Wheezing and congestion

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Permalink Reply by constance washburn on March 27, 2012 at 5:34

I have been using a cpap machine regularly for about 6 months and my lungs are now wheezing and I have shortness of breath which I didn't have before. I have been doing yoga regularly for 20 years and have had great breath control and capacity. I now need to take 2 breaths where I used to take one and once I start exercising I start wheezing and coughing up mucus and gasping for air. The only thing I can connect it to is the Cpap machine. I am not sick and have never had lung problems before. I did a pulmonary test and passed it but at the end of it I was wheezing. Any more info on this would be helpful.

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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on March 27, 2012 at 10:38

That is hardly fair!  Let us know if that study ever goes public (or at least into the hands of medics).

I thought TF's analogy was a great one, which I'll be using (so thanks TF).  I'm thinking that smokers or ex heavy smokers might have even more problems.  Is that like the car that as well has hasn't had prolonged use, maybe had dodgy diesel in it to make it even worse?

RockRpsgt said:

Stanford University supposedly did a huge long term Cpap study. The results of which are a cia secret for some reason.

 

Interesting that you compared a car engine to the bio engine of the human form. I completely agree. I put midgrade in my car by the way.

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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on March 27, 2012 at 10:48

Firstly Constance, Welcome and great to have you posting on here  :)

Sorry to hear of your wheezing problems though.  Did the problem start immediately after using CPAP?  The reason I'm asking is because I also want to make sure it's nothing to do with your CPAP filters.  Have you checked them lately?  We sell the Respironics filters on the website, and they recommend the white ultrafine one is replaced every 30 nights and the washable foam one every 6 months (plus washing it in between).  Other manufacturers have similar guidelines.  I've recently been using this Bacterial Filter too, which is designed for people with allergies.  I don't have allergies, but was testing it out like I do for everything we sell, and after comparing a used one with a new one, I have been shocked at how much stuff is getting through past the normal filters!  Hence the fact, I'm using them all the time now.

constance washburn said:

I have been using a cpap machine regularly for about 6 months and my lungs are now wheezing and I have shortness of breath which I didn't have before. I have been doing yoga regularly for 20 years and have had great breath control and capacity. I now need to take 2 breaths where I used to take one and once I start exercising I start wheezing and coughing up mucus and gasping for air. The only thing I can connect it to is the Cpap machine. I am not sick and have never had lung problems before. I did a pulmonary test and passed it but at the end of it I was wheezing. Any more info on this would be helpful.

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Permalink Reply by Tigers Fan on March 27, 2012 at 11:11

Most of what gets past a filter doesn't go through the filter at all - the air and entrained 'muck' takes the line of least resistance and goes around and past the edges of the filter. Depending on the design of the filter seat/bed, many filters are a waste of time. You just gotta pay attention when fitting and ensure that the edges of the filter pad fit snuggly against the hard sides of the air duct. The corners of the pad are, of course, the hardest to get seated.

To be really effective, the pads need to be clamped in place, as in your allergy filter pods, Kath - then there are no edges to be gotten around!

 

What a smoker coughs up when s/he gives up is hard to believe! (I know.) What a smoker giving up and going onto CPAP simultaneously would cough up ..........!!! Not best done together, methinks!

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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on March 27, 2012 at 12:14

Hmm, I'll have to have a check on that, but I've definitely convinced myself to keep using these filters and hoover the bedroom even more :D

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Permalink Reply by Mike reed on March 27, 2012 at 12:44

I have been to see my Asthma Nurse at my local health centre regarding my wheezing and coughing she was very thorough going through all my history and current medications asking if i was using my inhalers correctly then i mentioned i was using a cpap and have done for the past couple of months. She was most interested and advised me to give papworth sleep centre a call and ask about any possible side effects using a cpap while having ahstma.

I phoned papworth and spoke to jackie the cpap specialist who looked after me when i was there in january. I described my condition and straight away she said the most likely cause was the cpap machine she asked if i had a humidifier with my machine to which i replied yes she asked me what number did i have the dial set at and i told her setting 2 as this is what i was advised to put it on by the engineer who i spoke to on set up. To be honest i was never told what the dial was for in the first place.

She told me the cough was related to my lungs drying out and it was also the cause for wheeze and breathlessness. she told me to put it to setting number 4 and see how i get on if no better go to setting 5 and try that. She also mentioned this is a common problem when using a cpap machine whether you are asthmatic or not.

If after all this does not help she said they had a new machine out for asthma patients and my machine would be changed over for one of these. That was 3 days ago and i must say i do feel better but at the same time i am on new medication (Uniphyllin ) for my asthma this tablet relaxes the bronchial tubes allowing me to breath better also ( Carbocisteine ) which thins the mucus in my lungs so i can cough it up more easily. As i started everything at the same time i am not sure if it is the increased setting on my cpap or the medication which is helping me most.

Regards Mike.

 

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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on March 27, 2012 at 23:54

Great to hear they're doing their best to help you Mike.  Let us know how you go on and if you get a new machine.  Did they say which?  I'm guessing at BiPAP or VPAP which are a lot more expensive (especially VPAP).

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