Posted by Rich B on June 11, 2009 at 13:56:50:In Reply to: Re: CPAP side affect posted by Red on March 04, 2009 at 17:14:46:
I'm a 15 year CPAP user and a Pharmacist and the fact that you have a hissing sound, which gets better at times, would indicate either a circulatory or a pressurization problem in the ear. Not much can be done for the circulatory issue, although sometimes some drugs will help.
I can speak to the issues of pressure as a 40 year hearing loss sufferer due to a narrowing of the Eustachian tubes (hollow tubes leading from middle ear to throat to equalize pressure). I suffered this well before having to use CPAP. Unfortunately, the doctors also told me that due to a virus, I did suffer hearing loss in the left ear and originally dizziness, the combination of which is referred to as Meniere's Disease. You may want to refer to this link for more information. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/balance/meniere.asp
It took a while & a couple of MD's for me to get a diagnosis and even then, it is the art, not the science of medicine since there is no definitive test.
To deal with it, one of the other posters hit the nail on the head with a suggestion to take Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), which is a decongestant. Unfortunately, our government in an unwise attempt to control Methamphetamine use (it can be made from Pseudoephedrine) has practically made it disappear. A different decongestant is widely available; phenylephrine, but it's inferior. In any case, I use a combination of a time release formulation of Phenylephrine & Guaifenesin (found in Robitussin-thins mucous) together with a non-sedating anihistamine Allegra. This combination also helps with the normal congestion from using a CPAP.
Critical issues are that do not use any of these without your MD's ok, since they can have side-effects including increased blood pressure. Also, make sure you use your CPAP with a heated humidifier set to as high as possible without getting rainout.
Good Luck,