new Cpap user: Symptom question

[Shar]

Hi, this is my first posting. Tonite will be my 10th night on CPAP. I use a Resmed machine, a warm air humidifier and a full face mask. The setting was at 13 for the first 8 nights and I was experiencing significant abdominal bloating, I believe it is called Aerophagia. Yesterday,the doctor decided to put the setting down to 10 and that was done by the technician. Last night was a more comfortable night in general and the bloating was greatly lessened today. The symptom I am curious about and seeking help with is:
has anyone had episodes of feeling suddenly weak with tingling sensations in both arms and to a lesser degree legs? It almost feels like I'm going to faint but I don't. I don't have a racing heart during these episodes or any pain....just a weak feeling that comes over me suddenly. I'll be going about my business and feeling fine and then these episodes occur. It may be something that is unique to being a CPAP user or it may be something totally unrelated. But, I thought I would see if any of you have had anything like this happen and does it eventually resolve?
Thank you in advance for any help you can give. I have so very much to learn.

[Babette]

Shar, doesn't ring a bell with me. I suggest you contact your primary care physician and describe the symptoms and see if they think it's something you should be seen for.

Heart problems in women do not show the same symptoms as in men. Seems to me I've read those symptoms you've described as possible heart-related symptoms.

Glad you're here, and GOOD LUCK!!!!
Barbara

[RipVW]

Hello & Welcome, Shar! Glad you found this forum--SO much useful info and everyone here is so willing to help!

Regarding those symptons, ditto to what Babette said--you really should check with your doc. Good luck!

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

[jnk]

You may want to ask your sleep doc this question: "Do you think the episodes of sudden weakness could be a form of cataplexy and may mean that I need a test called an "MSLT"?

[Julie]

Could it be something like anxiety over having had to adjust to Cpap? You know yourself better than we do as far as that goes. When you're in bed, do you find that wearing the mask causes you to unconsciously tense your neck muscles to keep it in position - that conceivably could cause a bit of numbness and tingling.

[nomoore]

I'll be going about my business and feeling fine and then these episodes occur.

So this is happening during the day? Definitely get it checked out by a Doc.

[Georgio]

Does it happen during the day or at night on cpap?

Did the onset occur when you began cpap?

I haven't heard of that side effect of cpap (someone correct me here if I'm wrong). Apnea does a lot of havoc on our bodies before we start cpap, so I would make a Dr. visit as soon as I could.

Georgio

[Shirley39]

Hi, this is my first posting. Tonite will be my 10th night on CPAP. I use a Resmed machine, a warm air humidifier and a full face mask. The setting was at 13 for the first 8 nights and I was experiencing significant abdominal bloating, I believe it is called Aerophagia. Yesterday,the doctor decided to put the setting down to 10 and that was done by the technician. Last night was a more comfortable night in general and the bloating was greatly lessened today. The symptom I am curious about and seeking help with is:
has anyone had episodes of feeling suddenly weak with tingling sensations in both arms and to a lesser degree legs? It almost feels like I'm going to faint but I don't. I don't have a racing heart during these episodes or any pain....just a weak feeling that comes over me suddenly. I'll be going about my business and feeling fine and then these episodes occur. It may be something that is unique to being a CPAP user or it may be something totally unrelated. But, I thought I would see if any of you have had anything like this happen and does it eventually resolve?
Thank you in advance for any help you can give. I have so very much to learn.

I've had the tingling and the sense of almost fainting. My doctor had placed me on Clonazapan (anti-seizure medication) because I jerked a lot during the sleep study. Was on it for over a year and symptoms came back. Doctor said that the original med was no longer working. And he put me on Gabapentin (which is anti-seizure and neuropathy med.) and the use of am oxygen concentrator. Both of these help me sleep much sounder and have reduced symptoms. I have a Resmed also. If it has the Encore card reader slot, you may already have a card--look in the back of CPAP. You can buy the card reader (plus card) and attach to your computer. I read my card every morning to see how times I had an apnic episode and the hyponea episodes. I now sleep with the nasal pillows rather than full face mask. Probably don't need the oxygen concentrator; but enjoy the noise and it's paid for). My Encore card results are much better with nasal pillows and I have reduced the air pressure to 9. If I use the full face mask when I have a sinus problem, I have to go back to 14. No one is more concerned about my health than I am. Grannie Linn

[Sleep4aHealthyLife]

I have been in the Sleep Medicine industry for the last 7 years and agree completely with JNK. I would HIGHLY recommend seeing a Sleep Specialist and ask him/ her the question that JNK stated so well.

"Do you think the episodes of sudden weakness could be a from of cataplexy and may mean that I need a test called an "MSLT"?

Likewise, so you are better informed before your visit, I would google the following items to get more info: (links included)

1) "cataplexy" - http://www.google.com/search?q=cataplex ... =firefox-a
2) "narcolepsy" - http://www.google.com/search?q=narcolep ... =firefox-a

In addition, http://www.webmd.com & http://www.mayoclinic.com are always a great place to start and can sometimes be a wealth of knowledge on medical diagnosis and symptoms, etc.

Also, BEFORE your visit to the Sleep Specialist, you need to keep a brief log of the following:

1) How do you feel immediately before the episodes happen?
2) Are there any "triggers" that make them happen more often?
3) How often do the episodes occur?
4) Are they getting increasingly "stronger" (i.e. it used to only affect arms and now it affects both legs and arms, etc.)?
5) Where do they occur (outside, inside, when you meet someone new, laughing, etc, etc)?
6) What is the average length of the episodes?
7) Do you ever feel tired/ fall asleep during the episodes?
Do they happen primarily when you transition from sitting to standing or lying down to sitting up (if yes, possible blood pressure issue, unrelated to sleep)?

I hope this does not overwhelm you, but these are some of the many questions the Sleep Specialist will ask during your visit. The more specific information you can give him/ her, the better they are able to understand your symptoms and take the appropriate course of action.

On a side note, cataplexy is not a life-threatening condition like sleep apnea. It is frustrating and can become dangerous if you "faint"/ have cataplectic episodes that make you fall from standing/ while driving, etc. Likewise, there are prescription drugs that address these symptoms specifically and most people live unaltered lives while on appropriate medication.

If you have any questions, you are welcome to PM (personal message) me anytime.

Hope this helps and I will pray for you!

Mike

[Shar]

Thank you all for your kind responses and help. The episodes of feelings of weakness /faint feeling have diminished in number and intensity over the past few days. Yesterday morning was the last episode. Today I've been fine and productive all day. I also am not experiencing the abdominal distention/ bloating since the pressure was changed from 13 down to 10. I don't know if there was any relationship between the onset of the symptoms and the abdominal distention... both occuring at the same time may have just been cooincidental. There are also some strange viruses floating around with flu-like symptoms of varying degrees. The bottom line is, for the time being, I'm feeling pretty well and starting to welcome the quiet sound of the CPAP machine each night. I've come to recognize it as a way to better health.
It is wonderful to have this support board. I am greatly appreciative of your responses to my inquiry.
Sweet sleep to all !!!