Heavy feeling in chest

[JeffL]

I saw my doctor today, and completely forgot to ask him about this. I'm approaching my 40th day, and I've noticed a kind of heavy feeling in my chest when I get up in the morning. It's not painful, and fades away during the next hour or so. Is this normal?

[ems]

As I'm sure you know, none of us are doctors (I don't think). If I had a heavy feeling in my chest upon waking up, I'd absolutely check it out with a doctor.

[Perrybucsdad]

Ditto what EMS said. Go get it checked out just to be safe.

[RandyJ]

It is worth checking out, if only to eliminate any cardiac issues.

I experienced the same thing, called dr who sent me to E/R. Had EKG, x-rays, blood work to check cardiac enzymes etc & eventually stress test -- all determined that there was nothing going on that was cardiac in nature.

My personal suspicion is that I had either bruised an intercostal muscle, or that pressure from cpap had somehow aggravated the ribcage muscles. But I can't prove it.

[nanwilson]

Once you have ruled out cardiac problems BY A DOCTOR! Think about this..........you have been shallow breething for a very long time, now since you are on the hose, it is forcing more air into your lungs and its regulating your breathing (longer breaths). While you are asleep and on the hose your lungs are now working as they should........and they are not used to being filled with air nor breathing longer with each breath. But PLEASE see doctor to rule out any complications.

[Slartybartfast]

Heavy feeling in the chest is a common sign of a heart attack. Run that by your Medicine Man without delay.

But what the others have said, I can vouch for. The slight positive pressure your CPAP machine keeps in your airway is multiplied by the total surface area of your trachea, bronchi and lungs. There's a LOT of surface there for the pressure to exert its force on. Consequently your lungs will remain more fully inflated, and they will apply some force to your rib cage and diaphragm. The ribs yield slightly to the pressure and cartilage and muscles get stretched, resulting in a little discomfort until you get used to it.

[JeffL]

Thanks for the advise. I've been up for over an hour, and I just realized that I feel fine this morning... no "heavy" feeling at all. Maybe it was just part of the adaptation process. I'll keep an "eye" on it. I could try the technique that an older running buddy of mine used. If he felt a "funny" sensation in is arm or chest, he'd run as fast as he could, and if nothing happened, he knew he was ok He passed away a couple of years ago, but he was in his 80's and had other problems.

[Julie]

Jeff, I hope you're ok, but cute as that story was, I think you're friend was an idiot...

[nanwilson]

Jeff, I hope you're ok, but cute as that story was, I think you're friend was an idiot...

What Julie said....heart attacks do not present the same with every patient especially females. My first heart attack I had a sharp pain below my left breast, 2nd heart attack, had numness going up my breast bone into my jaw.

[JeffL]

Jeff, I hope you're ok, but cute as that story was, I think you're friend was an idiot...

No argument here. I was very shocked when he told me why he picked up the pace so much.