Breathless!

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
DJM
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2021 5:39 pm

Breathless!

Post by DJM » Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:09 pm

I've been using CPAP for about 30 years. I'm now 74 years old, and unfortunately about as out of shape as you can get. If I walk a hundred feet or so, I have to stop and rest until my heavy breathing calms down. Then I can tackle the next hundred feet. This is affecting my tennis, hockey, football, and marathon running. Jus' kiddin'!
My question is; can long term use of a CPAP machine weaken the efficient breathing power of my respiratory system. Do the muscles that are required to function, so as to provide efficient breathing under normal daily movement, weaken over time with the assistance of the CPAP, making it harder to breathe? I'm just curious about that, before I make an appointment to see my doctor, and hear the bad news. Any comments are very welcome.

Thank you........Dave :?

User avatar
Pugsy
Posts: 63942
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Breathless!

Post by Pugsy » Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:21 pm

No...you can't blame your respiratory issues on cpap.
Number 1....you don't use cpap 24/7...you breathe normally when you aren't asleep and not using the machine.
Number 2....ventilator use...a real ventilator used 24/7 where it actually forces air....used long term can affect the muscles but cpap doesn't. CPAP isn't a ventilator.

Get with your doctor about your respiratory issues ASAP.
Look elsewhere for your shortness of breath issues....you are older now and the list of potential culprits is miles long but using cpap isn't on the list.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.

User avatar
klm49
Posts: 442
Joined: Sat May 28, 2016 4:24 pm
Location: Texas

Re: Breathless!

Post by klm49 » Mon Apr 19, 2021 5:16 am

DJM wrote:
Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:09 pm
I've been using CPAP for about 30 years. I'm now 74 years old, and unfortunately about as out of shape as you can get. If I walk a hundred feet or so, I have to stop and rest until my heavy breathing calms down. Then I can tackle the next hundred feet. This is affecting my tennis, hockey, football, and marathon running. Jus' kiddin'!
My question is; can long term use of a CPAP machine weaken the efficient breathing power of my respiratory system. Do the muscles that are required to function, so as to provide efficient breathing under normal daily movement, weaken over time with the assistance of the CPAP, making it harder to breathe? I'm just curious about that, before I make an appointment to see my doctor, and hear the bad news. Any comments are very welcome.

Thank you........Dave :?
Sounds like you need to see a Pulmonologist. You very well may need supplemental O2. Have you been diagnosed with COPD or any other lung issue?

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Amara View Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Setting: PS 4.0 over 14.0-25.0; Humidifer 4 & Heated Hose
Resmed AirCurve10 Vauto w/humidifier
Amara View mask
O2 - 2-4 lpm

User avatar
esel
Posts: 272
Joined: Fri May 20, 2016 3:35 am
Location: switzerland

Re: Breathless!

Post by esel » Mon Apr 19, 2021 5:33 am

Hi DJM, have you tried to do the 100 feet with your CPAP ? (you may need an extension cord)
If it is the same as without it may not be your CPAP.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Forma Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: AirCurve 10 CS PaceWave, Full Mask, sleepyhead, ASV Min EPAP 5 Max IPAP 10.4 PS 0.4-5.4
Only ME... - :) - Some days sooo slow, some days just running off track ...

User avatar
zonker
Posts: 11012
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2015 4:36 pm

Re: Breathless!

Post by zonker » Mon Apr 19, 2021 10:46 am

esel wrote:
Mon Apr 19, 2021 5:33 am
Hi DJM, have you tried to do the 100 feet with your CPAP ? (you may need an extension cord)
Image
people say i'm self absorbed.
but that's enough about them.
Oscar-Win
https://www.apneaboard.com/OSCAR/OSCAR-1.5.1-Win64.exe
Oscar-Mac
https://www.apneaboard.com/OSCAR/OSCAR-1.5.1.dmg

User avatar
Miss Emerita
Posts: 3416
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 8:07 pm

Re: Breathless!

Post by Miss Emerita » Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:49 am

DJM, you're smart to get information pulled together before you see the doctor. I hope you get a thorough work-up so the cause of your shortness of breathe can be diagnosed and treated. Best of luck with that.
Oscar software is available at https://www.sleepfiles.com/OSCAR/

MidearedCat
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2021 11:01 am
Location: Russia

Re: Breathless!

Post by MidearedCat » Mon Apr 26, 2021 2:43 pm

DJM wrote:
Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:09 pm
If I walk a hundred feet or so, I have to stop and rest until my heavy breathing calms down. Then I can tackle the next hundred feet.
Very sorry to hear that. When you see the doctor ask him to check out whether you have or not hyperventilation syndrome (basal, during daytime). HVS has its degrees, causes low alveolar and arterial level of carbon dioxide and can reveal the symptoms you described. There’s lot of researches by now that HVS may lead to sleep apnea, so if you having used CPAP for that long you may have had it. If HVS is the case you will know the reason of your condition. It can be relieved by some kind of relaxation. And, of course, the strength of your respiratory muscles has nothing to do with the breathless feeling. Good health to you!

User avatar
ChicagoGranny
Posts: 14409
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:43 pm
Location: USA

Re: Breathless!

Post by ChicagoGranny » Mon Apr 26, 2021 4:25 pm

DJM wrote:
Sun Apr 18, 2021 6:09 pm
I've been using CPAP for about 30 years.
What's your AHI and leak level? Are you keeping your CPAP therapy optimized?