I'm adjusting well to Cpap machine...at 11...it helps me feel better...however, I seem to have developed carpal tunnel syndrome like feelings afterwards...anyone else have this problem.

Hi and welcome to Apnea Board!

That's strange. I have carpal tunnel also, but it didn't start with CPAP use. I've had it probably about the same time as I've had Sleep Apnea (for 10 years or so, at least). I didn't think that there's any correlation between the Apnea and Carpal Tunnel... who knows?

Are you doing anything different with your wrist or hand now that you're using CPAP?

No, I'm not doing anything different with my hand or wrist. I was really tense at first with the Cpap machine....probably caused a lot of stress in my neck area.

I think it was there for a long time, but somehow feeling better has made me feel it more. I'm having acupuncture and will also see a chiropractor for possible neck area nerve pressures or something.

That's strange. Carpal tunnel is in the wrist and hand, so I wonder why would CPAP cause your wrist pain? Is your CPAP mask really tight?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is primarily caused by repetative strain, usually due to performing a task frequently and with poor "body mechanics". Tension in the neck and shoulders (often caused by stress) can exacerbate CTS.

For the record, CTS is not caused by restricted blood flow, but rather by compression of the median nerve within a sheath (in the forearm and wrist) called the Carpal Tunnel.

So, stress over the discomfort of your CPAP may be worsening your CTS, but it could also be something like laying in bed and turning on the CPAP at a strange angle, contorting your wrist.

It is hard to say. Good luck with that!

I had the same problem after starting on CPAP. The doctor said there was no relation with carpel tunnel and CPAP, but I didn't have it until I started using the machine. I also had a lot of water retention, which he also said was not related. I went off the machine to see if my symptoms got better and they did! When I went back on the machine, the symptoms came back. I think the carpel tunnel is from the water retention. Pregnant women (I'm not one!) get carpel tunnel due to water retention, so I think that may be the cause of the problem. It amazes me how the doctors dismiss these symptoms like you are nuts or something. When you check your symptoms out on these message boards, though, you can usually find some folks who are having similar symptoms. I think the tingling hands and water retention are rare side effects for some people.