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Hello And Seasons Greetings, I Had To Spend 4 Nights
Question: Hello and Seasons Greetings,
I had to spend 4 nights in the hospital 23 July 2018 because for the first time in my life I had trouble breathing. I had an injection of a cortisone derivative in the muscle for back pain that exacerbated a hidden condition that was diagnosed as COPD. I have never been a smoker but I am currently using a CPAp Machine. The use of Lisenopril for high blood pressure was suspended due to cough. My breathing has improved to the point where I am blowing up balloons for kids parties. I carry a rescue inhaler just in case there is a problem. Never had to use it or the sample Breo given to me upon leaving the hospital. The question is did this problem originate from the CPAP machine or the Lisenopril? I have suspended the use of both treatments and have had no problems. I am scheduled to see my doctor 17 January 2019. What questions and how should they be asked? My regular doctor is extremely busy. I see him 4 times a year to monitor my type II diabetes and blood pressure. My last A1C was 5.4 with a BP of 130/90. I am taking carvedilol for the BP.
I had to spend 4 nights in the hospital 23 July 2018 because for the first time in my life I had trouble breathing. I had an injection of a cortisone derivative in the muscle for back pain that exacerbated a hidden condition that was diagnosed as COPD. I have never been a smoker but I am currently using a CPAp Machine. The use of Lisenopril for high blood pressure was suspended due to cough. My breathing has improved to the point where I am blowing up balloons for kids parties. I carry a rescue inhaler just in case there is a problem. Never had to use it or the sample Breo given to me upon leaving the hospital. The question is did this problem originate from the CPAP machine or the Lisenopril? I have suspended the use of both treatments and have had no problems. I am scheduled to see my doctor 17 January 2019. What questions and how should they be asked? My regular doctor is extremely busy. I see him 4 times a year to monitor my type II diabetes and blood pressure. My last A1C was 5.4 with a BP of 130/90. I am taking carvedilol for the BP.
Brief Answer:
Sleep apnea might cause COPD and proper treatment is needed to prevent progression
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I carefully read your question. It seems because you have used CPAP machine you might be suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea in itself can cause chronic lung conditions and problems.
There is no evidence that lisinopril can cause chronic lung conditions like COPD. It may cause dry cough as it has already happened in your case but not COPD. Even CPAP machine is not known to cause COPD, it mostly causes problems with dry mouth and nose.
I would say that your blood pressure seems in good values even though you are not using lisinopril and your sugar levels as well.
COPD is a chronic lung condition which can be controlled with medications but can not be completely reversed. Some patients might have mild to moderate forms that cause them to have minor symptoms and have exacerbation with shortness of breath time after time. If you were diagnosed with COPD it is an irreversible condition and very likely you still have it but in a mild form and that is why you do feel better because you treated the acute flare of it.
So to conclude i would say: it is important to ask the doctor if COPD is a sure diagnosis in your case? If so it means it is chronic and irreversible and you will need to treat the cause of it to prevent further damage of the lungs. If it is sleep apnea that is causing the COPD you will need to treat sleep apnea appropriately even though you feel good at the moment.
Having a spirometry is important to see for obstructive disease of the lungs and it will also confirm if it is reversible (mostly with asthma and unlikely to develop in elderly) or irreversible obstruction (COPD).
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if i can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General and Family Physician
Sleep apnea might cause COPD and proper treatment is needed to prevent progression
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I carefully read your question. It seems because you have used CPAP machine you might be suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea in itself can cause chronic lung conditions and problems.
There is no evidence that lisinopril can cause chronic lung conditions like COPD. It may cause dry cough as it has already happened in your case but not COPD. Even CPAP machine is not known to cause COPD, it mostly causes problems with dry mouth and nose.
I would say that your blood pressure seems in good values even though you are not using lisinopril and your sugar levels as well.
COPD is a chronic lung condition which can be controlled with medications but can not be completely reversed. Some patients might have mild to moderate forms that cause them to have minor symptoms and have exacerbation with shortness of breath time after time. If you were diagnosed with COPD it is an irreversible condition and very likely you still have it but in a mild form and that is why you do feel better because you treated the acute flare of it.
So to conclude i would say: it is important to ask the doctor if COPD is a sure diagnosis in your case? If so it means it is chronic and irreversible and you will need to treat the cause of it to prevent further damage of the lungs. If it is sleep apnea that is causing the COPD you will need to treat sleep apnea appropriately even though you feel good at the moment.
Having a spirometry is important to see for obstructive disease of the lungs and it will also confirm if it is reversible (mostly with asthma and unlikely to develop in elderly) or irreversible obstruction (COPD).
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if i can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj, General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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