I've developed a cough.

[mdh235]

After a couple of months on PAP, I've developed a cough that triggers whenever I take a deep breath. I don't believe I've got a cold or other illness.

So, have other people developed coughs or other respiratory problems while on PAP? I've decided to stop using the humidifier for a while to see if that helps.

I know I should see a doc, and I will if it continues, but I'm just curious if this could be a side effect of my new hobby.

[Airstream]

My first thought is that your cough may not be related at all to the CPAP.
However, I would clean not only your mask, but your tubing and water container are as well. If it's in that tube, it's gonna wind up down your tube
You very well may be keeping everything clean already. Also, the air filter should be cleaned or replaced too. Possibly there is some type to bacteria or other contaminants getting into the system.
In all honesty, I maybe should not be the one giving that advice as I should probably clean my stuff more than I do.
I have to agree, this stuff does turn into a hobby of sorts.

[rwin]

After a couple of months on PAP, I've developed a cough that triggers whenever I take a deep breath. I don't believe I've got a cold or other illness.

So, have other people developed coughs or other respiratory problems while on PAP? I've decided to stop using the humidifier for a while to see if that helps.

I know I should see a doc, and I will if it continues, but I'm just curious if this could be a side effect of my new hobby.

I was experiencing a cough and would even produce phlegm but I wasn't sick. I had this issue for three months until I purchased the SoClean CPAP machine sanitizer which made a significant difference in resolving the cough and keeping the mask, hose, and humidifier free from bacteria, virus, mold, and mildew. So, in my case I attributed the cough to not cleaning the mask, hose, and humidifier reservoir on a daily basis. Hope this helps.

[DocWils]

Yeah, well, it could be infection of one form or another, but a cough as you described is also not all that uncommon and may be a mild sort of machine related asthma. It isn't all that worrisome, and often goes away after a year or so - but to be on the safe side, up your cleaning regimen, and, yes, see your doc.

[mdh235]

I've upped my cleaning, stopped using the humidifier, and will see how things go.

One immediate benefit I've mentioned elsewhere on site is that my dry mouth went away after I disconnected my ResMed H51. That's not something I would have expected.

[old dude]

Yeah, well, it could be infection of one form or another, but a cough as you described is also not all that uncommon and may be a mild sort of machine related asthma. It isn't all that worrisome, and often goes away after a year or so - but to be on the safe side, up your cleaning regimen, and, yes, see your doc.

I have something going on that may be related. I encounter situations where I don't seem to have enough breath left to finish a sentence, and my voice just quits. It's very strange and started when I started CPAP. My doc tells me it isn't related, but I feel like it has to be.

It's not related to exercise or exertion at all, no problem there-just talking.

[DocWils]

I have to say, when you use the moniker Old Dude, my first thought is....age (no offence, I'm getting up there as well - when did it get silver DOWN THERE? AAAAGH!). But there are any number of reasons for what you describe, age being one of them (we tend to have lowered lung capacities as we age and less efficiency using it for speaking, and the musculature supporting the diaphragm and chest walls weaken after fifty, losing their fast twitch abilities and thus their rapid response to the needs of speech).

I have never heard of what you have described being related to PAP therapy of any kind before, but that does not mean it isn't, although I find the idea unlikely, since the amounts of pressure involved in PAP therapy simply do not impact in any real way on the lungs or diaphragm.

More likely there is another cause, and that needs to be checked out by a pneumologist or other chest specialist. Good luck with that. It may well be something that can be dealt with circular breathing exercises (didgeridoo, for instance, or playing the cornet).

[me50]

Yeah, well, it could be infection of one form or another, but a cough as you described is also not all that uncommon and may be a mild sort of machine related asthma. It isn't all that worrisome, and often goes away after a year or so - but to be on the safe side, up your cleaning regimen, and, yes, see your doc.

I have something going on that may be related. I encounter situations where I don't seem to have enough breath left to finish a sentence, and my voice just quits. It's very strange and started when I started CPAP. My doc tells me it isn't related, but I feel like it has to be.

It's not related to exercise or exertion at all, no problem there-just talking.

Could be COPD too. I agree with Doc Wils...you need to find out what is causing this. I saw this happen with my spouse, my mother-in-law and a friend (the last 2 never got a diagnosis and my friend was told to move to FL to see if that helped).

[archangle]

Be sure and experiment with both high and low humidity.

Also, check your data for leaks. Even with a full face mask, it can make you drier.

You might also try a chin strap if you think you're mouth breathing. Mouth breathing can dry you out.

It doesn't sound like a germ problem, but really cleaning things well wouldn't hurt.

Check your air filters and keep it clean near the CPAP machine.

[Peter_C]

Just my 0.02 cents worth? I tend to use a fairly high humidity, generally almost emptying the tank during sleep, so that is a bit over a pint of fluid that is mostly making it into my lungs, right? So I've had a morning cough (first hour or so only), like a throat-clearing 4 or 6 times every day.

In my thinking, I *assume* it's my system being rinsed out during the night, and I am coughing out the left-overs in the morning. Am not bothered by it, and perhaps I am wrong in my thinking...