Asthma worsening since beginning CPAP

[SleepyWendy]

I have been using my Cpap for just about 2 months and I think it is making my asthma worse. My asthma was really bad as a child and teen, but it got much better as an adult to the point that I rarely have to use my inhaler. However, for about a month now, my chest has been really tight and I am having trouble exhaling. I just saw my pcp 2 days ago and she wants me to use a nebulizer with an albuterol treatment in the morning, and before I go to bed. If that doesn't work, she wants to put me on a steroid inhaler.

I have been sleeping through the night since using cpap for about 6 hrs a night. I am not as tired as I used to be but I suspect something is going on while I sleep. Since I have a brick for a machine, there is no way for me to find out. I was able to get copies of my sleep and titration studies, and a copy of the cpap prescription. I was supposed to get a small ResMed Nasal mirage softgel mask, and a modem with the cpap machine. The dme gave me an ivolve mask (that leaks unless pulled really tight) which is apparently a knockoff of a Resmed mask, and no modem with the machine. I called the dme (New York Home Health Care) and he said there was nothing that could be done. I called the sleep center that I went to and requested an appt. to see the sleep specialist and was told that she is not in that office and doesn't talk to patients, only analyzes the sleep information. I would have to follow up with my pcp with any questions.

Does anyone else find that cpap use exsaserbates their asthma? Do you think I should request a new dme and sleep specialist? I don't want to stop using my cpap as I do feel it is helping. And may I just give you all a very heartfelt thank you for sharing all your knowledge. I read this forum every night before going to bed, and you guys don't know it but you have helped me not to feel alone which has made my adjustment easier.

[Krelvin]

No, made my asthma issues much better with filtered air while I am sleeping.

Note, a modem is not going to give you any real info you can't get from the screen.

[BlackSpinner]

No, made my asthma issues much better with filtered air while I am sleeping.

Note, a modem is not going to give you any real info you can't get from the screen.

Mine also is much better.
You might want to play with the humidity. If mine is too low it makes things worse but everyone is different.
Do you have a dry mouth? If so you are mouth breathing and that makes for problems too.

Another issue is that your chest wall muscles need to get used to breathing out against pressure and for some people that feels like their chest is tight just like an impending asthma attack.

You really need to see a pulmonologist who also does sleep medicine to handle this. It could be a straight dumb brick cpap machine is inadequate for your care and you need something much better like a Bipap.

[kaiasgram]

Ditto what Blackspinner said about getting a pulmonologist on board.

As for the DME, you don't need to 'request' a new DME. You just need to call your insurance and ask which DMEs they are contracted with. You can use any of them. If you don't need or want to use your insurance then you can use any DME of your choice including online sellers like our forum host cpap.com.

If you are only two months in and your machine is a rental, you might be able to return the brick and insist on a data capable machine. It's generally not the truth when a DME tells you there's nothing they can do. Some people find that when they tell the DME that they will take their business elsewhere the DME is suddenly able to exchange the machine.

Or just return the machine and go to a DME who will supply a data capable one. You already have your prescription so you're good to go.

Without therapy data it will be difficult to figure out what role (positive, negative, or neither) your PAP therapy is playing in your symptoms.

[Julie]

Besides the Albuterol, do you take other meds? Because I believe some of them might be keeping you awake, or at least at a shallow level of sleep, so maybe look into them with your MD if it applies.

[But it's me!]

As someone that also just started CPAP four months ago, and a near lifelong asthma patient, I can second the suggestion for a pulmonologist consult. I am lucky in that my sleep doc is also a pulmonary guy, so you might try looking for the same.

When I first started the CPAP I had a rise in asthma symptoms too, whiich I also assumed was my body's reaction to having to fight against the increased resistance of the added air. Although not completely certain it is my lungs getting stronger, after the first three months I feel like my asthma symptoms are decreasing to pre-CPAP levels. You may also need to give it some time for your lungs to get stronger, rather like exercise does.

Also, my pulmonologist started me on inhaled steroids plus acid reflux medication several years ago, and I have to say, the difference is night and day. I went from using my rescuer inhaler several times a day to once a month, if that. At least until I started the CPAP, but appears to have leveled out now, as noted above. The pulmonologist explained that every asthma attack helps to reduce one's overall breathing capacity, so getting on the steroids is not a bad thing. Inhaled steroids are much safer than oral versions such as prednisone (and I have been down that road too many times) if that is your worry. I was skeptical about the pulmonary visit at first, but my internist finally convinced me of the need to go. And I have to repeat it is night and day difference.

[BlackSpinner]

The temperature dropped dramatically on Friday down to -28c when I stepped out of the grocery store and took a deep breath without my scarf in front of my mouth and choked. My chest felt tight all evening until I strapped on my mask, cranked up the humidity and put a cotton swab with Tiger balm on it at the air intake. It felt like instant relief. I was careful to wear my scarf over my face when I walked the dog this morning when it was close to -40c.

This summer there were wild fires north of us for a lot of summer, having a cpap machine which filtered the air was a blessing.

[palerider]

The temperature dropped dramatically on Friday down to -28c when I stepped out of the grocery store and took a deep breath without my scarf in front of my mouth and choked. My chest felt tight all evening until I strapped on my mask, cranked up the humidity and put a cotton swab with Tiger balm on it at the air intake. It felt like instant relief. I was careful to wear my scarf over my face when I walked the dog this morning when it was close to -40c.

This summer there were wild fires north of us for a lot of summer, having a cpap machine which filtered the air was a blessing.

get one of these and quit trying to freeze your head/lungs from the inside out: http://www.hammacher.com/Product/Default.aspx?sku=81344

[BlackSpinner]

get one of these and quit trying to freeze your head/lungs from the inside out: http://www.hammacher.com/Product/Default.aspx?sku=81344

I have seen cyclists wear some thing like that around here. (Personally there is no way in hell I am cycling in this weather on these roads) I will have to look into those because I don't like being trapped inside in the winter just because the temperature drops below -20c.

[palerider]

get one of these and quit trying to freeze your head/lungs from the inside out: http://www.hammacher.com/Product/Default.aspx?sku=81344

I have seen cyclists wear some thing like that around here. (Personally there is no way in hell I am cycling in this weather on these roads) I will have to look into those because I don't like being trapped inside in the winter just because the temperature drops below -20c.

they were featured on http://www.redferret.net friday, (lots of neat things in that blog) and I'd told tatood lady she should get one, but she's a tough broad who said she didn't believe in mollycoddling her immune system...

however, it seems balmy where she is compared to what you're at, and we don't want you turning into an icepop from the inside out!

[SleepyWendy]

Thank you all for your replies. I have been using the humidifier usually between 2 and 4. I am going back to pcp tomorrow and request a referral to a pulmonologist/sleep specialist. I called my dme when I first got the cpap machine and asked if I could exchange it for one with data and I was told no. The man I talked to refused to hear where I was coming from, and insisted that all machines are the same. This is a big company and they do big business here in New York City. I get the feeling they are all about money, as they were the supplier of my mother's oxygen, and walker (which was used and in terrible condition when she first got it). That is why I asked if I should change dme's.

[But it's me!]

The temperature dropped dramatically on Friday down to -28c when I stepped out of the grocery store and took a deep breath without my scarf in front of my mouth and choked. My chest felt tight all evening until I strapped on my mask, cranked up the humidity and put a cotton swab with Tiger balm on it at the air intake. It felt like instant relief. I was careful to wear my scarf over my face when I walked the dog this morning when it was close to -40c.

This summer there were wild fires north of us for a lot of summer, having a cpap machine which filtered the air was a blessing.

Does Tiger Balm work that well?

[Janknitz]

Go to my blog in my signature below and read "What you need to know BEFORE you meet your DME", then "Help, I'm stuck with a Brick". It may be too late, but see what your pulmonologist says. (Note, machines listed are now outdated).

You need to grow a backbone to deal with dme's. Never take their word for anything. FIGHT for your health, don't let them treat you like dirt.

My machine has greatly relieved my asthma, but I have a data capable machine and I've learned to understand and use the features like exhalation relief and humidity for my advantage. You would do well to learn the same.

[ann blake]

i just started using a cpap today. i thought it would save my life as my father and grandmother died in their sleep. i am "borderline sleep apnea" so when i saw the masks, etc. I wanted to take the sleep study again to be sure. But I want to be healthy so proceeced to use the cap today for an hour. I felt so positive about it thinking it would increase lung capacity, etc. The this afternoon began to cough like i do when i have asthma. Now i think i'll wait until Mon. to call the doctor or someone who can tell me if this is a possibility...asthma from cpap use. Could it be the weather going into my lungs. i know i'm allergic to mole. I may be "way out" but surely don't want to bring on asthma. Thanks for information. Ann

[Krelvin]

I may be "way out" but surely don't want to bring on asthma.

When i am having breathing problems I head to my CPAP for relief. The air is filtered, has moisture and normally within a few minutes I am breathing much better.

IF you are having problems, it is most likely because you are not taking care of the humdity tank properly and keeping your mask clean. The air you are breathing is the same that is in the room you are in.

If it is a new machine, you did do a proper cleaning of the new components before using it right? Or did you just unpack it and start using it.