PAP = throat and breathing problems. Suggestions?

cvansant · Post by **cvansant** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 3:08 pm

Since adding the hose at night (well over a year ago) I have had continous problems, coughing and trouble with deep breathing. My PCP has run me through various ultrasound, CT, MRI ... looking for possiblilites. Everything (including a treadmill stress test) has come back acceptable for a 66YO. So, I thought I would ask if anyone here has similiar experience and/or a solution.

BTW: Run my pressure with a range of 7-10 and it usually stays at 7-8 throughout the night. I do have a humifier and heated tube in line even though I live in a tropical area with plenty of moisture in the air anyway.

Clif

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 3:17 pm

Clif,

Some quick questions.

> What position on the dial is the HC150 - straight up (12 o'clock) or further to the right.

> Do you have any sinus issues that are well established ?

> Do you have heartburn problems ? - any medication for this if yes ?

DSM

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 3:22 pm

I would ask what kind of water are you putting in that humidifier?

If it is city tap water that could be your problem, distilled only should be used. In a pinch filtered water.

cvansant · Post by **cvansant** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:07 pm

Distilled water only.

HC150 at 2. I originally had it at 2.5 (straight up) but the air was just too warm for comfort. And that was before the Aussie heated hose. BTW: I put a Radio Shack 9V supply on the heated hose rather that the 12V. In my environment, Hawaii mountains, it works better.

Prilosec twice daily for reflux. Pulmonoligist prescribed.

Claritin and Flonase once (AM) daily. PCP prescribed. My nose has been blocked and/or runny most of the time for as long as I can remember. The ENT said, "Yep, deviated septum and narrow passages." That is why I use the UMFF. I am definitely a mouth breather. I have been thinking of trying the Hybrid even though my nares don't point to that type of interface.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:33 pm

Are you using the fine filter as well as the usual?
Cleaning (cleanable) filters frequently (mine need about once a week)?
Changing fine filters (those that can't be cleaned) frequently enough?

O.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:55 pm

Does it feel like your airways are sensitive--and reacting to the stream of air from the XPAP? One clue does it also happen when you breathe very cold air-but living in a tropical area you may not get very cold air.

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 2:06 pm

Hi -

Many people benefit from the humidifier - but have you tried CPAP without it? Your symptoms sound like the symptoms I had when I tried to use my humidiifer. I have asthma, and it almost caused an asthma attack. I couldn't use a humidifier at all. What happens if you go without a humidifier for a couple of nights?

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:28 pm

Have you seen a Pulmonologist? Preferrably one who is a sleep doc.

Maybe one of these in-line cpap bacterial filters might help:

It could be you have an allergy to something in your environment and cpap makes that condition worse by concentrating it with cpap pressure.

People with asthma can have difficulty with cpap pressure.

cvansant · Post by **cvansant** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:43 pm

Whew! As usual the forum members are so-o-o willing to share helpful hints, observations, etc. Thanks guys.

Doctors. I think I have seen them all. PCP, pulmonologist, ENT, thyroid specialist. Even a urologist. Never mind, he was for a separate problem.

Filter cleaning. Wash the foam and change the fine at approximate 6 month intervals. No difference even when fresh. And our environmental air is pretty d@#d clean to start with. 2500+ miles minimum to the next land mass.

It often does feel like I'm taking in very cold air. (Not all my life has been spent in warm climates. One winter in Groton, Conn with the Coast Guard and a December week in St Paul, Minn while with Sperry-Univac.)

Started out without a humidifier. Figured our ambient air had enough moisture in it. Wrong. The dry throat got better when I added the humi. Just not completely.

The pulmonologist started the Prilosec saying the minor scarring in the lungs could be from the back up getting into them.

I have wondered about the environment but it is hard to isolate. I didn't start the PAP until we moved here. The snoring (Ask my wife about that one.), apneas/hypopneas, etc. were probably present for years; but never the kind of breathing/coughing problems I now experience.

And of course it could be just the price of time. Something I will have to live with as chronic.

Clif

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:38 pm

Clif,
Just in case it will help you feel any less "unique," I'll relate my similar experience.

When I was in Spain for four months, I consistently lost my voice. All the time. I could not figure out what on earth was causing it. It made it very hard, since I'm generally a singer - I couldn't do much of that without a voice! I tried using my humidifier, even though I don't here in the states - no help. As soon as I came back to the US - voila - no more problems. So I think where you live can have a big effect - but who knows how or why? Good luck!

--CG

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