Dizziness and ear pressure/fullness after using cpap

[dizzy1]

Anyone here have dizziness and ear pressure from using cpap therapy?
I've read untreated sleep apnea can cause these symptoms I've also read cpap therapy can cause these issues too. It's documented online but there's not much info and I can't find anyone having similar issues whilst using cpap.
Cheers in advance.

[Lizrd23]

Hello, I am not sure if you are still around the boards, but I came here with the same question. I started using the machine at the end of May for about 10 days with no problems. All of a sudden, in the middle of the night one night, I woke up with terrible vertigo. (I tossed my small dog under the bed because I had to brace myself from falling. He and I were momentarily in shock.)

I have never had vertigo in my life, and never had "the spins" (while sober). Now I can't get it to go away. I've done the ear crystal maneuvers and that has helped make it so I can at least go up stairs without fear of falling. But I am dizzy most days and my sleep specialist refuses to acknowledge this is related to the CPAP.

I currently use a full face mask and am going to try a nasal mask only to see if that helps alleviate some of the pressure. Otherwise, I am not sure what I will do. I am over 90% compliant since first getting the machine and my sleep has improved. But I can't go around dizzy every day.  : /

Any developments on your end?

[HalfAsleep]

Both of you….I recommend getting an SD card, recording, and the post Oscars. This looks to be a settings issue.

FWIW I would have your symptoms if my setting was 4. That’s not an adult setting.

[TechieHippie]

I'd been struggling with vertigo for a while before getting my CPAP. Mine was caused by looking up and turning my head at the wrong angle. I have to be really careful with my machine that I'm not twisting myself to operate it.

If you haven't learned the half somersault maneuver yet from Dr Carol Foster it's much more effective, at least in my experience , than epley. It can also be done on both sides, 15+ minutes apart, without causing the other side to fall out of place. Most of the time my vertigo is worse on one side but still bad on the other. She has YouTube videos as well as a website with downloadable PDF instructions. I had my husband double-check the first couple times and time me...You have to stay in each position for at least 30 seconds or until things stop moving, which sometimes takes a little longer.. But now I can feel what I need to do.

[Lizrd23]

Thank you both for replies and advice. I tried nasal mask and it increased the dizziness instead of decreasing it. I am back on full face mask. I am going to have to look for a new sleep specialist in order to get any assistance, I have a feeling. I will definitely take your recommendations.

[TechieHippie]

Have you checked oxygen upon waking with this? It might be worth trying with an overnight oximeter ideally. You can try having a regular finger cuff style right by the bed but in my experience o2 has already climbed by the time I test .