pain with sleep apnea

Hi @happyat76 that must be so painful. Did you doctor say that the pain is directly related to your sleep apnea or is the cause of the pain still unknown, but it may improve with the new breathing machine?

He said that he thought the pain in these muscles is because of my breathing problems. He said to be patient and wait to see if they machine helps me. It is such a terrible pain and no Dr. has told me what it is. This has been going on for two years now, every day almost. Thx for your reply, it is appreciated.

@happyat76 - as @ethanmcconkey mentioned, that sounds very painful. Thanks for sharing about how this pain in your breastbone, which goes up into your chest and at times down into your stomach, is accompanying your newly-diagnosed sleep apnea and how your sleep doctor indicates it may improve with the new breathing machine, the expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP).

I'd like to invite into this conversation some other members who may have had this kind of pain along with sleep apnea or who may have heard about this, like @johnbishop @thankful @johnhans @dawn_giacabazi @etaniguchi. Hoping they will have some input and can provide some support as you seek to alleviate this pain.

I also wanted to encourage you to consider starting a new discussion in the Connect Sleep Health group on expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) as you start getting it set up and using it, as I think it would be beneficial to others who'd like to discuss that particular device.

Is this pain something you experience continually, @happyat76, or mostly at night?

Hello @happyat76 -- I like you member name. I will be sort of happy at 76 the end of next month. I have sleep apnea but have not experienced pain like you described in the breastbone area. I did find some information on Mayo Clinic's site that I think is describing what you are feeling.

Costochondritis
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/costochondritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371175

There is another discussion here on Connect that you may want to read through and post questions to other members who have experienced similar symptoms. @merpreb, @shshank_gaurv, @grandmar and @virtuous69 may be able to provide some suggestions from their experience.

> Groups > Chronic Pain > Costochrondritis/ Tietze syndrome
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/costachrondritis-tietze-syndrome/

@happyat76
Welcome! I also like your member name!!
I do not have Costochondritis (and never heard of it), but I did have sleep apnea.
I did not have breastbone pain from the apnea. Mostly, I was just tired ALL the time, but that too could have been from other ailments., t
I had weight loss surgery and when I lost about 20 lbs., the apnea went away.
I hope you find an answer to your pain!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

@happyat76- I know that pain! It sounds as if you have Costochondriitis. An injury could have caused this too. Long ago I stepped off a pier to hop on our boat at low tide and slipped. My husband grabbed my arms and I slammed against the gunnel. You bet I hurt it!! It took several months to heal. Yours could be caused by something else entirely, even an infection. Have you had recent blood work? If not I urge you too.
This site might help a bit. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/costochondritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371175
I hope that your breathing machine will make you happy again!

Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your quick response. I have this pain every single day. It comes and goes and has nothing to do with eating or not eating. I didn't get the machine today as I was supposed to, but will get it next Tuesday and will go to the site you have suggested and tell them about my experience with this fairly new device on the market. I will also check out all the people you have suggested to me to talk to. Thanks again.

You know something funny Merry, I have a relative who is a Dr. of Internal Medicine and he told me a few years ago that it was Costochondritis that he thought I had. I have mentioned this to a lot of Dr's. maybe 5 and they did not concur that it was Costo. They have not given me any answer as to what this pain really is. I will for sure pursue this though and I thank you for mentioning it to me. I will be having blood work done soon. What should the Dr. be looking for in the blood work? I too hope that the breathing machine helps me, but I have my doubts. I think you can understand.

Hi grandmaR,
Thank you for your post. I am so happy to hear that your sleep apnea went away after you lost some weight. I too need to lose 20 or 30 lbs. I am wondering if this would stop this unbelievable pain in my chest. I will talk to my Dr. about this and thanks again.

Hello John,
Thanks for your advice and input on my chest pain. I am glad you like my name. It is what I strive to be every single day of my life. I for sure will check out the sites you have mentioned to me to look at. I hope I find some info there.