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+--- Thread: Anybody experience neck muscle issues from mask straps? (/Thread-Anybody-experience-neck-muscle-issues-from-mask-straps)
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Anybody experience neck muscle issues from mask straps? - remltr - 02-16-2014
I started CPAP in August 2013. I have been using the SleepWeaver mask for the last several months.
I am wondering if anyone has experienced something similar to my issue and suspected it might have been caused by the straps from their mask.
A couple months ago I was doing some paperwork at a desk and the muscles on both sides of my neck seized up severely and I was unable to rotate my head in either direction for a couple days. I have mostly returned to complete mobility.
I do have daily issues with weakness though. The sensation that the muscles are pushing my head down. Raising my head during these episodes I can feel tension in those muscles.
The only way I can see to eliminate the straps as the cause and the continuing cause is to stop using the mask and seeing if the situation improves. That I know is a dangerous course of action.
I don't believe that I have the straps to tight. I do suspect that I might be effecting a nerve that is causing the issue. But that also raises the question of why two nerves (each side of the neck) equally?
Any thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.
RE: Anybody experience neck muscle issues from mask straps? - Sandra_ON - 02-16-2014
It might be something entirely different causing this. I have had that problem on the right side of my neck for over a year from sleeping on my side. Now that I sleep on my back with CPAP, it's getting better.
RE: Anybody experience neck muscle issues from mask straps? - Peter_C - 02-16-2014
As a multi-year long user, yes~! I've had issues when my straps were too tight, similar to 'sleeping wrong'. I do find it's key to adjust the lower strap of your headgear when laying down, as when you do it while sitting, it will be tighter than needed.
RE: Anybody experience neck muscle issues from mask straps? - retired_guy - 02-16-2014
(02-16-2014, 08:38 AM)remltr Wrote: I started CPAP in August 2013. I have been using the SleepWeaver mask for the last several months.
I am wondering if anyone has experienced something similar to my issue and suspected it might have been caused by the straps from their mask.
A couple months ago I was doing some paperwork at a desk and the muscles on both sides of my neck seized up severely and I was unable to rotate my head in either direction for a couple days. I have mostly returned to complete mobility.
I do have daily issues with weakness though. The sensation that the muscles are pushing my head down. Raising my head during these episodes I can feel tension in those muscles.
The only way I can see to eliminate the straps as the cause and the continuing cause is to stop using the mask and seeing if the situation improves. That I know is a dangerous course of action.
I don't believe that I have the straps to tight. I do suspect that I might be effecting a nerve that is causing the issue. But that also raises the question of why two nerves (each side of the neck) equally?
Any thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.
More so than the straps, I'd do a little research on sleeping position and pillow. I don't think the straps would create so much tension on the neck that this would be a result. But sleeping in an odd position might, so start there.
If this situation continues, get with the docs as it may be something outside the realm of apnea.
RE: Anybody experience neck muscle issues from mask straps? - Shastzi - 02-17-2014
Yes, I think it is a consideration.
Some masks seem to cause me more neck problems than others.
RE: Anybody experience neck muscle issues from mask straps? - remltr - 02-18-2014
Thanks everyone for responding.
I did a little test over the last couple nights. I slept without my mask.
I know, not a good idea. But I did find that my neck issue did improve, although a far cry from being healed. Movement is less cumbersome. I guess the straps are tweaking a nerve or something.And I don't know whether the straps were the initial cause of my neck issue, but I now know that it is causing it to continue.
Now the issue is how to resolve it, as I need the cpap, but don't know of anything as comfortable to use as the SleepWeaver and at the same time won't require some kind of head gear that contacts the area of the neck that I am having an issue with. Kind of caught between a rock and a hard place. Need time to allow the neck to heal and need to keep breathing.
I suppose I could just epoxy the mask to my face.
RE: Anybody experience neck muscle issues from mask straps? - PaulaO2 - 02-18-2014
I have taken my mask (can't recall which one it was) to my PT to ask her if it was in any way causing any of my neck issues. Let me see if I can explain what she said.
The mask and straps are all attached at the same place. And that it would have to be really really tight to cause any issues. The straps are not attached to the chest, pulling the head down. It's attached to the face. The mask I had at the time, the straps were low, near the occipital bone.
Her concern for me wasn't the straps, but the way I was holding my head because of the mask itself. That probably in my sleep, I would feel the mask being pushed by the pillow and twist my head to relieve that push.
RE: Anybody experience neck muscle issues from mask straps? - remltr - 02-19-2014
(02-18-2014, 06:54 PM)PaulaO2 Wrote: I have taken my mask (can't recall which one it was) to my PT to ask her if it was in any way causing any of my neck issues. Let me see if I can explain what she said.
The mask and straps are all attached at the same place. And that it would have to be really really tight to cause any issues. The straps are not attached to the chest, pulling the head down. It's attached to the face. The mask I had at the time, the straps were low, near the occipital bone.
Her concern for me wasn't the straps, but the way I was holding my head because of the mask itself. That probably in my sleep, I would feel the mask being pushed by the pillow and twist my head to relieve that push.
That is a distinct possibility. Although I don't know what to do about except try a different mask that won't move around as much and may be uncomfortable to wear. Back to the epoxy.
RE: Anybody experience neck muscle issues from mask straps? - Bama Rambler - 02-19-2014
The straps on my mask made my neck sore a little for the first few days of using it. The first day was because I had them way too tight. I have since loosened them to where the leaks stopped and it's better.
It would be nice to have different designs of headgear so you could get one that would actually fit your head.
RE: Anybody experience neck muscle issues from mask straps? - me50 - 02-21-2014
I had a lot of issues with the Resmed headgear. They just didn't hold up and kept waking me up when the Velcro would not stay attached (on 2 different masks...one the same one you are using).
Maybe you could try a different mask...nasal mask and/or nasal pillows might be a good place to start.