Just got an APAP

Your right, I just tested my machine. It is not a lot of air, just a minor increase in pressure. But to me it does feel like a "blast" of air. It only takes a second to increase the pressure and it definitely startles me into breathing. Maybe the machine isn't working correctly. Which might explain some things.

Anyway we are way off subject. I apologize to the original poster. Out of respect, please take any further comments to my thread.
viewtopic/t115389/New-to-the-forum--Loo ... swers.html

Rob K wrote:Your right, I just tested my machine. It is not a lot of air, just a minor increase in pressure. But to me it does feel like a "blast" of air. It only takes a second to increase the pressure and it definitely startles me into breathing.

Anyway we are way off subject. If you want to continue we can take this over to another thread out of respect for the original poster.

I don't have any need to continue the discussion unless you have some questions about what I said.
And it hurts nothing to side track a little with like this discussion has veered...it's educational for everyone to learn about how apaps respond or don't respond.
I guarantee that the OP won't be the only one reading this thread at some time in the future and this discussion may help clear up some questions that someone else might have about their therapy.

And yes...I do know what you mean that it can "feel" like a burst of air sometimes. What we "feel" isn't always what is actually delivered though....but I do understand. To me the pressures when starting out the night feel like hurricane winds (and I know they aren't but they feel that way) and the same pressures in the morning feel like a gentle breeze. Now my brain knows the pressure is the same but it still "feels" different. It has to do with how the brain adapts or doesn't adapt to something.

Rob K wrote:Yeah, S1 auto and it does blast me with air occasionally when I'm transitioning to sleep. Maybe I'm not noticing the pressure increase until it gets high enough. My pressure is set in a range of 8-12. For me it does seem like a a blast of air and it does remind me to breath when this happens.

if you're talking about the tiny 1 second pressure pulse, (1cm pressure) well, that's the first time I've ever heard anybody refer to it as a 'blast'.

I think you all nailed it. It seems extreme to me, but in reality it is not.

Getting back to the original poster, billferd. It's good to hear that you are having some success finally. Keep us posted. Also can you tell us more about your experiences, pros and cons of using the dental piece. I'm considering trying one since I love to camp in the wilderness for weeks at a time. I have been leaving the machine at home when I do this.

Well I was away from here for a few days. Been trying to use that darn Mirage Quattro. I can't get the thing to quit leaking. I ordered a liner from padacheek. We'll see if that helps. I end up using the pillows instead. I fought with the mask for an hour last night and finally gave up. I thought I had it a couple times but no luck. I read the manual, watched the videos, read everything I could find.

I must be a gluten for punishment. I am gonna try it again tonight! I honestly think it may be too big though. I have a medium build and the mask is a medium. I think it is too close to my eyes. I have a follow up appt in 3 weeks so if I can't figure this thing out I'll see what they can do for me.

I like the mask because I breath better with it. I don't breath so good with the pillows.

This Mirage Quattro?
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html
If so print out the sizing guide to confirm you have the correct size
https://5faacd0c97cf0d23c6dc-064f3cd61b ... mplate.pdf

About the nasal pillow mask and difficulty breathing. Exactly which nasal pillow mask?
What kind of difficulty? What size nasal pillow? What pressure are you starting out with?
Are you using the humidifier and if you are...at what setting?
Maybe there's something we can do to make the nasal pillows work better while awaiting the follow up appointment later.

billferd wrote:Second night results are in. Again I didn't feel like I was ran over by a truck when I woke up. I only got a little over 6 hours of sleep too. I used the mask and slept pretty good. It took a bit to get the adjustment right. It hurts the bridge of my nose if I am laying certain ways, but I can usually get it situated right.

It sure is nice waking up feeling better and without my teeth and jaw hurting!

edit: I do have a concern though. While I am trying to fall asleep, I notice that I will just stop breathing now and then. Not a blocked airway apnea sort of thing, I just quit breathing for a few seconds. Not sure what to think about that.

I wouldn't worry about breathing cessation, unless your stats show a lot of that happening. Note that six hours of good sleep is better than ten hours of poor sleep!

Pugsy wrote:This Mirage Quattro?
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html
If so print out the sizing guide to confirm you have the correct size
https://5faacd0c97cf0d23c6dc-064f3cd61b ... mplate.pdf

About the nasal pillow mask and difficulty breathing. Exactly which nasal pillow mask?
What kind of difficulty? What size nasal pillow? What pressure are you starting out with?
Are you using the humidifier and if you are...at what setting?
Maybe there's something we can do to make the nasal pillows work better while awaiting the follow up appointment later.

Yep, that Mirage Quattro. I will print out that template and see what it tells me. As far as the nasal pillow -

I have a Swift FX medium.
I have had a "stuffy" nose the last few nights, even before I go to bed.
Pressure says 7 when I turn the machine on. The ramp is 5, but I have never used it.
Yes, using the humidifier on 3.

The good news is I ordered the padacheek mask liner. I was desperate last night and tried a paper towel which failed miserably! LOL I didn't have an old T-shirt handy. Even so, I only woke up a could times and used the Quattro all night. I did have very dry eyes in the morning though. Somehow I got it to fit good enough even though it did leak a bit. With the mask on, it is up by my eyes and clear down almost to the bottom of my chin.



Edit: I tried the template and made sure it was the correct size after printing. The result was that I should have a small mask, but I have a medium.

So I ordered the Mack's Pillow Soft Silicon Ear Plugs and used them last night. That sealed the mask really good. I sleep almost all night and didn't have to fight the mask. It does feel a bit odd, but so does wearing a mask!