Dusty Smell and headaches
Hello There
New to the board. New to the CPAP world. 6 days in and I have slept better than any time I can remember in the last two years.
However,
1) When I take my mask off I have an overwhelming smell of dust in the air… Is this common among the faithful???
2) Since I have been using my machine I have daily headaches that usually come on in the later afternoon usually after 3pm or so… Again, is this common???
I have never had headaches before using the machine and never has the room smelled of dust before. The dusty smell was so strong the first night of use I thought my machine was burning wires or the like… However, nothing was hot or altered and my wife can smell no such thing...
RE: Dusty Smell and headaches
1 = No. Is the filter new?
2 = Uncommon.
5 cm-H2O really? Who set that low pressure for you?
RE: Dusty Smell and headaches
(01-14-2016, 07:49 PM)KG101 Wrote: Hello There
New to the board. New to the CPAP world. 6 days in and I have slept better than any time I can remember in the last two years.
However,
1) When I take my mask off I have an overwhelming smell of dust in the air… Is this common among the faithful???
2) Since I have been using my machine I have daily headaches that usually come on in the later afternoon usually after 3pm or so… Again, is this common???
I have never had headaches before using the machine and never has the room smelled of dust before. The dusty smell was so strong the first night of use I thought my machine was burning wires or the like… However, nothing was hot or altered and my wife can smell no such thing...
Welcome to the forum KG101,
I found an older thread where others have had a burning smell.
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...ght=Smells
Many of us experienced headaches before Cpap therapy, but once therapy started, the headaches usually go away. It could be your pressure setting is not optimal for you.
Download the Sleepyhead Software. This will enable you to keep track of your therapy.
http://www.sleepfiles.com/SH2/
RE: Dusty Smell and headaches
The Filters are new… Everything is new… The dusty smell occurs after the mask comes off… Lasts about 20-30 minutes… My wifes theory on this is that I am breathing filtered air and then smell the unfiltered and it smells stronger to me… Kind of like filtered and tap water (yuck).
The Doctor set it at 5 cm… Dropped my AHI index from 44 to .7 on a good night 2.7 on a bad night… Of coarse the sample size is still quite small (6 nights). Haven't checked my oxygenation levels yet… Going to wait a week or two.
Headaches were never an issue before I used the machine… I have had them daily since… But I have had a bit of a stress to deal with this week… maybe they are coincidental…. Just not sure yet. (However, I am not prone to stress headaches either…)
RE: Dusty Smell and headaches
Ps. Thanks for the welcome Opal Rose… I read through the thread… This isn't a burning smell at all and it's not in the tube either… More like grandma's attic after you shake the old blanket covering that old chest…
Looking forward to exploring the Sleepy Head software but haven't had time as yet… It is in the file for sure… Trying to get the therapist at the supply center to look into it as well.
Thanks again
K
RE: Dusty Smell and headaches
Hi KG101,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
I wish you much success with your CPAP therapy, hang in there for more responses to your post.
trish6hundred
RE: Dusty Smell and headaches
(01-14-2016, 11:20 PM)KG101 Wrote: Ps. Thanks for the welcome Opal Rose… I read through the thread… This isn't a burning smell at all and it's not in the tube either… More like grandma's attic after you shake the old blanket covering that old chest…
Looking forward to exploring the Sleepy Head software but haven't had time as yet… It is in the file for sure… Trying to get the therapist at the supply center to look into it as well.
Thanks again
K
hmm...you wife may be right. You could try a room air cleaner and run it for a couple hours.
Just thought I would add this: when I first started Cpap therapy, I would smell flowers after removing my mask.
RE: Dusty Smell and headaches
I suspect that your wife is onto something, especially if you are using extra fine filter in addition to the regular pollen filter.
Also, the perceived difference in air quality could be amplified if you using humidifier on the machine but humidity in the house is low.
As for the afternoon headaches, way out of the left field a thought came to me; maybe your body was accustomed to lower oxygen levels and you stopped paying attention to it. Now, you feel so much better in the morning that you get headaches when the effect of much better oxygen saturation through the night wears off by the afternoon...
RE: Dusty Smell and headaches
I would explore the possibility that you are having sinus headaches that are being triggered by the PAP therapy. As for any relief, I suggest trying different levels of humidity (likely higher is better) or perhaps a nasal rinse each morning after taking the mask off. If all else fails, see a doctor for an exam.
Dude
RE: Dusty Smell and headaches
You're using a PRS1 Auto CPAP which is fully data capable, and also able to do auto titration. At a pressure of 5.0 cm, you are at the extreme low end of therapeutic pressure. It seems to be working for you, but I'd sure be tempted to put it in auto mode with a limit of 5-10 and see what it does.
Anyway, get Sleepyhead on the job, and you may see more. That machine records RERA and flow limitation that you won't see on the screen.
