CPAP=Dizziness+vertigo/dizziness?

BlackSpinner,

I do NOT mean to give Matthew Goldman any real support, but there is a pathway for CPAP to aggravate middle ear problems and, in rare cases, inner ear problems: It is through the Eustachian tubes.

The Eustachian tube's purpose is to equalize pressure between the middle ear and the outer ear. But there are some inner and middle ear abnormalities---many of which are associated with various forms of vertigo---that are characterized by abnormal connections between the middle and inner ear. These conditions are not common and Mr. Goldman's problems may or may not be caused by one of them. But, in the vertigo tests that I recently underwent, the doctors particularly wanted to rule out something called a perilymph fistula. In people with a perilymph fistula, there is an abnormal opening between the middle ear and the inner ear that allows air pressure changes in the middle ear to directly affect the inner ear and potentially trigger vertigo. It seems reasonable that CPAP could affect the pressure in the middle ear via the Eustachian tube and hence reach the inner ear of a person with a perilymph fistula and trigger or aggravate vertigo symptoms. [In my case, the fistula test pretty much ruled out that as a cause for my on-going vertigo problems that long predate the start of my using CPAP. The vertigo, however, started to interfere with daily life during the last 6--9 months and the double whammy of dealing with it and dealing with CPAP the last three months has not been easy.]

Finally, one contraindication of CPAP therapy is a cerebrospinal fluid leak. Under certain extremely rare circumstances (which most likely do NOT apply to Mr. Goldman), it is possible that middle and/or inner ear abnormalities can create a cerebrospinal fluid leak. And if a person with an undiagnosed cerebrospinal fluid leak caused by a middle or inner ear abnormality is started on CPAP, then CPAP therapy is bound to cause some pretty severe problems.

robysue wrote:BlackSpinner,

I do NOT mean to give Matthew Goldman any real support, but there is a pathway for CPAP to aggravate middle ear problems and, in rare cases, inner ear problems: It is through the Eustachian tubes. .....
.

Yes that is what I was trying to say. The problem is a real underlying physical issue waiting to rear its ugly head - not some CPAP conspiracy. One needs to follow up on the issues with the proper professionals.

Lisa, the dizziness could come from using the CPAP or from BPPV

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14517129

or from other causes. A good neurologist could help!

Even better, a neurology clinic , that also employs audiologists, balancing (vestibular system pathology) and sleep disorders specialists, etc. would be my choice. If you're near Raleigh, NC, I could suggest such a place.

p.s.

Could it be Hypercapnia?

Mild symptoms of high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood include flushed skin, muscle twitches, elevated heart rate, shortness of breath and minor mental impairment such as confusion. Moderate symptoms of hypercapnia include lethargy, panic, dizziness and excessive sweating. Severe symptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning include unconsciousness, seizures, coma, respiratory arrest and death. The longer the individual goes without treatment, or the longer the exposure is to an external carbon dioxide source, the more severe her symptoms become and the faster her medical condition deteriorates.