Anyone have advice for lung irritation from pressure?

[Marielle3]

Hello CPAP community. I'm newly diagnosed about 6 weeks ago, and am still struggling trying to find something that will work for me. My first sleep study showed 35 episodes an hour during the first 2 hours of sleep, with my blood oxygen dipping to 81% part of the time (I didn't think I had fallen asleep yet, and am usually in a twilight place that seems awake, but probably isn't completely. My doctor told me I had severe OSA and ordered a followup sleep study to use the mask and titrate levels. Then ordered the CPAP for me, so I was excited that this might help and was determined to make it work. Started out with the continual pressure of 12, and couldn't keep a seal on the full face mask, so was struggling all night with it and more exhausted than ever in the morning. Also, the first night I used the mask my lungs became constricted and irritated, and my chest and upper back were sore. After a week of this I asked to try the AFlex with different pressures of 6 to 12, which was better. Also tried the nasal pillow Liberty Mirage mask, but it also leaked some and pressed hard above my upper lip causing throbbing, so went back to the Quatro FX after a few nights. Used the machine every night for 10 days, and the lungs kept getting worse even though I was using my Flovent asthma inhaler. This scares me, so I decided to stop until I could talk with my doctor later this week. I don't normally have a problem with asthma or use my inhaler unless something irritates my lungs, like a bad cold or smoke. I was wondering if anyone else had a similar experience with the air pressure irritating their lungs, and if there is anything that might help with this or prevent it? I don't want to give up, but don't want to ruin my lungs either. I'm hoping to try again once my lungs settle down. Help!

[JohnBFisher]

Greetings! Sorry to hear you are having so much 'fun'. What I do hope is that you can quickly find some resolution. I normally do not recommend stopping therapy, but this is the exception that proves the rule. Do talk with your doctor. Additionally, it is possible that the plastic 'smell' of the new machine is causing your breathing issues. If that is the case, have your DME disable the Auto Off feature and allow the machine to run for several hours for several days. That might help. But DO talk with your doctor.

[Marielle3]

Thanks John for your good advice. Yes, the first night I used the mask I hadn't washed it, so it did have a smell, and that's the night the irritation started. I washed everything thoroughly the next day. I also ran the machine for a few hours to try to "blow out" any smells or dust in it. Forgot to mention too, I had the humidity set on 5 the first few nights. In thinking about what might be the cause I remembered that when I'm having an asthma flare humidity usually makes it worse, so dialed the humidity back to a 2. I'm so hoping this will work so I can finally sleep and feel safe.

[peterg]

this is NOT advice.. bu Im sure you are clever enough to discern
things to consider.

so some research about adding Vicks or Eucalytpus oil (consult, research first) to sooth the lungs (dont just do it because I suggest it, I havent dont this myself - search these forums)

Canabis is said to open up the airwaves, I dont think that can hurt. might even be legal in your state.

reading your situation makes me glad I only have to go to 5cc. its a bit like deeper sea diving and the extra issues you have to cope with.

all the best.

[mayondair]

Marielle3, DO NOT add anything to the distilled water in your humidifier. Sometimes getting used to the pressure just takes a bit, I think your consult with your doc is a good idea . Some people like to use scented oils on a cotton ball placed behind their machine near the air intake, NOT in the humidifier. kathy

[nobody]

This is the absolute worst advice for someone with asthma! Smoking and smelly oils!? NO. To the OP: I had issues with asthma when I first started, but it went away fairly shortly.

this is NOT advice.. bu Im sure you are clever enough to discern
things to consider.

so some research about adding Vicks or Eucalytpus oil (consult, research first) to sooth the lungs (dont just do it because I suggest it, I havent dont this myself - search these forums)

Canabis is said to open up the airwaves, I dont think that can hurt. might even be legal in your state.

reading your situation makes me glad I only have to go to 5cc. its a bit like deeper sea diving and the extra issues you have to cope with.

all the best.

[BlackSpinner]

This is the absolute worst advice for someone with asthma! Smoking and smelly oils!? NO. To the OP: I had issues with asthma when I first started, but it went away fairly shortly.

No it depends on what triggers your asthma. I feel relieved with eucalyptus, lavender on the other hand chokes me (as oil or live plant)- so do most florals.

When my pressure was adjusted up to 9 I felt the same "chest congestion" for the first week, it was actually just my muscles adjusting to breathing out.

The humidity is also a factor. Cold humidity or dry air triggers my asthma, warm clean humidity does not.

Anything you change, keep it there for a few days, to many changes too often will confuse the issue.

[Ineedanap]

I had some muscular pain in my upper chest and back when starting with CPAP. In my case, the muscles werent used to working so hard and were sore. Check with your doctor to confirm why youre having so much discomfort.

[RomeinDNVR]

I had the same issue with pain/heaviness in my chest after starting CPAP. I spoke to my RT and he confirmed it is normal, especially at a higher pressure. Hope you feel better soon. Good luck!

Rome

[avi123]

Hi, I would call my Internist MD for his comment about doing a chest X-Ray, ASAP. You might have a foreign object inside. If there is none and the lungs are OK I would ask the Doc to check my lungs with a Spirometer (at his office) and see if I get that pain when blowing in at, let's say, at 10 to 15 cmH2O. In any case, I would titrate myself to check if the pressure effects on my lungs. I did it my self at the beginning of my CPAPing.

See the results here:

The PSG spressure set- up recommendation was 6 to to 7 cm in CPAP mode.


All in year 2011






Since no effective pressure showed up and no pain, I got an OK from my Sleep MD to raise the pressure up to 15 cm to look for better results.

Presently, I am at pressures of 10 cm min and 15 cm max ( average pressure at 95% is 14.8 cm) but this time with the S9 Autoset, and still looking for any AHI improvements.

[Marielle3]

Thanks everyone for responding. Peterg: I haven't tried the Vicks or Eucalyptus oil, but will check it out and try a sniff or two to see if there is a reaction. Will pass on the canabis, especially in smoking form. Even walking through someone else's secondhand smoke affects me. Mayondair: Thanks for the warning about adding to the humidifier. Nobody: Good to know that the asthma can resolve with time. That gives me hope. BlackSpinner: I especially have a problem with perfumes and chemical smells, but some essential oils seem to be okay. Yes, I think the effort of having to push my exhale out against the incoming air pressure with the first machine was something my chest muscles and lungs were not quite up to. The AFlex machine was much easier as it seems to breathe with me. Also, blowing cold humid air seemed to be a factor, as that's another trigger for me. Wish the humidifier had a setting for warm air on low humidity. I bought a hose sweater to try when I restart therapy, so hope that will help warm the air. Ineedanap: (cute name!) & RomeinDNVR: Good to hear that what I'm experiencing is probably normal. Thanks for your encouragement. AVI123: Sorry, I don't know how to read the charts, but I will ask my doctor to check with the inspirator and if a chest x-ray is indicated.

[mayondair]

Actually , If you want warm air you can change the humidifier to classic mode( check the clinician manual) or check the wiki here for the repti cable hose fix. Clinical manual available at Apnea Board.com. Good luck! kathy

[JohnBFisher]

... I especially have a problem with perfumes and chemical smells ... Also, blowing cold humid air seemed to be a factor, as that's another trigger for me. Wish the humidifier had a setting for warm air on low humidity. I bought a hose sweater to try when I restart therapy ...

I don't have any problems with asthma and even I have problems breathing when there is a strong plastic smell in the air.

Depending on where you live, the hose "sweater" (as you put it) can help keep the air a bit warmer. You might also want to look into a heated hose. Several members here recommend an "Aussie Heated Hose":

http://www.sleepzone.com.au/

Under the "SleepZone Heated CPAP Tube", you will find ordering information. It will help warm the air a bit and eliminate any "rain out" you might have.

Just some suggestions to consider.

[ameriken]

Also, blowing cold humid air seemed to be a factor, as that's another trigger for me. Wish the humidifier had a setting for warm air on low humidity.

We keep the windows open and the house gets pretty cool, which I like. My machine is near a window I keep open. I've noticed on the colder nights, even with the heater on 5, I wake up with the constriction and pain you're referring to. When it's warmer in the summer, I don't have any issues. So while I think the pressure may have something to do with it, I think it's more closely associated with breathing cool or cold air.

[peterg]

another trigger for me. Wish the humidifier had a setting for warm air on low humidity. I bought a hose sweater to try when I

reverse cycle air conditioner should heat and regulate humidity (my evil worse advise mind is saying how to hook up to mask tube. evil evil!) expensive for whole room all night though.