Getting used to CPAP/AutoPap

jdschooler · Post by **jdschooler** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 5:21 pm

As I posted earlier I am newly diagnosed OSA and I have to say I could only stand the CPAP for 2 hours then they tried BiPAP. The problem wasn't when it was applied at first....it was later after they titrated the pressures up when I woke up I felt smothered and tried to calm myself through it but was unable to so they switched over to BiPAP which had the same result after a couple of hours.

My question is this...Are there any tricks/methods that worked well forany of you to get used to using it all night? I thought maybe I could go for 2 hours a night or two then go up to 4 hours and so on....Will this work? or does it just take time?

Thanx,

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 9:58 pm

Do you have a copy of your sleep study report that you could post here? If not...what pressure was prescribed for you?

jdschooler · Post by **jdschooler** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 12:07 am

I don't have a copy yet....probably next Tues...but they titrated me up to 13 cmH20 and I couldn't handle the pressures when I would wake up. The pressures didn't wake me the bathroom did so if I could have stayed asleep it would have been ok but she was going to recomend an Auto PAP with the low setting 6 and the high setting 16...if that helps you.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 1:39 am

jdschooler, I'm not a doctor or anything in the health care field...but imho, you were very, very fortunate to have a person (are you talking about the tech who did the sleep study, or is "she" your doctor?) recommending autopap set at 6 - 16 for you.

Since pressure bothers you a lot, I'd suggest you ask for a Respironics REMstar Autopap with C-Flex. Those extra words tacked on the end can make a world of comfort difference in your treatment. The autopap will read your breathing and theoretically use only as much pressure as is needed, possibly much lower most of the night than the 13 they titrated you up to. An autopap can decide what you need, varying the pressure based on your breathing while you sleep.

That's why I say you're lucky, because most new users would have been prescribed straight cpap at a single pressure - in your case 13 - regardless of how you were struggling to handle that pressure.

Add C-Flex to an autopap, and you'll be indeed getting "cadillac" treatment. In addition to the autopap automatically using lower pressures when it senses your throat can be kept open without blasting 13 at you all the time, C-Flex will add this extra comfort: C-Flex will drop the pressure every time you exhale. That kind of pressure relief when you breathe out is very comfortable. Try to get that one if you can - Respironics Remstar Auto with C-Flex.

Best of luck! Sounds like you're off to a very promising start.

jdschooler · Post by **jdschooler** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 7:29 am

Yeah that's the one I told them to order....They are also going to have a ResMed Auto Pap Spirit there for me to try and decide between but from what I have read here I already made up my mind on the REMStar Auto with C-Flex....And yes it was the Tech that went through everything with me and even showed me my sleep data in the morning on the computer.

Thanx,

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 1:26 pm

Wow, jd....the tech showed you all that the next morning after your sleep study? Most would give a canned response, "The doctor will have to evaluate it and you can discuss it with your doctor." (When actually most sleep lab techs know perfectly well how it went and what you'll need. heheh)

From "Medic" in your signature, I'm surmising you evidently knew how to talk shop with the tech and got on her good side?

SleepyGuy · Post by **SleepyGuy** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 1:38 pm

jds, when I first tried my CPAP I also felt like it was suffocating me. Now, I often have to put my hand in front of the vent to make sure it is on. I don't feel the pressure anymore.

I think it's a simple matter of my lungs getting stronger. In the beginning, it was an effort to breathe against the pressure. It's not a big deal anymore.

I'm still having problems because the inside of my nose tends to close up during the night, but I no longer have a problem with the pressure.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 2:21 pm

I've been on mine for a week now. Not as long as some folks, but... I found that the warm, humid air makes the choking/can't breathe feeling much worse. I turned down the heat on my Heated Humidifier to 1, and it got better. Last night, I went without heat or humidity. It was a bit chillier, but I had NO issues with feeling like I couldn't breathe, or like I wasn't getting sufficient oxygen.

Your mileage may vary, but that seems to be working for me.

Liam1965 · Post by **Liam1965** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 2:25 pm

Sorry, I've been lurking for a week, but I suppose if I'm going to post advice, I should identify myself so that I can be properly flogged if someone disagrees with me.

I'm the one who turned off his H/H, and found I was breathing easier.

--Liam

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 2:30 pm

Good point, Guest - about perhaps giving it a try with the heated humidifier turned off. Mileage does vary. Air that's too laden with warm moisture makes me feel like I'm breathing molasses and can even cause me to cough. I like some heated humidification, but it's nice to have the option of turning it off.

Just now saw that you are "Liam". Hi.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 3:03 pm

I won't deny that the high humidity can "feel" suffocating. If you have ever been in a steam room it does feel like your breathing molasses, but the effects of bringing all that hot humidity through your breathing passages can really keep you cleaned out. When you are congested, the more you can tolerate the better. It is not always necessary but it's great to have available. For a real hot humid experience set your humidifier at the highest setting and use the Aussie heated hose...it's like humidity heaven ...make sure your tank is full!

jdschooler · Post by **jdschooler** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 7:30 pm

In reply to the questions about me & the tech,

Yes, I am a Paramedic that works 24 hours shifts 4 days on and 4 days off so I am often up and on my feet or on the road for up to 36 hours straight sometimes with only a couple of unrestful hours of sleep...Now you see why I am so set on getting the OSA under control now....and the tech and I know each other so she felt comfortable letting me in on some of the info most of us would never get from the Dr. that interprets the study.

Well, thanx for all of your input and I am sure I will be asking for more in the months to come

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:17 pm

Jeff,

Do you sleep at "the office?" Even if it is for just a few hours I would either bring your apap with you or your can buy the Puritan Bennett 420G at cpap.com for $299. It is not a auto machine but as an inexpensive back-up it would be great to have at work for those quick naps. It's also very simple and small so it would be easy to tuck away.

100% compliance is going to get you on the road to recovery, so do what you can to achieve that.

Getting used to CPAP/AutoPap

Getting used to CPAP/AutoPap

Just a thought...

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