CPAP cause for painful and swollen joints?

[scaredofcpap]

I have recently been diagnosed with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea and started on a CPAP machine.  At first it seemed ok to be using it although difficult the first couple of times.  Then this week I developed edema and pain in my joints.  It's worse in the morning after waking and gets a little better the later in the day away from the machine I get.  Could the CPAP cause the swelling and pain?  Has anyone ever heard of that?  I'm scared to go to sleep with it and scared to sleep without it since they told me I stopped breathing 67 times per hour!  
scaredofcpap

[Heiferly]

I was wondering if you might help us out by answering a one-question survey?  If you have a moment, go to the front page (hit the back to community button at the top of this page) and locate the poll about sleep topics. I would love to have your feedback. Thanks, H.

[Heiferly]

I'm sorry to hear of your symptoms. A cursory check of the extant literature on CPAP, obstructive sleep apnea, and edema (swelling) led me to a small clinical study where they found that CPAP actually reduced edema in most of the patients. This led the authors of the study to conclude that edema may be caused by OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) itself, rather than by CPAP usage. If you would like to see the study for yourself, you can find the journal article here:  

http://www.sleep-journal.com/article/S1389-9457(04)00116-9/abstract?cc=y

You many want to call your sleep doctor/pulmonologist to describe these symptoms you're having and get their opinion on the best way to treat the swelling.

[hopelessmisguided]

I am experiencing the same problems for about 3 months.  I feel your frustrations.  I have Severe Sleep Apnea caused by both CSA and Hypopnea but more so with Hypopnea.
I got on the internet to see if others were having the same problems.  Puffy eyes and swollen feet are very noticeable since using CPAP.  I have my settings on high Humidity level during the winter. I hope to see the spectrum go the other way during during the Summer.  Desert regions of the Northwest make very dry conditions.

I do not want to start diuretics since I have been on the other end of the elimination problems for some time and have stopped using the medication.

Hopelessly lost