Chest pain again!

[Moochetta]

Hi everyone - Well for the second time in a month I awoke with severe chest pain and shortness of breath yesterday. I know from going to the ER about 3 weeks ago (and $6,000 later) that my heart is healthy and fine. This time it not only hurt between my breastbone, but also all the way up to my collarbones. I went ahead and slept with the CPAP last night, but was still in a lot of pain this morning (but a bit better) except that now my ribs hurt. I have now taken a Hydrocodone and the pain is greatly diminished, but I'm also very "loopy". I know the CPAP has to be the cause of this because that's the only other thing that has changed, except having been put on Benicar for blood pressure. On top of all this I can't seem to get my sleep specialist to call me back. I even emailed her... nothing....

I've even taken two high doses of Pepcid Complete thinking maybe that would do something...nothing...

Any ideas, anyone? Yesterday when I woke up it felt like my lungs were bruised.

Thanks.
M

[Hawthorne]

Have you checked out the blood pressure medication? If it is also new, the dose may need adjusting so I would check with the doctor who pescribed that as well as your sleep doctor.

[fullfaun]

May I suggest that you talk to a Chiropractor? I assume that they are more aware of how different things affect your body in different ways.

Also, Could you ask your BP Dr. to call your Sleep Dr.? Here I am assuming again that your Sleep Dr. will call your other dr. back.

Let me know how it goes.

[marshaeb]

Hi, Moochetta.

Sorry to hear about your continuing troubles. I have a hiatal hernia, which is completely under control now and hardly even lets me know it's there. But years ago, when it first began to bother me, I also had severe chest pain. I went to the doctor, had everything checked and learned it was the hiatal hernia, not my heart. I have no medical training, and I'm NOT saying, "That's it!! You have a hiatal hernia!!" Not at all. Just wondering if that might be a possibility. I did see where you took high doses of Pepcid Complete. I don't know if that would lessen the pain of a hiatal hernia or not. Back when mine bothered me -- and we're talking close to 30 years ago -- the ONLY thing that helped was Gaviscon. I liked the pills better than the liquid and I did NOT like whatever they call their extra strength version. But taking a couple of the "regular" ones according to directions -- chew thoroughly (be ready for it to get foamy; odd at first, but more odd if you don't know to expect it .... works well for Halloween costume parties ), followed by a glass of water. It's available most places, not terribly expensive, and in my opinion, worth a try. Just a suggestion. I hope you feel better soon.

Marsha

[Moochetta]

Thanks everyone for your help. Speaking of hiatal hernia, when I had a chest cat-scan about 2 or 3 years ago they told me I had a small hiatal hernia. I didn't know that could cause a lot of pain. I'll definitely check it out. When I had a cat scan a few weeks ago in the emergency room they didn't mention that I had one. I can't get anyone to call me back, and it's so frustrating. I think I just need to get on the ball and get actual copies of all report findings so I can look them over and see if I can figure this out. I can't live with having these "attacks" every few weeks.

M

[Georgio]

Have you verified that your S8 Elite CPAP is set to your titrated pressure?
I used to wake up (a few weeks ago) in the middle of the night with my heart pounding like it wanted to jump out of my chest and made me feel like I would have a heat attack any second. That experience finally motivated me to get serious about therapy. It hasn't happened since. I think that Apnea events can cause panic like attacks and all kinds of associated body chemical reactions. Since CPAP has been prescribed for you I hope it will help. If it were me, I would continue my CPAP and also continue to pursue looking for other possible answers. Check that hiatal hernia first. Good luck, and keep asking questions.

Georgio

[Moochetta]

Do any of you know how I'd check my machine to see if it is set to my titrated pressure? I was told by the sleep doc that it was 9. I seriously feel that the pressure it too much. My lungs always feel ultra expanded during the day. Almost like they have been "stretched" beyond normal.

Thanks,
M

[Georgio]

I don't have this machine, but I copied this from another post. If this doesn't help I would do a post for Help With S8 Elite Menu.

Any they always advise to write down all your current settings before you make changes in case you need to go back.

On the main menu you can input the name of the mask you are using and see how many hours you have in usage. You can also use the EPR or the Ramp settings.
The ramp is only useful if you have very high settings and you can set it to how many minutes you prefer. I don't use it. The EPR settings are Off, 1, 2, or 3.

Just remember if you use the EPR (for expiratory) a setting of 1 will lower your set pressure by at least 1 cm. A setting of 2 will lower your set pressure at least 2cm and a setting of 3 will lower set pressure to about 3 cm. This can be a problem if your set (prescribed) pressure is low to begin with. It is best used with higher set pressures, in my opinion.

If you want to see how many apneas (AI), Hypopneas (HI), or total of AI and HI = AHI, of the four buttons above the start/stop button, hold the left and the right buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds. This will bring you out to the Efficacy Data menu. To the left push "enter"

Now you will see what pressure you are getting, no matter what your set pressure says on the main menu when you turn on your machine. Now press arrow down for Leaks. Arrow down again for AHI (this is total of AI and HI). For AI (apneas) press arrow down again. Repeat pushing arrow down for HI (hypopneas).

You have to check the "Efficacy data before noon as it will disappear at noon." You can check your result every morning, as long as you do it before noon.

If you want the software to get a little more info you need to purchase it along with a card reader and data card. You can do this at cpap.com. If your computer is vista, the software will not be compatible, so you will have to contact Resmed support in Australia to get the software upadate for Vista

[Moochetta]

Thanks so much Georgio. I will do as you suggested. It's now 11:17 a.m. so I have time to do it before noon.

M