Very Severe Neck Pain

[giantred]

I know I sound like a broken record, but can someone please help me. I'm in this cycle that I can't get out of. Everytime I use the CPAP headgear I wake up and have such excurciating pain in my neck and back this is beyond explaining, and when I don't use the CPAP the pain goes away, but I am suffering from apnea problems. Any recommendations on a pillow or nasal mask. I can't use prongs because my sinusis are very sensitive. I've tried many masks but they just don't seem to work because of the neck problems. Please help.

[HoseCrusher]

From the area "outside the box..."

Lie down on your bed. Do some sit ups, Pretend that you are swimming. On your back at first, then roll over and try a breast stroke. Wiggle around and roll over several times.

OK, take a break and just lay on the bed for a couple of minutes.

Next, empty your humidifier, put your mask on, turn the machine on, and go through all of this again.

This time, note what activities cause excessive leaking from your mask. Practice doing those activities until you can mostly do them with minimal leaks.

Note the tension in your neck while you are doing all of this.

The idea behind this is that you may stiffen your neck up while wearing the mask because you think you have to hold your head steady while you sleep. The exercise will reveal that you have much more freedom and should help you relax. When you are able to relax your neck, the problem should go away...

OK, I'll go crawl back into the box now...

[nanwilson]

Another thought would be to try another mask that does not have a back lower neck strap. The lower strap may be so tight that its pulling on your neck. Go to cpap.com and check out the pics and recommendations on all the masks, see how many have NO neck strap and go from there.
Good luck
Nan

[Pugsy]

What type of bed pillow (s) have you tried or used?

Some pillows are better than others for necks and cpap mask comfort.

[chunkyfrog]

I had a stiff neck from my headgear a few times;
and realized that I needed to do some gentle stretches before bedtime.
The same stretches upon arising helped, too.
I say gentle, as any forcing or haste can make it worse.
I have also found that warmth helps any stiff muscle.
You could try Thermacare wraps or a generic version--(Thermacare can be pricey!)
I have even nuked a couple wet paper towels in a ziploc at work.
Note: Some health problems contraindicate the use of heat--make sure you do not have them.

[Vader]

When I used to use a nasal mask, I used the Activa because I could leave the straps fairly loose and still get a good seal.
It seems that an awful lot of people have neck problems these days, and it's not always from a car accident or trauma.
Sitting at the computer for long periods of time can definitely aggravate your neck quite a bit also, so you definitely want to have a comfortable mask when you're getting your apnea therapy at night, if at all possible.
I never liked any of the masks that blow air up your nose, but some of them are easier on the neck.

[BlackSpinner]

take a pair of scissors and a some safety pins and work on the straps where they hit your neck - How many times have I suggested this to you?