Hand Pain

I started cpap 1 month ago and have been waking up with arm pain. It is as if my arms have fallen asleep or something. I am going to call my doctor on this and wanted to see if anyone else had this happen. I wonder if my pressure is too low although my AI is at a 1 to 2 consistently. I wonder if I should ask for an oximeter test?

i'm no doc, but i don't think it's from cpap. it's probably coming from your neck. sounds bizarre, but tis true. the key to the tingling in your arms/hands is in your neck.

caroline

You might also consider carpal tunnel syndrome.......I put up with that 'numb/tingling/dead arm stuff for quite a few months before asking my Dr. about it.......and couldn't believe that the problem was really in my hands. Had the surgery (both hands) several years ago.......never happened again. Perhaps because you are sleeping better you don't move as much, and/or you curl your hands IN.If you had them splinted ( ok, one of them) in a splayed OUT position, the pain and numbness will subside if it's carpal tunnel.

great info - thank you
Since I started the cpap, I have been sleeping awkwardly with some neck pain as was a side sleeper and haven't found 'the zone' yet on that without getting a leak - so kinked my neck - type alot too - so two things to think about
kind of glad it's not another offshoot of using the cpap

Take note of which fingertips get numb-that will give your doctor a clue as to carpal tunnel VS cervical source. You probably hit the nail on the head when you noted you are sleeping in a different position with your neck out of alignment.

Hello, I am also a "Newbie" - 5 weeks on CPAP - I have also experienced pain/tingles/numbness in BOTH hands that wakes me up in the night, and have these symptoms frequently during the day as well. These "Carpal Tunnel" symptoms, as well as general body achiness, muscle stiffness, hand swelling & weight gain (10 lbs) came on very suddenly - simultaneously with start of CPAP! I am HOPING these symptoms are just "temporary"! Am wondering how common this is with CPAP treatment????

I have begun massage therapy, which is helping to reduce the Carpal Tunnel symptoms. My massage therapist believes this is all due to my body adjusting to its "awakening" of having increased oxygen to bones & muscles. It sounds logical . . . I have also seen my NP, who had similar beliefs with regard to oxygen, but only offered testing & treating me for Carpal Tunnel!

Before CPAP, I was just EXHAUSTED all the time!! The good news is - I've had HUGE improvement/increase in stamina & decrease in lethargy!

Would appreciate hearing from others who have had similar experiences.

Thanks,
Sharon

Pain down the arm and to hands, for me, was from sleeping with my neck in a position that caused tight muscles to encapsulate the median nerve, which goes from your cervical spine across to your shoulder at about collarbone level, then it goes from shoulder to elbow and from there to wrists. The pain was enough to keep me awake at night so I tried propping arm with pillows until I found position that arm no longer hurt -

It took me a month or more to find out where the pain originated so the nerve still hurts some but is getting better everyday.

Sometimes a muscle relaxant (ie: Flexeril) can help with this problem, but you still need to figure out how to sleep to prevent this, as this is the main nerve from spine to shoulder/arms/hands and can get no way but worse.

I hope the massage therapist is helping - see if your massage therapist does CranioSacral work - that is great stuff.

Good luck to all with arm and hand pain

I have fibromyalgia.........unlike arthritis, it affects your soft tissues...muscles, tendons, etc. as well as other aspects of life......including sleep problems. It seems that many who have fibromyalgia (FM) also have OSA. It's also hard to diagnose, and though it may be suspected, it takes an average of 5 years to reach a diagnosis. It's onset can be gradual, but is more often sudden, following some traumatic event in your life, such as injury or serious illness. I think FM is to blame for a lot of otherwise unexplained pain and fatigue. And other than potent muscle relaxants like Flexeril, NSAIDS and painkillers, the only thing that provides much relief is theraputic massage.......(my 2 cents worth)