COPD and Sleep Apnea

[frog1313]

I am 64 years old, female and have COPD and Sleep Apnea. I am currently on a Cpap machine. My question is, can the Cpap be make my COPD worse? In the time that I am on the machine I feel like my lungs are getting filled with more air. During the day my COPD seems worse. Since I have a  problem getting the air out of my lungs anyway, can the machine be making my COPD worse? Thanks for any help you can give me. I am to the point that I don't know what to do.

[sstitanic2]

Hi
This winter has been the hardest for me. I tried so hard to stay well and I managed to get sick anyway. I have not come back as good as I expected I would. I am moderate to severe. I don't know about the Bipap. All this is still pretty new to  me and I am still learning. Have you had any rehab? I will start rehab on the 24th. They say it improves quality of life, which I will take. They teach breathing techniques. I have a bit of a problem getting the bad air out. I was told to breathe deeply and slowly getting as much air out as possible. The physical therapist at the hospital said to blow out like you are popping your ears in a plane. I went and bought balloons and practiced blowing them up. I think it helped. A lot of my breathing tests came back a bit better. I also walk as long as I can. My lower back starts to hurt and that is why I have to sit down so quickly. I do things in spurts. I could do more if my back didn't hurt. Do you have that problem? I have gained a lot of weight I wonder if that is normal.
I wish you all good things and I hope you get the answers you are looking for.  Take care and God Bless

[frog1313]

Hi,
Thanks for the encouragement. The only problem that I am having with the Cpap is that I am having trouble pushing the air out on exhaling. Otherwise, it would be fine. And some nites it is fine but other nites I simply CANNOT push the air back out and that is why I thought that the Bipap might work better for me. Of course I have a call in to my Dr. and should hear from him tomorrow (Or I guess it's today already) but I was wondering if anyone had the same problem as me. I didn't even know what a Bipap did until someone told me about it and I started researching. I have severe COPD and I have been on Oxygen for about 5 years and I am still on it with the Cpap. I agree about the stuffy nose, I also have allergies so that happens quite often. I can't wait for the warmer weather but I know it will bring more allergies. I just do not do well in cold weather. Is this a problem for you too?
Have a Blessed day

[sstitanic2]

Hi:
I am 64 with copd and sleep apnea also. I use a cpap at night with 2 liters oxygen. I use several inhalers. The cpap is designed to push the air in your lungs to keep you from dieing when you stop breathing in your sleep. It also makes your lungs stronger because it forces them to work on a deeper level.
How long have you been using a cpap? Do you get along with it ok?  I have had mine since November. Some nights I do fine and other nights my nose stuffs up and I wake up with it stuck to my forehead or laying beside me. My specialist says the cpap will make my condition better because it will help to keep my lungs clear. I have moderate to severe copd. What level is yours? If you can't tolerate it and if you have oxygen, then use the oxygen. That will help. My doctor says cpaps will cause sinus problems so you may want to try a good nasal spray at night.
If you want to talk some more, I am here.
Good luck and God Bless