Shortness of Breath coming off CPAP

I have been using a CPAP for over ten years. Love it. I have had no adjustment problems.

I have also had COPD for many years. Lately (last six months) I have become extremely short of breath making the transition from CPAP to lungs breathing on their own. I feel fine when I "wake up" however, within 30 seconds I am short of breath. It seems like it takes forever until my lungs work "normally" on their own (probably only 3-4 minutest however it seems like forever when you are getting no oxygen). To the point I am in a panic with my breathing. I am almost afraid to check SAT's when I first start SOB. When I finally feel like my lungs are beginning to work and I check my SAT's I am usually at 82-84. Over the next 15 minutes my SAT's will gradually climb back to about 90. Oh yes, I am also on supplemental oxygen through my CPAP and I keep my oxygen on while my body is adjusting.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? My pulmonologist kind of says, "it is what it is". Is there anything that anyone else know of that could make the adjustment easier on my body?

I know you all have lots of experience. Help? Please!

My first response would be,"I wonder if this doctor is working for you or an HMO"
Cattiness aside, there are members here whose experience is vastly superior to my own.
They will be along when they see this.
In the meanwhile, I wonder if you have used the pursed lips breathing strategy to raise your O2 levels quickly.
You inhale quickly, then slowly exhale through pursed lips to slow the outflow of air.
Many people do this to recover quickly after exercise.

Thanks Chunkyfrog. Yes, pursed lips breathing, tripod stance, and I also immediately use my nebulizer without even getting out of bed. So, pretty much have all those covered. Been dealing with COPD and CPAP for quite awhile. My pulmonogist is actually quite good and I have been with her quite a while. I just don't think she has any ideas for me. I have found that sometimes the people that live with these conditions daily sometimes have an insight that we missed.

I do notice that I do not seem to have any adjustment issues after a nap on the weekends (always using CPAP). So, I wonder if it is only when I use the CPAP for extended overnight periods. I am seriously considering setting my alarm and waking up after four hours, letting my lungs adjust to breathing on their own and then sleeping another four hours. Not an ideal situation when the point of a CPAP is to let you get 8 uninterrupted hours of sleep at once. But if it works I am willing to try.

You don't say what machine you are on and if you are looking at your data.
I would have thought your doctor would have wanted a new sleep study to verify what is happening.

Hi Moteacher, I really feel for you re: your SOB. I am a retired Physical Therapist and, my entire career I worked off and on with patients with COPD, some severe. There is no more desperate feeling in the world than feeling you will not be able to catch your breath (as you know). Have you tried boosting your oxygen, just during that "recovery " the morning? DEAN

QMX..........Randomly increasing oxygen liter flow can be extremely dangerous while treating COPD. Bad idea and always check with your pulmonary physician before ever adjusting the oxygen flow rate.

I did this - and found out it was a completely different issue altogether. Didn't have anything at all to do with my lungs. If you would like to PM me, I'll tell you what happened - maybe you may need to go back to the doc for a few tests.

vic wrote:QMX..........Randomly increasing oxygen liter flow can be extremely dangerous while treating COPD. Bad idea and always check with your pulmonary physician before ever adjusting the oxygen flow rate.

Of course ... always with doctor involvement. Many Docs will recommend to their patients to briefly boost O2 flow at to better handle particular periods of SOB. But yes, of course, consult the Doc.

moteacher wrote: I feel fine when I "wake up" however, within 30 seconds I am short of breath. It seems like it takes forever until my lungs work "normally" on their own

Do you have a feeling there is obstruction, or do you have a problem readjusting your inhaling/exhaling rhythm?
Are you using a basic, straight CPAP machine, or an ST?

I'm having this same problem. I have to use my Ventollin to get my breathing back on track. I'm fine the rest of the day, but I struggle breathing not long after waking up. I tried to send a PM to some of the posters, but I'm new to this board and couldn't figure out how. lol

lahscious wrote:I'm having this same problem. I have to use my Ventollin to get my breathing back on track. I'm fine the rest of the day, but I struggle breathing not long after waking up. I tried to send a PM to some of the posters, but I'm new to this board and couldn't figure out how. lol

Even though this thread is over 1½ years old, you may be able to contact one of the posters anyway.
Click on the person's name and it will take you to their profile page. You should see a "link" there that says "PM: Send Private Message."
If they're still around the forum, they'll respond when they see they have a PM.

Paul

Your first step is to see your doctors and not allow them to brush you off.