Struggling

[musotech]

The hospital have just changed my CPAP machine from an Apex XT III to a Respironic machine. The machine pressure is set at 15 which is not comfortable straight away so I use the ramp button which starts it at 4.5. This feels as though I'm not getting enough air to breathe, uncomfortable but bearable. The nurse did say if it was too much that I could swop to the APAP version that they tested me out on, but that works at 4.5 until it detects the airway collapsing. Not sure what to do next.

On top of all that, just started the first cold of the term and breathing is even more difficult!

Any suggestions?

[Anniett]

I use a ResMed APAP machine and also found that a start level of 4.5 was too low and made me feel I was struggling to breathe. It was reset to a starting pressure of 6 and I found that was much better and it still increases as necessary when an event occurs. This can also be done on a Respironics APAP machine. I would certainly suggest that changing to an APAP machine would be a good idea but ask them to set the ramp start pressure to a higher level. It is easy to do and the clinic will do it for you if you ask them to.

Good luck.
Anniett

[musotech]

Thanks Anniett, after last night I'm going to ring the clinic and ask to be swopped over.

[Anniett]

APAP is not a cure-all and still takes some getting used to, as does any CPAP. However, for me it has been a revelation. It does sometimes wake me up during the night making dreadful noises (leaks when the pressure has risen) but a minor adjustment of position and I am asleep again. On a couple of occasions I have had to switch it off and then on to start the ramp again but as I use it for longer these episodes get further and further apart.

Best wishes
Anniett

[Barely Awake]

If your ramp is too low for you at 4.5 you could just ask the clinic to set the ramp higher. The APAP threshold can also be set higher, mine is set at 9.5, and it merrily supplies me 10-16 usually (up to 20 if needs be) once I am asleep.

I think they set the min 1 or 2 below your 90% (of the night) pressure - you can check that.

[symmit]

Another advantage of the apap is that you can set your minimum pressure to whatever works for you knowing that if more pressure is needed it will add it. I find the mine varies from 8 to 10 depending on what mask I am using so I can have the best comfort possible and still get the pressure I need. Handy when you have a cold and find the usual pressure too high to get to sleep with.

[musotech]

Update

Eventually got an appointment at the clinic and have been swapped over to the APAP machine and been given a nasal pillow to try out. I'm still finding the initial pressure setting a bit difficult to deal with and it seems to take ages to get off to sleep. When I do sleep I sleep very well, 8 hours the other night! Let's hope that becomes the norm!

Hope everyone had a good Christmas and has a peaceful New Year.