Too much CO2????

Komodo · Post by **Komodo** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 5:36 am

When I wake up, I feel like I've been oxygen deprived all night. Can't catch my breath, and it takes over an hour for me to breathe normally. My EPR is set on "3", would that cause me to re-breathe the CO2 in the mask? I'm using a nasal mask now, would a fullface mask make a difference?

Thank's
John

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:46 am

The mask exhaust vent lets out the C02, even in EPR mode, so I think it is unlikely that C02 is the issue. But, I'm sure some of our more knowledgeable forum members will chime in here as well.

ScottyT · Post by **ScottyT** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:34 am

It may depend on the pressure you're set at. I know my masks say that some rebreathing may occur on lower pressure settings. But I'm at 5cm with 1cm of EPR, and I don't personally notice a problem.

Komodo · Post by **Komodo** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:14 am

ScottyT wrote:It may depend on the pressure you're set at. I know my masks say that some rebreathing may occur on lower pressure settings. But I'm at 5cm with 1cm of EPR, and I don't personally notice a problem.

My pressure is set at 14, if that makes any difference.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:58 am

Thas doesn't sounf familiar to me. You don't mention your age, or other medical conditions - and I'm not sure I understand what happens when you wake up - Do you breathe too fast? Or too shallow? Or both? What do you mean be catching you breath - is that like what you feel when you climb up too many stairs too quickly?
Is this soemthing that appeared only when you started CPAP?

O.

Komodo · Post by **Komodo** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:53 am

ozij wrote:Thas doesn't sounf familiar to me. You don't mention your age, or other medical conditions - and I'm not sure I understand what happens when you wake up - Do you breathe too fast? Or too shallow? Or both? What do you mean be catching you breath - is that like what you feel when you climb up too many stairs too quickly?
Is this soemthing that appeared only when you started CPAP?

O.

To clairify a little, I'm 55, and have COPD & asthma.
When I wake, it feels like I can't get enough air into my lungs, even with a deep breath. Something like an asthma attack, but not quite the same. My rescue inhaler has no effect on it.
Prior to using the CPAP, I never had a problem like this when I woke up.

LoQ · Post by **LoQ** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:22 am

Komodo wrote:When I wake, it feels like I can't get enough air into my lungs, even with a deep breath.

Well I was going to suggest that your SOB might be related to an allergy. This is exactly what happens to me when I mow the yard. I have reactive airway disease (similar to asthma), and if I breath something I'm allergic to, like grass, in large amounts, I develop SOB. A rescue inhaler is too late after the fact to help this. Instead, I have to use it 15 minutes prior to exposure. (Over-use of rescue inhalers makes them less effective. If you have asthma, your doctor should have already told you this, but I just wanted to mention it to make sure you know that regular asthma problems need to be controlled some other way.)

I was going to suggest that you clean your mask, hose, and machine. Could be allergy related. If you are not taping, then I don't see how it could be from too much CO2. In any event, your mask is designed to account for the CO2. I would have a hard time believing your problem is related to CO2. It wouldn't take an hour to recover from that, would it? I've breathed in a paper bag until I feel the effects, and it only takes seconds to recover once the bag is removed.

I suggest you see a doctor. There are many causes of SOB. My best guess is that PAP therapy is triggering an underlying issue. You need a heart and lung check from a real doctor.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:28 am

I have no personal experience with either of those condition, but here's a thought I had:
Could you be responding the difference between the assisted breathing on CPAP, and the sudden need to draw breath on your own?

I was thinking of how I suddenly feel heavy when I climb of a swimming pool after having been supported by water for an hour.

O.

Komodo · Post by **Komodo** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:36 am

LoQ wrote:I suggest you see a doctor. There are many causes of SOB. My best guess is that PAP therapy is triggering an underlying issue. You need a heart and lung check from a real doctor.

I'm in the middle of seeing the doctorS right now. PCP, Cardio, & Pulmonary. Three doctors, three different opinions! I've been poked and prodded, tested, hospitalized, tested again. Everything comes back "normal" more or less, except for the sleep study. since I've been on the CPAP, I am feeling much better in general, it's just this pesky breathing thing that's bothering me.

Komodo · Post by **Komodo** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:40 am

ozij wrote:I have no personal experience with either of those condition, but here's a thought I had:
Could you be responding the difference between the assisted breathing on CPAP, and the sudden need to draw breath on your own?

I was thinking of how I suddenly feel heavy when I climb of a swimming pool after having been supported by water for an hour.

O.

Funny you should mention that, I was thinking the same thing this morning.
In a way, it DOES feel like my lungs get "lazy" overnight, having the CPAP forcing in air, then having to work themselves when I get off the machine.
You might me on to something there!

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