I have been telling my PCP for months that I have been absolutely exhausted. He didn't pay much mind to it until I fell asleep driving on a highway after driving for only about 30 minutes. He tested me for sleep apnea, and they all decided that I have some mild sleep apnea, and thought that using a CPAP machine would solve all of my exhaustion issues.
I am not sure where I found this documentation, but was curious to know if anyone else had come across it.... Basically, it stated that by using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), that the symptoms of GP and/or pseudo-obstruction of the small intestine can be made worse...??
All I know now is that I am more tired than I was before I was on the machine. I finally got a medication from my neurologist to help me stay awake during the day. The last two days I have woken up with such severe chest/stomach pain/pressure/gas... whatever, that I could hardly stand up straight.
Anyone out there ever come across this, or use a CPAP too and notice it having any affect?
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Can a CPAP affect GP or pseudo-obstruction symptoms?
- By mekmoore
- Posted September 6, 2009 at 4:53 am · 6 replies
- In Coping with chronic illness
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- By GinaB
- Posted September 6, 2009 at 7:19 pm
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Hello, I have to use a CPAP machine everynight for COPD and asthma. However, many mornings I wake up with the thing next to me blowing away, I must take it off my face during the night sometime? I wondered why, so one night I watched a movie with it on and I couldn't figure out why I would take it off. I will do this again to see if my gerd gets bad or what else may occur? Thanks :- )) Gina
- By Loie
- Posted September 6, 2009 at 9:52 pm
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I have gp, cip and sleep apnea also. I have both central and obstructive. I was diagnosed with the sleep apnea about 10 years ago. The first three days I used the CPAP long ago, I thought it was the most wonderful thing in the world. At that time I was having 55 episodes an hour. Therefore, I never reached the rem cycle...ever.
Recently, I was retested and they lowered my air pressure. I can't keep the mask on because I feel like I am sufficating. I also have tried it while watchcing a movie and feel as though I can't expand my lungs.
This inability to expand our lungs also comes from the bloating we do which presses on the lungs. It does mine anyway, and I assume it does to others as well.
I don't know if it makes any difference having gp or cip. I only know that since I am having such a terrible time with breathing it just may have to do with the bloating. Now that you mention it, I wasn't having as many "continuous symptoms" as I am now. I had periodic episodes, but not on a daily basis.
You may have something there. Let us know what you find out. I would be very interested to for any knowledge whatsoever.
Wishing you the best.
Loie
- By mekmoore
- Posted September 6, 2009 at 10:42 pm
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I emailed my GI doc from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and will see if she will reply. It seems to make a little sense that it is possible to make it worse... but I have had a hard time finding anything conclusive on the internet yet. I'll keep you updated.
- By Shaya613
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 6:36 am
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I also use a CPAP machine and it really helps me feel well rested. As far as affecting my GP...it's hard to say. Since I went to the Mayo Clinic in January it got much better and know I am getting more recuring symptoms everyday. But i do not think its from the CPAP I thinks its because my meds needs adjusted.
- By mekmoore
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 12:30 pm
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This is the response I got from my Mayo Clinic GI doc...
"I anticipate the CPAP results in some air delivery to the GI tract as some will be forced there as a consequence of the dynamics of the machine. With intestinal dysmotility and poor forward movement of material, air may well contribute to increased symptoms."
Any thoughts on this?
- By Loie
- Posted September 9, 2009 at 4:48 pm
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That makes some sense to me. Yet I am not certain it is worth not using the CPAP. We just lost a friend due to sleep apnea. He was diagnosed with sleep apnea but refused to use the CPAP. Therefore, I think the benefits of the CPAP far outweigh the symptoms or problems from gp or CIP.
Thanks for the info.
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