Neck Pain

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
App1
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2008 12:13 pm

Neck Pain

Post by App1 » Tue Jan 01, 2008 12:24 pm

Hi All,

I have been using a full mask for about 3 years now and have been having neck and shoulder problems for the last 6 months. I've been going to a chiropractor for the neck and shoulder pain.

Has anyone experienced neck problems while wearing the full mask?
And how have you dealt with it?

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Wulfman
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Re: Neck Pain

Post by Wulfman » Tue Jan 01, 2008 3:21 pm

App1 wrote:Hi All,

I have been using a full mask for about 3 years now and have been having neck and shoulder problems for the last 6 months. I've been going to a chiropractor for the neck and shoulder pain.

Has anyone experienced neck problems while wearing the full mask?
And how have you dealt with it?
It MIGHT help if you'd fill in your profile and let us know what equipment you're using and the pressure set on the machine.

Have you changed masks? Pillows? Mattress?

Mask could be too tight.....and there's a whole host of other issues could affect what you're asking about.

Den
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05

App1
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Jan 01, 2008 12:13 pm

Post by App1 » Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:58 am

Ok, I've filled in the profile.
My machine is set @ 8

I haven't changed pillows, mattresses etc lately.

I have the full face mask because of my allergies...but those are seasonal and I am wondering if a nose pillow would help.

I find with the full face mask, if I am sleeping on my side, I have to position my face so that the mask is not digging into the pillow...which can create a weird angle at times.

As far as the strap tension goes..you know how it is...too tight and you don't get a good seal, too loose and you don't get a good seal.


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Slinky
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Post by Slinky » Wed Jan 02, 2008 10:21 am

The ComfortFull has 3 available headgear: Premium, Comfort and Deluxe. Have you given any consideration to where the lower straps lay on your skull or neck?

Have you given any consideration to purchasing a PAPpillow or one of the memory foam type pillows or even a really soft down pillow so that you can adjust the pillow rather than your neck position?

I've had neck problems since a whiplash in '94. I found that a good down pillow that I can punch down thin enough to be comfortable for my neck or to punch a hollow in for my mask works well for me. I really liked the PAPpillow except it was still a shade too thick for me. My son in law absolutely LOVES it and his leak rate has bottomed out since he started sleeping on it.

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Snoredog
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Post by Snoredog » Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:18 am

I would:

-tell your chiropractor you are going to Nigeria for 3 months to settle the violence to lower the price of oil
-then I would take an aleve twice a day for 4-5 days
someday science will catch up to what I'm saying...

wildmt
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Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:28 pm

Post by wildmt » Wed Jan 02, 2008 3:15 pm

Snoredog is right, as usual. Or take a Norgesic before bed.

Good luck.

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TXKajun
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Post by TXKajun » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:09 pm

Another thing to consider is re-routing your hose. I find my neck sore once in a while due to hose routing being off.

Good luck.

Kajun


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kennethryan
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Post by kennethryan » Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:34 pm

I absolutely have a sore neck after the night, due to the tension on the lower strap. The tension is very dependent on how I happen to sleep - if I drop my head towards my chest the strap is too loose to seal, if I hold my head straight it's too tight. The sweet spot in the middle is too hard to hold while tossing and turning at night!

I bought one of the double-edge PapPillows. It didn't solve all my problems, but one thing it did do is greatly reduce my neck pain. The contour helps hold my head in one position so it doesn't drop down to my chest and loosen the strap. I can therefore adjust the strap to the right tension[*] and it doesn't really change.

There are several contoured pillows like that, all fairly pricey. :-(

I suggest giving it a try - the price of the pillow compares well with a chiropractor visit. :-)

I also went through a week or so where my shoulder hurt big-time ... whichever shoulder was down (I'm a side-sleeper) would hurt after an hour and I'd be forced to turn over. That I think was from flirting with a flu (two kids, daycare+public school, I get it all). I also tend to be prone to inflammation in my rotator cuff (the ball-and-socket joint in the shoulder) which gets aggravated if I sleep with my arm sticking out above about a 70-degree angle. First time it happened I got a series of visits to a physical therapist for range of motion and strengthening exercises. Fixed it right up. After that when I re-irritate it I just revisit the exercises and it's all better in a few days.

Hope this helps...good luck!

ken

[*] Theoretically. The pillow is a fairly recent purchase, so I'm still hunting for just what the right tension is for me. But the pillow does hold my head in place for both too-loose and too-tight, so I'm confident the correct tension will work also!

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Post by Guest » Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:54 pm

Thanks for your replies