Ever feel like your not getting enough oxygen on CPAP?

[Matty332]

G'day,

Just wondering if anyone has ever experienced feeling like your not quite getting enough oxygen when lying there with the CPAP on when you KNOW you are and your oxymeter says you are 99 percent oxygenated. Like that sort of strained wanting feeling in your lungs? This happened to me when I tried to sleep in this morning.

I am wondering if this is psychological because I have been known to be a bit hypochondriac in the past. Just wanted to throw it out there and see if anyone knows about this.

[DavidCarolina]

all of us have been there. Dont forget, hot humid air causes that feeling. I got rid of using my humidifier, cooled the room, and had big
improvements. I also use 02 because i like it, prescribed of course. I simply requested it.

[Matty332]

Hmm, thanks for the response David. That makes me feel alot better. I think I better go to the doc now anyway for an EKG and heart and lung exam though. I am 180kgs and 33yo. I hope it is not too late for me to lose weight. Bloody first world problems.

[jen4700]

I agree about hot humid air. It makes me feel like I can't breathe. Also if the pressure is too low I get that feeling too.

[NateS]

G'day,

Just wondering if anyone has ever experienced feeling like your not quite getting enough oxygen when lying there with the CPAP on when you KNOW you are and your oxymeter says you are 99 percent oxygenated. Like that sort of strained wanting feeling in your lungs? This happened to me when I tried to sleep in this morning.

I am wondering if this is psychological because I have been known to be a bit hypochondriac in the past. Just wanted to throw it out there and see if anyone knows about this.

This happened to me when my max pressure was turned down from 15 to 11 which is what I thought I wanted. For 3 nights I felt I was near suffocation and during the daytime I had severe headaches. When I realized the mistake and returned to 15 the feeling of suffocation and beaches disappeared.

Nate

[Matty332]

Thanks heaps everyone!

I have one more question - how frequently should the air intake filter be changed? It occurred to me that I have been using the same filter since December last year. Maybe it is clogged with dust and moisture?

[Lizistired]

I get a replacement filter every 6 months. The DME said so take it out and "flick it" once a month. YMMV, you might want to check it more often. That does get a lot of dust out, but I've been known to rinse them under the faucet.
I suggest that after you clean or change the filter, take the hose off and run the blower for 10-15 seconds. Just to blow out any loose particles. They are not a pleasant feeling.

[Janknitz]

Wash grey foam filters WEEKLY--I swish mine in soapy water, rinse well, and air dry. Paper filters get changed every other week.

[smurfyabs]

Wash grey foam filters WEEKLY--I swish mine in soapy water, rinse well, and air dry. Paper filters get changed every other week.

This is what I was told as well.

[Airplaneman]

I use humidified air but keep it at 72 degrees. Too warm and it doesnt feel right like the air is too thin.
Overall I feel like I get more oxygen on CPAP than before I was using it.
-Airplane