change in bowel habits since using cpap

[whitewalleye]

I started using my CPAP mask and machine in December of 2004. I soon started noticing a change in my bowel habits towards the constipation side. Since I had seldom ever had a problem before, I mentioned this to my doctor. He scheduled me for a colonoscopy (I am 57) and I am glad to say my surgeon found nothing amiss or suspicious during the procedure. Neither of the doctors felt the CPAP would contribute to the constipation. I continue to think my use of the CPAP blowing air into my body all night could do this. Has anyone else experienced this problem? Thanks for any input.

[Dot]

I have Bowel problems, but they started before using the machine. Have you been checked for Sposmatic bowel syndrome? Are you sleeping more with the machine and being awake less hours and therefore maybe drinking less fluids? With spoamatic bowel syndrome, you might be constipated one time and loose the next-- never know what to expect. Being hotter out, you could be losing more fluids and require drinking more fluids. This might be of no help to you, just a thought. I do think swallowing so much air is causing me to wake with a stomach ache. This just started the past few mornings since the heat went higher at night.
I wish you luck finding the cause of your problem.

[bman]

bowel action was always loose prior to using CPAP, now I have less urge to go in the morning, i think one's digestive tract function is always better after using cpap. furthermore my nocturia is disappearing

i guess one's experience of benefiting from cpap would depend on the severity of the apnoea.

[snork1]

Well, this answers my same question. I finally got my CPAP therapy working well, and (coincidentally???) am now in a constant state of constipation, which has NEVER been a problem for me until now. I exercise regularly, drink lots of liquids, eat lots of fiber,....all the things that kept me running regular before.

I mentioned it to my sleep doc and he basically just gave a nervous laugh and ignored my question.

What would we ever do without all this great medical supervision during our CPAP therapy?....sigh.....

[frustrated4]

I too am having constipation problems for the first time in my life after use of my cpap machine. I wake up in pain from bloating. It seems to happen more when I am stuffy, probably due to swollowing more air. My doctor said that maybe I also needed a colonoscopy. I am only 37, and I definitely think it is due to the cpap.

I also think I open my mouth after I start to sleep and take a lot of air in. I don't know if I should switch to a full face mask which may help these problems.

[rosiefrosie]

frustrated4, if you are using a nasal mask and opening your mouth while you sleep, you are losing air out your mouth, which does nothing to Improve your OSA. You should probably get a full face mask. Some people here use chin straps with nasal masks and this works for them. Others, such as myself, use nasal pillows/masks and tape their mouth shut. It is important to get the leaks under control to have effective cpcp therapy and you may want to try different types of masks to see which ones work better for you.

I too notice a change in bowels with constipation for the 1st time ever. I also bought laxatives for the first time and used them. I chalked up to getting old, the standard excuse. I eat plenty of veggies everyday and walk miles everyday. My doctor brings up colonoscopy every year and I just don't know what it is, but the thought of having a tube pushed up my........................ sends me running for the hills

Good Luck

rosie

[GumbyCT]

I too am having constipation problems for the first time in my life after use of my cpap machine. I wake up in pain from bloating. It seems to happen more when I am stuffy, probably due to swollowing more air. My doctor said that maybe I also needed a colonoscopy. I am only 37, and I definitely think it is due to the cpap.

I also think I open my mouth after I start to sleep and take a lot of air in. I don't know if I should switch to a full face mask which may help these problems.

The first thing to look at is diet what goes in?
If not better with laxatives then certainly a colonoscopy is the gold standard so far in our lifetime. It is preventative and not a cure. The age is ONLY a guide.

Should you decide to wait too long it will spread too fast. Say goodnite and get your things in order.

obtw - you won't feel a thing.

[Bobby269]

MIne was caused by dehydration. I started drinking more liquid. When I started sleeping better my nocturia decreased. My body
wasn't always dehydrated any longer. This seemed to reduce the problem.I just have to remember to drink enough liquid each day.

[HoseCrusher]

Dr. Wes Jones has spent his life looking at, and helping people with digestive problems. His book "Cure Constipation Now: A Doctor's Fiber Therapy to Cleanse and Heal" is well worth reading.

Constipation, like Obstructive Sleep Apnea, seems to be responsible for a wide variety of ailments.

[orangeandferal]

I have noticed this effect with CPAP as well, and for me, it has been a great blessing. I have Crohn's disease and have had a total colectomy (colon removed), so a touch of constipation is a wonderful thing. (Though I certainly understand it is quite an unpleasant experience for most folks... )

For any kind of bowel upset, I highly, highly recommend psyllium husk powder, 1-2 daily times in a glass of water (or juice, if the taste bothers you, and constipation is the problem... fruit juice will of course make diahrrea worse). It will change your life. Well, at least your bowel function.

Psyllium is the main ingredient in laxatives like Metamucil. You can get the raw form (without the added sugars, colors, artifical flavorings, etc) in a natural foods store or co-op grocery. Comes in capsule form, though I personally think the old mix-n-drink version works better.

Happier pooping to you,
Laura

[PST]

My doctor brings up colonoscopy every year and I just don't know what it is, but the thought of having a tube pushed up my........................ sends me running for the hills.

It's a piece of cake, really. One day of moderate inconvenience, quickly forgotten. The benefits, on the other hand, can be life altering. I actually turned out to have colon cancer the first time I got scoped, seven years ago. I'm fine now. Having that colonoscopy may have been the most important decision I ever made, since the prognosis is excellent for colon cancer diagnosed early (and even better, of course, when pre-cancerous polyps are found and never get a chance to go further).

[turnerk]

I second the comment on the colonoscopy. I was worried about it too but the procedure itself was VERY easy. Countdown from a 100 to about 97 and then wake up done. Yes, the prep was unpleasant but, mostly just a matter of "sheesh there's still more of that slop to drinK?" My friendly advice, just get it scheduled and do it.

[frustrated4]

to Rosiefrosie,

Do you have to purchase several types of masks in order to try them? I have been going to Apneacare and I am only allowed a new mask every year I think which would be covered party by insurance.

You said some use a pillow and tape mouth shut? What kind of tape do you use? I would try anything to stop the discomfort. It was weird, I had no bloating for a while, but then it came back again. I'm trying to find the patterns with the bloating and the constripation.
Thanks for your help.

[islandboy5150]

If you have IBS-D (d for diarrhea) like I do, it can be much harder to keep from having accidents becuase of the pressure. IBS has been a daily battle for me for going on 27 years now and the added pressure can make it damn near impossible to hold it long enough to get to a bathroom. This makes life a little bit more tricky being scared all the time that you might blow your load, at work, or in public somewhere. Harder to be a highly functioning productive member of society when all of your day every day is spent in panic mode. Ok, done rambling now.

[suefaw]

I think cpap machine use is directly related to the development of constipation, although it is undocumented (and therefore, supposedly doesn't exist). I have Crohn's Disease and Sleep Apnea and recently started using a cpap machine with a nasal mask. I noticed a change in my bowel habits at the onset - less frequency - but after a week, I was severely constipated. To make a long story short, I ended up with impacted stool in my rectum and a hospital stay with intravenous fluid. The cause is supposedly a "mystery", but I think it is the cpap machine (the only change in my life) that caused the problem. Of course, nobody will believe it. Yes, colonoscopies are necessary and a proper diet is vital, but there is definitely a pressurization issue that causes constipation.