Short of breath during the day?

can cpap treatment for years make me short of breath during the day? I've used cpap for 13 years.
thanks,
DaveL

No You need to see a doctor ASAP.
All cpap does is keep your throat from collapsing during the night. It does not affect your lungs (except for providing humid filtered air). It does not make you whole breathing system "lazy".
Being on cpap doesn't prevent aging.

I would see a pulmonologist...There are some breathing tests (Pulmonary function) that can determine if there is any problem.
The tests are easy, but they take about 90 minutes.

A client of mine has been on CPAP since around 1995. I met with him and his wife earlier this spring for business when we got into the CPAP and SA discussion. He told me that there were times he was short of breath during the day and his doctor said something about 'lazy brain', that his brain was becoming accustomed to the machine and was becoming 'lazy' and causing his shortness of breath. To the best of my knowledge, the only pulmonary/repiratory issues he has is OSA.

I don't know how true that 'lazy brain' stuff is, but this was the second time I've heard something about that. Nevertheless, as suggested, see a doctor and get it checked out to make sure there is nothing else going on.

I agree that you need to discuss your symptoms quickly with a doctor. How long does it take in Canada to get in to see a doctor?

In your equipment profile you state,

Additional Comments: Perfecting Mouth Breathing! But not doing well! Compliant for over 13 years///Still Learning! What software do I need?

The software can be downloaded free, but I believe you will have trouble getting a card reader for that machine. What are the chances of getting a newer machine that is software compatible and uses a USB card?

You also say, "Perfecting mouthbreathing" and your profile shows a nasal mask. If you are mouthbreathing and using a nasal mask it is likely the pressure is escaping through you mouth and your therapy is not effective. Tell us more.

I had a problem of huffing and puffing just walking up my barn to the house and my leg muscles felt like they were going to give out. I went to my Doctor and told him I was tired of being tired. He suggested a sleep test plus we did a complete blood work up. When the blood came back it showed my TSH which is Thyroid was real high which meant it wasn't putting out enough. I started Thyroid medicine and am in the process of working up to the proper dose and this was a couple of months ago and my breathing problems are gone and so are the problems with my leg muscles. The sleep test showed sleep apnea and I'm 4 weeks on the machine now. When you see your Doctor have him check your Thyroid out cause that little butterfly gland effects every cell in your body.

ameriken wrote:A client of mine has been on CPAP since around 1995. I met with him and his wife earlier this spring for business when we got into the CPAP and SA discussion. He told me that there were times he was short of breath during the day and his doctor said something about 'lazy brain', that his brain was becoming accustomed to the machine and was becoming 'lazy' and causing his shortness of breath. To the best of my knowledge, the only pulmonary/repiratory issues he has is OSA.

I don't know how true that 'lazy brain' stuff is, but this was the second time I've heard something about that. Nevertheless, as suggested, see a doctor and get it checked out to make sure there is nothing else going on.

But OSA has nothing to do with "lazy brain" though CSA might. OSA is because the muscles in the throat (or where ever) collapse because you are asleep and relaxed. You are still trying to breathe. CPAP does nothing more them put pressure out to keep it open. It doesn't help you breathe unless you are on an ASV which means you have CSA.

DaveL wrote:can cpap treatment for years make me short of breath during the day? I've used cpap for 13 years.
thanks,
DaveL

Try to get a complete physical, including a stress test. ( as soon as you can)

Get to a doctor--We are not kidding.
Shortness of breath is sometimes the only symptom to be noticed before one keels over from a heart attack.
There is not always pain; not always a tight chest.
If it is not serious, only a doctor can say for certain.
Take care of yourself. Please!

BlackSpinner wrote:

ameriken wrote:A client of mine has been on CPAP since around 1995. I met with him and his wife earlier this spring for business when we got into the CPAP and SA discussion. He told me that there were times he was short of breath during the day and his doctor said something about 'lazy brain', that his brain was becoming accustomed to the machine and was becoming 'lazy' and causing his shortness of breath. To the best of my knowledge, the only pulmonary/repiratory issues he has is OSA.

I don't know how true that 'lazy brain' stuff is, but this was the second time I've heard something about that. Nevertheless, as suggested, see a doctor and get it checked out to make sure there is nothing else going on.

But OSA has nothing to do with "lazy brain" though CSA might. OSA is because the muscles in the throat (or where ever) collapse because you are asleep and relaxed. You are still trying to breathe. CPAP does nothing more them put pressure out to keep it open. It doesn't help you breathe unless you are on an ASV which means you have CSA.

I agree, doesn't make sense to me as well. That's just what his sleep doc told him and this thread was the second time I heard of something like this. I don't think he has any other lung issues.

My sleep doc is a danger. after my last test he declared that 10apnea events was acceptable; would not increase my pressure. Mouthbreathing is improved and under controlwith a better strap provoded by my dme. I have a pap-cap ordered. And the hose management contraption sold by the same man. I cantolerate the new strap, but want something better.
So I shall change the comments.
Goodnews is I have lost 30 pounds. My wii says I am overweight. Used tocall me obese, so ourconversations were very short

Thanks for your help.

VVV wrote:I agree that you need to discuss your symptoms quickly with a doctor. How long does it take in Canada to get in to see a doctor?

In your equipment profile you state,

Additional Comments: Perfecting Mouth Breathing! But not doing well! Compliant for over 13 years///Still Learning! What software do I need?

The software can be downloaded free, but I believe you will have trouble getting a card reader for that machine. What are the chances of getting a newer machine that is software compatible and uses a USB card?

You also say, "Perfecting mouthbreathing" and your profile shows a nasal mask. If you are mouthbreathing and using a nasal mask it is likely the pressure is escaping through you mouth and your therapy is not effective. Tell us more.

chunkyfrog wrote:Get to a doctor--We are not kidding.
Shortness of breath is sometimes the only symptom to be noticed before one keels over from a heart attack.
There is not always pain; not always a tight chest.
If it is not serious, only a doctor can say for certain.
Take care of yourself. Please!

Thanks. I feel as if I forget to breath. Lung capacity is ok. I am working weight off and have lost 30 lbs at Weight Watchers.
even though I am on flomax I have immediate need to go to the bathroom. I have waited 2 months for an appointment to be made with the specialist. Weicome to Canadian medicine, at least the way my gp sees it.

If I presented recorded information about my treatment, I expect my sleep doc would refuse to review it. I need a referral to a new sleep doc.

Thanks everyone.
DL

Problems breathing sounds like familiar symptom to those of us who have had heart problems. I knew a fellow who gave exactly that symptom (only) to a triage nurse who told him not to leave. They had him in a hospital bed before the end of the day. He was US Veterans Hospital (VA), which is a socialized health care, which did not have a bed for him, so he was put in a an alternate hospital until they could move him. Several days passed while the VA kept saying they would transfer him to their big hospital in Dallas, in another day or two. Finally the private hospital got approval to start tests and treatment. Finally some treatment. His real improvement did not occur when they put in a stent, (although he said he felt a lot better within an hour). Still he had to stop and catch his breath when he walked between the car and the front door to a store, not more than forty yards. The big improvement came near the end of his rehab (exercise) when he suddenly started breathing more easily. Then he went into a store and I was chasing after him and he had no concern about breathing. I say that because real miracles can happen with pro-active treatment of heart troubles. It is much easier to return function to someone's life if they occur before the serious heart attack, not so much after.

Does the Canadian system not have some kind of Triage to determine that an individual needs immediate care?

A good friend of mine was having trouble breathing while walking a short distance. Went to see his GP the next day and he had two stents put in with a week.

Davel said " I have waited 2 months for an appointment to be made with a specialist" That''s crazy! Is that normal for Canada?

That can happen here in Australia as well. We get very quick access to a GP and dont usually pay anything for it but when it comes to a specialist it can take months and cost a lot.The other problem with specialists is they are always running late. Its always a good idea to ring before you go in otherwise a long wait.