Sleep apnea and daytime shortness of breath

Posted by noendinsight @noendinsight, Jul 6, 2024

Hello, I have posted this question on other discussion boards. Just wondering if there's anyone who has sleep apnea that may have experienced the following before treatment:
Mild sensation of shortness of breath during the day.

Feeling like your breathing muscles are fatigued or tired during the day

Feeling as if your lungs and/or lower airways are irritated or just have a strange sensation coming from them

Thanks for any info.

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Profile picture for noendinsight @noendinsight

I've posted this in the sleep forum but wanted to expand my search. Before being treated for sleep apnea, has anyone experienced irritation in the lungs or airway that caused a mild shortness of breath throughout the day? Did it improve with CPAP? Thank you

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@noendinsight I have this exact question. I have only been using for a few days but my shortness of breath during the day is noticeable. What is that? I don't know. I'm not sure if I should keep using it or not. Did you ever get an answer?

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Profile picture for apalmieri @apalmieri

@noendinsight I have this exact question. I have only been using for a few days but my shortness of breath during the day is noticeable. What is that? I don't know. I'm not sure if I should keep using it or not. Did you ever get an answer?

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@apalmieri, I USE A C-PAP MYSELF. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN I STARTED USING IT AT FIRST. I TOOK IT BACK AND TOLD THEM ABOUT. AND THEY MADE A FEW ADJUSTMENTS TO IT. NO PROBLEM NOW.
BUT I JUST NOTICED THE PROBLEM AGAIN RECENTLY. BUT I THINK IT'S MORE FROM THE HUMIDITY FOR ME. TALK TO THEM WHERE YOU GOT IT FROM. BUT DON'T STOP USING IT. DANIEL

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You didn't day whether you use a CPAP at night. I do, and I have wondered if this "spoils" my muscles in and around my lungs (i.e., they don't have to try anymore)--anything to do with breathing during the night and daytime. I am an active person--hiker etc.--and I have a mysterious weakness when climbing hills. In other words, the CPAP makes breathing and sleeping very comfortable at night (I need it), but I do wonder if people who don't use one (whether they need it or not) "exercise" their bodies more when they breathe at night. And without this exercise, could our chest/core muscles possibly become weaker than they used to be, or maybe weaker than those of a person with no apnea? I also fall asleep easily when sitting.

So another question would be: does apnea itself weaken your breathing, or does apnea cause weak breathing at all times, not just at night? And if so, what is causing apnea in the first place? The cause of mine is unknown. Secondhand cigarette smoke, which I had to breathe as a baby and child (in the house, car, public places--everywhere), and which my mother breathed when pregnant with me, is one suspect.

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Profile picture for noendinsight @noendinsight

Hello
I wanted to ask those of you with sleep apnea about how you felt during the day before treatment. I always have a mild background shortness of breath feeling but the weird thing is that my O2 levels are normal. And it's more like a discomfort between my sternum and upper abdomen. Sometimes my mid back muscles are tight. I was wondering if untreated sleep apnea can make your breathing muscles fatigued or irritated. It's just a constant discomfort. Does anyone else experience the same?

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@noendinsight Good afternoon, I’ve had this problem for about 10 years and gradually gotten worse. If I would walk a short distance carrying a load I would have to stop and rest for a few minutes. And again repeating the process rendering me a handicap. I had two breathing test in one year while you blow in the machine that take about one hour to complete. The second test came out better than the first?? They told me I had mild COPD. So I asked the pulmonologist that I think seeing a cardiologist would be next and he responded yes. Had to go to get a stress test with radiation and a pet scan, and the results were normal. Just started on my RESMED CPAP 1 week ago and I HOPE TO GOD this is what I needed. Very disparaging. Thanks Mike Leone

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I have shortness of breath after a short walk or if I try and climb up an incline, I cannot take a full breath and
have to rest.

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Profile picture for michaelleone1957 @michaelleone1957

@noendinsight Good afternoon, I’ve had this problem for about 10 years and gradually gotten worse. If I would walk a short distance carrying a load I would have to stop and rest for a few minutes. And again repeating the process rendering me a handicap. I had two breathing test in one year while you blow in the machine that take about one hour to complete. The second test came out better than the first?? They told me I had mild COPD. So I asked the pulmonologist that I think seeing a cardiologist would be next and he responded yes. Had to go to get a stress test with radiation and a pet scan, and the results were normal. Just started on my RESMED CPAP 1 week ago and I HOPE TO GOD this is what I needed. Very disparaging. Thanks Mike Leone

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@michaelleone1957 I have had sleep ap for several years and also had a lot of breathing and heart tests and apart from the ap I do
not seem to know what it is or
do the docs as they just take the
standard tests. The best thing I can do to save my breath is stay home but that is not practical .

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