"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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Has this happened to anyone else?
I use a C-PAP and have started to wake up from time to time with the middle of my chest hurting and unable to breath. I am unable to catch my breath because my air way is blocked off and it feels like my air wau is full of water. I get up and walk around weazing slowing like I'm breathing through a thin straw till the pain goes and my air way clears and I'm able to breath again. My face turns a purple color till I'm able to start getting more air into my lungs then it turns back to it's normal color. I stopped using the machine and it still happens. I see my doctor next week and I just found this site and thought I'd take a chance and see if anyone else has had this happend to them. It really scares me when it does. The other night was the worst one. The pain is at the breast bone area and goes up. It really does feel like I'm filled up with water and I have to walk around to let it drain down to clear so I can breath again.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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When it comes to chest pains and not being able to breathe -- I would go to the emergency room pronto!! Especially if you are turning purple!!
Apparently you are having episodes even with your machine, an indicator it isn't the machine that is the cause.
It could be something such as acid reflux, BUT again it could be something much much more serious that needs investigated as soon as possible.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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GoofyOne,
I agree with sleepycarol, to the ER or the Doc pronto! This is definitely an emergency. With all that we are learning about the cardiac dangers and brain damage due to OSA I wouldn't take any chances. In fact, if you can get in touch with your doctor this weekend, tell him/her what you told us and maybe move your appointment to Monday, but don't ignore this situation. As a nurse I'm alarmed by your symptoms and would not go another day without medical advice.
Does this happen every night? More than once in one night? How many pillows do you sleep with? Is anyone there with you when this happens? Maybe a recliner would help. But please get this attended to as soon as possible. It's very scary.
Good luck and for goodness sake keep us posted,
Mary Zimlich
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Permalink Reply by Ronald Antonio on
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You should call 911 for chest pain because this is not something to play with. If you're not experiencing symptoms right now call your primary care physician immediately! You will need to see a cardiologist and/or pulmonologist to get a better handle on what's going on. Perhaps it has been some time since your last sleep study. If it has been some time ago or you've gain weight, you may need to get the pressure setting on your CPAP altered. This may require that you undergo another sleep test because they will need to monitor these event at various stages of sleep. If you find it difficult to breath when lying flat on your back it could be that you have a cardiac component of your symptoms. It would be best to go to the doctor and have them check this out. Discontinuing CPAP and delaying follow up could be very detrimental to your health.
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Permalink Reply by GoofyOne April on
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I have went back to using my maching since it has happened with out it. I didn't know if it was the machine or just me. In the last month and a half it's happened about 5 times. Does not happen every night. The pain starts in the middle of my breast bone and goes up. It's like my air way is closed off because something is squeezing it and making it fill with water. As the water drains the pain goes away and I can breath. I am going to call my sleep doc on Monday and tell them what's going on and see if I can get in to see him sooner.
I sleep with one pillow because of neck problems and I sleep on my side. I cannot sleep on my back. I have a bad back and it's hard to sleep any other way or in a chair. I've been to a cardiac spec. and my heart is great. No worries there. Just the breathing is bad.
Thank you all for responding. Didn't realize how bad this really was till now. Nieve I guess.
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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on
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Hey, Goofy One!! I have OSA. I'm also a heart patient, diagnosed 4 years ago. As an advocate for women with heart disease, I'm STRONGLY encouraging you to get pro-active NOW about your chest pain. Don't fall into the trap of avoiding with self-soothing or self-diagnosing. Chest pain is serious, regardless of the source, particularly as you describe it.
I'd be interested in knowing what kind of cardiac testing you had that led the cardiologist to say your heart is okay. Women's heart disease is still VERY under-diagnosed and/or passed off as something else. Women really HAVE to be assertive in demanding, if necessary, that comprehensive testing be done. It's not easy for most women to do, but it's your LIFE that matters.
If you're turning purple, it means you're severely deprived of oxygen, so no matter what the cause--and we don't know what that is--if and when you EVER have symptoms like that you MUST call 911 immediately.
I'm not on SG to order people around. However, I've been well-educated re: heart disease since I was diagnosed, and have heard endless stories from other women with heart disease, many of which are as dramatic as yours.
Please err on the side of being safe. There's definitely something serious going on with your body that needs immediate attention. Do NOT let any medical personnel blow you off. Insist on comprehensive diagnostic testing. It could be your stomach or it could be your heart. And someone, I think Jeff, who is VERY knowledgeable, said that apnea can force stomach contents up into your throat. I didn't know that, but if Jeff said that in response to something I'D reported on here, I'd be in the ER immediately.
I also agree with whoever suggested a recliner for sleep if you have one. If not, you might try propping yourself up in bed with pillows. Keep your phone with you.
I'm so glad you came to us with these concerns--please keep us advised on how you're doing. People on SG truly care about you........
Susan McCord
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Sorry I haven't been back. My computer is giving me fits and I had it worked on.
I went to my sleep doc and he is going to do a breathing test and go from there he said. They increased my pressures on my machine. I go back to see him in a month. I'll keep you posted as to what happens. He said he has never heard of anything like this before. I said, "Great, I'm the weird one. If it's going to happen it happens to me." He said he'd find out what's going on with me and for me not to worry. Easy for him to say. I'm the one who can't breath. My O2 is 99% and that's good.
Thank you everyone for responding and trying to help. You have helped a lot.
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