I've had a varicose vein, in my left leg, since my last pregnancy - 19 years ago.  It's not pretty, but it rarely hurts --- until a month ago when I started cpap.  Now every morning it hurts like crazy.  I thought it might be a coincidence, but the night before last I slept w/o the machine (long story) and the vein didn't hurt one bit all day.  Last night, back on the machine and this morning it hurt like crazy again.  In fact, it's hurt all day.

What is going on????

Linnea,

What is going on is that you need to see your doctor ASAP.  You have a circulatory issue.  The only effect your CPAP has is to improve circulation.  That you have a leg hurting is great cause for concern and that your pain increases when you use your CPAP (and thus your circulation is better) is even more cause for concern.  If your pain is due to a blood clot in your leg, that is very dangerous and may be deadly.

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

I've looked up symptoms of varicose vein pain vs blood clots and I'm convinced that it's the former.  I don't get why improving circulation would make it worse  Seems contradictory.

Hi Linnea:
Well that's certainly a new one!  I'd certainly like to hear from anyone who has noticed a similar relationship.

Talking a little bit of fact and a little bit of theory, the application of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure to the thoracic cavity can decrease venous return to the heart, consequently increasing the venous pressure (and we're talking small numbers here).  Perhaps that's just enough to aggravate the veins.

Give the MD a buzz anyway, in case it's not coincidence, perhaps he could recommend some support hose, worn while on CPAP/BiPAP, that might lessen the symptoms.
sleepydave

Hmm, I tried to trick it last night, by sleeping on the vein side at the beginning of the night, because it usually hurts only for the first couple of hours of the day.  It's not as bad this morning.  I'll call my sleep doctor aka Dr Fay Incompetenta today, just for the thrill of getting blown off again.  I actually do have an appt. w/her next week.

Sleepydave - per WebMD one of the causes of vaicose veins in "Conditions that cause increased pressure in the abdomen including tumors, constipation and externally worn garments like girdles", so maybe this does make sense?

or maybe I'm the lead in the Princess and the Pea

Linnea,

Two different compartments.  The thoracic cavity contains the heart and lungs and is separated by the abdominal cavity, stomach, intestines, everything else, by the diaphram.

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

The doctor didn't call back - no great surprise there.  By the time I left for work, all was well (veinwise)

Linnea - it sounds like you may need to dump this doctor and find one that will listen to you.  Especially if she keeps blowing you off!

Linnea wrote:

conditions that cause increased pressure in the abdomen including tumors, constipation and externally worn garments like girdles, so maybe this does make sense?

Hi again!
And of course, the thing that got you the VV in the first place, pregnancy.
Two different mechanisms, same result.
Compression of the pulmonary capillary bed and lack of normal negative inspiratory presuure during inhalation in BiPAP, and compression of the inferior vena cava in all those other things.
BTW, if you go the support stocking route, look for T.E.D Anti-Embolic Stockings, they're about 30 bucks, maybe if the MD agrees with this thought then you can get the insurance to cover it.
sleepydave

Sleepydave - I lost you on the medical speak, please explain in layman's terms.

What, I never get to say inferior vena cava any more!!

Ok, suffice to say all these things compress the veins in the chest and abdomen and allow pressure build up of the blood in the leg veins.  This will eventually distort the integrity of the vessel to get the appearance that you see.

If the pain you are now experiencing is caused by introducing a new stress, BiPAP, and you do seem to have a circumstantial case there, perhaps the support hose can reduce that effect and give you some relief.

But again, you have to make sure it's not a DVT, cause that's a really big deal, you absolutely want to make sure of that.

DVT

I'll send you a picture of the TEDs.
sleepydave