Cpap, copd?

[xx11xx]

cpap, copd.

My Dr prescribed cpap, even though I am low risk. After 8 days I could no longer expand my lungs to breathe, oxygen dropped from 98 to 94, 2 days woke up with headache, became lethargic, didn't care if my hair was combed etc. I quit using it after 8 days. That was 3 weeks ago, still have a hard time breathing. At this point I fully believe that thing ruined my lungs. (I am a tad better, but not at all back to normal). The company of the machine says the settings need to be adjusted, really? I am scared to death to try again even if they do adjust it. I will say it did help me sleep through the night. Thank you Chris

[Jensmom]

Hi! I'm sorry you had to go through that. My experience was the same and idc what Dr says. It ended me up in the hospital

[xx11xx in reply to Jensmom]

Me too, couldn't expand my lungs to breathe! What a mess, I am still not feeling good because of that machine.

[xx11xx in reply to Jensmom]

Did you go back on it? I'm not sure what to do, I think I will send it back, scared to death of it. It did so much damage, taking so long to get over.

[Feelingblessed2013]

I have moderate sleep apnea. I also have emphysema (copd), and I have lost both upper lung lobes to lung cancer. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 6 months after my first LC surgery. My breathing gets very shallow and my oxygen level plummets. I started using a cpap machine, but I insisted they set it on auto (it would automatically adjust to my breathing and the incoming air pressure would drop down when I exhaled). It did help me sleep better, and I didn't snore, so hubby was happy. I used it until after my second LC surgery, I started having a hard time exhaling against the incoming air so I stopped using it. Now I am just using supplemental oxygen overnight, I hate it and I kinda miss my cpap.

You should know however, that it takes time to get used to sleeping with the cpap machine. If you do decide to give it another try, insist they set it to automatically adjust to your breathing. That should make it much better for you and much easier on your lungs.

[xx11xx in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

Thank you, I didn't know I could tell them to adjust it to my breathing

[Feelingblessed2013 in reply to xx11xx]

Yes, you can ask (insist) they set the cpap to auto. It will have a high and low setting, but will automatically adjust to your breathing.

[xx11xx in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

thank you again, yes I miss it, it did help me sleep. Went to dr. today, sending me to another dr. that is well versed in cpaps

[Feelingblessed2013 in reply to xx11xx]

Let me know how you make out.

[xx11xx in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

Thank you Katherine. You have been so much help. I am waiting for them to schedule me an appt.

[xx11xx in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

Went to the Dr. today. He is going to try bipap, (sp?) He is much more informed, glad I went to see him. Thank you

[Feelingblessed2013 in reply to xx11xx]

Glad to hear it. Keep in touch, let me know how you are doing.

[xx11xx in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

Thank you

[Jocopd]

First off cpap machines are usually prescribed after a sleep test has been done and during that sleep test it was found the person STOPPED breathing for X amount of times during X amount of minutes. What the cpap machine does it it takes over and pushes air into your lungs so you don't die while your sleeping although most people would wake up before that. And since it is pushing air into your lungs you will sleep better, more rested and stop snoring. Your lung muscles may get sore since they have not expanded that much while sleeping in the past.

Oxygen machines provide you an increase in oxygen if your lungs can no longer do it for you.

The two usually are not related but can be used together. There is a difference in "air" and "oxygen".

Waking up with a headache, being lethargic, having depression etc can be signs of lack of oxygen.

The cpap machine would not cause those symptoms but it may need to be put on a higher level - which would be the adjustment they are talking about.

Do you have copd? At 98% I doubt it unless that is the reading on your oxygen, but I would think if you do then you have been prescribed oxygen at night.

You should be using your night oxygen with the cpap not instead of the cpap. If your not using your oxygen at night then that would be another reason your have those symptoms.

[xx11xx in reply to Jocopd]

I had a sleep test, quit breathing 13 times. I have 4th stage copd, I am on oxygen 24 hours a day.

[Jocopd in reply to xx11xx]

Ok are you using the cpap WITH the oxygen when you sleep? If not that is why your getting headaches etc.

[xx11xx in reply to Jocopd]

yes, on oxygen 24/7

[Jocopd in reply to xx11xx]

What I am trying to find out is if you have hooked your oxygen machine up with your cpap machine at night.

In other words did someone or have you hooked up the adapter (with or without an additional one-way valve) to connect the oxygen supply line with the tubing used by your CPAP device, or even your mask may have a special adapter built into its design?

[xx11xx in reply to Jocopd]

Yes it is hooked up to cpap

[Fleurbaby]

That is almost exactly how things work out for me as well! I haven't been able to use my cpap for a while now, mainly because I have forgotten that it's there. But, I can't use it!