Leg cramps!

I've been pretty successful with cpap therapy since last August, except for some minor problems with, let's see...gas, hiccucps, diarrhea, dry eyes. Oh well. I got over all of that and manage to sleep about 6-7 hours a night with really low AHI, but I usually wake up two or three times during the night for a few moments before I roll over and go back to sleep. So, that's great, and I was happy, but I wanted to sleep like a log and not wake up at all, so I got the new gel pillows that go with the Dreamwear mask (thinking that it might not leak as much as the original Dreamwear mask, which has been a problem for me, as a side sleeper),and I turned my pressure up a notch from 6.5 to 7, thinking that maybe it was time to try and see if I could tolerate a little more pressure. It turns out that I love the gel pillows--they are virtually leak-proof for me--and so far, I haven't had any of the above side effects from the additional pressure. However, I've now got a new problem--leg cramps!

Sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night, I have a leg cramp or that prickly feeling like when you've been sitting for too long in one position and blood's not circulating, and then it sort of aches when you move it, making it hard to go back to sleep. I'm guessing that now that I'm sleeping more deeply, maybe I'm not moving for longer periods of time, which is causing this problem. Anyone else have a similar experience?

Leg cramps, sometimes called a charley horse, may have a number of causes.
If a mineral deficiency or a circulatory problem is at fault, medical attention may be necessary.
Sometimes a muscle spasm can be prevented by stretching or mild exercise.
A common folk remedy is bars of Dial soap under the bottom sheet.
Weird, but some folks swear it works.
If a circulatory problem is likely, you need to see a doctor, ASAP.

Nice that you've found a mask that's working for you and settling in so well. About the leg cramps - that's such a general term. Can you be more specific? Is the prickly feeling all you're getting or is it charley horse bolt-out-of-bed cramps too? What parts of the leg do your sensations involve? My first thought is to wonder if you're on any meds that can cause a depletion of maybe potassium, sodium, or magnesium, and if you are well hydrated? If these prove to not be at issue, then I'd have to wonder if periodic limb movements could be present. The description of your leg cramps could be useful in ruling those in or out. Did either of your sleep studies mention limb movements - particularly during titration?

It's not a "bolt out of bed" type cramp, but uncomfortable enough that I have to flex my foot back and forth several times before it goes away. It may have something to do with dehydration, since I have to remind myself to drink water during the day, otherwise I get busy and don't think about it. I have a about six glasses of water a day and a small cup of coffee--hardly ever drink a soda. I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one to get these but wondering why they've come on out of the blue.

Don't know how old you are, but you could have either spinal stenosis or sciatica (or both), and both can cause cramping... you should see a doctor. And try taking magnesium supps - they definitely make a difference.

Well, all of this sounds pretty awful. I have an appointment with my doctor in a couple of weeks, and in the meantime, I'll resume taking magnesium supplements. I used to take those every day and then stopped about a year ago because I got tired of taking pills, but maybe they were actually doing some good.

Jeanne Ellen wrote: I got tired of taking pills.

I suggest you look into not getting any older.

I would take a broad electrolyte salt balance available from a drug/chemist. Not just the mag, as potas is also related to cramping.

What did your reports say about limb movements?

on a forum, we don't have blood or sleep tests, it's a process of elimination and wild speculation.

As far as limb movements, mild in REM sleep. As far as age, I have one more year to go before I hit 70.

Jeanne Ellen wrote:As far as limb movements, mild in REM sleep.

Limb movements should be (nearly) absent in REM sleep due to lack of muscle tone during REM. What else did the reports say about them? (Count, Index, Arousals)

Keeping in mind that the report I'm looking at is about ten years old (the one done a year ago was a home sleep study and didn't note any unusual leg movements), this is what it says about Periodic Leg Movement:
Number of PLM: 27
Number of PLM Episodes: 2
Number of Limb Movement Associated Arousals: 3
PLM Index 49.8
Limb Movement Arousal Index: 5.5
Number of Leg MOvements During Wake Time: 0

Then they diagnosed it as mild in REM (327.51)

Hmmm, so to think your cramps could be periodic limb movements may not be too far fetched. Not that it's a probability - just one of the possibilities to consider. Does anyone observe you sleeping? Periodic limb movements can be as small as just flexion or tightening of the big toe. It can involve the foot and ankle, or the whole lower leg. The movements are usually a tension and release and are sometimes described as cramps. When the whole lower leg is involved it can resemble a bicycling motion. The thing that differentiates periodic limb movements of sleep from other random movements is they are generally stereotypical in appearance and rhythmic in their repetition). Because they happen during sleep, the sleeper is usually the last to know. An observer or a video of one sleeping can be helpful. Before I knew what mine were, I just thought I was a restless sleeper and changed positions a lot. I wouldn't limit my investigation to this alone as any of the prior listed considerations have just as much chance of being your problem.

that's PLMD, A bad miss by your doctor. You should have been treated for this, sometimes cpap can reduce the symptoms. I'd go for a lab sleep test.