Still wake up gasping with CPAP

Occasionally I will wake up gasping for air. This always happens when back sleeping or in a recliner. My feeling is the airway closes so quickly my machine has no chance of raising the pressure in time to keep it open. Not only that but the apnea is not being recorded. My data is running from 1.0-2.5 AHI with no leak issues. My APAP is set from 8-13 cm, but rarely goes above 9.0. My average pressure is running from 8.3 - 8.5. I've also noticed the gasping when I fall asleep in the TV lounger. I know it must happen quickly because of the elapsed TV time that I missed. I am predominantly a side sleeper, but CPAP has forced me more onto my back because that is the only position where the mask doesn't hit the pillow.

1.should I be worried about these incidents even if my overall AHI has been acceptable?
2. what FFM would be most conducive to side sleeping?

Get a Pap pillow (do a search on the forum), it'll solve your side sleeping/mask problem and you won't have to be on your back. It's cheaper and easier than trying to find a new mask and no matter which one you end up with you'll still feel lousy if you stay on your back. I use the same mask you have now, and do it on my stomach, having cut out a 1' long, 3" wide block from my foam mattress, into which the mask dips when I'm asleep - can't sleep any other way, and luckily the UM FF doesn't vent from the elbow (where bedding would block it) as most others do.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Y1 ... AAY00N1G8H

This is the pillow my husband uses with the UMFF as he likes a softer pillow than the PaPillow. He always sleeps on his side with no problem.

Close the gap in your pressure to a 3 cm range, 9to12 CM. Most FF masks side sleep well, I sleep with my arm under the pillow, huggy style. Jim

If it's happening when you have only drowsed off, do you have a ramp setting on your machine? That might be preventing the pressure increasing. If it's not getting above 8.5 then I would agree to either narrow the lower/upper values to 9-12 or perhaps 9-13cm and see if that makes any difference.

Thanks
Dave

Sounds to me like you may be mouth breathing, which gives me the sensation you describe. Try a chin strap to force yourself to nose breathe. My Breeze nasal pillow mask is great for side or stomach sleeping.


KenD
bris Oz

Sounds like mouth breathing to me too. I have used ordinary scotch tape and taped my mouth shut (something people have been telling me for years that I should do LMAO) and it has made a big difference for me. Something to try anyway! ~ Cynthia

You can sleep exclusively on your sides or tummy wearing a full face mask. I do it with a Hybrid FFM and occasionally I use a F&P 431. Leaks are rare with either mask and I sleep most of the night on my tummy.

I was an inveterate backsleeper for decades so I have to wear a small backpack to ensure that I stay off my back. My pressure requirements are unbearably high on my back but quite low on my sides or tummy.

Don't worry about mouthbreathing. Your equipment profile shows you use a FFM. A FFM allows you to breathe well through the mouth and avoid respiratory events. That is what FFMs are made for.

Thanks for the responses. I bought a CPAP pillow but its way too firm so I don't like it. Is there a softer one? I'm not using a ramp, but I will try raising the pressure.

The issue I have with a chinstrap is I have sinus problems and often cannot breathe through my nose, so I'm not sure its a good idea to close off the only other source I have to breathe. I'm probably a mouth breather for a reason, and that reason is its backing up my primary system (nasal breathing) which is not working!

I have no problem sleeping on my stomach or left side with my Quattro FF. whichever position I use...I am on the far right side of my pillow facing to my right, My mask is actually mostly off of the pillow. I am currently using a foam contour pillow, but, I occasionally use my regenisis hull pillow.

DoriC wrote:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Y1 ... AAY00N1G8H

This is the pillow my husband uses with the UMFF as he likes a softer pillow than the PaPillow. He always sleeps on his side with no problem.

Jason, You may have missed this previous reply. Also the Regeneris is a good pillow which we also use, you can remove some hulls if you like a softer pillow.

I probably wasn't clear in my original post, but for the most part I am successful in sleeping on my side. The problem is I occasionally roll on my back and when I do, I seem to stop breathing very quickly. I'm not sure its a good idea to remain in the the same position all night, even though this may be to the benefit of OSA treatment.

Interesting issues, of which I only have a suggestion on one. I know I've tossed this one out on the table before, but we all have our pet theories, and this is one of mine. Jason mentioned:

Jason S. wrote:Thanks for the responses. I bought a CPAP pillow but its way too firm so I don't like it. Is there a softer one? I'm not using a ramp, but I will try raising the pressure.

The CPAP pillows seem to work by being fairly firm and having definite edges, so a person can rest his or her head comfortably while letting the mask hang over an edge, where it doesn't get pushed out of position by the pillow. It works like a charm for many. The alternative, which I like better, Is a thick, fluffy pillow, where it is the softness of the pillow that prevents it from dislodging the mask. A "side sleep" pillow from any Bed Bath & Beyond or equivalent is extra thick to support the head while lying on your shoulder. A new one doesn't have the compressed, hardened feel foam pillows can get after awhile. These are not very comfortable on your back, being too thick, so they help keep you on your side. My wife says that I now roll back and forth from one side to the other over the course of a night, spending little time on my back. (It's good that I go back and forth, I suppose, instead of rotating in one direction. or I would wake up feeling strangled by my equipment, with what doctors might call nuchal hose x3.) I actually think that when I bury my head in the fluffy pillow, it softly pushes the mask against my face and helps keep the seal. It's another approach to try, especially for someone who doesn't like firm pillows.

Hi - there are many fixes for people who roll onto their back, everything from big pillows to sewn-on tennis balls behind them, but you said your problem was side sleeping with the mask on... guess I'm a bit confused now (not a first by any means ).

PST, the pillow you're describing sounds like one my husband might like. I might like it too. Do you use a certain brand or is it just BBB's own?