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Tolerating my CPap at pressure of 15
I have been trying to get used to wearing my nasal mask for almost three months and am not doing well at it. I wear a chin strap to keep my mouth closed but after I ramp up to maximum pressure of 15 I start exhaling thru my mouth which wakes me up and is very disturbing. So I am only wearing my mask 1-2 hours a night. Hate it!!!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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chin straps didn't work well for me, either. and 15 is a pretty high pressure. have you tried a full face mask?
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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You might try, as Mike suggested, a full face mask. That might help.
Chin straps rarely work. Even if they do keep your chin from dropping you can still open your lips slightly and air will escape that way.
Which machine do you have? The full name of it please?
Have you talked to the doctor? It is possible that your pressure is off, especially if you had a split night study. Many times they have to make an educated guess with the information they have to try to determine your pressure. If you do not have an auto machine I would see if the doctor would write your script for one or at least for a trial with an apap to determine if you actually need that high of pressure. Also, training yourself to sleep on your side can sometimes mean a reduction pressure -- key is staying on your side and no mouth breathing.
If you simply cannot tolerate a full face mask -- try the Hybrid. It is a combination nasal pillow mask as well as a part of the mask that covers ones mouth.
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Permalink Reply by Butch Hernandez on
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Very typical problem here. It sounds like you are oral venting to some degree. I frequently see pts that present in such a way where a chinstrap is an option. In my experience, it's usually better to keep a pt on as small a mask as possible to combat leak issues. With this in mind, I rarely deploy a chinstrap unless its a last resort. I totally agree with Mike that a chinstraps efficacy is certainly up for debate! 15 is a respectable amt of pressure for sure!! I would suggest adjusting humidification levels first before getting into the full-face mask arena. I've been able to stop oral venting about 30-40% of the time with adjusting humidity levels alone...good luck ;)
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Permalink Reply by Barbara on
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I have the ResMed nasal mask which I am pleased with. I also have the ResMed HumidAire 3i and I have it set at a fairly high level of humidity since I live in a dry desert climate. I feel like if my psi was not so high, I would not have air escaping from my lips since it only happens after the ramping has gotten to that pressure. Last time I saw the doctor, he just said to keep trying it for two more months and he thought I would get used to it. I haven't. I always sleep on my side.
I tried the full mask, under the chin, and the one that goes under your lips. They were worse than the nasal one.
sleepycarol said:You might try, as Mike suggested, a full face mask. That might help.
Chin straps rarely work. Even if they do keep your chin from dropping you can still open your lips slightly and air will escape that way.
Which machine do you have? The full name of it please?
Have you talked to the doctor? It is possible that your pressure is off, especially if you had a split night study. Many times they have to make an educated guess with the information they have to try to determine your pressure. If you do not have an auto machine I would see if the doctor would write your script for one or at least for a trial with an apap to determine if you actually need that high of pressure. Also, training yourself to sleep on your side can sometimes mean a reduction pressure -- key is staying on your side and no mouth breathing.
If you simply cannot tolerate a full face mask -- try the Hybrid. It is a combination nasal pillow mask as well as a part of the mask that covers ones mouth.
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I will try to adjust my humidity. I live in the desert and I have my ResMed HumidAire 3i set on higher humidity. Are you saying it helps to decrease it???
Butch Hernandez said:Very typical problem here. It sounds like you are oral venting to some degree. I frequently see pts that present in such a way where a chinstrap is an option. In my experience, it's usually better to keep a pt on as small a mask as possible to combat leak issues. With this in mind, I rarely deploy a chinstrap unless its a last resort. I totally agree with Mike that a chinstraps efficacy is certainly up for debate! 15 is a respectable amt of pressure for sure!! I would suggest adjusting humidification levels first before getting into the full-face mask arena. I've been able to stop oral venting about 30-40% of the time with adjusting humidity levels alone...good luck ;)
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I think you would increase the humidity to its highest setting.
Barbara Keily said:I will try to adjust my humidity. I live in the desert and I have my ResMed HumidAire 3i set on higher humidity. Are you saying it helps to decrease it???
Butch Hernandez said:Very typical problem here. It sounds like you are oral venting to some degree. I frequently see pts that present in such a way where a chinstrap is an option. In my experience, it's usually better to keep a pt on as small a mask as possible to combat leak issues. With this in mind, I rarely deploy a chinstrap unless its a last resort. I totally agree with Mike that a chinstraps efficacy is certainly up for debate! 15 is a respectable amt of pressure for sure!! I would suggest adjusting humidification levels first before getting into the full-face mask arena. I've been able to stop oral venting about 30-40% of the time with adjusting humidity levels alone...good luck ;)
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And it may well you flat need a lower pressure than was scripted, or the DME supplier may even had mis-set the pressure. Does your CPAP have EPR or C-Flex or A-Flex? Are you using it and at what setting? At 15 cms if that is what you truly need you are at that level where a bi-level may be the better option for you. But, barring certain specific circumstances, most insurances require that you "fail" CPAP therapy first. So hang, in there, keep pushing for assistance and relief. YOU are the one PAYING for this therapy that is SUPPOSED to help you get REFRESHING sleep.
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Yes, I find that I need lower humidity. When turned up too much (anything over 1) I end up congested and clogged.
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Permalink Reply by AsianImage on
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15? You are a rookie...my pressure is at 18....I have a full mask. I am thinking you need the full...only way to get the air you need and get some sleep.
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love this comment: we should have a competition who can take the highest pressure! So far AsianImage takes the cake.
AsianImage said:15? You are a rookie...my pressure is at 18....I have a full mask. I am thinking you need the full...only way to get the air you need and get some sleep.
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Permalink Reply by Glen England on
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I eventually had to move to a full face mask. Best move I have ever made. Works great. I was at 16 and am now at 13. The full face is the way to go.
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What machine do you have? How long have you had it?
If you have an apap it could be set to a range of pressures and then would ramp up to 15 only when you needed that high of pressure. Part of the night you maybe able to use a lower pressure.
Talk to your doctor and see if he would okay an apap for you.
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