CPAP machine with Asthma and COPD

[fetworkplace@mweb.co.za]

Please can anyone advice me on the following? I have been in hospital for the past 9 days with lung infections, and not one of the 3 specialists called in could advice me on the CPAP machine and how to use it. Some say set on one, the other says no must humidify between 3 and four. Is there a pulmonologist out there who can advice me please. Is it a good thing to be using CPAP machine when you have Asthma and COPD as well as severe sleep apnoea. Should the humidifier be on or off. One specialist says you should NOT use water because this courses bacteria which is very bad for the lung. Please understand my frustration no one can give me the answers I am looking for, and in the meantime I cannot breathe.

[ChicagoGranny]

Is it a good thing to be using CPAP machine when you have Asthma and COPD as well as severe sleep apnoea

Yes, you need to be using CPAP since you have severe sleep apnea.

One specialist says you should NOT use water because this courses bacteria which is very bad for the lung.

Millions of people use CPAP with water in a heated humidifier and do not get lung infections. Of course, use distilled water and keep your tank clean and regularly fill with fresh water.

You need to experiment with the humidifier settings to see what works best for you.

Do you have a sleep doctor advising you?

[kteague]

Were any of the doctors you saw a pulmonologist who specializes in sleep disorders? There may be considerations for those with asthma and COPD that the average CPAP user doesn't have to think twice about. I'm thinking it would be helpful to approach the 3 different diagnoses separately, gaining a working understanding of CPAP use for the asthmatic, CPAP use with COPD, and CPAP use with sleep apnea. I don't know if there are particular warnings for these conditions. Since asthma is reactive airways, I would think you'd find out pretty quickly what works and what doesn't work for you. The one person I know with asthma finds warm moist air from the humidifier helpful to her. Hopefully breathing filtered air will help with that at night. Now, I have another friend who does not have sleep apnea, but she was prescribed CPAP for her COPD. I know she uses it sometimes during the day without any humidity. I've seen other forum members post about having various lung issues. Hopefully they'll see your title and weigh in with their experiences.

[nanwilson]

I have severe asthma and OSA... I have used my cpap machine for over 5 years with absolutely NO problems. I live in a rather dry area so definitely use the humidifier each and every night. I think that using the humidifier is a persons own choice, if you are in a relatively humid city you may not need it, it entirely up to you to do whatever is most comfortable....for you.

[Janknitz]

I have moderately severe asthma, and since starting CPAP 5 years ago I rarely if ever have upper respiratory infections or asthmatic bronchitis (which, BTW, is not caused by pathogens, it is an exacerbation of asthma which MAY (not always) be triggered by an upper respiratory infection). Before CPAP I had 3 to 6 upper respiratory infections and bronchitis per year, including pneumonia.

Keep your CPAP reasonably clean and USE it. You are breathing clean, filtered air all night, that can only help asthma and COPD.

The humidifier setting depends on your comfort level. Too much humidity irritates my sinuses, irritated sinuses can cause inflammation that sets the cascade of symptoms for asthmatic bronchitis in motion. Too little humidity does the same. I adjust my humidity based on how my sinuses respond.

[Sclark08]

I have COPD and have used my humidifier with my machine for 3 years with no problem. I am very careful to wash the hose and I change my distilled water daily and clean my water chamber DAILY!

[OSAHell]

Hi OP,

There is specialized xPAP for COPD but I don't know how severe your COPD has to be to be put on one. Definitely something to take a look at and talk to your COPD Dr and sleep Dr about. But they aren't cheap! I think they are those 2 Respironics AVAPS and Resmed S9 iVAPS.