Short of Breath

I am brand new here and hope someone can point me to this topic without me having to search thru so many threads! I recently got my machine (used 3 times) and just can't get used to the feeling of not getting enough air. I also am doing my not breathing and gasping thing. Something I should be discussing with the machine people? Thanks in advance for any info given!

You really should register (it's free) and list your machine in your profile. It's hard to help without more info!

What are your pressure settings? What machine/model do you have and do you have a copy of the script from your MD (yours by legal right)?

Too often the doctor tells the DME to just use machine default settings (4-20) thinking that because you have an Apap, it will interrupt or modify apneas at any level, but if they're a fair bit higher than 4 (e.g. 11), the machine cannot 'catch up' to them in time to be erffective, plus 4 is almost impossible to breathe at for most of us and we routinely bump that low setting ourselves to something a bit higher til we feel more comfortable, e.g. 6 or 7.

It could very well be a low minimum pressure setting but we need more information. Register as a member then register your equipment this link will help. wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile If your equipment doesn't show up you can type it into the Edit signature line and it will be here. Also we need to know what your machine settings are.

Ok sorry a little more info. I didn't find my machines on the drop down menus but I did type them in.(I am in Canada) I will get them on signature line also.
I recently (75 days) had a quadruple heart bypass and so am supposed to be using the pressure at 5. It will escalate to 10 but I can put it back to 5 at any time. It also has a heated humidifier. But I am still gasping and not breathing and noticed my sternum area (incision) was extremely sore yesterday. I refuse to go with a chin strap as I am paranoid enough already.

hummerdawn wrote:Ok sorry a little more info. I didn't find my machines on the drop down menus but I did type them in.(I am in Canada) I will get them on signature line also.
I recently (75 days) had a quadruple heart bypass and so am supposed to be using the pressure at 5. It will escalate to 10 but I can put it back to 5 at any time. It also has a heated humidifier. But I am still gasping and not breathing and noticed my sternum area (incision) was extremely sore yesterday. I refuse to go with a chin strap as I am paranoid enough already.

It looks like you have a Respironics 560 or 561. You can take the water out and check the number on the bottom of the blower. With someone that hasn't had a cardiac quad bypass the chest soreness for a few days might be normal. But in your case with "gasping not breathing" you need to talk with your cardiologist and sleep doctor.

Strongly agree to see your doctors first, worry about Cpap later.

Thank you all very much. I will check with the Dr.'s before I go any further.

Another thing - a number of people find they have sore chest muscles when starting out, and that does go away in time, and I imagine in your case it could be worse as you're still healing after all. I think your biggest problem is that (unless it isn't) your low pressure was left at 4 rather than something more useful, and needs to be bumped up just a bit at least.