funny feeling chest discomfort

hushette29369 · Post by **hushette29369** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 8:06 pm

I'm not sure it's a coincidence, but I have noticed that since I started using my CPAP machine I occasionally have a fluttering, tight feeling in my chest. It's almost like your breath is taken away (like where you're scared) and then a flutter feeling. I don't know how else to explain it. Could it be symptomatic of using the machine. I just don't want to have a heart attack because I have been ignoring the symptoms. Any body have this experience?

littlebaddow · Post by **littlebaddow** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 3:13 am

Hi Hushette
I can't say I've experienced exactly that feeling myself, but I do remember that the whole experience felt very strange at first and I noticed all sorts of things about my breathing that I'm sure were happening before I started on CPAP. Perhaps it's just your heightened awareness whilst getting used to the equipment.
Having said that, I'm not a doc, so if you have any concerns it's worth a quick word with your own doc to put your mind at rest.

luckylinda · Post by **luckylinda** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:57 pm

hushette,

I used to have those exact symptoms *before* CPAP treatment. Being 100% compliant has made that fluttering, almost panic feeling go away.

I did talk to my primary doc about it and she had me do a heart ultra sound. ( I know that is not the name, but for the life of me I can't remember the test name now.) You really should call your doctor soon about this.

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:11 pm

hushette,

Shortly after starting the cpap treatment, I felt a soreness in my chest.

At first I worried it was my heart. But only a few weeks before I'd visited a cardiologist who tested my heart, and I was alright then. (I had that sonogram test luckylinda mentioned.) But the more I focused my attention on the soreness, I realized it wasn't my heart, but most likely my lungs! Or maybe muscles associated with the lungs or getting air to my lungs. I have a bipap, and the air pressure is strong. I suspect the new forced breathing was acting like major exercising. My lungs and the airways were getting a real workout, and no doubt were adjusting. After a short while, a few days, the soreness was gone.

Might not be what you have. But I firmly believe most of us should be checked out by a cardiologist around the time of our sleep apnea diagnosis, just to know how the heart is doing. Perhaps a good checkup in general would be good, so we can monitor the changes, positive and negative as we use the treatment. But this is only my opinion.

Linda

seanconnery · Post by **seanconnery** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 7:22 pm

There certainly was a "before" state and an "after" state and I could only describe it as my chest being put through some 'exercises'. This was not an unpleasant feeling, in fact, it felt like my chest felt larger and stronger. Over time, it felt good, as if all the potential lung air sacs were being filled that were not filled before.

Hope this helps.

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