CPAP causing breathing problems?

[OldCrow]

Has anybody else ended up with breathing problem FROM using CPAP?
I've been struggling with CPAP from day one but using for 5 weeks now. In spite of mask problems, leaks etc 've tried to stay with it but.....
I'm supposed to feel better? Well I really don't at all and one effect seems to be almost stupefaction, similar to strong tranquilisers.
However, the most disturbing has been the effect on my breathing which has even been noted by others. I'm wondering what effect constant blowing hard into ones lungs can have as my chest has been pretty sore for a while now and I'm quite short of breath almost as if I have asthma. Now I've never smoked and I've not had any problems with my breathing until now but it's been bad enough to really affect my energy levels.
Now I'm only too aware of the very dry mouth and throat you get and I'm wondering if somehow my bronchial box has been dried out too; I certainly don't feel well at all at the moment plus the whole CPAP experience has not been particularly pleasant and I'm just not able to go to bed and relax and forget the day. Now I'd high hopes for this therapy and I've given it a good trial but given the way I feel and the fact that I just seem to have had my sleep disturbed in a different way, I'm not sure if this is really for me; benefits have got to outweigh the drawbacks and I feel truly wrecked and stressed out presently

[Poppy56]

Sorry you're having a bad experience. Is the pressure fixed right? Do you have a humidifier? I have one and have never had any dryness. You can get various aromatherapy type stuff that you put near the machine to help you relax.

[ElleCee]

I have had breathing problems since using cpap. I was told I have asthma/copd but have been shocked at how quickly it has come on and how bad it is. I cannot walk more than a few yards without becoming breathless but before OSA was diagnosed I never had anything other than a chest infection which put me in hospital.
I have been given inhalers that don't appear to do any good at all but was told by the respiritory consultant that there is nothing more they can do for me and that there is no point in them seeing me again so they have discharged me.
As a consequence I am on tranquilisers as I am scared silly. At 55 I don't want to die

[Tigers Fan]

A similar thread

Hi OldCrow

Have you seen the thread 'No differencd after three years!' in this section?

All three of you seem to be very firmly blaming CPAP for your troubles and two of three consultants seem to be of little or no use.

My soapbox issue of many consultants not being able to see left or right of their area of specialist knowledge suggests to me you have to be re-referred even if this takes letters to MPs, etc.

But then a sudden 'I wonder if....' because we know ElleCee - against all advice - keeps her machine on the floor. I wonder if the CPAP air you are breathing is not as clean as it might be - dust particles and mites.

How good is the inlet filtration on your machines? Do you have a course and a fine filter and how often do you renew them?

Another 'I wonder if' based on LC topping up her humidifier rather than rinsing and recharging. I wonder if you have some sort of bug colony in your machine air pipes?

I am, as always, coming in as an engineer. Your problem may be obvious to a medic.

My apologies to LC if I am confusing you with someone else re floor and topping-up.

TF

ps Large oops! at least on was Tricia. Sorry LC

[Poppy56]

All three, tigersfan? I wasn't blaming my CPAP for anything - I am a huge fan and it has changed my life immeasurably for the better.

[ElleCee]

Hi TF,
You have got me mixed up with someone else as far as where I keep my machine. It is on my bedside table next to the bed where it has always been. I take the tubing off every morning and hang it up like I am told. Every week I thoroughly clean the whole set up as per the instructions.Evrey day I clean the mask with the wipes I got from Resmed. (I like the smell).
I did top up the humidifier as this is what the doctor told me to do if I was using sterile water. However, after having read the thread, I went to cleaning out the chamber every day and using fresh ice cold water. We don't have a problem with limescale here so using tap water I am assured is fine. It also suits me better because I like the air I breathe to be cold because if it is warm I get panicy if I dont feel like I am getting enough air.

As for blaming cpap for my other ailments?, I don't.
It was because I had a very severe chest infection that I was in hoispital when they diagnosed OSA.
BUT, all my probelms started at the same time, so there COULD be a connection.
I am not a doctor either, but as both are respiratory problems I would have thought that the doctors might have looked into whether there can be a connection rather than dismiss me completely.
I for one am extremely grateful for this website, I would not have persevered without you all.
As for using cpap? Well I do still wake up in the night, about 3 times usually. It used to be 8-10. I am still extremely tired during the day. However, I dont wake up wanting the loo which is a great bonus and proves that something is working, maybe I wake up out of habit. Only time will tell on that one.
LC

[Tigers Fan]

Oops! Both feet as usual!

Sorry, sorry, sorry.

The three I had in mind, Poppy56, were OldCrow and Ellecee from this thread and dial888 from the other. Failed to make that clear, didn't I!

You, LC, said, "I have had breathing problems since using cpap." I mistakenly took that to mean you were associating CPAP with your breathing problems, as dial888 clearly is.

Having unintentionally upset the four of you - apologies, again - I shall bow out of this one.

Adieu

TF

[ElleCee]

No TF, Don't go!
It was a genuine mistake, we can all make them !
Your opinions are valuable in helping others make a decision and your suggestions are great for making those decisions informed ones.

Please don't bow out, there would be no one to talk to if you did
And anyway, I need all the friends I can get right now.

LC

[Poppy56]

Don't go, people who look like Darth Vader need to stick together.

[Tigers Fan]

Oh! I shan't go as in altogether - just from this topic as I seem to be missing the point.

Thank you for the compliments

It wasn't long ago that we discussed in the forum the need of a women only thread. Several women had said they were afraid/not comfortable posting with men.

You ladies have been posting, engaging and dis-agreeing with the men very ably and I am glad it is so. Clearly, you are comfortabe here.

TF

I'm looking forward to Lady Winifred's first post - I hope she does.

[ElleCee]

I know it is totally irrelevant but I was just told that Billy Connolly has OSA as does Willian Shatner.
Nuff said

[Poppy56]

So did someone from Grateful Dead.

[Pitbull]

I was diagnosed on 5th Dec last year and was given my CPAP which has been in use since. I have found it has changed my life for the better and have stuck with it.

I have however also had problems, I had a bit of a chest infection which got worse after starting to use CPAP, this culminated in me nearly having to call an ambulance the day before new years eve when I could not get my breath after changing a wheel on a car. This was subsequently diagnosed as asthma by the doc in January.

I have also had the type 2 diabetes tests which shows I am pre diabetic

Doc has told me to change my lifestyle or have a stroke before I am 55

All in all he has said that losing weight and changing would benefit both the asthma and the apnea and I think things have all caught up with me. I also put it down to the vigillance and perseverence of my doc who checked and tested all sorts, my old doctor would have sent me away with Brufen to sort my cold out.

[OldCrow]

Asthma?

Well, I've never smoked and have never had breathing problems but I reckon the CPAP machine's dryness is affecting my chest to some extent. Only since I've been using it has my chest been sore and breathing a bit laboured. I'm sure the constant blast and dryness must have effect. Still not seeing any efffects of CPAP so obvious that I can say its a huge improvement - still an ordeal and yet to have an extended session of sleep with it. But... I too am overweight with the classic "fat neck" syndrome and that's a good part of the problem so currently on long-term diet regime.

[Tigers Fan]

The experts say ....

........ that sore/achy chest is probably due to your ribs and lungs getting their first workout in an age when you start CPAP - what with being blown up by compressed air.

They also say it should go away after a while - an unspecified while.

TF