Cpap and Bronchitis/Pneumonia

[oak]

you could try a different nasal pillow mask with the exhaust not going up into the eyes, or put the hose over your head so the exhaust goes down instead of up into your eyes. are you sure the air getting into the eyes is from the exhaust, or is it from mask leaks. you may want to get new pillows. how old are they? also could you post your questions on a new post rather than go back to one that is two years old? you may get better responses. thanks. Oak.

[Mr.clearity]

I have been using the CPAP more than 7 years. I believe I was one of the original advocates for the machine as I got at least ten friends to take a sleep test and get on the machine. They like myself all love the machine so much that we never travel without it and can't sleep without it. So for the record I love my machine. But I have had constant bouts with bronchitis, chronic night coughing and several episodes of walking pneumonia. Up until a year ago I never linked the two until a friend of my wife died from use of his CPAP, which is why I even checked the internet for CPAP related infections. Truth be told CPAPs haven't been around long enough for the medical industry to be sure it doesn't have some negative side effects. So those responding that it "CANT" be your CPAP are either responding from passionate opinion because they blindly love their machine or resmed industry trollers looking to defend their product so that your question of weather the CPAP causes infection doesn't cause a"Forrest fire"resulting in a class action law suit. I'm no doctor, I'm simply a long time CPAP user and now reluctant advocate who has experienced many of the problems you have and who was wondering if I was alone . I decided to google search the words CPAP RELATED LUNG INFECTIONS and found this link. Someone who hasn't experienced any lung related illness pushing so adamantly against your question is suspicious. Why even google search the words if you're not experiencing the problem. It's kinda like Phillip Morris suggesting any smoker experiencing a cough is because they are not inhaling the cigarette deep enough or taking enough smoke breaks. My search is based on instinct. I have nothing to gain financially from friends family or strangers by them discontinuing CPAP use and I have no alternative device to sell. Although I love my rested nights and deep dreams, my instincts tell me that the CPAP may have side effects not being cited and may lead to another negative physical condition . I suggest all real concerned users look up the word GERD. Its a condition where you experience acid reflux while sleeping resulting in you inhaling the stomach contents into your lungs. I believe the CPAP helps you inhale the acids deeper than normal which results the pneumonia/bronchitis. Again I'm not a doctor and it's all opinion but You are not alone.

[Ravi Prakash]

Bronchitis and lungs filled with phlegm are caused by air leaking to the eyes and making them dry. This I discovered during a visit to my eye doctor for a routine eye check up. He discovered the dryness in my eyes and when I told him about my use of cpap machine and my frequent bouts of wheezing, he suggested that I use a combination of anti allergy eye drops and normal eye cleansing solution for a few days. This solved my problem. The allergic reaction from the eyes seem to affect the lungs, somehow.
I now use an eye mask when I sleep as it prevents the leak from drying up my eyes. I have tried many masks and all of them give me eye dryness including the latest Philips wisp which I am currently using. So just get yourself an eye mask, the type you see people use on an aircraft and good bye lung problems with cpap.

[Rustylad]

I have been suffering from a bout of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (also called HSP or hypersensitive vasculitis) since July of 2014. The text books on this condition implicate upper respiratory viral conditions as a suspected cause of this illness. I have been using a ResMed CPAP machine for a few years. I have had regular changes of the components (tube,mask,filters and water chamber) provided by the original vendor. The machine is cleaned on a regular basis.

Prior to coming down with the HSP I was experiencing a continuous bronchial flem each morning after using the machine all night. Does anyone have contacts on persons with doctor verified or other information on upper respiratory conditions linked to CPAP usage?

[Rustylad]

I have been suffering from a bout of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (also called HSP or hypersensitive vasculitis) since July of 2014. The text books on this condition implicate upper respiratory viral conditions as a suspected cause of this illness. I have been using a ResMed CPAP machine for a few years. I have had regular changes of the components (tube,mask,filters and water chamber) provided by the original vendor. The machine is cleaned on a regular basis.

Prior to coming down with the HSP I was experiencing a continuous bronchial flem each morning after using the machine all night. Does anyone have contacts on persons with doctor verified or other information on upper respiratory conditions linked to CPAP usage?

[Wulfman...]

I have been suffering from a bout of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (also called HSP or hypersensitive vasculitis) since July of 2014. The text books on this condition implicate upper respiratory viral conditions as a suspected cause of this illness. I have been using a ResMed CPAP machine for a few years. I have had regular changes of the components (tube,mask,filters and water chamber) provided by the original vendor. The machine is cleaned on a regular basis.

Prior to coming down with the HSP I was experiencing a continuous bronchial flem each morning after using the machine all night. Does anyone have contacts on persons with doctor verified or other information on upper respiratory conditions linked to CPAP usage?

No. You didn't get it from your CPAP machine.


Den

.

[49er]

I have been suffering from a bout of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (also called HSP or hypersensitive vasculitis) since July of 2014. The text books on this condition implicate upper respiratory viral conditions as a suspected cause of this illness. I have been using a ResMed CPAP machine for a few years. I have had regular changes of the components (tube,mask,filters and water chamber) provided by the original vendor. The machine is cleaned on a regular basis.

Prior to coming down with the HSP I was experiencing a continuous bronchial flem each morning after using the machine all night. Does anyone have contacts on persons with doctor verified or other information on upper respiratory conditions linked to CPAP usage?

What does your doctor say about your condition and the relationship to cpap usage?

49er

[49er]

I wanted to also add that I came down with a dreaded cold and dry cough which wasn't a shock to me in light of my sleep issues. I was dreading having to use the machine because previously when I tried using it with a full face mask, I found the experience to be h-ll. Not this time as I felt great relief with the cloth mask and feel much better although not completely recovered. So for me, broken sleep with the machine is definitely better than not using it all when I have a cold.

[pierrekelley5@gmail.com]

I have been using a Cpap machine for 4 months. I use a pressure level of 13 and am using a ResMed Elite machine with a Climate Control and a heated hose with a humidity setting of 81. I use a Swift FX Nasal Mask.
Five weeks ago I started withn an Upper Respiratory illness, tickly throat and blowing my nose. This progressed to Bronchitis and now Pneumonia. My Doctor has prescribed a Z pack and Mucinex. In addition I now have Conjunctivitis. During this period I have gone a few nights without the Cpap, but have to tried to continue with the regime.
I have recently searched online and there appears to be a clear link between Cpap users and repeated bouts of Bronchitis/respiratory illness. Most 'posters' are being told they are not keeping their equipment clean enough and/or are not using Distilled Water. I am doing all of the above and yet I am convinced Cpap is the cause of my current complaints.
I also worry that it is difficult to get an honest point of view, as the Cpap industry brings in millions of dollars for manufacturers and DME companies. I wish a unbiased medical professional would honestly compare the benefits and drawbacks of using Cpap machines so that the patient can make an informed decision.
As for my illness, it seems strange that I have never suffered anything like this in the past and it all seems to much of a coincidence. Does anyone out there share my opinion, or indeed shed any more light as to the cause of my illness ?
Many thanks,
Andy

Hello Andy! I agree with you and believe my CPAP machine has caused me three bouts with acute bronchitis in the last year. My family and I do not have a history of bronchitis and I never had it before I started using the CPAP machine. I only use distilled water and clean or change my nose piece 2:periodically. I occasionally get sore throats but no more headaches as I did before I started using the CPAP machine. I am up at 2:15 this morning (08/17/15) searching the internet to see if anyone else is having the same experience and conclusion that I was starting to arrive at. You nailed my exact experience and thoughts. Thanks for sharing and now I can tell my family, doctor and supervisors at work what I believe is the cause. Thanks again. Let's see if this can be addressed and some type of solution offered.

[SewTired]

This ancient thread has been reactivated several times, but it does have some interesting information. FWIW, a PA at Mayo Clinic suggested that anybody with chronic lung problems after they have started cpap, should to meticulously clean their equipment, but also to add a biofilter (available through cpap.com) and get their machine off the floor. Finally, get treatment for GERD. Many people already have it before starting CPAP and CPAP sometimes aggravates the condition. GERD can cause bronchitis, which leads to pnemonia. They've only known that for 5 or 6 years. You start with GERD, get post nasal drip, coughing and then bronchitis. So, yeah, this isn't the solution for everybody, but if you don't know about it, you can't try it.

[nanwilson]

Do you not find it odd that most of the folks that are blaming their machine for their illness... are unregistered guests . Some will use ANY excuse to not use a cpap machine.


I have asthma and had a rotten bout of bronchitis this past winter... I did not sleep without my machine for one single night. Even if I have a plain old cold, I still use my trusty machine .
Cheers
Nan

[bigross88]

I am going through the exact same thing. I am a new cpap user, I love the cpap, i sleep great no snoring etc. HOWEVER....... there is a major side effect at least for me. I have had bacterial acute codeine that is 100 % brought on and causes it to linger on for 3 months now and that is the cpap machine. This is how I eliminated all other factors that could possibly have caused it besides the cpap.

1. I have never been sick not even the common cold until I started cpap
2. I was never told that the cpap should be sterilized and cleaned daily.
3. I was prescribed codeine cough medicine, a zpack , and it completely healed up, because I stopped using the cpap.
4. I started using a nice clean sterile cpap machine and I got the exact same Bronchitis over again.
5. I repeated the above step #3 again.
6. I do not and did not ever smoke cigarettes.

the conclusion : is i would rather snore and not sleep well at night as long as I can live my life during the day with out an endless cough and shortness of breath.
i finally feel great and no cpap for good

[palerider]

I am going through the exact same thing. I am a new cpap user, I love the cpap, i sleep great no snoring etc. HOWEVER....... there is a major side effect at least for me. I have had bacterial acute codeine that is 100 % brought on and causes it to linger on for 3 months now and that is the cpap machine. This is how I eliminated all other factors that could possibly have caused it besides the cpap.

1. I have never been sick not even the common cold until I started cpap
2. I was never told that the cpap should be sterilized and cleaned daily.
3. I was prescribed codeine cough medicine, a zpack , and it completely healed up, because I stopped using the cpap.
4. I started using a nice clean sterile cpap machine and I got the exact same Bronchitis over again.
5. I repeated the above step #3 again.
6. I do not and did not ever smoke cigarettes.

the conclusion : is i would rather snore and not sleep well at night as long as I can live my life during the day with out an endless cough and shortness of breath.
i finally feel great and no cpap for good

blah blah noise... wait, you caught a narcotic drug from your cpap? where can I get some codeine out of mine???
yeah, a zpack couldn't POSSIBLY cure any kind of respiratory issue.
there's no such thing as a sterile cpap.
blah blah more noise.

[Wulfman...]

I am going through the exact same thing. I am a new cpap user, I love the cpap, i sleep great no snoring etc. HOWEVER....... there is a major side effect at least for me. I have had bacterial acute codeine that is 100 % brought on and causes it to linger on for 3 months now and that is the cpap machine. This is how I eliminated all other factors that could possibly have caused it besides the cpap.

1. I have never been sick not even the common cold until I started cpap
2. I was never told that the cpap should be sterilized and cleaned daily.
3. I was prescribed codeine cough medicine, a zpack , and it completely healed up, because I stopped using the cpap.
4. I started using a nice clean sterile cpap machine and I got the exact same Bronchitis over again.
5. I repeated the above step #3 again.
6. I do not and did not ever smoke cigarettes.

the conclusion : is i would rather snore and not sleep well at night as long as I can live my life during the day with out an endless cough and shortness of breath.
i finally feel great and no cpap for good

Moron!
I'd advise keeping your life insurance paid up. Your survivors may need it.
You psyched yourself into wanting to stop a therapy you needed.

Den

.

[BlackSpinner]

Right. Breathing filtered clean air blowing over (mostly) distilled water is going to cause these issues! It is cleaner then the air you breathe during the day!

Darwin awards to all them!