New to CPAP after years of tiredness & snoring

[want2rest]

Hi everyone, I am so glad I found this forum. I already read some of the threads.
I am using Resmed Airfit N20 with Luna G3 Machine.
My question is that is it supposed to be hard to breathe out, I think my nasal passages might be narrow because even when I am not wearing mask I feel there might be some obstruction (maybe weight related?) so did anyone consider using nasal strips to open the nasal passages so we can breathe out more easily? Or is it because of the pressure? My machine arrived pre-set from the supplier, I can share some settings, or if there is anything else I can share from the app, I can also do that for Pros here to review.

I haven't had a restful night of sleep for more than 15 years, I've been told I snore a lot, and I tried to use apps to monitor my snoring like SnoreLab and I found out I don't just snore but roar! 2 day sleep test concluded mild sleep apnea but I think it's worse than that because I was waking up with teeth pain and throat aches fromt the vibrations, and my voice was changing. I am really hoping cpap helps. Any suggestions would be appreciated, it's only been 2 days since I started trying, I was able to get a happy face on the monitor So I think I am doing good.

[vandownbytheriver]

Hi everyone, I am so glad I found this forum. I already read some of the threads.
I am using Resmed Airfit N20 with Luna G3 Machine.
My question is that is it supposed to be hard to breathe out, I think my nasal passages might be narrow because even when I am not wearing mask I feel there might be some obstruction (maybe weight related?) so did anyone consider using nasal strips to open the nasal passages so we can breathe out more easily? Or is it because of the pressure? My machine arrived pre-set from the supplier, I can share some settings, or if there is anything else I can share from the app, I can also do that for Pros here to review.

Welcome to the hose! There are things you can do for your nasal passages... Mute is a recommended nasal dilator, it comes in fit-pack with three sizes... it's a nozzle that fits in your nostril and opens it up. These don't interfere with mask fit like a nasal strip might.

If you share your settings we can try to make some sense of them for you. Breathing out against pressure is the first thing to get used to for CPAP... there are things you can do to make it easier, depending on the machine.

I haven't had a restful night of sleep for more than 15 years, I've been told I snore a lot, and I tried to use apps to monitor my snoring like SnoreLab and I found out I don't just snore but roar! 2 day sleep test concluded mild sleep apnea but I think it's worse than that because I was waking up with teeth pain and throat aches fromt the vibrations, and my voice was changing. I am really hoping cpap helps. Any suggestions would be appreciated, it's only been 2 days since I started trying, I was able to get a happy face on the monitor So I think I am doing good.

Yes, you're in the right place... CPAP is going to help... you just need to stick with it... and perhaps make some adjustments. Do you have the Luna app loaded? Are you getting sleep reports? Share these, your settings, and your observations and we can go from there.

[want2rest]

Thank you for your reply, I will read more into the nasal passage options. I feel like I already have a little obstructed exhale out of my nose so anything to help it keep dilated will be huge help, not just breathing out but in too. I will try the larger mark to see if that helps, since they sent all 3 sizes.
I don't have Luna app, but will install first thing tonight, I have an app from the provider "React Health" is it the same thing? I thought the CPAP machine is supposed to be sending data wirelessly, they said there is a sim card in the machine to submit my usage, and if I don't use it enough, insurance would not cover the claim, so they should be getting my data, just not in my app on my phone I guess.

Last night was first time I could keep it on for full night!

[vandownbytheriver]

Yes, normally the machine phones into a database... you should have a 'compliance' checkup with your doctor soon, for my PPO it was 1 month after getting the new machine. Your doctor pulls the data down and verifies that you did your 4 hours a night or whatever and sends the completed form to the DME or insurance (whichever). The DME or insurance doesn't get your data directly, that goes through the doctor... it's legal medical records.

Pay attention to whatever sleep reports they can give you... you need to track your OSA events and your leak rates. Around here we like to use sophisticated programs that print out every breath you took that night... those programs don't support the Luna at this time. Find whatever the manufacturer provides for an app (smartphone? Check your app store!) and keep track of your sleep that way. Your machine also has a report available every morning, see how you're doing there. At your compliance check they will give you a report too.

Just stick with it, you're not alone, there are lots of others going through the same exact thing... and we're here to help.

[want2rest]

Thanks so much for nice words.
I have the app, and I took few pictures of my settings, please see if this helps:



In addition to this I also use snorelab to keep track of my snoring, and I can see immediately after I take the mask off at night (due to discomfort or wanting to sleep face down, etc) the snores spike up immediately.
My main problem with cpap is that I expected it to make me breathe much more easily but it's actually a challenge to breathe in and out sometimes, it feels like there is obstruction sometimes, I have to ease up the mask straps then it feels better. I really need to find something to keep my nostrils open as much as possible because I tried the Large size mask, that one leaks A LOT. I assume the mask has to be completely leak-free, right?

They called me and they said they would fix since it was reporting using before I started treatment, but it still shows more than 2 weeks and says I only used it for 6 days, I will call and ask them to update it again so Adherence is 100% since i use it every single day.

[Pugsy]

I assume the mask has to be completely leak-free, right?

No...some leak is acceptable. It depends on just how much a person leaks and/or do the leaks wake a person up just how much the leaks are impacting therapy.

[want2rest]

I assume the mask has to be completely leak-free, right?

No...some leak is acceptable. It depends on just how much a person leaks and/or do the leaks wake a person up just how much the leaks are impacting therapy.

Thanks, I was trying to keep it completely leak free and it was easier when I was sleeping on my back. I realized I can actually sleep on my side, it was a huge relief that I could do that with this mask, but leaks increased when doing that, and I also developed feeling of burned tongue..

I searched the forums for that, and I see there were many reports of people with burned tongue or feeling of burned just like they burned it drinking or eating something hot and it just tingles with small pinpoint pain near tip and top surface of the tongue.
My burned tongue feel started showing up after I started sleeping on my side. I can also taste the air! If I walk into a room and someone has certain odors, food smell, anything other than usual clean air, I can literally taste it on my tongue.
A lot of people who responded to these in the forum said it could be thrush but I never had that in my life since I started CPAP treatment, and I wash my mask every day and I clean my pipe thoroughly weekly with vinegar followed up soapy water.

I thought I'd mention that to see if anyone has any suggestions.

[vandownbytheriver]

A lot of people who responded to these in the forum said it could be thrush but I never had that in my life since I started CPAP treatment, and I wash my mask every day and I clean my pipe thoroughly weekly with vinegar followed up soapy water.

I thought I'd mention that to see if anyone has any suggestions.

First, the trouble during exhale... your machine has a feature called 'reslex', basically like EPR on a Resmed machine... it gives some pressure relief during exhalation. Your provider can set this or you can get into your clinical menu and set it yourself.

Your manual, search 'reslex':
https://www.respshop.com/manuals/luna-g ... ser-manual

A video showing how to access your clinical menu:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTetuotVYJc

I suspect you may have some mouth leaking, this will dry out your tongue, which can promote fungal stuff. You might try mouth tape, neck cushion, or chin strap for this. I have never heard it described as 'burning tongue' but otherwise I have no advice... I brush my teeth before bed, then tape my mouth closed using CRST (see my profile below). I don't use soap in the hose, only on the cushion, and only hypoallergenic face soap. For the hose I only use very hot water, as hot as I can get it from the faucet, and rinse for one minute, starting from the face end.