CPAP is causing Hyperventilation.

[TropicalDiver]

Yes, hyperventilation is probably most often caused by anxiety. That said, and IIRC, hyperventilation has several other causes including excess CO2 as well as hypoxia -- and a number of underlying conditions that can aggravate/trigger it.

The guidance here is simple: consult your doctor. They can best sort through any other possibilities (everything from hyperventilation syndrome to underlying diseases such as diabetes, asthma, COPD (and more). While I very much doubt that PAP therapy is the trigger (other than by potentially increasing anxiety), seeking treatment is the thing to do.

[TropicalDiver]

i have a similar problem , except i don't wake up , I slip into like a coma with SP O2 levels below 60%
I have done studies 3 different doctors to find a solution , but so far nothing The only thing that gets me out of the hyperventilation is somebody waking me up.
I fall asleep ok and can sleep for an hour or so then just start very fast short breaths , and keep going like this until the technician thinks I cant keep going like this and wakes me up.
I had one instance it took 2 technicians to wake me , and they then cancelled any further CPAP for the rest of the night.

Please actively seek treatment -- failure to treat is extremely dangerous. If nothing else, there are alarms that can be used to signal low oxygen levels. But much better would be to try and addresss the root cause.

[ChicagoGranny]

I fall asleep ok and can sleep for an hour or so then just start very fast short breaths , and keep going like this until the technician thinks I cant keep going like this and wakes me up.

Which sleep stage are you in when this happens?

[joeljjk11]

A few things I have noticed for myself regarding this:

1) Make sure your mask is not too tight if you are using a nasal pillow mask, I have noticed my breathing is not right when I have it too tight, also if you use a chin strap make sure it is not too tight as this causes stress and I know it affects my breathing and makes me uncomfortable.
2) Try EPR, it makes breathing more natural. I like EPR of 1 on my machine, it is not comfortable and I feel like I am gasping for air when I do 2 or 3 so I use EPR of 1.

[Ehud75]

Lazz is correct. These machines can cause hyperventilation. I am sure in the beginning it's like you all said... settings...

I've been using mine for years. All the sudden I woke up with those same symptoms.
Usually when I exhale, the machine would slow way down or stop the flow... well it doesn't respond as well to my exhale now.
It keeps blowing close to max air.

I'm sure the sensors inside it are either dirty or not working. Took me a while to figure this out. Now wondering how I'll get sleep until I get a new one.

[ChicagoGranny]

These machines can cause hyperventilation.

Well,

I'm sure the sensors inside it are either dirty or not working.

yeah, a broken machine might cause hyperventilation.

Moral of your story: Use a machine that is in good working order.

[Okie bipap]

Moral of your story: Use a machine that is in good working order.

And have a spare machine.

[detroitmike2]

I did not know about cpaptalk.com I googled "does cpap cause hyperventilation" because I have been having the problem of hyperventilating since I have started to use CPAP. Up popped this post talking about CPAP as a cause of hyperventilation. So regardless of those who would write off the entire idea as some kind of psychological problem, the sheer numbers of people having to deal with hyperventilating as a result of using CPAP certainly means that it is a side effect of time on the machine. In my case, it seems that since the machine sets up a regular rhythm of taking deep breaths in order to keep my throat from closing up just as I fall asleep when I go off the machine, my breathing pattern continues. When you are gulping in air in a steady rhythm over time, this tends to cause the symptoms of hyperventilation. A long time ago I had a couple of panic attacks. I didn't know what they were and it was terrifying. You feel that you have lost control and you are gasping for air...and you can't stop! The only way I found to treat it was to breathe into a paper bag. It was explained to me at the time that breathing in excessively causes a surplus of oxygen and low levels of carbon dioxide. By breathing into the paper bag you are filling it with carbon dioxide and then breathing it back in, thus bringing up your carbon dioxide levels and reducing the oxygen surplus. Other people have told me that this is junk science. All I know is that the paper bag has saved me more than once and just in the last few days I have had to resort to the paper bag technique in order to slow down my breathing after time on the CPAP machine. I have also read that something like 65% of people will never be able to get used to the cpap machine. This is a sad statistic since CPAP was held out to me as a wonderful solution to sleep apnea. I don't have the answers but I know hyperventilation when I get it. I will keep trying to use the machine but I feel like I have a long way to go before I can be a regular CPAP user.

[ChicagoGranny]

The only way I found to treat it was to breathe into a paper bag.

Yes, this is a common treatment for hyperventilation.

In my case, it seems that since the machine sets up a regular rhythm of taking deep breaths in order to keep my throat from closing up just as I fall asleep when I go off the machine, my breathing pattern continues.

CPAP does not determine the rhythm. The user determines the rhythm. CPAP only responds to maintain a pressure. When the user begins to inhale, CPAP increases the fan speed to maintain the prescribed pressure. When the user stops inhaling, CPAP lowers the fan speed so that the pressure doesn't go above the prescribed pressure. When the user starts to exhale, CPAP will lower the fan speed again.

Before the user falls asleep, he might be anxious about the process. He might be actively trying to control his breathing rhythm. Once the user falls asleep, his autonomic nervous system takes control of breathing. The user will breathe gently and rhythmically. CPAP is only following the breaths and is not controlling inhalation or exhalation. CPAP is only providing a pressure to splint the airway open.

[chunkyfrog]

Maybe a panic disorder?

[palerider]

So regardless of those who would write off the entire idea as some kind of psychological problem, the sheer numbers of people having to deal with hyperventilating as a result of using CPAP certainly means that it is a side effect of time on the machine.

Ah, yes, another idiot who knows nothing but still comes here to tell us that we're all wrong on their first post. Lovely.

In my case, it seems that since the machine sets up a regular rhythm

Mistake the first. Or is it second? third? I've lost count.

When you are gulping in air in a steady rhythm over time

*I* don't gulp air in a 'steady rhythm over time'. unless you're referring to 'breathing' but I don't typically think of that as 'gulping".

A long time ago I had a couple of panic attacks.

We really don't care. A long time ago I lived up north, even longer ago I remember floating in an inner tube when I heard that Elvis had died... see? nobody cares.

You feel that you have lost control and you are gasping for air...and you can't stop!

Stop telling me what I feel and what I can and can't do.

The only way I found to treat it was to breathe into a paper bag.

perhaps you should go do that now, get grocery bag, put it over your head, leave it there.

a lot more crap I can't be bothered to respond to.

YOU might get the feeling that I'm mocking you in an effort to keep you from posting such claptrap in the future.
YOU might be right about that.

[ChicagoGranny]

YOU might get the feeling

[richard_of_kazoo]

I'm new to using a APAP (Automatic CPAP). Had it for just about 6 weeks. Here are issues that I have had

- Hyperventilation - both with fast heart rate, and / or excessive sweating. Was about once a week, past two weeks has been three times during each week. I've also noticed that when just breathing in bed, the anti-aphyation kicks when we exhaling. This is leading to shallower and shallower breaths. Never had before starting the CPAP.

- I'm sleeping really HOT. I am sleeping with only my summer PJ bottoms, and a sheet. I still feel really warm. My wife can't believe how much heat I give off.

- excessive gas. I'm now getting up at 4am and doing lots of farts, and a little poop. Same thing when I get up in the morning. Also while in the show I burp/belch a lot.

- Drooling. I used the humidifier one time on the first night, for about an hour, thought I was drowning. When I get up during the night, I have condensation or drooling from the bottom corner of my mask.

- I get a slight headache, but that goes away by the time I get out of the shower.

- I also now fall asleep really easy at the wrong times. Since starting this have fallen a sleep at a movie theater (1 out of 3 shows/visits), in the doctor's office, Also had to take two 15 minutes naps when driving for 4 hours in the morning (7:30am-11:30am). Last night I slept on the couch, sitting up, from 8pm until 4am. Last Saturday, I slept on the couch sitting up from 4:30pm until my wife woke me at 11:30pm.

I've talked to my primary doctor, who said that I have to talk to my Sleep Doctor. I've emailed her, she says that I need to get a higher pressure. I'm currently at the lowest setting. Lookin at this forum, it appears that I lower presure. I'm the APAP becuase of High blood pressure, using the home test had 13 incidents. (was tested 10 years ago, in office test, had one incident, and they recommend against the CPAP at that time).

[Pugsy]

Zombie thread alert folks.
Be careful who you are replying to.

[Pugsy]

May I suggest that you start your own thread/topic instead of piggybacking on this old thread.

I'm new to using a APAP (Automatic CPAP). Had it for just about 6 weeks. Here are issues that I have had

- Hyperventilation - both with fast heart rate, and / or excessive sweating. Was about once a week, past two weeks has been three times during each week. I've also noticed that when just breathing in bed, the anti-aphyation kicks when we exhaling. This is leading to shallower and shallower breaths. Never had before starting the CPAP.

- I'm sleeping really HOT. I am sleeping with only my summer PJ bottoms, and a sheet. I still feel really warm. My wife can't believe how much heat I give off.

- excessive gas. I'm now getting up at 4am and doing lots of farts, and a little poop. Same thing when I get up in the morning. Also while in the show I burp/belch a lot.

- Drooling. I used the humidifier one time on the first night, for about an hour, thought I was drowning. When I get up during the night, I have condensation or drooling from the bottom corner of my mask.

- I get a slight headache, but that goes away by the time I get out of the shower.

- I also now fall asleep really easy at the wrong times. Since starting this have fallen a sleep at a movie theater (1 out of 3 shows/visits), in the doctor's office, Also had to take two 15 minutes naps when driving for 4 hours in the morning (7:30am-11:30am). Last night I slept on the couch, sitting up, from 8pm until 4am. Last Saturday, I slept on the couch sitting up from 4:30pm until my wife woke me at 11:30pm.

I've talked to my primary doctor, who said that I have to talk to my Sleep Doctor. I've emailed her, she says that I need to get a higher pressure. I'm currently at the lowest setting. Lookin at this forum, it appears that I lower presure. I'm the APAP becuase of High blood pressure, using the home test had 13 incidents. (was tested 10 years ago, in office test, had one incident, and they recommend against the CPAP at that time).