Weird feeling during the day - headache/naussia using CPAP

[JohnBFisher]

... I didn't think my BP would respond that quickly to my therapy .. but I suppose it could be a possibility ...

Of course with Jeff's great advice I do not have a lot to add. However, your note about BP caught my attention. One thing that often can be a sign of untreated OSA is hypertension that does not respond well to blood pressure medication.

Let me use myself as an example. Prior to obtaining my current ASV unit, even with LOTS of medication, I had problems with my blood pressure being off the chart. Now with the ASV unit my blood pressure tends to be right about where it should be.

As I increase my exercise, the load on my cardiovascular system should decrease which will help reduce my need for medication.

So, yes. If you had high blood pressure, now use xPAP therapy, then even without weight loss you might find you have a decreased need for some of the medication. Be certain to check your BP several times throughout the day (early morning, mid morning, mid afternoon, and before bed - all at the same time of day). Then bring that to your doctor to discuss it.

And here's hoping that reduced blood pressure is the cause of how you feel. That can be readily addressed. It can be readily corrected.

[YawnGirl]

My friend a work complained of similar symptoms. After having pressure in her chest, I took her to the hospital. She had very low potassium caused by her diuretic blood pressure medicine cozaar (same as yours). When potassium goes down BP goes up. When potassium goes up BP goes down. Check your BP, and eat some apricots!!

[jnk]

. . . I didn't think my BP would respond that quickly to my therapy . . .

It doesn't always, but sometimes it does. I think it can sometimes be the return of the nocturnal dip in BP that can cause you to feel weird for a while during the day if your body is not used to that happening, like it should have been for years.

Interesting statement by one study about another, which sums it up:

"This study is also consistent with a previous cross-sectional study. In this study, 22 of 38 patients (58%) with severe OSA (AHI = 54 ± 11) were [nocturnal blood pressure] nondippers. After 3 days of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, 15 of 22 subjects who were nondippers before treatment reversed to become dippers, and all subjects had significant reduction in their average BP during the day and night."--Sleep. 2008 June 1; 31(6): 772–773. Copyright © 2008; Nabil M. Al Lawati, MD and Najib T. Ayas, MD, MPH

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2442410/

Color and brackets are mine.

[ifrimmel]

Thanks ! I will certainly investigate the link to BP. I am seeing my Sleep doctor on Monday and will discuss with him and there can be no harm in eating more Apricots - I have heard of Potassium deficiency linked to many health issues. And yeah I have been on the diuretic BP meds for more than 10 years so I'm sure it could be related.

I did take some Allegra yesterday and feel a bit better today - maybe allergies too.. my 5 year old daughter is also suffering BIG time. I think the spore counts are off the charts after the flooding and rains here in Atlanta recently.

[Nicholasjh1]

Thanks! I have a wierd headache too after the second night of use kind of at my brainstem. Like some others I feel more awake and aware, and even happier. Thinking it could be related to new BP lowering, or some kind of healing going on, alternately my sense may just have been dulled. In December I had a rotten tooth, (a cracked root under a crown), and strangely it didn't even hurt. So anyway, hopefully it will just go away. I'll have to increase fluids and electrolytes too, usually I wake up at night and get some water, but that didn't happen last night.

[Julie]

1 - you're dredging up a 7 yr old note...

2 - don't get into the routine of blaming everything on Cpap... maybe see a doctor!

[at68466]

I have exactly the same problems with my cpap.

No problem with the mask, iah dropped from 62 to 1.7,...

these problems are caused by the machine. when i stop during 1 or 2 days, i already feel better. i ask at least 4 specialists doctors.. they have no ideas, solutions, no leads,... strange !
Did you find the cause and a solution ? thanks

[Okie bipap]

This an eight year old post. If they ever found a solution, it probably would have listed in the thread. If you are having a problem, start a new post describing your problem.

[ChicagoGranny]

I have exactly the same problems with my cpap.

No problem with the mask, iah dropped from 62 to 1.7,...

these problems are caused by the machine. when i stop during 1 or 2 days, i already feel better. i ask at least 4 specialists doctors.. they have no ideas, solutions, no leads,... strange !
Did you find the cause and a solution ? thanks

I can't imagine feeling better at 62 AHI as compared to 1.7 AHI.

What's your leak rate? Is the exhaust vent on your mask blocked by bed covers or anything else?

It might be a good idea to get one of your doctors to order an overnight oximetry test while you are using CPAP. For best results, the test should run for two or three nights.

[weroberts75]

When I started CPAP, and especially when I switched to a full mask after an initial lack of success with nasal pillows, I had a lot more sinus issues. However, after several months with a full face mask, my sinuses cleared up and after four months of a full mask my head felt completely clear. That's when I switched back to nasal pillows, although I feel like they just push a path through my airways and don't allow my sinuses to fully drain the way they do when I wear a full mask.