, another symptom is a dry mouth, and lots of water use in the HH.

The only real way to tell is get the software, or use a FF mask. If you mouthleak, the pressure you are putting in your nose, comes out your mouth, instead of holding your airway open. Then you have lost the benefit of treatment. Jim

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:11 pm

If by "increased" you mean more, not necessarily "stronger" then it could be both.

It could be the reslut of the way you're holding your head because of the mask.

One of the absolutely worst headaches I ever had was when I started therapy, and I couldn't tolerate the pressure I was given - it was so bad that the next morning I called the clinic, said I would't continue till I spoke to the doctor - waited 2 or 3 weeks to meet him and was switched to a different RT. It turned out the constant pressure I was given was too high. That pressure is now about the top of my range - and I rarely ever spend more than 12% of my time at it.

With good sleep at the right pressure I don't have morning headaches any longer. Nor any others as a matter of fact. Lack of sleep (late to bed an early to rise...) does give me a headache sometimes.

O.

Xian · Post by **Xian** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 3:38 pm

I had headaches at first too. I think they were tension headaches... I was so uncomfortable with the mask, and afraid that it would fall off at night that I was very tense in bed, hence the headaches. I've learned since to relax and tension headaches have gone... Give it a few more nights, and try to catch yourself when/if you contract your neck/shoulders and make a conscious effort to relax (drop your shoulders, put your head in a more natural position, aligned with the spine...). If the mask fits, he won't fall off! (Of course, if it is put on too tight, the pressure and lack of comfort will also give you headaches... you'll eventually find the right balance if you have not already!)

Good luck.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 4:01 pm

Good way of putting it Xian!
O.

SleepGuy · Post by **SleepGuy** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:59 pm

The plastic smells used to give me headaches. Many people are sensitive to those smells.

But therapy is most definitely worth it. Keep at it!

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:21 pm

Do you mean the smells when the equipment is new?

I always soak new masks in soapy (baby shampooy...) water, for about 45 minutes before first use, and run a new machine - or nonsoakable Aussie heated hose without a mask for as long as it takes to get rid of the smell It might be 2 hours.

By the way, the plastic wrap in which my PB hose came also had instructions to soak (or was it rinse?) before first use.

Anyway, soaking new masks is was recommendation I got reading a TAS chat trascript with Respiropnics representatives:

For those with sensitive skin, it is a good idea to soak ANY new mask you use for 30-60 minutes in mild soapy water.

O.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 3:37 am

Actually, I think they meant that some people are sensitive to how some plastics smell whether old or new, but airing them for a week or so before wearing them at night can help a lot.

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 9:35 am

Welcome to the club, Washout!

As a chronic migraine sufferer, I know how annoying headaches can be. I agree with Xian and Ozij, give it a few more nights, and pay attention to your mouth breathing, like Jim advises. If your mouth is dry any time during the night, it's a sign of trouble. But don't panic about it, there's loads of ways to deal with it, and you'll find one that suits you.

Good luck, and let us know how you're doing.

Cathy

robbieh · Post by **robbieh** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 10:26 am

Another cause of headaches when you first start out could be sinus problems. If you have a lot of nasal allergies or a sensitive nose, all that air blowing in it can irritate your sinuses and cause sinusitis. Using a humidifier can help that. Sometimes it might require prescription nasal sprays like Flonase. I also use Nasal Crom which stops the formation of histamines in my nose.

washout1015 · Post by **washout1015** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 1:45 pm

Thanks for all the advice, I can see that I am definitely not alone. I slept a lot better last night and was able to keep my mouth closed, so needless to say I haven't had any headaches yet today. My wife did tell me that the first two nights, my mouth was open and sometimes for a log period of time. If I have any more troubles, maybe I should invest in a chin strap. Any comments on those? Again, thanks for the support, it's good to know I'm not alone.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 2:11 pm

there are a couple ways to look at it, and there can be many types of headaches including migraines, sometimes a headache is not all bad. It may only mean your body is adjusting to changes due to the new therapy. They usually go away after a few weeks without doing anything.

It could be you had a migraine from a hypoxia condition (lack of oxygen getting to the brain). When that happens the cerebral blood vessels will dilate to allow more blood flow to reach the brain. When that happens the attached nerves don't like to stretch along with those receptors, so the result is the migraine pain you feel. At the end of those nerves is serotonin receptors.

The same thing can happen if you restore oxygen levels to normal say in the case with CPAP, it brings your oxygen levels back up, the brain now says okay I'm getting normal flows of oxygen, I no longer need to dilate those blood vessels and so they shrink naturally to limit blood flow to the brain. It is not so much the vessel is dilated or not, it is those nerve endings are rigid and don't like changing shape so easily.

Next time it happens, try drinking a cup of coffee in the morning, the caffeine will constrict blood vessels and that sometimes can relieve the headache.

Other causes can be having the mask straps too tight and exerting too much pressure at the nape of the neck, that can lead to headaches.

tangents · Post by **tangents** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:38 am

Nice explanation, Snoredog! I've been to many a doctor who won't answer the question "why", but just wants to treat them once they occur. Lots of talk about triggers, hormones, etc, but none about oxygen flow. I find it interesting that since CPAP, I've only had a few mild migraines. It's too soon to say, but I'm hoping the bad ones are gone for good.

Sorry to get off topic, Washout.

Thanks Snoredog,
Cathy

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:15 am

I've also noticed more tension headaches throughout the day since starting xpap about a month ago, but I'm now beginning to correlate it with the amount of time I am spending on the computer researching apnea.

Guess it is time to upgrade from a crt or spend less time at the 'puter

Jen

Headaches

Headaches

Platic smells

Thank you