Uncomfortable after pneumonia

I had pneumonia a few weeks ago. Since then, my CPAP has been uncomfortable. It feels like it's pressing too much air into my lungs. Has anyone else had this? If so, how did you manage it?

Just my opinion: probably not the cpap.
Talk to your doctor.

Mlt wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 12, 2022 10:06 pm

I had pneumonia a few weeks ago. Since then, my CPAP has been uncomfortable. It feels like it's pressing too much air into my lungs. Has anyone else had this? If so, how did you manage it?

That's nonsense.
CPAP machines dont force air into your lungs. They splint your airwaqy so you can btreathe normally.

I had pneumonia in late April of 2011. Took my machine with me and used it for the five days I was there.....and ever since......no problems.

Den

.

While the CPAP doesn't "press air into your lungs", what you might be experiencing is more difficulty breathing out against pressure due to the trauma your lungs have been through, your breathing muscles might be sore and weakened due to a lot of coughing and general debilitation from the pneumonia.

Check to see that you have the expiratory pressure relief dialed up as far as it can go (it gives 3 cm/H20 of reduced pressure). You might need more expiratory relief than the CPAP/APAP can provide. Talk to your doctor about whether a BIPAP might be better because it can give you a lower pressure for expiration. But hopefully this will resolve in a few days as you recover and regain your strength.

I've had pneumonia twice and CPAP was my saving grace the second time because it relieved my coughing and helped me sleep. The first time was before CPAP, and it was misery. I truly thought I was going to die.

Cpap cannot produce enough airflow to inflate a balloon.
(Try it--it's TRUE!)
That little bit of pressure is truly a blessing
that you will welcome once you are used to it.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 13, 2022 5:55 pm

Cpap cannot produce enough airflow to inflate a balloon.
(Try it--it's TRUE!)
That little bit of pressure is truly a blessing
that you will welcome once you are used to it.

Mlt might be a drive by, but said

Since then, my CPAP has been uncomfortable

So I would assume that was a successful user BEFORE pneumonia, but now having issues because the entire airway has been traumatized. Something to speak with the doctor about, more exhalation pressure relief may help.

Mlt wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 12, 2022 10:06 pm

I had pneumonia a few weeks ago. Since then, my CPAP has been uncomfortable. It feels like it's pressing too much air into my lungs. Has anyone else had this? If so, how did you manage it?

In this study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1501025/) which included 19 male adults as one group, maximum expiratory pressure varied from 63 to 97 cmH2O. You know your pressure settings, but typically they range from 8 to 14. This is not a big addition to normal breathing. I would think the uncomfortable feelings are side effects of your pneumonia. If you have any doubts that the pneumonia has not completely cleared, contact your doctor.

Maybe you can update this thread after all is well. It might help someone else dealing with this in the future.

Best of luck to you!

Wulfman... wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 12, 2022 11:21 pm

CPAP machines dont force air into your lungs.

While the purpose of CPAP is merely to splint the airway open, one of the side effects is "forcing" additional air into the lungs.

... CPAP is also known to increase lung volume ...

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1746360/