Continuing the discussion from Welcome to Sleep Care Community! 
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I am new to a CPAP machine. I have Very Severe OSA and am persevering with the process. I am waking up with headaches and today feel dizzy and lightheaded. Could this be due to my body adjusting to more oxygenated blood in my system. And will it adjust and the side effect go away?
Thanks for the help!
Hi! Thanks for sharing your experience — starting CPAP can definitely feel like a big adjustment, especially with very severe OSA. First off, it’s great that you’re sticking with the process, even though it’s not easy right now.
Headaches and feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness can happen for a few different reasons when starting CPAP. Sometimes it’s related to your body adjusting to more stable breathing during sleep. For some people, this improves after a short adjustment period. But headaches can also be caused by things like mask fit, pressure settings, sinus issues, or even dehydration.
A few things you might try or check:
Adjust your mask while lying down, since the fit can feel different in sleeping position than when upright.
Some masks come with fit packs so you can try different cushion sizes — worth checking if yours has that option.
If you’re noticing skin irritation, a water-based lubricant (like aloe gel or lanolin cream) around the mask seal can sometimes help.
Remember: CPAP doesn’t deliver oxygen — it delivers pressurized room air to keep your airway open so you can breathe better.
Talk with your DME provider about your settings if symptoms continue — sometimes pressures that are too high (or too low) can cause headaches or dizziness.
Explore the comfort features on your machine, such as ramp (gradually increasing pressure), EPR/flex (pressure relief when exhaling), or humidification, which can all make therapy easier.
Stay hydrated, since dry air can contribute to morning headaches.
Most importantly, you’re not alone in this. Many people go through a period of trial and error before CPAP feels natural. The side effects often improve once your equipment is adjusted properly and your body adapts.
Hang in there — you’re doing something really important for your health, and it will get easier with time and support 
Hello T Lee,
Sorry for replying until now. After 45 days or so, I complain about side effects I had. The vendor had set up the machine in “Auto” function; the doctor put in level 7 - the prescribed level- it was totally different. In my case I had Obstructive Sleep Apnea and I do not see a higher number of hours of sleep. Please, pay a lot of attention how you feel and report any changes to your doctor.
Good luck,
Thank you all for the information, it definitely helps. After the first week the dizziness and headaches have gotten better. I am struggling with the mask and the seal. So, I am trying another one to see if things improve. My pressure has been set at 14 and I think it may be a bit too high for me. But, I will follow up on this.
Thanks again!
Hi! Thanks so much for your feedback. You’re so welcome! 
It’s great to hear the dizziness and headaches are improving. If your pressure feels a bit high, you might consider a full-face mask or a hybrid model to help reduce irritation and improve the seal. Keep us updated—we’re cheering you on!