New Dreamstation Auto, new user. feels suffocating

[JasonK94Z]

I have this machine.

Flex is for exhale relief. 3 being the hardest to exhale, 1 being the easiest. The machine lowers the pressure when it senses your exhale.

You can also adjust to have your ramp start at a higher pressure of your choice. It's in the menu.

It's always been the other way around. 3=most exhale relief, 1=least exhale relief (other than Off)


Den

.

Your right Den. Sorry, I had it backwards. 3 gives the most relief when exhaling.

[elixeus]

I agree with DeadlySleep. From my experience, the first time I put the mask on, I was like... there is no way I can do this. It feels like you are hanging your head out the window as a passenger in a car. I found the less I thought about my breathing, the less I felt suffocated. If you breathe in strongly and exhale strongly, your body is going to fight the treatment and you're going to hyperventilate, especially at low/higher pressures.

If you trust you are getting enough air, and take a "CPAP breath" (potentially with a lower tidal volume, what feels more like mini-breaths), hopefully you'll find the pressure isn't disruptive. Some can't stand the treatment for physiological, or psychological reasons. The question is if it is psychological, you can do something about that. If it is physiological, with the right state of mind and if you have given it time (which it sounds like you have), then I would look at starting a higher minimum pressure and talk with your doctor about that. If you wake up and find the pressure high, you are welcome to check. I have been in that boat before, it certainly is disconcerting, but normal if the machine was correcting for SA events before reawakening.