Week 3: dizzy-world spinning. ???

Hey, all.
I made it through the first week or two of cpap hell and started getting 6-7 hours of sleep. Things seemed really swell but then, last night, it got weird.
For the first time I felt like there had to be something wrong with my ffm/machine because is never felt do comfortable with it. I checked everything. No issue.
But, after 6 hours of sleep I woke and felt the world spinning. I had to leave the bed and lay in the floor in my back to stop it.
Is this something anyone else has experienced?
Figures it would happen on a weekend....

Sparky lulu wrote:Hey, all.
I made it through the first week or two of cpap hell and started getting 6-7 hours of sleep. Things seemed really swell but then, last night, it got weird.
For the first time I felt like there had to be something wrong with my ffm/machine because is never felt do comfortable with it. I checked everything. No issue.
But, after 6 hours of sleep I woke and felt the world spinning. I had to leave the bed and lay in the floor in my back to stop it.
Is this something anyone else has experienced?
Figures it would happen on a weekend....

Hi Sparky lulu,

Were you having problems before you started pap therapy with dizziness? You might want to start by bringing this to the attention of your sleep doctor and see what he/she says.

Your sleep doc may tell you to see your primary care physician to see what else may be occurring.

Good luck in resolving the problem as that sounds very frightening.

49er

Nope. Never had a dizzy spell in my life.
Still having it as I type this.
Trouble us, the only semi comfortable way to lay down us on my back. But the mask only exacerbates the dizziness right now and the apnea is full on.
I'll call asaic.
Thanks.

What are the chances you had the CO2 vent blocked by bedding? That'll make you dizzy - rebreathing the CO2 - it's happened to me.

What do you mean by spinning?Is your balance OK when you stand up? Definitely you need help from a doc who can do the diagnosis part far better than an Internet forum.

Maybe an inner ear issue...

I know my therapy has been playing havoc on my sinus and ears...

Wait, Sleepytwo, are you saying that a forum ISN'T the place to get a full diagnosis??? Cursed internet.

No. The vent wasn't blocked. In fact, until the dizziness, it was the best sleep I've had with the mask so far.
I'll call my doc soon.
I just wanted to know if anyone else suffered from dizziness. I thought I read that that could be a side effect.

What equipment are you using? What is your pressure set to? What is your humidifier set to?

The therapy can affect your sinuses which in turn can affect your ears. Sometimes it is due to the humidity - either lack off or excess of humidity. Try adjusting the humidity either up or down leave it for a couple of days and try a decongestant during the day.

Respira system one.
Pressure 6, doc ordered.
Humidifier 1. The higher numbers made me feel as tho I was suffocating.
When I lowered it, I started being able to fall asleep.
I use a decongestant to clear sinuses since I have a deviated septum.
This was the first time this happened. I'm really really hoping it's something else...I'll take a virus, instead, please.

I had that happen once. As a scuba diver I knew that if the pressure in one inner ear is different from the other dizziness/vertigo can occur.
I found that one Eustachian tube was swelled a little and there was a differential pressure that caused my problem. By gently performing a Valsalva maneuver I was able to equalize the pressure and stop the vertigo.
A decongestant usually prevents this so your problem may be something else.


From Wikipedia:
The Valsalva maneuver is performed by moderately forceful attempted exhalation against a closed airway, usually done by closing one's mouth, pinching one's nose shut while pressing out as if blowing up a balloon. Variations of the maneuver can be used either in medical examination as a test of cardiac function and autonomic nervous control of the heart, or to "clear" the ears and sinuses (that is, to equalize pressure between them) when ambient pressure changes, as in diving, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or air travel.

Thank you, Clay!
It didn't occur to me until I read this stuff that I have had what feels like a zit or a slight inflammation in my right ear. I wonder if this has something to do with it.
You guys have all been so helpful. I really appreciate it.

ClayL wrote:From Wikipedia:
The Valsalva maneuver is performed by moderately forceful attempted exhalation against a closed airway, usually done by closing one's mouth, pinching one's nose shut while pressing out as if blowing up a balloon. Variations of the maneuver can be used either in medical examination as a test of cardiac function and autonomic nervous control of the heart, or to "clear" the ears and sinuses (that is, to equalize pressure between them) when ambient pressure changes, as in diving, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or air travel.

Some years ago I was doing high altitude flight training in an oxygen chamber (thanks, RNZAF!). I was told to tilt my head back before doing the Valsalva maneuver - it stretches the Eustacian tubes. However, be careful performing the Valsava maneuver. It is also used when clearing other "blockages"! Look that up on Google.

It is most likely sinus infection coming on or ear infection. I get dizzy with sinus infection and cant lift my head off the pillow.