CPAP USEAGE AND SEVERE NAUSEA

Hello Everyone!

I'm brand new here and am really hoping to get a "read" on whether my issues are unique. I think they might be. I'll post both issues in separate topics. Here's a general history of my sleep issues:

22 years ago I had a sleep study with the day-time component to confirm what I had suspected. I was diagnosed with IDIOPATHIC HYPERSOMNIA. Ever since then I’ve been successfully treated with medications.

Well, my faithful doctor who has seen me through this journey recently passed away.

My new MD, took a full history (and not only did he know what IH is – but he knows exactly how to treat it!)

[As an aside I was amazed that many doctors certified in Sleep Medicine that I interviewed in Cleveland where there’s a REALLY BIG HOSPITAL (yep, you guessed it!), had either not heard of it or told me that it was a synonym for Narcolepsy.]

Since it had been a number of years since my last study, combined with the fact that IH patients seem to “acquire” Sleep Apnea along the way, I had a new study.

Sure enough, I have a mild case of Sleep Apnea (along with IH) and the MD wanted me to be on a CPAP.

I got it. I used it. I loved the fact that I could use it w/o discomfort, etc. Mine has a computer score that I can get every morning to see how I was doing. Every single day I scored “100!!”

BUT … Here’s problem #1. Within 15 minutes of putting on the CPAP, right as I’m dozing off, I get severely nauseous (4/5 of the time.) I have vomited on several of these occasions. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM? I do sleep on the special "wedge" pillow to assure I am not flat.

Thanks – please let me know whether your answer is “yes” or “no” – my MD wants a little informal poll to help him guide me to a solution.

Problem #2 will be featured in my next post...

Just curious - have you tried sleeping without the pillow? I know zip about IH, but... going to Google it.

Also, can you please post the 2nd 'problem' in this thread so we can all keep the story together (and help to advise)? Thx!

BarbMarch58 wrote:Hello Everyone!

I'm brand new here and am really hoping to get a "read" on whether my issues are unique. I think they might be. I'll post both issues in separate topics. Here's a general history of my sleep issues:

22 years ago I had a sleep study with the day-time component to confirm what I had suspected. I was diagnosed with IDIOPATHIC HYPERSOMNIA. Ever since then I’ve been successfully treated with medications.

Well, my faithful doctor who has seen me through this journey recently passed away.

My new MD, took a full history (and not only did he know what IH is – but he knows exactly how to treat it!)

[As an aside I was amazed that many doctors certified in Sleep Medicine that I interviewed in Cleveland where there’s a REALLY BIG HOSPITAL (yep, you guessed it!), had either not heard of it or told me that it was a synonym for Narcolepsy.]

Since it had been a number of years since my last study, combined with the fact that IH patients seem to “acquire” Sleep Apnea along the way, I had a new study.

Sure enough, I have a mild case of Sleep Apnea (along with IH) and the MD wanted me to be on a CPAP.

I got it. I used it. I loved the fact that I could use it w/o discomfort, etc. Mine has a computer score that I can get every morning to see how I was doing. Every single day I scored “100!!”

BUT … Here’s problem #1. Within 15 minutes of putting on the CPAP, right as I’m dozing off, I get severely nauseous (4/5 of the time.) I have vomited on several of these occasions. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM? I do sleep on the special "wedge" pillow to assure I am not flat.

Thanks – please let me know whether your answer is “yes” or “no” – my MD wants a little informal poll to help him guide me to a solution.

Problem #2 will be featured in my next post...

I recall that early in my therapy while I was trying out a nasal mask, I would get nauseous and I just could not use that mask. I think it may not have had enough CO2 venting?

You need to fill out part of your member profile to list machine and mask that you are using.

Many folks around here to help get you up and running.

Hi Barb,
I read your post just before going to bed. I just wanted to make this comment so I didn't forget to in the morning.

Sometimes the cpap pressure can cause air to be forced into your stomach. It's called Aerophagia...may be incorrect on the spelling.

It certainly could be related to what's going on with you. Usually it caused burping, but it's not impossible for it to be related to your nausea. Hopefully people with more personal experience can add more. That's all I've got for now.
CN

My personal experience through 29 + years of CPAP/BiPAP has never resulted in nausea at any time. There have been a few nights when I felt nausea before I masked-up, and then I chose not to use the machine lest I strangle if vomiting did occur as I slept. But I have never developed any nausea from using the machine., and I haven't heard any reports of nausea from fellow apnea patients in my circle of friends.
TheDuke

XPAP Usage causes it to be dark outside at night. Jim