Nausea

[nfm]

I have had nausea off and on for several months now.  I first thought it was related to the medications Nuvigil and/or Lamictal which I had recently been prescribed, but even if I don't take these meds it continues, and it is almost constant now and has increased in intensity.  Twice now I have had 3-4 days where I felt great and then it comes roaring back.  It does not seem to be related to anything, eating, not eating.  Sometimes Pepto Bismol will help lessen it and sometimes seems to take it away.  The only other symptom I have is bloating.  There is a feeling of "discomfort" but it's not a feeling that even approaches pain.  It's the kind of feeling where I feel as though if I just rub my stomach it'll feel better.  I have a gastro appt scheduled in a couple of weeks.  In the meantime I feel so miserable.  It is hard to function well enough to even accomplish what absolutely has to get done.  The only other new thing in my life is that I started treatment with a CPAP machine a few months ago.  Any ideas?

[Icannot]

A related discussion, Can my cpap cause my morning sweating and nausea was started.

[nfm]

Thanks so much for your response.  I too questioned the CPAP as it definitely seemed to coincide, although initially I thought it was related to the Nuvigil I needed to take to stay awake.  I did ask the sleep specialist's office staff, who told me she had never heard of it but would ask him and I haven't heard back.  It also has gotten worse after the pressure was increased a few weeks ago.  I was on AutoPap and expected to go to BiPap but during the last sleep study straight CPAP corrected it quite well so that's where I am.  I will definitely follow up on this.
I understand that  nausea can be due to so many things, and that has felt overwhelming to me.  One step at a time.  Again, thank you.  I have searched and been unable to find much in the way of nausea and CPAP except in the lay CPAP-using community, and even that was minimal.  

Thank you!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Using a CPAP machine can also cause salty taste as it causes dryness of the mouth. This could be a cause of nausea. Ask for some adjustment in the machine to overcome this. CPAP machines can also cause air in the stomach-gas and bloating. Lowering the CPAP pressure can help but do not do this without consulting your sleep specialist. Switching over to bilevel pressure or C-Flex may help you too. However, nothing should be tried without consulting the specialist.
If nausea is not related to CPAP machine, then other causes will have to be looked into. Commonest cause of nausea is acidity. Take omeprazole and antacid gel and see if it helps. Liver and kidney dysfunction is another cause. Hence kidney and liver function tests should be done. Other causes are diabetes and hypothyroidism. Electrolyte imbalance too can cause nausea. IBS, gluten or lactose intolerance, parasites in gut too can be the cause. A stool test should be done for worms, giardiasis etc. Also if nothing is found then food challenge test to detect food intolerance should be done.
Hope this helps. It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage. Do consult your doctor. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!