Ear Pressure

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Donee
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2010 12:18 pm

Ear Pressure

Post by Donee » Tue Mar 09, 2010 4:28 pm

Hi all,

I have been using a CPAP machine for all of 4 days now. I've notice that I get ear pressure pain shortly after turning it on. Generally, it isn't even ramped up to the full pressure at that point. Is that normal? I thought that 10 wasn't that high of a setting but maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it just takes awhile to adjust...

My doctor is lowering my pressure to 8 as a result. Is that to be expected? My test isn't even a week old and it called for 10. Then again, I'm new to this. For all I know, there isn't that major a difference between 8 and 10.

Background info: Both of my eardrums ruptured a year ago thanks to a particularly viscous ear infection. (read: I may just be over reacting because I do not want to experience that kind of pain so close to my brain ever again) I also have seasonal allergies that can cause congestion that messes with my eustachian tubes. I haven't noticed any allergy/congestion symptoms recently though.

I appreciate any input you provide.
Thanks!

_________________
Mask: Zest Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Diagnosed 3/5/10 so this is my first set up

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BlackSpinner
Posts: 9742
Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:44 pm
Location: Edmonton Alberta
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Re: Ear Pressure

Post by BlackSpinner » Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:54 pm

I know that I have to be careful not to yawn to deeply or I have to open the mask and re-balance

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Additional Comments: Quatro mask for colds & flus S8 elite for back up
71. The lame can ride on horseback, the one-handed drive cattle. The deaf, fight and be useful. To be blind is better than to be burnt on the pyre. No one gets good from a corpse. The Havamal

cflame1
Posts: 3312
Joined: Sat Mar 11, 2006 6:55 am
Location: expat Canadian in Kentucky

Re: Ear Pressure

Post by cflame1 » Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:26 pm

If it continues... talk to an ENT.

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rheumrn
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Feb 04, 2010 2:38 pm
Location: North Alabama

Re: Ear Pressure

Post by rheumrn » Wed Mar 10, 2010 2:46 pm

I have ear pressure every night when starting my cpap machine. I have Meniere's disease which makes me dizzy at higher altitudes or flying in a plane.

The first week with cpap caused bilateral ear pain and headaches. I have more ear pressure with nasal pillow masks. I am a mouth breater but could not find a full face mask that did not leak. I have been using nasal masks for the past 40 days and just tape my lips with medical cloth tape. The ear pressure is greater with lip taping since your mouth is not open to let out some of the air pressure, but in order to get proper therapy, I have adjusted to doing it.

I have been using a Sleepweaver cloth mask for the past week and it seems to lessen the ear pressure. My pressure on my machine is set at 9 to 17. I don't use the ramp feature anymore at 5 for 10 minutes because I just stayed awake waiting for the pressure to increase up to 9 and the ear pressure started.

My ear pressure seems worst for the first 15 minutes after turning on the machine. I fall asleep and do not awaken with any ear pressure even when disconnecting the hose for a bathroom trip.

I have been using cpap for 51 days now and tried numerous masks: Quattro, Liberty, Hybrid, ComfortGel, Swift LT for Her, Sleepweaver. It seems that the nasal masks (not pillows) diffuse the air flow more which lessens ear/sinus pressure for me.

_________________
Mask: Mirage Activa™ LT Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Humidifier (set on 2); Aussie heated hose; PAPcap Plus; Regenesis pillow

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Re: Ear Pressure

Post by Guest » Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:59 pm

Thanks for the input. I just wanted to get a feel for whether or not it was abnormal. I appreciate your answers!

Donee