Throat Closes When Exhaling when using CPAP

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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DeeCPAP
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Throat Closes When Exhaling when using CPAP

Post by DeeCPAP » Wed Apr 19, 2017 12:40 am

I'm trying to narrow down a problem. I've been told to use a full face mask because
of mouth breathing, but my throat closes when I EXHALE using the FF mask, not when
I inhale. A cervical collar won't work because I need to lift my chin much higher to
get a clear airway. Plus if anything presses against my throat it clogs my airway even
more. I'm totally stumped. Suggestions?? I really need some sleep...

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: XT Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: My headgear varies (STILL!)
Last edited by DeeCPAP on Wed Apr 19, 2017 4:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Resmed S9 with humidifier and in need of the right mask.

ajack
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Re: Throat Closes When Exhaling when using CPAP

Post by ajack » Wed Apr 19, 2017 1:52 am

doesn't the s9 auto run up the pressure to clear it? what settings do you have? I would also turn the EPR off and download sleepyhead. Then post the charts, to see what is going on. I would guess it's a matter of raising the minimum pressure till it clears.

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Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F20 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
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Additional Comments: S9 ST-A iVAPS and adapt ASV

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49er
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Re: Throat Closes When Exhaling when using CPAP

Post by 49er » Wed Apr 19, 2017 8:24 am

You might want to see if any of these links are helpful.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=c ... ottis+cpap

49er

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DeeCPAP
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Re: Throat Closes When Exhaling when using CPAP

Post by DeeCPAP » Thu Apr 20, 2017 12:02 am

ajack wrote:doesn't the s9 auto run up the pressure to clear it? what settings do you have? I would also turn the EPR off and download sleepyhead. Then post the charts, to see what is going on. I would guess it's a matter of raising the minimum pressure till it clears.
The pressure is from 5-10. The tech just upped it. It was 5-8 before.

Today, the doctor's tech said I should sleep with a rolled up towel behind my neck. I think I'll try that.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: XT Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: My headgear varies (STILL!)
Resmed S9 with humidifier and in need of the right mask.

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DeeCPAP
Posts: 441
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2015 11:32 pm

Re: Throat Closes When Exhaling when using CPAP

Post by DeeCPAP » Thu Apr 20, 2017 12:17 am

49er wrote:You might want to see if any of these links are helpful.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=c ... ottis+cpap

49er
Yes, thanks, they were helpful. Now I'm wondering if a bipap machine would be more suitable. When
the muscles in my throat relax, they may relax TOO much so pushing air OUT is a problem. The only
way my airway clears is if I lie flat and let my jaw go slack (my mouth is open). Maybe the mask doesn't
allow me to open my mouth wide enough. I'm wearing an Amera View. One more, though less desirable
alternative would be surgery on (maybe) the epiglottis.

I have a call into the doctor telling him of the problem but he's slow getting back to me.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: XT Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: My headgear varies (STILL!)
Resmed S9 with humidifier and in need of the right mask.

ajack
Posts: 977
Joined: Thu Mar 02, 2017 2:54 am
Location: australia

Re: Throat Closes When Exhaling when using CPAP

Post by ajack » Thu Apr 20, 2017 1:51 am

If you can breathe ok with your mouth open, the blockage may be higher than your tongue? That seems unusual to me as well as inhale, I also block on exhale, but it's seems it's my tongue that does it. You may need a ENT to have a look.

a cheap, foam cervical collar may help with head sleep position too, it will open your airway.

I'm only new, so don't adjust on what I say, I raised my minimum till it stopped.

_________________
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F20 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: S9 ST-A iVAPS and adapt ASV
Last edited by ajack on Thu Apr 20, 2017 2:16 am, edited 1 time in total.

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DeeCPAP
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Re: Throat Closes When Exhaling when using CPAP

Post by DeeCPAP » Thu Apr 20, 2017 2:06 am

ajack wrote:If you can breathe ok with your mouth open, the blockage may be higher than your tongue. That seems unusual to me as well as inhale, I also block on exhale, but it's from my tongue that does it. You may need a ENT to have a look.

a cheap, foam cervical collar may help with head sleep position too, it will open your airway.
I had an ENT look at it. He told me to have a sleep study. I told him I know where the problem is, I just can't exhale
and showed him. I'm expecting a call back from him. I really don't think a sleep study is necessary when
I can reproduce the problem when I'm awake, but we'll see.

What helped you with your tongue blocking your air? Do you use a FF or nasal?

Thanks again.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: XT Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: My headgear varies (STILL!)
Resmed S9 with humidifier and in need of the right mask.

ajack
Posts: 977
Joined: Thu Mar 02, 2017 2:54 am
Location: australia

Re: Throat Closes When Exhaling when using CPAP

Post by ajack » Thu Apr 20, 2017 2:24 am

A nasal mask blows out my mouth too often, so I need a FFM. I've used neck collars chin strap, heat and bite mouth guard. but I found for me, it was a matter of keep bumping up the minimum pressure.

what machine do you have, does it take a sd card to use the sleepyhead program, that looks at every breath and there are some clever ones here that know their stuff.

_________________
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F20 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: S9 ST-A iVAPS and adapt ASV

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49er
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Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:18 am

Re: Throat Closes When Exhaling when using CPAP

Post by 49er » Thu Apr 20, 2017 2:27 am

DeeCPAP wrote:
49er wrote:You might want to see if any of these links are helpful.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=c ... ottis+cpap

49er
Yes, thanks, they were helpful. Now I'm wondering if a bipap machine would be more suitable. When
the muscles in my throat relax, they may relax TOO much so pushing air OUT is a problem. The only
way my airway clears is if I lie flat and let my jaw go slack (my mouth is open). Maybe the mask doesn't
allow me to open my mouth wide enough. I'm wearing an Amera View. One more, though less desirable
alternative would be surgery on (maybe) the epiglottis.

I have a call into the doctor telling him of the problem but he's slow getting back to me.
Glad the links were helpful. Sounds like you have a very frustrating situation.

Hopefully, you can resolve it without having surgery.

49er

GoodGuysFinish

Re: Throat Closes When Exhaling when using CPAP

Post by GoodGuysFinish » Thu Apr 20, 2017 4:20 am

what ajack means by bumping up the minimum is: change the setting from start pressure of 5 to new start (minimum) pressure.

exa. changing from 5-10 to 6-10.

hope the towel thing works.

GGF

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DeeCPAP
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Re: Throat Closes When Exhaling when using CPAP

Post by DeeCPAP » Wed May 03, 2017 8:05 am

GoodGuysFinish wrote:what ajack means by bumping up the minimum is: change the setting from start pressure of 5 to new start (minimum) pressure.

exa. changing from 5-10 to 6-10.

hope the towel thing works.

GGF
Hi GG: I notice there's saliva on my pillow when not using any CPAP at all. I think my natural mouth position is wide open -- that may open my throat so I can breath "normally" and my throat doesn't close. I may have been doing it for years. I"m wondering if using a mask that allows me to open my throat as wide as possible will fix the problem? Most FF masks don't allow that (without leaking).

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: XT Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: My headgear varies (STILL!)
Resmed S9 with humidifier and in need of the right mask.