If you have COPD please reply

I've had COPD for the past 10+ years. Last month I found out I had Sleep Apnea, got my first CPAP machine a few days ago.

Before the CPAP, I would cough in my sleep and clear my lungs of fluid and congestion.

Now, with the CPAP, I don't think I'm coughing, and that concerns me greatly!

The past couple of mornings I've woken up with considerable fluid in my lungs. For me, this is the BEST time of the year for my COPD, with the least amount of fluid/congestion. In the Fall, the worst time of year, I'm seriously concerned of drowning in my own fluids while using the CPAP.

When I first put on my mask while awake, I can't breathe (easily) through my mouth. I assume that when I'm sleeping, this prevents me from coughing?

Is this normal????

Have any of you experienced this? Is there anything I can do about it? Is it just a matter of getting used to the mask?

Any and all advice/suggestions WILL be greatly appreciated!

Thank's
John

Well I don't have COPD -- I have severe, persistent asthma and cough instead of wheezing. Because I was swallowing gunk instead of coughing it out, they added Mucinex to my meds mix, so I now can get rid of the phlegm. Further, I just started on CPAP a week ago myself.... Anyway, my pulmonologist and sleep doc are one and the same, and I noticed that I, too, am no longer coughing at night, so I have a fair amount to cough up in the morning. When I asked my doc about this, he said I was most likely coughing because of OSA, and now that I'm sleeping better, I'll clear my lungs by coughing more during the day. So far, that seems to be the case.

I'd ask my doc about this, as it sounds like you have more nastiness in your lungs than I do. If nothing else, the doc can assuage your concerns, and if it *is* a problem that requires intervention, better sooner than later.

Take good care!

I have COPD, was started on CPAP and the switched to VPAP (bi-level). But I can't really help you w/the coughing information.

For years I coughed, a lot, and easily brought up mucus. It was a way of life for me. Then my family doctor scripted Spiriva. I used it faithfully for awhile, maybe a week, maybe a bit more, but shortly after starting its use I quit having to cough!!! When I did occasionally cough I almost never brought up mucus.

That made me nervous!!! I mean for so many years I coughed so often, so easily and brought up mucus so often and so easily. It just didn't seem right not to cough and not to bring up mucus. When I told my family doctor I wasn't using it any more and why, he explained that that was one of the reasons for using Spriva, to reduce the mucus and coughing.

Still, I haven't used Spiriva in over a year. And I still hardly even cough and I hardly even bring up phlegm or need to bring up phlegm.

I am using the Resmed VPAP Auto at IPAP 11, EPAP 6, PS 4 and Humidiare 3i integreated heated humidifier at various settings dictated by the weather and climate in the house at the time. I also have 2L of 02 supplementing my VPAP therapy. I do use albuterol in a nebulizer in the evening before bedtime. I use the Simplicity simple nasal cushion mask and Respironics basic white chin strap PN 302175.

Page 2 may have useful info:

http://www.thoracic.org/sections/educat ... mptoms.swf

Slinky wrote:I have COPD, was started on CPAP and the switched to VPAP (bi-level). But I can't really help you w/the coughing information.

For years I coughed, a lot, and easily brought up mucus. It was a way of life for me. Then my family doctor scripted Spiriva. I used it faithfully for awhile, maybe a week, maybe a bit more, but shortly after starting its use I quit having to cough!!! When I did occasionally cough I almost never brought up mucus.

That made me nervous!!! I mean for so many years I coughed so often, so easily and brought up mucus so often and so easily. It just didn't seem right not to cough and not to bring up mucus. When I told my family doctor I wasn't using it any more and why, he explained that that was one of the reasons for using Spriva, to reduce the mucus and coughing.

Still, I haven't used Spiriva in over a year. And I still hardly even cough and I hardly even bring up phlegm or need to bring up phlegm.

I am using the Resmed VPAP Auto at IPAP 11, EPAP 6, PS 4 and Humidiare 3i integreated heated humidifier at various settings dictated by the weather and climate in the house at the time. I also have 2L of 02 supplementing my VPAP therapy. I do use albuterol in a nebulizer in the evening before bedtime. I use the Simplicity simple nasal cushion mask and Respironics basic white chin strap PN 302175.

Spiriva is the BEST THING to happen for sufferers of COPD! I've been on it since it first hit the market, and wouldn't be able to function without it.

Thanks for your reply
John

twokatmew wrote:Well I don't have COPD -- I have severe, persistent asthma and cough instead of wheezing. Because I was swallowing gunk instead of coughing it out, they added Mucinex to my meds mix, so I now can get rid of the phlegm. Further, I just started on CPAP a week ago myself.... Anyway, my pulmonologist and sleep doc are one and the same, and I noticed that I, too, am no longer coughing at night, so I have a fair amount to cough up in the morning. When I asked my doc about this, he said I was most likely coughing because of OSA, and now that I'm sleeping better, I'll clear my lungs by coughing more during the day. So far, that seems to be the case.

I'd ask my doc about this, as it sounds like you have more nastiness in your lungs than I do. If nothing else, the doc can assuage your concerns, and if it *is* a problem that requires intervention, better sooner than later.

Take good care!

Not to worry, I fully intend to do just that.
I'm asking here on the forum because I find that I get better answers to questions when I talk with regular people, instead of doctors! In the short time that I've been on this forum, I've learned 1000 times MORE about CPAP & Sleep Apnia than anything my doctors have told me.

jnk wrote:Page 2 may have useful info:

http://www.thoracic.org/sections/educat ... mptoms.swf

Thank's for the link. Lots of good info in there for people just starting out with COPD. Unfortunately, I've had it for well over 10 years and kinda know the ins & outs of it. I do appreciate your reply however.