Can headgear cause dizziness/fogginess problems?

[padawan]

In a previous post I mentioned that my doctor told me to "go home and live with it" in regards to my symptoms. They seem satisfied that my numbers were indicating effective treatment, so that fact that I still felt lousy was irrelevant. Since then I've changed from a S8 autoset II to an M Series w/ Aflex and also tried a hybrid mask. While I love the better data from the M-series, as well as the better response to Apneas occuring over 10cm, I am still not feeling better. My AHI runs under 1.8 if I do everything right.

So now I am trying to figure out what else might be going on. My head feels heavy in the morning, and there is sense of a kind of dizziness or fogginess that goes with it. I can't concentrate for several hours until it clears up (if it clears up) during the morning. It is that zombie mode that people often talk of.

I use a FF mask as you can see below, and to keep it from leaking at pressures up to 13, I do have to get the headgear pretty tight. Is it possible that tight headgear could being causing any/all of the zombie symptoms? I'm scratching for any possible clues at this point.

[harry33]

it can take months before benefits are obvious, try repositioning the mask bands on head and loosen straps til they are just tight enough, also pull mask slightly away from face to check tension from elastic straps

[DreamOn]

I'm wondering if the mask itself, pressing too hard against your face, could cause those symptoms--especially if the mask presses hard around the bridge of nose/eye areas. Have you tried any other masks (and/or a different size of the one you're using)?

I don't use a FF mask, so I'm not familiar with their adjustment points. Perhaps someone with experience with your Quattro mask can offer some suggestions.

I've been using CPAP for just over two months now, and I'm having similar symptoms just lately (feel a little "spaced out", head feels "funny", slightly dizzy sometimes when sitting, eyes difficult to focus), so I'm also interested in the responses to your question. I've been using an Activa LT nasal mask for two months, alternating with a nasal pillows mask. It seems like my Activa LT cushion just started not sealing as well, so I'm thinking that the increased leaks may be causing the odd feelings I'm having. Or maybe I am tightening the straps more now without realizing it since it's started leaking. I also bumped up my pressure from 6 to 7 earlier this month. And decreased EPR from 2 to 1. So it's possible that I'm getting too much pressure now (even though my pressure is still pretty darn low!).

I think I'm going to switch to the nasal pillows for a while and see if the symptoms continue. If that doesn't change anything, I'll consider the pressure. I don't have any nasal discharge or anything, so I don't think there's an infection.

I hope you're able to resolve the problem and feel better! Please let us know when you figure out what the problem is. It may help someone else.

~ DreamOn

[Gerryk]

Is your mask and headgear leaving marks when you take it off. If it is then loosen in up some.
As far as what your doc said to you, find a different doc. If a doc ever said that to me I would be out the door and take my records with me. He is a doctor but he is working for you and their is no reason to be ignorant.

Gerry

[Patrick A]

In a previous post I mentioned that my doctor told me to "go home and live with it" in regards to my symptoms. They seem satisfied that my numbers were indicating effective treatment, so that fact that I still felt lousy was irrelevant.
You need to get a new Doctor imho
So now I am trying to figure out what else might be going on. My head feels heavy in the morning, and there is sense of a kind of dizziness or fogginess that goes with it. I can't concentrate for several hours until it clears up (if it clears up) during the morning. It is that zombie mode that people often talk of.
I used to feel that way every morning. I change machines. I also got another new machine went from Cpap to Bipap.
I use a FF mask as you can see below, and to keep it from leaking at pressures up to 13, I do have to get the headgear pretty tight. Is it possible that tight headgear could being causing any/all of the zombie symptoms? I'm scratching for any possible clues at this point.

After I went on bipap I still felt like I had a headache every morning I got fitted for a new mask by the DME that I went to a couple of weeks ago I have not had a headache since. My suggestion is make sure your mask is fitted correctly.

[kteague]

If I remember correctly, didn't you have a sleep study a year ago? Did you post those results and I missed them? Just wondering if there's any clues there. Also, is there any chance that your vents for exhaled air are getting blocked? Are you on any meds that could cause fogginess? Have you slept with an oxygen monitor to make sure your levels stay ok all night? Your doc could order one of those.

If your cpap treatment is doing its job, then I would want the doctor to investigate and find out what is going on. But for where you are now, I think starting with scrutinizing the last sleep study and doing some overnight oxygen monitoring are things that can happen almost immediately. If no answers are apparent, and your doctor doesn't know where to go next, ask them to refer you to the specialist who could most likely help you. As for the fogginess, there are some alertness tests out that that can help determine if your perception of fogginess is corroborated by test results.

Sorry to have more questions rather than answers.

Kathy

[padawan]

I'm wondering if the mask itself, pressing too hard against your face, could cause those symptoms--especially if the mask presses hard around the bridge of nose/eye areas. Have you tried any other masks (and/or a different size of the one you're using)?

I don't use a FF mask, so I'm not familiar with their adjustment points. Perhaps someone with experience with your Quattro mask can offer some suggestions.

I've been using CPAP for just over two months now, and I'm having similar symptoms just lately (feel a little "spaced out", head feels "funny", slightly dizzy sometimes when sitting, eyes difficult to focus), so I'm also interested in the responses to your question. I've been using an Activa LT nasal mask for two months, alternating with a nasal pillows mask. It seems like my Activa LT cushion just started not sealing as well, so I'm thinking that the increased leaks may be causing the odd feelings I'm having. Or maybe I am tightening the straps more now without realizing it since it's started leaking. I also bumped up my pressure from 6 to 7 earlier this month. And decreased EPR from 2 to 1. So it's possible that I'm getting too much pressure now (even though my pressure is still pretty darn low!).

I think I'm going to switch to the nasal pillows for a while and see if the symptoms continue. If that doesn't change anything, I'll consider the pressure. I don't have any nasal discharge or anything, so I don't think there's an infection.

I hope you're able to resolve the problem and feel better! Please let us know when you figure out what the problem is. It may help someone else.

~ DreamOn

As a matter of fact the mask does press hard around the bride of the nose/eye areas. That's the only way I have been able to stop the leaking. I'm sorry to hear you have the same symptoms, but in a way it's sort of good to hear ONLY because it helps me know I'm not going nuts! I have just tried using a hybrid with nasal pillows in the last couple of days to try exactly what you're suggesting - get the pressure off my head and nose area to see if that has any effect.

[padawan]

If I remember correctly, didn't you have a sleep study a year ago? Did you post those results and I missed them? Just wondering if there's any clues there. Also, is there any chance that your vents for exhaled air are getting blocked? Are you on any meds that could cause fogginess? Have you slept with an oxygen monitor to make sure your levels stay ok all night? Your doc could order one of those.

If your cpap treatment is doing its job, then I would want the doctor to investigate and find out what is going on. But for where you are now, I think starting with scrutinizing the last sleep study and doing some overnight oxygen monitoring are things that can happen almost immediately. If no answers are apparent, and your doctor doesn't know where to go next, ask them to refer you to the specialist who could most likely help you. As for the fogginess, there are some alertness tests out that that can help determine if your perception of fogginess is corroborated by test results.

Sorry to have more questions rather than answers.

Kathy

Yes Kathy, I did have a study in 2008. I was just able to get a copy of the results a couple of weeks ago. There is so much in there. What parts of it should I post? I'm not on any meds other than Astelin and Nasonex for congestion. As for the O2 monitor, I have not had that done, but it seems like a good idea. The implications are a little scary...

[padawan]

Is your mask and headgear leaving marks when you take it off. If it is then loosen in up some.
As far as what your doc said to you, find a different doc. If a doc ever said that to me I would be out the door and take my records with me. He is a doctor but he is working for you and their is no reason to be ignorant.

Gerry

Gerry, it has been leaving marks. When I loosen it, I get leaks. With the particular FF I have, the DME is telling me to turn the bridge adjustment all the way out (relieving nose bridge pressure to the max) and just tightening the straps until there is no leakage. That seems sort of odd to me...why have that bridge adjustment if I'm not supposed to use it at all.

In terms of finding a different doc, I would love to find a competent one. When I start talking about head problems such as fogginess and dizziness as opposed to some sort of piercing pain, they just kind of stare at me don't know what to say. You'd think I was the only person on the planet who ever reported it.

[kteague]

Start with the basics. Total Apneas and Index, Total Hypopneas and Index, oxygen levels, centrals, limb movements, sleep stages. Was this test with or without using cpap? If anything there is a red flag, someone will ask for more specifics.

[Patrick A]

Start with the basics. Total Apneas and Index, Total Hypopneas and Index, oxygen levels, centrals, limb movements, sleep stages. Was this test with or without using cpap? If anything there is a red flag, someone will ask for more specifics.

I agree with KT....call the sleep center and or the sleep doctor and ask them to expain the results all they can do is say no. It's your report and it concerns your health and well being ask them for help or post the results here on this forum and someone will be able to tell you what they mean.

[DreamOn]

As a matter of fact the mask does press hard around the bride of the nose/eye areas. That's the only way I have been able to stop the leaking. I'm sorry to hear you have the same symptoms, but in a way it's sort of good to hear ONLY because it helps me know I'm not going nuts! I have just tried using a hybrid with nasal pillows in the last couple of days to try exactly what you're suggesting - get the pressure off my head and nose area to see if that has any effect.

I was thinking that maybe your full-face mask was putting pressure on your sinuses, causing the discomfort you described. Since there's no pressure around the nose bridge and eyes with the hybrid mask, maybe that will do the trick after awhile. I sure hope so!

My symptoms just came up within the last week or so. Before that, I was feeling fine and getting great results. I'm going to switch to my nasal pillows for a while and see if that makes any difference. I also think I may be a bit dehydrated, so I'm going to drink more water during the day.

~ DreamOn

[montana user]

I apologize if someone already suggested this and I didn't see it, have you adjusted the dial on the forehead piece? I had the same problem, and turned the dial a few clicks and it helped allot!

[Ms Piggy]

I have, at times, had fogginess, headaches and the unable to concentrate feelings too, but didn't have the type of
equipment to check any results at the time.

Re nose sprays, I had to stop using them as I seemed to get a kick back effect. I don't have the
problem as much now so wonder is this is mainly an initial reaction we have on starting treatment. I switched
to salt and water rinses (neti pot type of treatment) when required, plus, or only, a salt water nasal spray used, sometimes
copiously, before going to bed - give it time to work before lying down.
After use I refill a commercial puffer type squirter with my own with my own sea salt and water mixture.

There are all sorts of comments on masks and fixes for leaks etc etc that people have found by trial and error on previous postings.
Worth taking a look at.

[KatieW]

I was searching on another topic, and came across this thread. Hope there's something helpful in here:

viewtopic/t47904/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32 ... 13#p277313