Introduction by Linda Crabtree

Breathing problems associated with CMT are often ignored because most doctors don't know they can be part of the disease. What to do if you think you have CMT related breathing problems:
• Show all off these breathing pages to your general practitioner.
• Have your doctor send you to a respirologist or cardio-pulmonary specialist.
• Suggest that your maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) be tested both sitting and lying down. The latter is very important.
• If you are having bad morning headaches you could be retaining CO2. The above tests will show that.
• You can elevate the head (from the waist) of your bed two or three inches by putting bricks under the legs or a suitcase under the mattress.
• You can try taking the supplement CoQ10. It has helped some of us with breathing problems. Give it at least six months and take from 80 to 120 mgs a day. Discuss this with your GP.
• You can keep your weight down.
• Make sure you have had a pneumonia immunization shot (ask your GP) and treat respiratory infections aggressively. You don't want pneumonia.
Many of us with CMT breathing problems live active, good lives thanks to treatment and/or mechanical breathing aids. You will, too!