Waking up with massive head neck and shoulder ache during head cold

Hello everyone. I haven't posted here in a long time. I've been recovering from a pretty annoying head cold. Now at the stage when the congestion is more thick and less runny (sorry for the TMI). My CPAP is what allows me to sleep with this cold, but the last two days I've been waking up too early with a massive head and neck ache and very tense shoulders. I haven't had this much pain in the area since I developed repetitive strain injuries. Going back to sleep at that point is out of the question.

It clears up gradually once I get myself up and maybe take a hot shower. I think this is happening because the CPAP machine has to blow through all that congestion and causes sinus irritation? What can I do about it? I need to be able to sleep more than this and it's no fun waking up with this headache. Should I turn up my humidifier? Which I already use...

Are you sleeping in a different position to accommodate breathing? That could certainly cause trouble, if only i.e. because your shoulders aren't normally involved in Cpap as such... maybe consider a diff. pillow til you're better. Or call your MD.

jpek wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 27, 2023 8:27 pm

Hello everyone. I haven't posted here in a long time. I've been recovering from a pretty annoying head cold. Now at the stage when the congestion is more thick and less runny (sorry for the TMI).

howdy!

have you considered using an over the counter decongestant like flonase? it does the trick for me.

good luck!

I apply a warm compress to the painful area.
Dehydration is often the cause of morning muscle cramps.
Some people cut back on liquids to reduce trips to the potty.
Cut back too far, and you dehydrate.
Choose your misery.

As Julie says, you may be unconsciously holding your head in an odd position due to the congestion. About humidity: you might try increasing it to see whether that helps; if it doesn't, try decreasing it from its current level. Some noses want dryer, some want wetter.

In addition to Flonase (which can take a week or two to kick in), you could try an over-the-counter drug that thins mucous.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 28, 2023 11:10 am

I apply a warm compress to the painful area.
Dehydration is often the cause of morning muscle cramps.
Some people cut back on liquids to reduce trips to the potty.
Cut back too far, and you dehydrate.
Choose your misery.

this a battle i fight. leg cramps are murder in the middle of the night. i take electrolytes in liquid form AND pill form. getting the balance right takes care because i don't want to wake up in pain.

and of course being an older gentleman, my sense of thirst is poor.

(as if treating sleep apnea isn't bad enough on it's own!)

zonker wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 28, 2023 1:01 pm

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 28, 2023 11:10 am

I apply a warm compress to the painful area.
Dehydration is often the cause of morning muscle cramps.
Some people cut back on liquids to reduce trips to the potty.
Cut back too far, and you dehydrate.
Choose your misery.

this a battle i fight. leg cramps are murder in the middle of the night. i take electrolytes in liquid form AND pill form. getting the balance right takes care because i don't want to wake up in pain.

and of course being an older gentleman, my sense of thirst is poor.

(as if treating sleep apnea isn't bad enough on it's own!)

My 20 oz. Bubba cup gets refilled 3 times a day.
A little more than my cardio likes, but if nearby, it gets used.
I count any drink as liquid, because I avoid caffeine.

jpek wrote: ↑

Mon Feb 27, 2023 8:27 pm

jpek

What I would do:

1. Use either a 24-hour generic decongestant orally in the a.m. (generic version of https://www.walmart.com/ip/SUDAFED-24-H ... t/10294307)

- or -

Use a generic version of Afrin Spray original in the a.m.

2. First thing in the a.m., do a nasal rinse using a neti pot or a saline rinse bottle. Repeat near bedtime.

3. Steps 1 and 2 should give you some immediate relief. If problems continue after two to four days, start using Nasacort or similar according to manufacturer's directions.

4. Check your sleeping positions for proper head, spine and legs alignment. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclop ... entID=4460

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I turned up the humidifier and it helped. Or maybe just my cold got better