First time using CPAP, limbs tingling

[amish1979]

It was definitely not a comfortable feeling.  My sleep dr. suggested I wear the machine for 1/2 hour for the first two nights to adjust to it.  I wore it for about 40 minutes tonight, for the first time, and for the last 15 minutes I had extremely uncomfortable, almost painful tingling running the full length of my arms and legs.  I had to wait a few minutes before I could even type on the keyboard.  Has anyone had this experience?  I'm not looking forward to using it again tomorrow and I definitely am not sleeping with the thing on if this is how it is going to make me feel.

I was using a nasal pillow CPAP device if that makes any difference.

[KatEyes]

Glad to hear you're adjusting. Many people take much longer than a month to see a marked difference in how they feel. It takes a while for the body to recover from maybe years of poor sleep. Does your machine report the data on if it's effective in preventing apneas? Just didn't want you to in one month to say "forget it" if you don't feel any different. Also, don't know if you have a nasal mask or full face mask, but if it is a nasal style mask you'll need to be sure you don't mouth breathe after you fall asleep, or your treatment will all go out your mouth. If you have an option at the end of the 30 days, a data capable machine can be helpful in monitoring treatment for effectiveness.

[amish1979]

Yes, that first night was the only time I had tingles, so I'm attributing to either hyperventilating from trying too hard to breathe with the thing, or a punched nerve from trying too hard not to move!  

Whatever the cause, everything is all good now and I have been sleeping through the night with it.  So far I can't tell any difference in how I feel but it is a one-month trial so we'll see how I feel at the end.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

A CPAP device is a continuous positive pressure airway device, which is used to prevent apneal disturbances. Usually it takes some time to adjust to it, but if it continues to be a problem for you, you can go for a adjustable airway pressure device eg BiPAP.
I would suggest you not to give up and try it few more times before you decide to switch over.
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/seniors/common-older/791.html

[KatEyes]

Can you get them to give you another mask to try out and see if a different configuration helps? Or pad the strap with some soft material.

When you get the auto machine, keep in mind a ramp starting at 4.6 is for a specified period of time. Some places give you an auto set wide open at a pressure range of 4 to 20. That is a recipe for trouble, as all nite the pressure has to climb in increments to address any events, so the lower pressure should be not far under your titrated pressure. After getting data for a while, tweaking the range may be needed.

Seems I saw the subject of mask straps causing symptoms like yours over on cpaptalk a while back. I'd push for another mask to at least trial.

[amish1979]

Yes I was actually supposed to be using an auto titrating machine for my one-month home trial but they were all out. :(  Supposedly I'll be trading in for an auto in a couple weeks.  The tingling only starts after the machine has ramped up.  It starts at 4.6 cm and goes up to 8 cm within 1/2 hour.  I realize 8 cm is pretty low but maybe it is a bit high for me.  I didn't think of the head straps pinching a nerve but that's a total possibility.  I actually fell asleep during the 1/2 hour "fitting" at the sleep clinic so I know I can handle the thing.

Believe me, I don't want to quit on this thing.  I want to go through this trial and see if it helps me.

[KatEyes]

I too had difficulty with my cpap at the beginning, even quit for a few months. Turned out my pressure was not right for my needs.

Any chance you have a strap going around the back of your neck that could be pinching a muscle and/or impinging a nerve thus causing this tingling? Getting used to it is probably not going to make a difference in the tingling.

That would be my first thought, but I would also want to know my machine is meeting my needs. You can ask you doctor for an auto titrating machine for a couple weeks that records data and see if your apneas are resolved. Or you could ask the doc to order a few nights of oxygen monitoring to make sure your levels aren't dipping.

There are ways to find answers besides quitting. Then you'd be trading one danger for another.