Breathing 101

[Barbie]

Hey everyone--

I just wanted to get some input on my Pals breathing My husband doesn't use a bipap. I don't notice rapid or difficulty breathing, but it is somewhat shallower. when he lies down on his back, He huffs, and lying on his side he has to have his head in a particular position to breathe comfortably. He can cough (not deeply) with difficulty but I know he can not blow his nose. His breathing seems to take place in his stomach area--his abdomen goes up and down not his chest. I also notice that it doesn't all move in one movement, almost more like different muscles not working together to pull the air in and out.

Is this due to weak or paralyzed diaphragm? are his abdomen muscles compensating for his diaphragm? Or am I crazy and over analyzing his breathing? (he isn't complaining--but then again he doesn't complain much!)

 

[marypat]

it sounds like he is using accessory muscles for breathing. it happens gradually so he may not realize how much work it is to breath

 

[BrianD]

That would be my best guess too. When I am on my bipap my chest definitely expands. Then when I take it off my chest deflates and I am using my abs to try and breathe.

 

[pearshoot]

I breath easier laying on my left side. my gp explained there are less body organs pressing against diaphragm. my fvc is still good but I certainly can tell a difference

 

[pinkmoon11]

Hi Barbie...my diaphragm is weak. I know the bi-pap definitely helps my breathing efforts while sleeping. I am unable to cough or blow my nose. My neurologist has suggested using it also when I nap or even just sitting. I am unable to sleep on my back, but I comfortably sleep on my right or left side.

 

[Bad Balance]

I wish that I had the discipline to stick with it....yoga forms good breathing habits that do stick with you.

 

[jellis86]

I have been breathing shallow for years. The doctors never said anything about it until after my diagnosis. The only issue they had was to make sure I do take some sort of deep breaths during the day and or yawn deeply...I do both. They said it helps clear out things. I can still cough fairly strong, but blowing my nose is very difficult, almost comical because I look like a toddler the first time they try to blow their nose.

Laying on my back is when I start to "labor", like a huff and puff type breathing, not comfortable. Of course anytime they want x-rays, I am laid flat out. In fact I had an abdominal x-ray take yesterday and I was flat on my back. My stomach heaves up and down while I breath in that position, I don't like it!
I think you are right, labored breathing while laying on ones back is due to a weak diaphragm.

I have been using a bipap at night since March 2013 and also have a wedge pillow under my regular pillow (I WAS USING THE WEDGE PILLOW FOR YEARS DUE TO ACID REFLUX DISEASE). It elevates my head and chest slightly and makes breathing much easier, even w/o the bipap.

Has your husband had a recent pulmonary test? Of course they don't test you on your back, but you could mention it to them.

 

[pearshoot]

jellis86 is there anyway you can temporarily lay on your left side and try deep breathing and tell me your results. there are less body organs pressing on your diaphragm in this position

 

[jellis86]

pearshoot, yes I have noticed that while laying on my left side it is easier to breath. I didn't understand why until reading your post...interesting!

 

[Barbie]

My husband sleeps on his left side==it is most comfortable for him too. I put a firm pillow behind his back to keep him from rolling on to his back. his head is slightly elevated but he will not let me raise his head up very much because then he slides down in the bed.

the last time he has a FVC test they measured him at 24% it was with great difficulty as his lips do not seal very well. ( the RT came out to the house and worked very hard to get a good test)

 

[zoohouse]

Tim has had a bi-pap machine for a year, and actually used one years ago for sleep apnea. For a while it seemed his sleep apnea went away, so he quit using it. But the last time we were at the VA he was seen by a respiratory specialist, who recommended that he use it anyway, as it would rest his accessory muscle. Kind of like when he started using his wheelchair rather than struggling with his walker. He had more energy to do other more enjoyable things. So he is back on it, and I don't have to nag him to use it. He started to need pillows under him this week. Guess I will have to get a wedge pillow for him. His legs are already up on a pillow, as it helps him with the swelling in his feet.

 

[Barbie]

for what ever reasons, my husband has refused a bipap. we had one a couple of years ago and he tried it and didn't like the way it felt. he would not use it and we returned it. He knows they are available, but he doesn't struggle so he doesn't want one.

 

[affected]

My PALS has trouble on his back as his palate closes off and he can't breathe.
His left arm is the most painful one so laying on his left side hurts.

I've been watching his breathing more the last couple of days after this thread started and he doesn't use his stomach muscles the way you describe Barbie, but I'm going to be watching for any change in that way of breathing.

What I do know is that he breathes high and shallow and at least twice as fast as I breathe. I often just observe this when we are sitting at rest.

 

[pearshoot]

when I have fvc checked I loosen my belt, unbutton top button to allow diaphragm to expand to maximum size. it makes a difference

 

[affected]

good tips pearshoot!

That old lip seal makes a difference too, really hard doing these tests when the mouth has so many issues.