Breathing Problems

[spookydoo]

Hey guys,

Just curious if anyone else either experiences this or knows anything about this. I consistently wake up coughing up some fluid from my lungs--not tons, but enough to be irritating. Also my chest feels kind of full. I also have shortness of breath frequently during the day. I did a treadmill test, chest x-ray, lung volume test and more to come. Everything comes up negative. I also have trouble breathing during the day when it's hot or real humid. It sounds like Asthma I know. But the pulmonologist doesn't think I have Asthma. I will do a Methacholine challenge in two weeks. I'm pretty healthy. I either run, play tennis or lift weights 6 days per week. I have also had trouble with a lot of dizziness over the last year, but have found that taking my XPAP off of APAP mode and lowering the pressure helps with the dizziness a lot. I do have GERD and have wondered if the shortness of breath is coming from that--possible aspiration at night. Any thoughts?

[Julie]

This is not something for anyone to guess at online. If you have a pulmonologist and he doesn't even know (yet) what's going on, then you really need to be patient until he does. It COULD be a lot of things, but what one person's experience (or guess) is has no bearing on yours. No, it's not a common side effect of OSA or using Cpap, but other than suggesting you try lowering your humidifier setting for a few days to see what happens, everything else is just speculation.

[Muse-Inc]

...

This may be the easiest thing of all to check: how much water, actual water, do you drink a day? Dehydration thickens mucous making it harder to get rid of (guafenisen helps but you have to drinks lots of water for it to help) and it is one cause of dizziness. It also is one cause of chronic tiredness...not the bone-deep exhaustion we get from apnea.

I suffered off and on from all plus repeated bouts of bronchitis for a yr or so in the mid-80s. I was so frustrated that this was so unpredictable and so resistant to modification. My doc started talking water and I 'fessed up I didn't imbibe preferring other liquids. She immediately 'ordered' me to start drinking at least 64 ozs per day and quit lap swimming until my tiredness & illness stopped. I pee'd all night long for a few wks but the mucous issue and dizziness disappeared for good and it stopped my repeated cycles of allergy->head cold->chest cold->sinus infection->bronchitis. Doc also said that if I could see thru it (herb teas, diluted juices, etc) I could count it as "water."

Easy thing to check & increase; most docs ignore it as a cause of symptoms. Might not be a factor in your situation but it's worth considering.

[Spirit]

As another member shared, many disorders can cause your symptoms. But from my own experiences, I would awaken during the night, coughing with liquid entering my mouth, sometimes sour, sometimes not, I had a mild case of acid reflux. Reflux can also cause shortness of breath & full chest feeling.

[spookydoo]

As another member shared, many disorders can cause your symptoms. But from my own experiences, I would awaken during the night, coughing with liquid entering my mouth, sometimes sour, sometimes not, I had a mild case of acid reflux. Reflux can also cause shortness of breath & full chest feeling.

I do think it's most likely from Reflux. And I know that there is a vicious cycle between Apnea, Reflux, Asthma, Sinus Problems, etc. David Parks M.D. explained it well in his latest book Sleep Interrupted. I also believe there is a huge link between Apnea and Anxiety because of what it does to the body and brain. And THAT alone can cause terrible Reflux. Thanks for the input and of all the others. I think everyone is right so far on this.

[BlackSpinner]

a vicious cycle between Apnea, Reflux, Asthma, Sinus Problems, etc.

Some of that has decreased dramatically for me since I went on cpap. My asthma is now back where it was 15 years ago. I don't have problems with reflux at night anymore. I get up and I don't have to spend 30 minutes coughing and throwing up from it anymore.

The only thing hanging in is the sinus issues. They aren't as bad either anymore but they are more noticable. That mask sits on your face right there. and I am more aware of how I am breathing - or not breathing through my nose.

I now have an appointment with an ENT next month.

[spookydoo]

a vicious cycle between Apnea, Reflux, Asthma, Sinus Problems, etc.

Some of that has decreased dramatically for me since I went on cpap. My asthma is now back where it was 15 years ago. I don't have problems with reflux at night anymore. I get up and I don't have to spend 30 minutes coughing and throwing up from it anymore.

The only thing hanging in is the sinus issues. They aren't as bad either anymore but they are more noticable. That mask sits on your face right there. and I am more aware of how I am breathing - or not breathing through my nose.

I now have an appointment with an ENT next month.

I have LPRD which is a lesser know form of GERD/Reflux. There is no pain. But I do get Globus (lump in throat feeling,) hoarseness, and difficulty breathing. LPRD is when the acid from Reflux goes past the lower esophageal sphincter and then above the upper esophageal sphincter muscle. I wonder how many Sleep Apnea sufferers on this forum do suffer from Reflux and Asthma since they are closely related to Sleep Apnea.