New to CPAP - Breathing during day feels strange...

cpapme2 · Post by **cpapme2** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 10:54 pm

Last night was my first night w/CPAP. I was able to go five hours - but by 3am I had to stop. I felt like I wasn't sleeping and I had to get up at 6am for work.

Anyway - One question I have is about breathing. All day today I've been SO aware of each breath I take. I feel like I'm breathing differently somehow. It's a bit disconcerting. Is this normal?

Bregory · Post by **Bregory** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:43 pm

I don't know if its normal but its what happened to me. I think it will just go away as you adjust.

Elle · Post by **Elle** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:45 pm

I've noticed that too. It's as if my brain forgets how to do it now since the machine has been promting me for a few months. I feel like it is harder to get a deep breath. Not sure what that is from but will stay with it b/c i do have more energy. good luck with it and keep checking back here. The knowledge of these message board people is amazing.

air · Post by **air** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:52 pm

I am new to cpap too. (see below)
I did have that feeling for the first 2 days but then it went away.
Actually it didn't last all day, just a few hours after i was getting off bed. Then i was forgetting about my breathing ( maybe too much work )

I also think that being so aware of my breathing was one of the reasons i couldn't fall asleep at first.

Now i am left with other problems (that dent go away so easily), like mask leaks after a few hours of sleep (probably when im changing sleep positions).

So if your problem is like mine, it will go away in a day or 2.
Lets also hope you will have no other issues after getting into deep sleep with your cpap (like mask leaks or mouth breathing) and so you will get great sleep real fast

What is your pressure?

pedroski · Post by **pedroski** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 2:27 am

I feel like I'm breathing differently somehow. It's a bit disconcerting. Is this normal?

I think our bodies are creatures of habit and we get used to whatever we are doing whether it is right or not. Since using cpap I love the rush of pressure when the machine kicks in and look forward to it. I don't have any problems when I'm awake, but trying to have a nap without the mask is another question. I feel like I'm starving for air. I now nap with the mask on if I'm at home.

Yesterday I was at the airport picking my wife up and I tried to have a nap in the car while I was waiting. I could NOT go to sleep, because of the starving for air feeling.

Peter

shippy · Post by **shippy** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 4:02 am

Quote:
Anyway - One question I have is about breathing. All day today I've been SO aware of each breath I take. I feel like I'm breathing differently somehow.

I have been on cpap therapy for about 45 day's now. I too experienced an awareness during the day of breathing. It feels like my lung's have more capacity (hold more air) now, like they work better or something. Sort of like being in the mountains and breathing that fresh air (without the pine scent ha! ha!) I can also tell you that your lungs or chest may burn or hurt for the first few day's, which if you read the other posts on this forum is a normal body reaction to the lung's getting used to it all. This feeling will go away in a few day's. Stick around here click on the light bulb a wealth of info is there for newbie's like us.

Dale

cpapme2 · Post by **cpapme2** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 8:09 am

It's good to know that so many others experienced that seem feeling. It was like one of you described - I was filling my lungs better than I was used to. And I like the analogy about the mountain air. But also - other times I felt like I couldn't get a good rhythm going - like I was breathing too fast or hyperventilating - and then too slow - like my body was saying "breathe, breathe"! All the time I was so aware of each breath.

Last night was night #2 on CPAP and I did much better. I slept all night with the mask on - 8 hourse. I woke a few times but went right back to sleep. I feel pretty good this morning. I'll see how aware I am of my breathing today.

Oh yes - my machine is set at 9cm.

Thanks to all of you for responding.

WifeIsHappyNow · Post by **WifeIsHappyNow** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 8:42 am

I haven't experienced this feeling that you describe, but I do have a question out of curiosity.

blarg started a thread awhile ago, viewtopic.php?t=16336&start=0&postdays= ... highlight= about whether or not people who have played wind instruments have an easier time adjusting to CPAP. I wonder if this feeling ya'll have experienced is related to this.

So, for those who have experienced this feeling, have you ever played any type of wind instruments or anything like that before? Or is this the first activity where you are breathing against pressure?

Just curious...

shippy · Post by **shippy** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:45 pm

So, for those who have experienced this feeling, have you ever played any type of wind instruments or anything like that before? Or is this the first activity where you are breathing against pressure?

Just curious...

I used to play the trumpet many moons ago in grade school, can't remember what happened yesterday much less back then, must be age creeping up on me or the osa messed up my memory lol !

Dale

cpapme2 · Post by **cpapme2** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 6:13 pm

Nope - No wind intstruments for me either.

I have the same breathing issues again today - although they didn't start until this afternoon. I keep sighing and yawning - like I just can't breathe normally. It sometimes seems like I'm trying to get a rhythym going like when I was on the CPAP last night - if that makes sense...

Mask

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Additional Comments: On cpap since 2006-12-18