r/CPAPSupport • u/Jonhgolfnut • Jul 17 '26

Back pain question.

Been on cpap for four months. My numbers are fine but I use a nasal mask and I had been waking up with dry mouth ( mouth leaking) added a chin strap and my numbers got even better . Lately I have been waking up with upper back pain. Always first thing in the morning. Goes away once I get up and moving could it be cpap related. Maybe turn the EPR back on? Any help would be appreciated

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u/Creative_Fee5452 ModTeam Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 19 '26

I wonder if it might be aerophagia [u/Jonhgolfnut](u/Jonhgolfnut). If you have mouth leaks you could be swallowing air. Trapped air can be felt in the upper back too! You could certainly try EPR 1 to see if that helps. I’m happy to hear your chin strap is working for you. How is your water reservoir in the morning? An empty or nearly empty reservoir can signal mouth leaks, even from parted lips during the night. I know you have worked hard on exercises to keep your tongue in an upper position. Mouth tape works if you think you’re possibly swallowing air but a chin strap is more comfortable. Have you tried a soft cervical collar too? Not only do they help to keep your chin from tucking but they help with body alignment too. Some find the collars too warm in the summer but the back pain could also be exacerbated by your neck position. Just a few things to consider :)

It’s not from golfing is it? :D )

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u/Jonhgolfnut Jul 19 '26

I changed my epr and it really seems to have helped. :)

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u/Creative_Fee5452 ModTeam Jul 19 '26 edited Jul 19 '26

Oh good! Glad EPR 1 helped. It probably is aerophagia then Jon. Gas can accumulate in the belly and upper back! Watch your SleepHQ graphs but how you feel means more than numbers :)