trouble exhaling - baffling
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2018 9:31 am
trouble exhaling - baffling
hi, my name is Kimberlee. I'm hoping someone can help me. (I made an appointment with my physician to discuss my CPAP and follow up on my apnea.)
I've been using a CPAP dream station for about 1.5 years. Suddenly last week, I've had CPAP troubles. I wake up in the middle of the night feeling like I can't exhale enough and that I'm taking back in the CO2. I feel like I'm suffocating and I have to take the mask off. I've slept soundly before this so I'm so upset.
I went to the medical supplier and I replaced my old mask with a new one to make sure that it wasn't a case of worn-out mask. The technician changed a setting which would reduce pressure so that it's easier for me to exhale as well. (I replaced filters)
The emergency flap in the elbow joint just outside the mask keeps flapping open when I inhale. Not sure if it happened before, but I've noticed it now. The CPAP company technician said that in the vent of a power outage, that flap allows you to keep breathing.
But the mask rises and falls as I breathe which didn't use to happen. I tried to tighten the fit of them mask, but I still feel like I'm suffocating. I could fall asleep for several hours before it would happen (I use the ramp-up of my pressure from 7 - 14). But now the mask moves, the flap seems to open and close much earlier after I've just started to sleep.
I'm not sure if it's connected but I also have been experienced severely dry nasal passages, sinus congestion. I've tried using the humidifier up to 2, and also a heated tube which is on the 2 setting to try to get rid of this variable. Even when i've reduced those settings to zero, my mask still moves. I also use an external humidifier.
Thanks for any help you guys can offer!
Kimberlee
I've been using a CPAP dream station for about 1.5 years. Suddenly last week, I've had CPAP troubles. I wake up in the middle of the night feeling like I can't exhale enough and that I'm taking back in the CO2. I feel like I'm suffocating and I have to take the mask off. I've slept soundly before this so I'm so upset.
I went to the medical supplier and I replaced my old mask with a new one to make sure that it wasn't a case of worn-out mask. The technician changed a setting which would reduce pressure so that it's easier for me to exhale as well. (I replaced filters)
The emergency flap in the elbow joint just outside the mask keeps flapping open when I inhale. Not sure if it happened before, but I've noticed it now. The CPAP company technician said that in the vent of a power outage, that flap allows you to keep breathing.
But the mask rises and falls as I breathe which didn't use to happen. I tried to tighten the fit of them mask, but I still feel like I'm suffocating. I could fall asleep for several hours before it would happen (I use the ramp-up of my pressure from 7 - 14). But now the mask moves, the flap seems to open and close much earlier after I've just started to sleep.
I'm not sure if it's connected but I also have been experienced severely dry nasal passages, sinus congestion. I've tried using the humidifier up to 2, and also a heated tube which is on the 2 setting to try to get rid of this variable. Even when i've reduced those settings to zero, my mask still moves. I also use an external humidifier.
Thanks for any help you guys can offer!
Kimberlee
_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine with Heated Humidifier |
Mask: AirFit™ F10 Full Face Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: been using CPAP for 5 or so years. had UPPP surgery, but had to resume CPAP |
Re: trouble exhaling - baffling
It could be that your head gear itself and not the mask is worn out and no longer provides the tension to keep your mask in place.
Just a thought. I could be way off base there but it is worth checking into.
Just a thought. I could be way off base there but it is worth checking into.
Re: trouble exhaling - baffling
Exactly which mask are you talking about?
Sounds like one of the full face masks with the "vent" you are talking about being the anti-asphyxia valve.
Sounds like one of the full face masks with the "vent" you are talking about being the anti-asphyxia valve.
_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/ |
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.
If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.
If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.
Re: trouble exhaling - baffling
There's a feature on your machine called EPR (Exhale Pressure Relief) that you can set from a 1-3 (I believe) level. It may raise your AHI by 1-2 pts but you can balance things out depending on how much EPR you want and how important it is to you for you AHI to look good - in other words, if you still feel OK and your AHI isn't extremely high, you should be ok. If it doesn't work (EPR) then write again.
_________________
Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: IntelliPAP Integrated Heated Humidifier |
Re: trouble exhaling - baffling
Suggesting using EPR might confuse someone...EPR is exhale relief on a ResMed machine.
Exhale relief on the DreamStation is called Flex and if it is the DreamStation CPAP model it only offers CFlex I think. I don't think AFlex is offered unless the machine is auto adjusting.
Respironics doesn't call their exhale relief EPR and the OP might go looking for something on their machine that isn't there. They can look all day for EPR and they won't find it.KimandMike wrote:I've been using a CPAP dream station
Exhale relief on the DreamStation is called Flex and if it is the DreamStation CPAP model it only offers CFlex I think. I don't think AFlex is offered unless the machine is auto adjusting.
_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/ |
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.
If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.
If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.
- Bertha deBlues
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 8:36 am
Re: trouble exhaling - baffling
Yes. I have a DreamStation, initially set up as a CPAP, and it was called C Flex in CPAP mode. When my machine was switched to Auto, the relief setting changed to A Flex.Pugsy wrote: Exhale relief on the DreamStation is called Flex and if it is the DreamStation CPAP model it only offers CFlex I think. I don't think AFlex is offered unless the machine is auto adjusting.
_________________
Machine: AirSense 10 AutoSet with Heated Humidifer + P10 Nasal Pillow Mask Bundle |
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make. - Paul McCartney
Re: trouble exhaling - baffling
If it is flapping on inhale, It sounds like you don't have enough min pressure, make sure the starting or ramp pressure is 6. you could even turn this off now, your treatment pressure of 7 isn't very high. check filters and make sure there is enough air flow out the hose without the mask on it.
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p ... tup-manual
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p ... tup-manual
_________________
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 |
-
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2018 9:31 am
Re: trouble exhaling - baffling
well, that was unexpected. (this is husband mike). Thank you for suggesting we take the mask off to see how much pressure was happening. Turns out, Kimberlee went to the bay state medical where she gets her equipment to try to trouble-shoot the problem. It turns out that the new filter for her machine clogged the pressure. It was barely pushing any through! So we took the filters out, and voila! My God...my poor wife was suffocating for 4 nights, waking up in tears and panic. So, I also have a CPAP, and I put in one of the filters that my company provides me and the pressure was perfect. Like night and day. You guys, we cannot tell you how appreciative we are for your help. Kimberlee will be sleeping like she's never slept before tonight.
Thanks again!
mike & Kim
Thanks again!
mike & Kim
_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine with Heated Humidifier |
Mask: AirFit™ F10 Full Face Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: been using CPAP for 5 or so years. had UPPP surgery, but had to resume CPAP |
Re: trouble exhaling - baffling
The forum flukes one now and again Glad it sorted out.
_________________
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 |
- zoocrewphoto
- Posts: 3732
- Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:34 pm
- Location: Seatac, WA
Re: trouble exhaling - baffling
KimandMike wrote:well, that was unexpected. (this is husband mike). Thank you for suggesting we take the mask off to see how much pressure was happening. Turns out, Kimberlee went to the bay state medical where she gets her equipment to try to trouble-shoot the problem. It turns out that the new filter for her machine clogged the pressure. It was barely pushing any through! So we took the filters out, and voila! My God...my poor wife was suffocating for 4 nights, waking up in tears and panic. So, I also have a CPAP, and I put in one of the filters that my company provides me and the pressure was perfect. Like night and day. You guys, we cannot tell you how appreciative we are for your help. Kimberlee will be sleeping like she's never slept before tonight.
Thanks again!
mike & Kim
So glad you were able to get it figured out. It sounds like the flapping valve was a good indicator that the airflow was not coming through strong enough for even the lowest pressure settings.
_________________
Mask: Quattro™ FX Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control |
Additional Comments: Resmed S9 autoset pressure range 11-17 |
Who would have thought it would be this challenging to sleep and breathe at the same time?
-
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2018 9:31 am
Re: trouble exhaling - baffling
_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine with Heated Humidifier |
Mask: AirFit™ F10 Full Face Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: been using CPAP for 5 or so years. had UPPP surgery, but had to resume CPAP |
Re: trouble exhaling - baffling
everything must be going well, you didn't ask a question.
You could put some sleepyhead charts up for opinions from the forum.
You could put some sleepyhead charts up for opinions from the forum.
_________________
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 |