snoring and cpap

For the last week or so I have noticed that I am still snoring when I first fall asleep. I have had a cold, so am not sure if this is the culprit. Unfortunately I do not have a data capable machine so can't tell any of my stats. Is it normal to still snore at times while wearing cpap? The only other thing I can think of is that at times it seems like the pressure isn't as strong as it used to be, but I thought that might be because I am used to wearing the mask now. Any thoughts?
Sharon

minniesc wrote:For the last week or so I have noticed that I am still snoring when I first fall asleep. I have had a cold, so am not sure if this is the culprit. Unfortunately I do not have a data capable machine so can't tell any of my stats. Is it normal to still snore at times while wearing cpap? The only other thing I can think of is that at times it seems like the pressure isn't as strong as it used to be, but I thought that might be because I am used to wearing the mask now. Any thoughts?
Sharon

yes. the data capable machines record snoring, with software you can see when, etc.

i think you're just getting used to the machine. the dme where you got it can pressure test it if you're concerned.

I know that I still snore with my mask. Not half as bad as I used to, but it still happens.

If there is considerable snoring going on, it may be insufficient pressure. Many people experience positional snoring (ie only when on their backs)... when I use my nasal mask I have very little snoring in any position, but with my full face mask I have to increase the pressure to eliminate snoring and obstructive events if I end up on my back. Your prescribed pressure may be enough for you, except in certain positions. If you find that is the case, you can look for strategies to avoid sleeping in certain positions. A gradual pressure increase would be the other option, but without a data capable machine it's harder to work out (unless you have someone sleeping next to you who can tell you when you snore and if the incremental increases are working).

minniesc wrote:For the last week or so I have noticed that I am still snoring when I first fall asleep. I have had a cold, so am not sure if this is the culprit. Unfortunately I do not have a data capable machine so can't tell any of my stats. Is it normal to still snore at times while wearing cpap? The only other thing I can think of is that at times it seems like the pressure isn't as strong as it used to be, but I thought that might be because I am used to wearing the mask now.

Sharon,

A few things might be going on. First, your cold might be making it a little harder for you to breathe, so you are not getting quite as good of treatment from your CPAP. Once your cold goes away, see if you are still snoring. If so, you might need your pressure bumped up a little. Another possibility is that you are sleeping better. In some cases, after you are on CPAP for a while, you start sleeping a little more deeply and you are a little more fully relaxed, which makes it easier for your body to snore. Sometimes a bump in pressure as little as 1/2 cm can knock down these snores.

Some folks say that a little snoring is not an issue so long as your AHI is below 5. However, other folks say that no level of snoring is safe. If the snoring persists, you will probably want to ask your sleep doctor about it. I cannot tell you what to do, but I can tell you that when this happened to me, I did make an adjustment to stop the snoring.

-john-

Not to beat the drum about an APAP vs. CPAP, because there's so much of that on this forum already, but that's one of the problems you'll experience with CPAP. Your titration pressure was determined when you were not sick (presumably). Now you have a cold, your sinuses are swollen and draining, and you might have a sore throat. Because of the inflammation it likely takes more pressure to keep your airway open. But your machine won't make that change; you have to do so yourself.

Snoring is a result of air passing through a partially collapsed airway. So the pressure that it was determined you needed during your titration study is now inadequate to keep your airway open, and you snore. Maybe the snoring will go away when you get well and everything will be OK. But one of the advantages of an automatic machine is that it will detect the snoring and increase pressure until the snoring stops. The DeVilbiss Intellipap is very sensitive to snoring, while the S9 Autoset detects flow limitations, which are a precursor to snoring, and increases pressure to keep the airway open before snoring can begin.

All of the stuff I just mentioned doesn't really help you right now. As others have already advised you, increasing pressure one CM or so should reduce or eliminate the snores until you get better.

I was wondering about this myself. My AHI numbers are good, but sometimes my snoring is off the charts according to the daily reports. Wonder if I should up the pressure a wee bit?