Difficulties inhaling

[swindonstu]

Hi Forum Friends!

I'm pretty new to CPAP therapy, having been on it for only 4 weeks now.

I was originally given a hard plastic full face mask (I have a beard, sinus problems, and sleep on my side with my mouth open - nasal mask no good for me!). Apparently I am 'between a small and a medium' so am being given small masks by the hospital.

First mask - guess what? It leaked! Hospital were really good though, and changed it for a Hans Rudolph 7600 v2 which is essentially an all gel mask and better for people who sleep on their sides as it has 3 layers of flaps to protect from leaks. Generally good and doesn't tend to leak, but is a little uncomfortable.

The problem is this - I have started to struggle inhaling with it. This tends to happen after being awake with it on for about 10 mins or so. I did try riding it out, but ended up hyperventilating!

I checked the exhalation holes as it feels like I'm not getting any fresh air in and just breathing in my own carbon dioxide. They were fine as is the valve.

Not sure if this is normal or not? Any thoughts?

[proterra]

Have you checked the mask is operating Ok without a cpap attached. just put your finger over the inlet and you should be able to breath OK and nsee if the inlet valve is working ok plus whether you have a good seal.
You dont say what machine you have, if you could post that I,m sure someone will offer you advice. What level is the machine set to , ie 12?

[Tigers Fan]

As you are not dead after ten minutes with the mask on, I'm guessing the mask is OK and that the problem lies with you. As you end up hyperventilating, I'm also guessing that you have feelings of "can't breathe" and suffocation.

Weirdly (counter-intuitively) the solution is ususally to increase the pressure. Now, ten minutes may still be in the ramp period so the answer would be very easy - just increase your ramp start prerssure. If you are not using the ramp function, you may have to get the clinic to increase your base pressure (or learn how to do it yourself).

TF

[swindonstu]

Thanks to both for that...

Proterra - I have indeed checked the mask without the machine attached and it seems to be fine. It is when I switch the machine on, the mask starts inflating and deflating as I breath?

It may be worth adding that I am a heavy breather (not in the phone-call sense! LOL)

TF - You are absolutely spot on that (a) I am not dead yet, and (b) I do indeed get those feelings of suffocation

My machine is a Phillips Respironics REMstar Auto A-Flex as supplied by the hospital. The pressure always starts at '4' and I was told that it detects when I have an event and increases pressure accordingly. I have woken up to find it at 20 before now.

Sadly I don't have the faintest idea how to adjust the start pressure, so any advice on this gratefully recieved...

Thanks

[Tigers Fan]

You have to discover for yourself how to adjust pressures if you decide to go that way - but for now, until your PAP knowledge increases, I recommend you work through your clinic.

Your machine is set "wide open' at 4 to 20 cm H2O - and that is just plain asking for troubles such as you are experiencing, in my humble opinion and with some experience. As you've been using the machine for a while, it contains more than enough data for the clinic to set your pressures to better suit your personal needs. You may well have to be assertive with them as they may be convinced "wide open" in best (it is for some, but not those who get the suffocating feeling after ten minutes!).

Search American CPAP retail sites for the clinicians' menu of your machine.

TF

[swindonstu]

Thanks TF, thats really helpful stuff.

I do have an appointment in a couple of weeks where we will be looking at the data collected to date so will chat to them then about this...

Glad I asked, as my knowledge has now increased!

[proterra]

Remstar settings

As Tigers fan says you can alter the settings to suit yourself see:-

http://www.apneaboard.com/CPAP%20Adjustment.htm

You should find the set up settings for your machine in there. Do only one thing at a time though and see if it works for you.

If you lookup Sleepyhead on the web you can download a free prog which you use to see all your data from the memory card and see whats happening. Just put ypour mem card in a reader and point the prog to that folder and it will load all the data.

[Barely Awake]

If you are with the GW ring the Sleep Nurse and talk it through, I have found them very good. You may have to leave a message and they will get back to you.

[swindonstu]

If you are with the GW ring the Sleep Nurse and talk it through, I have found them very good. You may have to leave a message and they will get back to you.

Hi Barely Awake

I am indeed with GW, and have an appointment to see Sam, the Sleep Nurse (who I have found to be really good so far!) in a couple of weeks to go through the data anyway.

As it is, I don't seem to have had the problem for the last 2 nights so will keep going until then...

[Barely Awake]

According to local news the ward the Sleep Unit is on is shut, they have a prob.

[swindonstu]

According to local news the ward the Sleep Unit is on is shut, they have a prob.

Norovirus... just read it...

Wonder if thats why I've been feeling rough over xmas then? Went in just before...

[swindonstu]

Just looked up symptons and not mine... Phew!