HELP!!!

Please, help!!! I am new. I just ran across this site in desperation. I lived a long time with S.A. and din't even know it. I was diagnosed some six years ago and have benn on cpap ever since. I improved my life greatly. However, a few months in I began experiencing strange and severe back pain. I can only describe it as a severe, very severe cramping pain in my upper back between my shoulder blades, along the spine and surrounding area. i have never had it before using CPAP and on the rare occasions I don't use it I don't experience the pain. The strange thing is it varies in severity and sometimes does not occurr. In short- I'm convinced it's the machine, but there is no real pattern other than I feel like the longer I sleep the more likely it is to occur. I've asked doctors and my CPAP Tech. No one seems to have heard of this problem. I would be so gratefull for any help or feedback I can get with this. I am nearly in tears of pain and frustration as I want to sleep but am unable to lay down. As I said i am brand new to your site and am afraid someone will respond but I will miss it do to being unfamiliar. So, I'm leaving my email address just in case - tim-tracie@hotmail.com I've considered a trial period of not using my machine. However, I drive truck for a living and cannot afford to going back to dozing off at the wheel. But I am desperate. I hope someone here can help me somehow. It is encouraging to find this site with others who understand how awefull Sleep Apnea can be. Thank you!!....Tim

Please tell us the name and brand of your machine. Typically it is written on the top. The mask you are using and the pressure your machine is set to.

The easiest way is to fill out your profile and use text for putting the information in, if you are unable to do that just do with a post at this time.

It isn't any fun when you have pain and are unable to get comfortable. Once we have a little more information someone should be able to give you suggestions.

I'm not sure of the Brand name as it is dark in my bedroom at the moment. However, I used a CPAP up untill a year ago when I was feeling tired during the day agian and was afraid it wasn't working. I explained it all to the tech and he switched me to a BIPAP and a nose pillow rather than full mask. He increased the pressure on the new one. It has a humidifier, although I really don't use it. I find with the new mask type my throat doens't dry out as much. I did, a few years back, try with and without water to see if that was te cause but it made no difference. I suppose I'm just hoping someone out there has had the same problem. Well, not really, as it's horrible, but I can't imagine this is unique to me?! I appreciate your reply and any others I might recieve. Thanx.....Tim

Just a guess. When using your cpap you are probably getting "better" sleep allowing you to relax more which in turn may be keeping you from moving much while you sleep. Combine this with your profession as a truck driver you may be experiencing muscle spasms due to the lack of movement while you sleep. As I said this is a guess, you may want to discuss the possibilities with your physician.

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Hi, first it's important to be clear about things. You said you used Cpap until a year ago - does that mean you haven't used it since then, or what? Secondly, get some light in there and find out the name and model of your machine and mask (is it a nasal one, or one that also covers your mouth?). And it would be very helpful to know your pressure setting too.

Ok, now you're a truck driver, sitting in one place for a long time most days. You need to consider that Cpap has nothing to do with your back pain, but that it could be caused by anything from a bad seat and position in the truck, by a bad mattress, by too much weight putting stress on your spine, or anything else, and when you relax in bed, the pain shows up as a result of your being tense all day, then letting go. But you say it only happens when you use the machine, so are you lying in an unnatural position, very stiffly thinking you don't dare move without dislodging the mask? That could certainly be a factor (and unnecessary). If you're afraid to move with the mask on, is it because it doesn't sit properly otherwise and slides off, or just because you're so aware of it being on?

Have you had a cardiac work-up? Cardiac problems can show up as back pain and if you're breathing with Cpap (which should help cardiac problems in theory) there might be some connection that you need to check up on.

Has your MD done a CT scan to look at your anatomy? I'm asking because anyone can have small differences in their own, little things like bone spurs that could be shaved off but that don't cause trouble when sitting, for instance. Try to narrow down what's happening and when as much as you can and get back here.

titra wrote: ....... In short- I'm convinced it's the machine, but there is no real pattern other than I feel like the longer I sleep the more likely it is to occur. .........

Well the first thing to do is to rid your mind of the conclusion that CPAP is causing back pack. You have almost no evidence to support this conclusion yet there is plenty of evidence showing that truck drivers often have back pain. Also, most of the population is overweight and gets little exercise - another reason back pain will show up.

Go see a doctor for an examination and forget about CPAP causing back pain.

There is one possible connection with CPAP and back pain. That would be if you sleep in an unusual position to accomodate the mask and hose. It would then be the position, not the CPAP, causing the pain.

Here is another thread about back pain that has some good general advice about posture, exercises and losing weight - viewtopic.php?f=1&t=48046&p=436716&hili ... in#p436716

First. Yes, my occupation may be a factor. However, the type of pain and the area of my back never began untill I beggan using CPAP. I take steps to reducing lower back pain that is related to my occupation. These are two very different things. Secondly, I have not stopped using CPAP, rather I recently got a new BIPAP mahine and switched to a more comfortable mask with increased pressure setting. The leng I sleep is definately a factor. If I sleep just a few hours or don't use my machine I do not have that pain.

Upper back pain is not a known side effect of any type of CPAP therapy.

i have never experienced back pain. i sleep elevated. two to three pillows before i got my hospital bed. so i can never lay flat to sleep. i said this cause i am thinking your back pain could be coming from you sleeping flat?? i dont know i am just guessing??

I really appreciate all of you trying to help. I've yet to find any other person to have this problem and understand why some of you are advising me to dismiss it as any thing to do with my CPAP. The problem is that it only occurrs when I use it. For examplle if I sleep elsewhere for a noght or go on a trip etc.. I generally don't bring it with me and the problem doesn't arise. As you all know, however, discontinuing the use of it is not a viable option. I'm going to sleep without it for the rest of the week to ensure myself and you that I'm not nuts. If I'm able to sleep pain free during that time than I'll know it's the BIPAP and go from there. Also I will pull it out and give the model etc.. as I see you have all done. Perhaps someone could help me with this a bit? - It appears there might be a form page somewhere for me to provide that information? I thank you all for your help. It sounds silly but I've always felt so alone with this condition. My wife and family understand as best they can but they camn't know how awefull it is sometimes. Thanks Again!!! I'll be checking this page twice a day, at least and I'll let you all know how the next couple nights go.....Tim

Member page... "Profile"... fill it in, and please use 'text' rather than icons, makes it easier for us to see (and not have to click on for the answer .

Have you considered any of the options I mentioned that were not Cpap related as possibly being the culprits?

Exhaling against pressure makes us use muscles that are not used to working so hard. Some upper back pain may be the result in the beginning after a change in pressure. When I ran my PB on auto I would know from the way my upper back felt that the machine had supplied more pressure that night.

I don't know if that is the reason for your pain, but if it is, the best thing you can do for yourself is use the machine consistently, every night, to let your muscles get used to exhaling against the pressure.

Using the machine on and off is a sure way if keeping you muscles weaker and in pain.

You may also want to discuss with your doctor or RT the option of starting out therapy at lower pressures, keeping the machine from going too high for comfort temporarily, and raising the pressure gradually as your muscles get used to the change.

O.

If you still have your old machine, try switching to that for a few days. Ditto with your old mask. I have observed here that sometimes little details in pressure therapy make a lot of difference. One of these is the difference between CPAP and BiPAP.

This is probably a long shot, but I noticed for a while after starting CPAP that I was getting backaches at home but not on the road. However, I always brought my machine with me. I finally realized that hotel rooms had much better pillows than I did. Mine were old and kind of smooshed. After starting CPAP, I had orders to sleep on my side, and my head was out of alignment on one of those old pillows when I did so. The problem went away after I got a thick "side sleeper" pillow that lifts my head sufficiently to take the crick out of my neck. I never had nearly as much pain as you have, though, so this might not be the answer.