New CPAP User different headache etc.

Honestabi · Post by **Honestabi** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 3:47 pm

Hi - I’m a UK newbie with mild sleep Apnea but after no success with trying a mandibular device, was finally given a CPAP machine. After just 9 days the quality of my life has vastly improved. A few questions please.
1. I now wake with a strange headache which they suggest is due to the tightness of my full face mask. I’m worried if I loosen it I will wake with that all awful wind tunnel 747 jet stream. I’m using a humidifier and unheated tube.
2. Sometimes I wake to a ‘whining thru the pipes’ sound and also notice condensation in the tube.
3. I’ve been told I can use boiled water to stop limescale build up in the humidifier. Anyone try thid?

Would hugely appreciate any suggestions. Thanks

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 4:03 pm

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Honestabi wrote: ↑
Fri Mar 02, 2018 3:47 pm
1. I now wake with a strange headache which they suggest is due to the tightness of my full face mask. I’m worried if I loosen it I will wake with that all awful wind tunnel 747 jet stream.

It is possible that a mask adjusted too tightly could cause a headache. Check these general tips, especially the last note:

To reduce unintentional mask leak -

- Make sure the mask is fitted properly. (See mask manufacturer's video.)

- Make sure the headgear is adjusted properly (See mask manufacturer's video.)

- If you use a low ramp pressure or a low minimum pressure, you should fit and adjust your mask at the higher pressures it is operating at for most of the night. You would temporarily change the machine pressure settings while you do the fitting and adjusting. It's best to do this well before bedtime before you are tired and ready for sleep. Don't forget to change your settings back to the ones you prefer.

- Make sure to use good hose management - the hose should not pull on the mask. Notice how your hose is positioned between machine and mask. It should be positioned to minimize any pull on the mask. Hose management is an individual practice. How it is done depends on the mask, the position of the machine, your sleeping position and other factors specific to the individual.

- If you still have problems, learn from the forum what mask liners are available.

- Start a thread in cpaptalk asking for help. Subject: Need Help with Mask xxxxxx

- If your mask still has excessive leak, try other masks. Many people report trying several masks before they find one that works well for them.

Note: Links to just some of the mask manufacturers' instructional videos can be found on the forum host's website - https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks.php and https://www.youtube.com/

- CG

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Honestabi wrote: ↑
Fri Mar 02, 2018 3:47 pm
2. Sometimes I wake to a ‘whining thru the pipes’ sound and also notice condensation in the tube.

Things to try: Turn down the humidifier. Use a heated hose. Use a soft hose cover. Run the hose from the mask down to the machine - condensation will tend to run harmlessly back into the humidifier.

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Honestabi wrote: ↑
Fri Mar 02, 2018 3:47 pm
3. I’ve been told I can use boiled water to stop limescale build up in the humidifier. Anyone try thid?

Minerals will be left in the boiled water, so nothing is accomplished. Use store-bought distilled water if it is cheap in a nearby grocery store. If not, you can occasionally clean the humidifier chamber of mineral scale by soaking in a solution of 2 parts white vinegar to 3 parts water. Dry thoroughly.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Fri Mar 02, 2018 4:07 pm

Get a heated hose for elimination of the condensation in the mask/hose. It takes very little water in the hose to make an awful racket...get the heated hose. Which machine are you using? Is it heated hose capable?

Boiled water won't stop the limescale build up but in fact could make it worse...either use distilled water or bottled water.
If you do get limescale build up in the water chamber it is easily remove with a little soak in a vinegar solution. Not a big deal.

If you have the straps too tight it for sure can cause a headache. Sometimes less is more when it comes to tightening those straps.
You might need a different mask with different strap placement.

D.H. · Post by **D.H.** » Sat Mar 03, 2018 11:52 am

Use distilled water. If you can't get that, use purified water. However, don't use distilled water from a petrol station or any water that is unsafe to drink.

Potable distiller water is readily available in the U.S. and Canada, but I'm not sure about anywhere else (such as the U.K.).

Honestabi · Post by **Honestabi** » Sun Mar 04, 2018 5:43 pm

Thanks ever so much for caring enough to respond so promptly. Suggestions are really useful. I am going in to my clinic tomorrow and might just take my machine with me.
I put on my mask lying down and adjust afterwards as loosely as possible but when the pressure ramps up I have no choice but to tighten it which may cause headaches.
Responses about distilled water also well noted. I think we were recommended filtered instead of distilled so more investigation needed here.
Thanks again. So grateful I am in good company.

New CPAP User different headache etc.

New CPAP User different headache etc.

Re: New CPAP User different headache etc.

Re: New CPAP User different headache etc.

Re: New CPAP User different headache etc.

Re: New CPAP User different headache etc.

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Auto PAP; 13.5 cmH2O min - 20 cmH2O max