Pain in sides

[Nautilus]

First time poster, having got my CPAP a week ago. I've had a few very minor side effects - very slight nasal dryness which the doctors do not think requires humidity (a simple nasal mist spray in the morning fixes that) and very slight pain in my diaphragm which only lasts for about 30 min after waking (they say this wiill ease as the muscles get used to the slightly increased pressure).

The one they did find unusual was pains in my latissimus dorsi muscles, not actually in my back but a line along my sides. The pain was quite intense the first few mornings. It has eased a bit but is still there each morning . They suspect it is probably due to sleeping in the same position for longer. At their suggestion I tried some stretching exercises this morning which helped a bit but not completely.

Has anybody else experienced this?

[3porpoise]

Hi Nautilus, welcome,
Glad there's minimal side effects for you. Does take some adjusting , for sure.
You notice whether you may be swallowing air (aerophagia) or not? I notice your pressure isn't high but we are all different.
3

[Papit]

First time poster, having got my CPAP a week ago. I've had a few very minor side effects - very slight nasal dryness which the doctors do not think requires humidity (a simple nasal mist spray in the morning fixes that) and very slight pain in my diaphragm which only lasts for about 30 min after waking (they say this wiill ease as the muscles get used to the slightly increased pressure).

The one they did find unusual was pains in my latissimus dorsi muscles, not actually in my back but a line along my sides. The pain was quite intense the first few mornings. It has eased a bit but is still there each morning . They suspect it is probably due to sleeping in the same position for longer. At their suggestion I tried some stretching exercises this morning which helped a bit but not completely.

Has anybody else experienced this?

Hi Nautilus. A little added humidity wouldn't hurt anything and will likely help with the nasal dryness and any throat irritation. It did for me. If it were me I'd go back to the doc or DME and see whether he might make a temporary adjustment in your pressure setting to help you ease your way into this. If he won't, I agree with him that you'll soon be over the hump with the aching sides. I've hear of this before. I hope you won't let it be a show-stopper. Best of luck. -- Papit

[Shastzi]

Hi Nautilus,
sounds like your muscles are adapting to the elevated exhalation resistance.
It should fade away after about a week.

Hang in there!

[DariaVader]

+1 for humidity! the doc who said that has never had a windtunnel blowing thru his sinuses all night

[Shastzi]

oh yes, humidity.
Last night I crashed and didn't get my secondary humidifier seated properly so it never heated up.
(yes I have two-stages of humidification )
I ended up waking up about a dozen times to re-wet my mouth again so I could swallow.
My AHI went up quite a bit since I never really got to sleep and now
the rest of the day is like crap.

I wont be letting that happen again soon.

Don't be afraid to crank up your humidity till your mouth/etc stays hydrated.
It might seem a bit like a steam bath but if it keeps you from drying out you still sleep better.

[Nautilus]

Thanks for the comments. You were right, the pain subsided by the end of the second week. No pain at all in the mornings now!

[vsheline]

The one they did find unusual was pains in my latissimus dorsi muscles, not actually in my back but a line along my sides. The pain was quite intense the first few mornings. It has eased a bit but is still there each morning . They suspect it is probably due to sleeping in the same position for longer.

Hi Nautilus,

Maybe not related, but I find that, in order to be able to sleep always on my sides, I need to use a mattress topper foam cushion, 3" thick, to keep my sides from becoming sore. I have sensitive skin.

[Emmett]

First time poster, having got my CPAP a week ago. I've had a few very minor side effects - very slight nasal dryness which the doctors do not think requires humidity (a simple nasal mist spray in the morning fixes that) and very slight pain in my diaphragm which only lasts for about 30 min after waking (they say this wiill ease as the muscles get used to the slightly increased pressure).

The one they did find unusual was pains in my latissimus dorsi muscles, not actually in my back but a line along my sides. The pain was quite intense the first few mornings. It has eased a bit but is still there each morning . They suspect it is probably due to sleeping in the same position for longer. At their suggestion I tried some stretching exercises this morning which helped a bit but not completely.

Has anybody else experienced this?

I have had severe back muscle pain and cramping using my bipap machine which I don't get when I sleep without it. I have been taking the medication Omeperzole for acid reflux disease daily which is reported to cause magnesium deficiency. I discontinued the Omeperzole for a few days and have been taking an over the counter magnesium calcium supplement (Slow Mag) and the pain and cramping has resolved and I can sleep the night through and morning muscle stiffness and pain has disipated. I wish I would have obtained a serum magnesium level before my experiment but didn't. Perhaps this wil be meaningful for you. Good luck.