Announcement

**petemcarthur** · 31 August 2010, 20:29

Hi Pete,
There will probably be much more experienced users along soon to give you their advice, but I think the general advice about claustrophobia it to wear the mask unconnected to the machine during the day to acclimatise to it.

I have a real problem with congestion as well, I'm gradually getting on top of it, adjustments on the humidifier may help.

Leaks were helped by gradual adjustments of the straps and mask. I have the same setup as you and find it pretty quiet, perhaps you have a continual leak or maybe I'm deaf!

A lot of this is trial and error, but do persevere, it makes a huge difference.

**Tigers Fan** · 1 September 2010, 09:20

Loosen, not tighten!

Hi Sleepy Pete

Welcome to the club!

The more you tighten your mask the more it will hurt (as you've discovered) and the less likely you are to get a seal.

Think of the mask as a hovercraft. The straps are only to stop it lifting completely off your face. The straps should be just tight enough to stop leakage with you laying on your back and then cinch them in another 2mm.

Sleep with your head on the pillow but your face projecting out, over the edge/side of the pillow so that it doesn't interfere with the mask.

Try increasing your ramp start pressure to help overcome feelings of claustrophobia, assuming you are using the ramp.

Time spent getting the correct, loose fit of your mask is time spent toward getting a good night's sleep.

It difficult to achieve to start with but becomes automatic with time, like driving a car.

Good luck!

TF

**shuckie** · 1 September 2010, 10:11

Hi Sleepy Pete!

Hello and welcome to the forums!

TF is right about the mask adjustment. I have exactly the same setup as you and it took me a few days to get the mask set up correctly. I could be wrong but it does sound as though the clinic didn't give you much, if any, accurate advice on how to get the best from your equipment. Don't worry! You've come to the right place for advice and support.

I recommend that you try the following this evening, preferably a while before you go to bed so you can be relaxed and fairly certain the mask will fit better before you need to use it;

* loosen the Velcro straps of your headgear and also loosen the wheel on the front of the mask a few notches
* place the mask on your face whilst sat on your bed and clip the headgear onto the mask
* gradually tighten the headgear using the straps until it feels as though it is just sitting in place on your face
* gradually adjust the wheel on the mask until it is holding the mask in place without pressing on your face/nose too hard
* lie down on the bed to check how the mask feels, as your face is different lying down compared with sitting up. Adjust the straps and/or wheel again if necessary
* turn on your CPAP without ramping for a short while so you can check that the mask floats on your face like a hovercraft without excessive leakage. Again, adjust if necessary.

Do you happen to know if the technician enabled the EPR (Exhalation Pressure Relief) feature on your CPAP? This allows you to exhale more easily, which makes the experience feel a little more natural and reduces the feeling of claustrophobia. If it isn't or you're not sure contact the clinic and ask for it to be set up if necessary at your next appointment.

With regards to your starting ramp pressure, you may not be able to change this via the Patient menu on your CPAP if the technician hasn't set this up yet. My starting pressure was set to 4 and I felt suffocated at this setting. I figured out how to access the Clinical menu on the CPAP and I was able to gradually increase the starting ramp pressure to a setting I found more comfortable.

I don't know if it is appropriate for me to tell you how to access the Clinical menu - could a moderator advise please? - as it shouldn't be accessed unless you know what you're doing (i.e. officially, if you're a sleep technician). On the one hand I suppose you should go back to the clinic so a technician can re-programme the CPAP for you. However, it would be quicker for you to adjust the starting pressure yourself.

I also experienced embarrasing flatulence during the first few days of treatment. I think my body is gradually becoming used to the increased air pressure as it doesn't seem as bad as it was. Hopefully it will be the same for you.

I don't experience problems with congestion myself, however I believe some other members have experienced similar issues and will hopefully respond with their advice soon.

Please persevere with the treatment as you will feel the benefit after you've adjusted to wearing the mask. I've had my CPAP for less than a month and I'm still getting used to it. That said, I have felt better after the nights where I've managed to have four or more hours sleep.

Please let us know how you get on and don't hesitate to come back should you need any more information or advice.

Kind regards

shuckie

**Sleepy Pete** · 1 September 2010, 16:33

Thanks people.

Shuckie yes your right the clinic really didn't say much about what to expect. In fact I got the impression that my problems would be a thing of the past!

However after reading through some of the experiences of other posters I realise it will be trial and error until I get it it right, and that what works for some doesn't necessarily work for others.
Just knowing it isn't just me is in some ways, reassuring.

I did manage to keep the mask on for around 3 hours last night although I hasten to add I wasn't asleep at the time. I take this as a positive that at least for most of that period it felt ok (ish) and I didn't feel the need to rip it off.

Anyway again thanks for the advice and making me feel welcome. I will persevere and take note of the pointers.

Announcement

New to CPAP

New to CPAP

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment