CPAP machine is making me sick and causing me lung problems

[Todzo]

The subject here seemed to move from helping theoregonlife to talking about supposed character flaws in the “OP”. Not at all useful to theoregonlife or anyone else really, and very hard on theoregonlife without cause.

Have a great weekend!

Todzo

Very hard on theoregonlife!

Hope you're having a nice weekend as well.

Alas, armies of boring Zombies in the movies and now gangs of Trolls tearing up people in our CPAP forums. May the Trolls be like chaff before the wind.

This thread, I wonder how little of it is truly sincere.

Working on the weekend,

Todzo

[archangle]

come back here if you want to live.

I find this comment almost comical, you people are so stuck on the fact that a cpap is the only option available, that your forget that it's not. Do you know pal that that cpap put me in the ER? Do you have any idea the problems it has caused me? You are being one sided and biased towards what you think is the only thing people can do for OSA. The ER dr and my pulmolnologist both have now said CPAP is not now nor will ever be an option for me.. Nothing frustrates me more then people who refuse to admit that there is more then one way to treat something. Good grief check your facts and know what you are talking about before damning me....

I hope your alternative treatments work well. That's true if it's a "medically accepted," but less effective treatment like oral devices, surgery, or weight loss. It's even true if you try "quackery" like acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, prayer, or faith healing.

If your alternative treatments, work, come back and tell us of your success. If you can't find any treatment that works, including CPAP, let us know that, too.

If your other treatment options don't work, you're welcome back here if you decide to try again to make CPAP work.

[theoregonlife]

Nope... anyone want to bet it's not SWA?

Me. SWA was willing to try just about anything including squirting peroxide up their nose. This one doesn't want to try anything, they came to get their experience and choice validated and got upset when we suggested things to try.

I owe you an apology for my choice of words, and i want you to know that i did try just about everything that was suggested, you just have to understand that because my immune system is so suppressed this type of treatment is not feasible. I thank you for your help and time and lets please just put this behind us and move forward in a positive manner.

[zoocrewphoto]

I owe you an apology for my choice of words, and i want you to know that i did try just about everything that was suggested, you just have to understand that because my immune system is so suppressed this type of treatment is not feasible. I thank you for your help and time and lets please just put this behind us and move forward in a positive manner.

Have you tried a mask with pillows so that you don't have pressure on your nose?

[poppi2]

take a look at the side effects
http://www.cpap-machine-reviews.com/cpa ... e-care-of/

I liked this comment:

Finally, of all CPAP side effects dry mouth is one of the problems rarely encountered by sleep apnea sufferers. This could be due to breathing from mouth. The air that flows through absorbs some of the moisture in the mouth and could bring about dry mouth. However, this is not a problem encountered very often. In case you are using a mask that allows you only breathe through mouth, using a full face mask will be a good remedy for this. Most of the CPAP side effects are not difficult to overcome.

Well, I must be a very rare bird. A full face mask didn't cure my dry mouth. Every night is a new adventure. This treatment has been difficult and frustrating for me. Earl

ps, The bolding & underlining are my doings.

[robysue]

take a look at the side effects
http://www.cpap-machine-reviews.com/cpa ... e-care-of/

I liked this comment:

Finally, of all CPAP side effects dry mouth is one of the problems rarely encountered by sleep apnea sufferers. This could be due to breathing from mouth. The air that flows through absorbs some of the moisture in the mouth and could bring about dry mouth. However, this is not a problem encountered very often. In case you are using a mask that allows you only breathe through mouth, using a full face mask will be a good remedy for this. Most of the CPAP side effects are not difficult to overcome.

Well, I must be a very rare bird. A full face mask didn't cure my dry mouth. Every night is a new adventure. This treatment has been difficult and frustrating for me. Earl
11
ps, The bolding & underlining are my doings.

http://www.cpap-machine-reviews.com/cpa ... e-care-of/ is indeed a strange site. The writing style seems to indicate the author is a non-native English speaker and some of the information is just plain wrong for the US: For example, consider this comment on http://www.cpap-machine-reviews.com/cpa ... e-machine/

When it comes to CPAP machines no prescription is necessary to buy some of them.

And while the CPAP Machine Comparison the Best Way to Buy the Most Suitable Machine speaks of 12 volt, 110 volt, and 220 volt machines and humidifiers, it never mentions the words "efficacy data". The site also has an "interesting" page on the difference between BiPAP and CPAP, which includes this tidbit:

Pressure is measured by water column in centimeters. A BiPAP machine uses two pressures. When the patient inhales it delivers air at a pressure of around 30 cm of water while at exhalation it delivers close to 20 cm. In contrast, a CPAP machine delivers air at a constant pressure of between 4 and 20 cm of water column. (emphasis added)

And while I know that it is possible to set some bilevels to 30/20, I'd hate to think of what a BiPAP set to 30/20 would feel like to most of us BiPAP users. And APAPs are not mentioned at all on this site.

And then there is this curiosity: The pages carry a 2012 copyright (which should indicate they were recently written and posted), but on the page under the [url=http://www.cpap-machine-reviews.com/use ... eep-apnea/]CPAP Settings tab, the only specific machine it talks about is the M-series Plus; the site tells you how to adjust an M-series Plus machine with these instructions:

Start the machine by pressing the start/stop button. Then press Set up + button and hold until you see patient set up menu. Now you will be able to adjust the C-flex settings in order to adjust the pressure. By pressing left and right arrows you will be able to find the C-flex menu and adjust the pressure. (emphasis added.)

Who would have thunk it? You adjust the pressure setting by adjusting the Flex??? Misleading information about a brick that was discontinued three years ago???

[Eton]

I am not a doctor, but Flonase can depress your immune system....causing viruses and bacteria to get a stronghold. I would check with a doctor about decreasing the Flonase...or eliminating it.....

[CPAPIndy]

At the risk of being bombarded with posts telling me I am a fool for doing so, I just bought a "used" ResMed S8 CPAP while traveling (long story, but I needed a machine where I was and could not afford a new unit.) I checked it out, seller seemed nice, it all seemed fine. The hose was old too, but I used a brand new, still sealed in the bag, Respironics ComfortGel nasal mask. The machine worked well, but it had a feint smell like a musty basement, like it had been sitting in a garage or a basement for a while. I was tired, needed a good night's sleep, so I went to bed and fell fast asleep wearing it.

I woke up at 6:00AM feeling completely rested -- but I had a runny nose. Running clear, like water, and literally dripping like water. The runny nose stayed with me all day. Watery itchy eyes, sneezing. I have been blowing/wiping my runny nose all day. Here's the odd thing: I had been taking an antibiotic for a sinus infection for the past 6 days. Every symptom of the sinus infection had cleared two days ago. But even though I have a solid course of Cefdinir (Ceclor) running through my body, this musty old CPAP machine did something to me. I have been using CPAP for 8 months without a single incident. I've used several different machines, too, and never had a runny nose or anything of the sort. It was a miracle cure for me. But this musty old S8 caused some kind of a bad reaction. I think there could be an issue with mold deep within a machine or the hose or the water tank... Something caused this allergic reaction. It was not CPAP alone. I think it was mold.

[archangle]

Did you put a new filter in it? Try to look into the air inlet and outlet to see if you can see anything in it.

Clean the water tank as thoroughly as you can. Unfortunately, a lot of the S8 water tanks are really difficult to clean well. They are considered a consumable item, so you may need to get a new one. Look on cpap.com and get the conversion kit that lets you use the H4i cleanable tank if you have the older H3i style tank. You could also use the machine without the humidifier as a trial.

I'd probably boil a big pot of water on the stove, turn off the heat, wait about a minute, and put the whole water tank into the water and take it in and out a few times and swish it around for a while to get hot water inside, then let it sit for half an hour as the water cooled. The tank might get ruined, but I'd risk that and replace it if it is damaged. Be sure it doesn't leak before you put it back into the machine. (This is NOT the manufacturer approved process.)

Turn the CPAP on and let it blow for a long time. Maybe all day.

That is, assuming you decide to use it again.

[jeanne p]

Make sure the machine is below your mattress level...if not then stuff comes back into you nose. I used to get infections but, I then moved the machine to a very low table beside my bed. No more problems. As always ....check with your doctor.

[SamsaraOne]

Oh my gosh, y'all. I totally relate to the person who started this conversation. My lungs hurt. I'm so tired. But I have been doing this since 2009--this time. Like that person I also have other problems that have made this process extremely difficult. I am extremely compliant. I'm just in a constant state of not knowing what issue is causing which problem. This year I was having horrible anxiety and thought that I had gotten depressed, pulled back on my normal activities, got 20 hrs sleep 2 days in a row--mostly without the machine, on the couch--and felt better for the first time on ages.

But I am back to using the stupid thing and feel horrible! Lungs hurt. Bad enough to *seek out* an online forum. Ha ha My power was off for 2 days so no CPAP and I felt good. Back to machine last night and I feel like total ca. I now know I am not depressed--this thing makes me feel bad!

I read the entire conversation and finally hit on something. I always disregarded keeping the machine that low because it will be very, very hard to do where I sleep. Maybe I'll try it.

One of the worst problems I have is *NO* support! My nurse is supportive but we have never really tried to untangled this. I finally realized I need to be seen at the sleep clinic and went by to make an appointment but they can't get me in til Nov. 3. I mean you see 6 specialists you'd think I'd have more info, not less. Then there's the internet... lol. I just can't hack the worst of it. But I went to the length of reading all 8 pages..

I'm so tired I don't think I can even go to sleep. Yeah, yeah, I keep crappy hours...

Thanks--

[zoocrewphoto]

Oh my gosh, y'all. I totally relate to the person who started this conversation. My lungs hurt. I'm so tired. But I have been doing this since 2009--this time. Like that person I also have other problems that have made this process extremely difficult. I am extremely compliant. I'm just in a constant state of not knowing what issue is causing which problem. This year I was having horrible anxiety and thought that I had gotten depressed, pulled back on my normal activities, got 20 hrs sleep 2 days in a row--mostly without the machine, on the couch--and felt better for the first time on ages.

But I am back to using the stupid thing and feel horrible! Lungs hurt. Bad enough to *seek out* an online forum. Ha ha My power was off for 2 days so no CPAP and I felt good. Back to machine last night and I feel like total ca. I now know I am not depressed--this thing makes me feel bad!

I read the entire conversation and finally hit on something. I always disregarded keeping the machine that low because it will be very, very hard to do where I sleep. Maybe I'll try it.

One of the worst problems I have is *NO* support! My nurse is supportive but we have never really tried to untangled this. I finally realized I need to be seen at the sleep clinic and went by to make an appointment but they can't get me in til Nov. 3. I mean you see 6 specialists you'd think I'd have more info, not less. Then there's the internet... lol. I just can't hack the worst of it. But I went to the length of reading all 8 pages..

I'm so tired I don't think I can even go to sleep. Yeah, yeah, I keep crappy hours...

Thanks--

I recommend you start a new thread with your question since many people may skip an old thread like this. Add your machine info into your profile, and let us know what your settings are. A lot of doctors and DMEs (equipment providers) don't really look review the data (if the machine has it) to see if the settings are actually successfully treating the person. If your machine had data, you can post it, and people here can help you make adjustments to help you sleep better and feel better.

[chunkyfrog]

You can join anonymously, and then you can fill in your equipment. Hopefully, your machine gives feedback.
Feedback is everything. You would never drive your car with the sun shade blocking the windshield.

[Goofproof]

You can join anonymously, and then you can fill in your equipment. Hopefully, your machine gives feedback.
Feedback is everything. You would never drive your car with the sun shade blocking the windshield.

I'm sure some here do! Jim

[nobody]

It's the mask. Get rid of it and get something entirely different. I had that mask at one point and it smelled like mold! I bought it brand new too, still sealed in the manufacturer's package. It's just the way that gel stuff smells. I couldn't tolerate it. I mean, maybe it's the machine yeah, but I'd bet it's that nasty smelling mask!

At the risk of being bombarded with posts telling me I am a fool for doing so, I just bought a "used" ResMed S8 CPAP while traveling (long story, but I needed a machine where I was and could not afford a new unit.) I checked it out, seller seemed nice, it all seemed fine. The hose was old too, but I used a brand new, still sealed in the bag, Respironics ComfortGel nasal mask. The machine worked well, but it had a feint smell like a musty basement, like it had been sitting in a garage or a basement for a while. I was tired, needed a good night's sleep, so I went to bed and fell fast asleep wearing it.

I woke up at 6:00AM feeling completely rested -- but I had a runny nose. Running clear, like water, and literally dripping like water. The runny nose stayed with me all day. Watery itchy eyes, sneezing. I have been blowing/wiping my runny nose all day. Here's the odd thing: I had been taking an antibiotic for a sinus infection for the past 6 days. Every symptom of the sinus infection had cleared two days ago. But even though I have a solid course of Cefdinir (Ceclor) running through my body, this musty old CPAP machine did something to me. I have been using CPAP for 8 months without a single incident. I've used several different machines, too, and never had a runny nose or anything of the sort. It was a miracle cure for me. But this musty old S8 caused some kind of a bad reaction. I think there could be an issue with mold deep within a machine or the hose or the water tank... Something caused this allergic reaction. It was not CPAP alone. I think it was mold.