side effects?

Everything has side effects. Aspirin, statins, vasectomies, etc

So, there must be potential issues with the use of CPAPs to treat Apnea. They might be modest. They might impact only some people They might occur only at the extremes.

Setting my pressure was a process of trial and error with my sleep doc. The key measure we tracked was incidents per hour.
And the target was "less than 7"

I'm there and I'm sleeping well and my incidents average below 7. But I'm still wondering about side effects....

So, let me know if you think you have had any or heard from others or your Doc or any other source. Do not tell me how wonderful your CPAP is.... I agree and it is for me too. That's NOT what I'm asking to hear.

Thanks!

I would suggest that the most frequent and significant side effect of CPAP therapy is discomfort from the pressure, mask, irritation, leaks, etc. This in turn causes a significant number of users that have apnea to not use their CPAP. I have seen statistics that suggest from 30% to 50% of CPAP machines are prescribed but after some time are no longer used.

I have heard of some instances where CPAP therapy pressure may have some effect on someone with glaucoma. I believe it is very rare, but if one has glaucoma it is something that you should discuss with your eye doctor and sleep doctor.

This said I'm sure there are many minor side effects or imagined side effects. One I have is some dizzyness about a hour after I get up. I suspect it is somehow related to the inner ear pressure slowly equalizing after a night of therapy. It is a touch annoying, but nothing more than that.

The most serious practical side effect in my opinion is discomfort and resulting non compliance. The non compliance can lead to a number of other issues including heart and stroke problems. It is unfortunate that many give up on CPAP and take on that side effect.

I know you didn't ask, but you state your goal is to get AHI below 7. The normal treatment standard is to get AHI below 5, and many get well below that and some close to zero. Is there a reason you only strive for 7 or less?

I got a case of "smashed face syndrome" from an ill fitting mask, plus a sore on the bridge of my nose that didn't want to heal. From the machine, no side effects.

The CPAP machine/ mask can prevent you from sleeping or affect the quality of sleep. Melatonin and Ambien might help.

I have also had trouble with leaks near my eyes drying out my eyes. Hopefully some adjustments or a different mask can help.

I have had air from a nasal mask blowing out my mouth and drying out my mouth. This also means you are not getting the pressure where you need it. A chin strap or a different mask can help.

Here is a link to "side effects" that may be of some help. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7842764 Please remember side effects do not effect all people. Look at the effects of non-treatment of OSA, diabetes, heart disease, a-fib, high blood pressure and possible glaucoma to name a few. The very worst side effect of non-treatment is falling asleep at the wheel and wiping out an entire innocent family as well as your own. As you said Newmarket2, "everything has side effects".

For full mask mouth breathers worst side effect is dry mouth and potential for cavities