Hello Guest, Welcome to Apnea Board !
As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address.

or Create an Account


New Posts   Today's Posts

Chest tightness
#1
Chest tightness
I have been having problems waking up with chest tightness. I have a BiPap but do not always use it. Sometimes the tighness is very worrisome and it feels like there is something wrong with my heart. Ive had EKG, echo, stress test, and Holter and they didn't find any irregularities. I do have some PVC's and because of that can't have caffeine. Today for example I've been up 4 hours and my chest is still tight. Do you guys know if apnea events at night cause chest tightness? And if so can that tightness last most of the next day?

Thanks
Post Reply Post Reply
#2
RE: Chest tightness
(01-23-2016, 02:34 PM)adam12 Wrote: I have been having problems waking up with chest tightness. I have a BiPap but do not always use it. Sometimes the tighness is very worrisome and it feels like there is something wrong with my heart. Ive had EKG, echo, stress test, and Holter and they didn't find any irregularities. I do have some PVC's and because of that can't have caffeine. Today for example I've been up 4 hours and my chest is still tight. Do you guys know if apnea events at night cause chest tightness? And if so can that tightness last most of the next day?

Thanks


Hi adam12,
Apnea events don't cause chest tightness.

I experienced the same when I first started. My doc told me that it was just a matter of adapting to breathing with your machine. Of course, I thought he was crazy. I had a lot of anxiety at first and was trying too hard to breath.

I don't use a bipap, but I think if you just try to relax and breath normally, that tight feeling will disappear.

Try to use your machine while sitting up either watching TV or reading a book. The time goes fast when your not focused on your breathing. You will get used to it quicker that way.
OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
www.apneaboard.com

_______________________
OSCAR Chart Organization
How to Attach Images and Files.
OSCAR - The Guide
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing therapy
OSCAR supported machines
Mask Primer



INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply
#3
RE: Chest tightness
(01-23-2016, 03:08 PM)OpalRose Wrote: Try to use your machine while sitting up either watching TV or reading a book. The time goes fast when your not focused on your breathing. You will get used to it quicker that way.

This is exactly how I felt the first week of CPAP therapy. I thought I was going insane. Soooo, I called my sleep doc, and she put me on Valium (not sure the dosage) one full pill per night for 5 nights, and half pill per night for the next ten days, and bam, I was ok! You might want to discuss it with your Doc, as an anxiety issue.
"I am not a Doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.Coffee
Post Reply Post Reply
#4
RE: Chest tightness
(01-23-2016, 03:20 PM)Want2SleepInMT Wrote:
(01-23-2016, 03:08 PM)OpalRose Wrote: Try to use your machine while sitting up either watching TV or reading a book. The time goes fast when your not focused on your breathing. You will get used to it quicker that way.

This is exactly how I felt the first week of CPAP therapy. I thought I was going insane. Soooo, I called my sleep doc, and she put me on Valium (not sure the dosage) one full pill per night for 5 nights, and half pill per night for the next ten days, and bam, I was ok! You might want to discuss it with your Doc, as an anxiety issue.


Taking Valium or any anxiety medicine when you have OSA should only be done under a doctor's care, and should be taken as a last resort.
OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
www.apneaboard.com

_______________________
OSCAR Chart Organization
How to Attach Images and Files.
OSCAR - The Guide
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing therapy
OSCAR supported machines
Mask Primer



INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
Post Reply Post Reply
#5
RE: Chest tightness
(01-23-2016, 03:38 PM)OpalRose Wrote:
(01-23-2016, 03:20 PM)Want2SleepInMT Wrote:
(01-23-2016, 03:08 PM)OpalRose Wrote: Try to use your machine while sitting up either watching TV or reading a book. The time goes fast when your not focused on your breathing. You will get used to it quicker that way.

This is exactly how I felt the first week of CPAP therapy. I thought I was going insane. Soooo, I called my sleep doc, and she put me on Valium (not sure the dosage) one full pill per night for 5 nights, and half pill per night for the next ten days, and bam, I was ok! You might want to discuss it with your Doc, as an anxiety issue.

Taking Valium or any anxiety medicine when you have OSA should only be done under a doctor's care, and should be taken as a last resort.

The Valium is a pretty standard protocol in the sleep clinic I use for people with a history of anxiety. Again, in order to use it, the sleep Doc would have to prescribe it.


"I am not a Doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.Coffee
Post Reply Post Reply
#6
RE: Chest tightness
Communicating about health issues can be challenging because what one person may mean when using a term is different than what another person thinks of when they read that term.

So that said, when you use the term chest tightness, you mention only heart related issues, and having heart related tests. But chest tightness is also a often a result of lung related issues such as asthma.

Have you been tested to see if you might have a case of mild or moderate asthma? For people with asthma, a simple inhaler can do wonders.

I'd see a pulmonary specialist and have them test your lungs. There are a couple of very simple and painless tests they'll start with to measure your lung performance.
Post Reply Post Reply
#7
RE: Chest tightness
Hi Adam,

Apnea and the whole cpap treatment have caused the same symptoms you described, I also ended up numerous times in the ER with multiple tests including carrying a heart monitor a full day only to reveal im perfectly healthy from my heart.

The tricks I use to overcome my anxiety attacks are:

1) Deep breathe, fill up belly and lungs as much as possible for for seconds, hold my breath 4 seconds, exhale slowly.

2) Accept im having an axiety attack, tell myself im healthy and this too shall pass, ride it out, dont fight it.

3) A cup of whine, relaxing.

4) I work out so I use muscle relaxant lotion on my chest, it gives me a fresh sensation and helps me relax.

5) try to distract yourself, stay away from stressing situations and dont overeat or cause yourself indigestion or gas.

I hope it helps.

Im going trough one attack as i type this but i did the rub and wine above and feel much better.
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  Full face mask tightness pushing jaw back and leaks wickedsleepy 11 746 02-07-2024, 04:30 PM
Last Post: Deborah K.
  [Symptoms] Back/Chest pain, need advice anthonyfg 3 452 09-08-2023, 06:24 PM
Last Post: anthonyfg
  Chest Pains. Set pressure? Dolla Bill 13 1,066 08-28-2023, 09:22 PM
Last Post: Dolla Bill
  ongoing chest pain msherman1000 3 511 08-23-2023, 09:29 PM
Last Post: Sleeprider
  Chest strap heart rate monitor? YouTakeMyBreathAway 0 585 07-23-2023, 07:08 AM
Last Post: YouTakeMyBreathAway
Sad [Pressure] Aerophagia and chest soreness favosys 6 794 05-21-2023, 05:36 PM
Last Post: favosys
  New mask but chest still tight and flow limitations Summer 5 719 09-04-2022, 02:36 AM
Last Post: Summer


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

Apnea Board is an educational web site designed to empower Sleep Apnea patients.