Shallow daytime breathing..?

[jdr999]

Is it common for people with moderate to severe OSA to also have irregular / shallow daytime breathing?

I tend to take very shallow and irregular breathes during the day.. Occasionally my breathing feels a bit labored which is an odd feeling to describe -- it's just a little off. I think I just plain forgot how to breath properly, and it’s quite frustrating!!

I think it’s part sinus trouble and part laziness..

I’m actually thinking about going back to my pulmonologist and asking if there are any breathing exercises or routines I should be doing to get back on track..

From searching the forums I’ve heard some say that the regularity may come back as a result of xPAP usage.

Anyone here have a similar experience?

Thanks,
Joe

[LSAT]

Seeing your pulmonologist is a good idea. Have you ever had a pulmonary function test?

[jdr999]

Seeing your pulmonologist is a good idea. Have you ever had a pulmonary function test?

I have and did fine. It's not that there's anything wrong, just that my breathing has become lazier over the years - just like I have. Gaining weight, lack of exercise and a stuffy nose probably all played a part in it. My heart looks fine, my lungs look fine yet I've never felt this unhealthy in my life. I need to lose weight and exercise more. I'm sure the OSA is making me feel like crap but I have a feeling I need to improve my daytime breathing as well..

How many here are or were shallow breathers? I can't be the only one can I?

2013 has been one rough year so far

[Stormynights]

I notice myself doing that a lot. It sure feels good when I do take a deep breath though.

[SleepyToo2]

I noticed myself doing it before CPAP. I haven't noticed it for a long time now, however. Whether it was related to the apnea or not I have no idea. It is possible. YMMV.

[KrisasMan]

I ran into this article last week http://www.cracked.com/article_19121_7- ... wrong.html
#5 may explain what you are describing.

[Chilimon]

I have had shallow breathing episodes myself, another thing I used to do is simply stop breathing while I am awake. One time I was in an airplane, we were sitting on the tarmac waiting for take off and I noticed I wasn't breathing (passenger not pilot), it is scary when you're awake.

I never talked to the Dr about it, maybe I should. I have not noticed any episodes since I started CPAP a month ago either.

[jdr999]

Just a followup on a older post of mine if anyone's interested..

To recap pre-xPAP I was a very shallow breather - I'd get winded easily and at night when my reflux would act up I'd feel like I wasn't getting enough oxygen. It wasn't asthma and I wasn't suffocating, just an uncomfortable feeling like my breathing couldn't quite keep up with my body's demand for O2. At times I was fighting a losing battle but wasn't sure why.

Fast forward a few months and I'm now breathing much deeper during the day and don't get winded nearly as much as before. And it seems like I'm breathing deeply through my belly now instead of just my chest (if that makes any sense).

I certainly don't feel like a new person, but I'm breathing better and can now sleep for more than three hours without feeling like I was just hit by a bus.

Live and learn!

[JohnBFisher]

Shallow breathing is often part habit and part being preoccupied by other things. As our attention is diverted we tend to breathe shallowly.

But as you note, a xPAP device can help encourage deeper breathing, which can help us retain greater energy throughout the day. It doesn't always do this. But it is often enough that I'm not surprised that you find you are doing better.

I personally used to get bronchitis two or three times per year. Now it's once every two or three years. In my case, I am pretty certain that xPAP therapy helps keep my sinuses open better than when I was snoring. Additionally, like you the xPAP therapy helps encourage deeper breathing for me. The result is that I am actually healthier with xPAP therapy than without it. And that's just the respiratory health.

Hope you continue to do well!

[avi123]

If I was thinking that my respiration has dwindled I would clip a Pulse Oximeter on my finger and verify that my blood Saturation was OK. I would not be surprised if some of those involved are actually trapped by a phobia's panic attack:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/agorap ... ION=causes

[jdr999]

If I was thinking that my respiration has dwindled I would clip a Pulse Oximeter on my finger and verify that my blood Saturation was OK. I would not be surprised if some of those involved are actually trapped by a phobia's panic attack:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/agorap ... ION=causes

That could be one possibility. But in my case my breathing just became lazy over the years probably due to my poor sinuses, undiscovered severe OSA and lack of regular exercise. It's a viscous cycle!

[oak]

In my experience a panic attack is much more intense than what jdr is talking about. I have had both. I am hoping with more CPAP under my belt, the shallow breathing I experience when lying down (without CPAP) will go by the wayside. Hope yours does too jdr.

[jdr999]

I am hoping with more CPAP under my belt, the shallow breathing I experience when lying down (without CPAP) will go by the wayside. Hope yours does too jdr.

To be honest my breathing is always a bit better while using the machine. So lying down without it isn't as good of course - I don't expect that to change significantly. But my daytime breathing has improved quite a bit due to my CPAP therapy. It did take a few months before I noticed a difference..