Is it normal to not really notice the air pressure?

[rshd301]

Hi,
I have a F&P Icon Novo CPAP machine with the pressure set at 9. I have a NHS supplied silicone nasal mask, a Sleepweaver Elan and a Philips Wisp (which I'm evaluating at the moment). My query is common across each of the masks.

When I go to bed and fit the mask and switch on the CPAP, I can feel the pressurised air immediately filling my lungs with each inhalation. I can also feel the resistance to my exhalations. However, within 5 minutes or so, I don't have the same sensation of pressure which is how things remain all night. If I pull my mask away, everything's blowing like it should.

Is it a case of quickly becoming accustomed to the air pressure to the point of not noticing it?

Cheers,

Neil

[Sparticus]

Hi Neil, yep you got it in 1. Once your body becomes accustomed to cpap, it then becomes harder to know if your machine is on or off. Most peeps find this. I sometimes have to lift my mask to check if its gone off or not. I also find that if I lay in bed without my mask my breathing is laboured so I reach for the mask and all is well again

[Sleep2Snore]

You have quite a low pressure anyway, but yes you do get used to it.
I am at 18 in pressure and believe me you can feel it when you start the machine, however, within 20 minutes it is not nearly so noticeable.
When I was on a lower pressure I used to wake up wondering if the machine was still running, even though I heard the noise of the machine.
Hope that helps, others will have something to say I hope.

[rshd301]

Cheers Guys.

I was hoping that was the case.

Thanks for the confidence boost

[proterra]

Don't you have the ramp function on your machine? the pressure will increase slowly then to 9 over about 20 mins.

[rshd301]

Don't you have the ramp function on your machine? the pressure will increase slowly then to 9 over about 20 mins.

Hi Proterra,
My F&P Icon does have a ramp function but that's not the issue. My concern was, when the machine's on full pressure, I quickly become accustomed to it and start to wonder if it's still blowing or not. I'm lifting my mask away or feeling for the mask outlet to get some assurance that all is OK.

Cheers,

Neil

[symmit]

Hi

I find now that in the mornng when i wake i barely notice the mask at all! Certainly the pressure is quickly acclimatised to and becomes comfortable after a short while.

[rshd301]

Hi

I find now that in the mornng when i wake i barely notice the mask at all! Certainly the pressure is quickly acclimatised to and becomes comfortable after a short while.

Good to know. I was starting to get paranoid. Thanks.

[Sleep2Snore]

My mate just started CPAP a few days ago, I spoke to him yesterday and he said he woke up in the middle of the night and thought the machine had broken, it was making a noise but he said there was no pressure so he lifted the mask. He said if he had a wig on it would have blown it off
He had gotten used to the pressure in a few days, he said when he first got it he couldn't breath against it!
Just shows how quick you can get used to it.