Radiation therapy and CPAP mask

I have used a Full Face Mask for over ten years. I used it before, during and after my radiation, which ended October 2024. No problems whatsoever, especially considering the radiation affected my neck the most and my mask and its straps don't touch that area. So I would not worry about it, but try it out. If it doesn't work, try a nasal mask as others have suggested.

Used a CPAP throughout my treatments without any issues. I used nasal pillows then so that may have helped with any irritation.

Thank you. It’s good for me to hear how I still have a long ways to go in my healing process. I’m glad you’re sleeping better. Hopefully that’s the road I’m heading on as well. I appreciate your response.

Hi @mpearce1959 Sorry it took so long to respond. I have no personal experience with sleep apnea but I understand what is involved.
Three months after radiation (I am assuming radiation) means you are about one-eighth healed from the effects. It generally takes a good two years to fully recover after radiation therapy. After that point you likely will have internal scar tissue forever. These things alone can contribute greatly to sleep breathing difficulties as many of us can attest.
My experience, I slept upright initially, then with head elevated and always on my side for well over a year in order to breathe better at night. Never had a sleep study aside from my wife telling me I am sleeping better now and not choking.

I finished my treatment on my head and neck 3 months ago. I’m doing a sleep study this weekend. I have little doubt that I will be diagnosed with sleep apnea. My question is whether anyone’s inflammation repairs itself to the point where the apnea goes away or is this just another one of those lifelong side effects to radiation on my neck?

Good idea, I now plan on taking it with me. I’m working at doing at least a loose fitting of the nasal pillow straps - using skin tape to position and hold them in place without having the head strap around the back of my head. A barrette in my hair (upper scalp) will help hold them loosely in place, allowing the straps to not rest on the surgical wound

I had radiation a few years back for SCC on the base of my tongue and a few lymph nodes. I used a CPAP throughout treatment. The radiation I received was centered on my neck, below my jawline on both sides as well as the back of my neck - basically to gain access to the tongue. The CPAP straps were above any damaged area from the radiation.

My thoughts are it's important to rest and if the CPAP helps you do that, you need to find a way to make that happen. You could always visit your sleep doctor and see what he or she thinks. Good luck going forward.

Biopsy was thankfully basal cell carcinoma, a rare return in same skin area after Mohs surgery fifteen years ago. I’m leaning toward Mohs surgery instead of radiation - going for an initial consult next week with surgeon. Concern is the scar tissue in that lower side-of-nose area from previous re-construction due to basal cell carcinoma (cartilage from ear was used to re-construct fifteen years ago). My surgeon trained at Mayo Clinic in Mohs and cosmetic facial reconstruction and gets 5 star reviews. I’m anxious right now not knowing what kind of cosmetic result can be expected with previous scar tissue build up. Hard to find anything on the web addressing this return of basal cell carcinoma in same area and what kind of cosmetic issues there might be. Will find out on June 11 during consult. The other issue is whether I need to discontinue CPAP therapy for sleep apnea after surgery, as all CPAP equipment has a head strap that runs across area where there will be a surgical wound. Couldn’t get an answer from my sleep dr - he believes in alternative medicine (I don’t) and simply said, “don’t have surgery”..

@jakefix82, Can you take your CPAP nasal pillow to a your surgeon appoint or consult and see what suggestions they may have? I haven't had that type of surgery but I suspect any kind of nasal mask wouldn't work due to pressure points on the surgical area. You may have to stop using the CPAP for a short time. There is a discussion on this specific topic on the Apnea board that you might want to read through - https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-Mask-s-to-use-after-nasal-surgery.

Can you let us know what you find out?

@jakefix82, I'm tagging @dpost2 and @johnbishop to see if they have any ideas.

Jake, what was the result of the biopsy? will you have MOHs surgery?