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I have had it several years and have continued to try and get used to it, but can't.  I think the inward pressure which makes me feel like I can't exhale is the problem.  I feel like I can't breathe when I have the mask on with pressure of the inward air flow.  I don't sleep well and badly need to be able to utilize this therapy.  Plus my snoring is so bad I have to sleep in a separate room from my wife.  It even disturbs my son in the next room.  What can I do to beable to adjust to CPAP and successfully use it.  Will a newer machine help me.  I went back to the MD office who I went to for sleep study and spoke to the people who set up the machines.  They said even though my  machine was several years old, it was a good machine.  They said the pressure settings were fairly low.  Any help and feedback I receive will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

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Sorry you haven't gotten a response yet, it's been almost a week.

 

Modern machines have something known as "exhalation pressure relief" either called "EPR", "Flex" or "Smart Flex" depending on the brand of your machine.  That reduces the pressure during the exhalation phase to help you breathe out.  You need to find out if your machine has this, and if so, to get it turned on, if that's the main barrier to using CPAP succesfully.  Go back to your sleep lab or the DME who sold you the machine and ask. 

 

If your machine is so old that it doesn't do pressure relief on exhalation, it's definitely time for a new machine.  While you are at it, make certain that your new machine has EFFICACY data that will let you know if the therapy is effective by telling you your AHI, pressure levels, and if there are any leaks.  Don't let them sell you a new machine unless you can get this kind of data--having that kind of info will go a long way in helping you adjust to and be comfortable with CPAP.   

Glenn, sorry I just noticed your post. First, understand this. If you are sleep-deprived it will make you really anxious, even insane. This is normal. If you have a nasal pillow mask (not covering the mouth) it might not be fitting. I use Swift Mirage I, and have been switching off with the Mirage LT. FYI everyone, I noticed after aging (sucks) since I got CPAP in 2004, I graduated to the large nasal pillow size, it pays to tinker with the sizes that come with the mask. (noses grow for senior citizens I'm told).

Some members here can be of more help if you have a full-face mask. I'm not up to snuff on the machines, yea, some back off the pressure as you exhale, I use a Respironics RemStar C-Flex older machine, I think most problems are with the mask fit, or the pressure, mine is "11" . Hope to resolve this for you...

 

thanks for the response.  I am going back in and check it out. probably will get new machine.  thanks so much!


glenn


Janknitz said:

Sorry you haven't gotten a response yet, it's been almost a week.

 

Modern machines have something known as "exhalation pressure relief" either called "EPR", "Flex" or "Smart Flex" depending on the brand of your machine.  That reduces the pressure during the exhalation phase to help you breathe out.  You need to find out if your machine has this, and if so, to get it turned on, if that's the main barrier to using CPAP succesfully.  Go back to your sleep lab or the DME who sold you the machine and ask. 

 

If your machine is so old that it doesn't do pressure relief on exhalation, it's definitely time for a new machine.  While you are at it, make certain that your new machine has EFFICACY data that will let you know if the therapy is effective by telling you your AHI, pressure levels, and if there are any leaks.  Don't let them sell you a new machine unless you can get this kind of data--having that kind of info will go a long way in helping you adjust to and be comfortable with CPAP.   

Glenn, sorry I didn't see your post sooner.  Yes, if you explain to the doc that you can't breathe out against the pressure he should be able to give you a new machine with either exhalation relief, or a BPAP which lowers the pressure on exhalation.  Please keep us posted on what happens.  Good Luck.

Mary Z.

If you're not using a full-face mask, you might need a chinstrap also. Nasal pillow mask without a chinstrap you can still breathe thru your mouth and snore.

Mary Z said:

Glenn, sorry I didn't see your post sooner.  Yes, if you explain to the doc that you can't breathe out against the pressure he should be able to give you a new machine with either exhalation relief, or a BPAP which lowers the pressure on exhalation.  Please keep us posted on what happens.  Good Luck.

Mary Z.

Did you try an auto CPAP machine?. The pressure is not so much falling asleep, It sense an apnea and increase the pressure,

 

I believe the newer machines will help.

I have a problem ,i fall a sleep quickly,but do not stay a sleep get up about 2 and rip the mask off!
A lot of people have that problem.  Why do you take it off and not put it back on?  Does it itch, hurt, feel claustrophobic?

jim flynn said:
I have a problem ,i fall a sleep quickly,but do not stay a sleep get up about 2 and rip the mask off!
itch
If I cannot get use to this mask,how about surgery? Does surgery work?

You can't be serious about leaping to surgery. CPAP takes some experimentation, at least 6 months to get used to it and the right equipment. I use a small fan about 6 ft away on the dresser, sometimes indirect, or direct in the warm weather, it will keep your face cooler, especially w/ a chinstrap under the mask. I have a freestanding a/c unit too if I need it.

Try a few masks, at humidity settings. Use 2 hrs a night, play with it on weekends during the day. It takes a while to get the comfort. I'm still switching between 2 masks and my wife has designed 2 chinstraps and taken tucks many times.

The "Ruby Red" one is now twice as thick, neoprene, super hot and they don't fit. I'm still using an original thin one.

Chinstraps of various types need to be tried.

Hope this helps, it's hard especially if you have sleep deprivation, let us know, ok?



jim flynn said:

If I cannot get use to this mask,how about surgery? Does surgery work?
There are hundreds of different masks you can try to find one you are more comfortable with. I've only been using CPAP for a couple of months but have a collection of four masks, two full face and two nasal, and I have access to the machine settings and readouts so am in control of my own therapy. I can't imagine being any other way - and it's very effective.

jim flynn said:
If I cannot get use to this mask,how about surgery? Does surgery work?

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