Can CPAP help my headaches?

[Sleeprider]

You're trainable!  Well done. You have moderate to severe persistent flow limitation that is under-stated by the statistics.  You do need EPR 3.  This image confirms that inspiration time is longer than expiration time, and shows that inhale gets off to a good start, then stalls. This is an image of respiratory effort to take a normal breath, and it leads to arousals and the headache you talked about. If you search through your flow rate chart, you will see periodic "recovery breathing". These larger deeper breaths are to compensate for the persistent effort you are making to inhale, and it is called a respiratory effort related arousal (RERA). Even though it is not flagged, it is very disruptive to sleep, and the flow limits can result in lower SpO2 if you were to measure with a pulse oximeter.   EPR 3 may help, but I have seen plenty of members move up to bilevel (aircurve 10 Vauto) for similar problems.

[Sleepster]

I awoke this morning (as I frequently do) with a headache.

Did you have these headaches before starting CPAP. I did, for several decades. After I was on CPAP for a few months they went away. It was a miracle!

[OpalRose]

I also suffered with headaches before therapy, but once dialed in after a few weeks, the headaches stopped.

You shouldn't be suffering from continued headaches. There may be some other health issue causing these headaches. Is your blood pressure under control?

[Flying High]

You're trainable!  Well done. You have moderate to severe persistent flow limitation that is under-stated by the statistics.  You do need EPR 3.  This image confirms that inspiration time is longer than expiration time, and shows that inhale gets off to a good start, then stalls. This is an image of respiratory effort to take a normal breath, and it leads to arousals and the headache you talked about.  If you search through your flow rate chart, you will see periodic "recovery breathing". These larger deeper breaths are to compensate for the persistent effort you are making to inhale, and it is called a respiratory effort related arousal (RERA).  Even though it is not flagged, it is very disruptive to sleep, and the flow limits can result in lower SpO2 if you were to measure with a pulse oximeter.   EPR 3 may help, but I have seen plenty of members move up to bilevel (aircurve 10 Vauto) for similar problems.


Thank you so much for your feedback!
What you are describing matches my experiences, I really enjoy it when I breath deeply - maybe this is why.

I have a few questions.

1.  Where can I see the 'recovery breathing' on the chart below?  On the Flow Limit graph?
2.  What should my next step be?  Add a pulse oximeter?  Upgrade to an Aircurve 10 Vauto?  If I do, how would this help with the RERA?

Thanks again.

[Flying High]

I also suffered with headaches before therapy, but once dialed in after a few weeks, the headaches stopped.

You shouldn't be suffering from continued headaches.  There may be some other health issue causing these headaches.  Is your blood pressure under control?

Yes, my blood pressure is under control.  I have been experiencing migraine headaches many times a months

I am hoping the CPAP will help to control these.

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I awoke this morning (as I frequently do) with a headache.

Did you have these headaches before starting CPAP. I did, for several decades. After I was on CPAP for a few months they went away. It was a miracle!

Yes I had these headaches before starting CPAP.  I am hoping for that miracle!  I am trying to figure out if I can adjust something to jump start it.

[Sleeprider]

If you want to see recovery breathing, try 04:58:30 on this graph. Truth is, I don't see much. Your flow limitation is mostly indicated by an excessive inspiratory time, which is longer than expiratory time.  Normally we see inhale time is less than exhale, but not for you.  The flow limitation or upper airway resistance is such that you expend a lot of effort in inhale. With pressure support, that can be resolved, which is why I want you to try higher EPR, and the next move is higher minimum pressure.

[Flying High]

If you want to see recovery breathing, try 04:58:30 on this graph. Truth is, I don't see much. Your flow limitation is mostly indicated by an excessive inspiratory time, which is longer than expiratory time.  Normally we see inhale time is less than exhale, but not for you.  The flow limitation or upper airway resistance is such that you expend a lot of effort in inhale. With pressure support, that can be resolved, which is why I want you to try higher EPR, and the next move is higher minimum pressure.

Here is a zoom from last night with EPR set to 3.

I don't see an improvement.  I plan to up the min tonight to 10.

[Sleeprider]

Well, tidal volume increased a bit and respiratory rate dropped by one breath per minute, so we are getting somewhere. We just might need more pressure support to get the job done.

[Jeff8356]

@Flying High - Prior to CPAP I was suffering from night time extreme headaches and bad muscle cramps.  Would wake me out of a sound sleep.  Pulmo gave me a couple of overnight oximetry tests and said I was very sensitive to hypoxemia (low blood O2).  My desats dropped to 86-87 but never long enough to meet the minimum for insurance to cover supplemental O2.  He got me on my APAP and the headaches went away after a couple of nights, nad the leg cramps followed.  Been following my O2 with the Contec CMS50F since then.  O2 has been better averaging 91-92 for the night.
So your machine may indeed help with your headaches.
Might also be worth asking the Doc about getting the overnight oximetry test to make sure things are ok.

[Flying High]

Well, tidal volume increased a bit and respiratory rate dropped by one breath per minute, so we are getting somewhere.   We just might need more pressure support to get the job done.

Last night's results (12/5).
Min was set to 10 until 5:45am when it was set to 12 for the last period.