I received my first ever CPAP machine last Wednesday so I haven't had a full week with it yet. I have a Remstar Auto M w/C-Flex and since I've never used a machine before I really don't know if it's great or not. It got pretty good reviews here tho. I am having two problems. First, I seem to be able to fall asleep o.k., but I am not a back sleeper, I'm a side/stomach sleeper and when I wake up during the night, I get a feeling of claustrophobia. I was issued a Fisher & Paykel FlexiFit406A pediatric mask (really small nose). Does this feeling eventually go away or should I try a different mask/pillows? Also, I have been lurking at this site for a few days trying to fix a problem that I think is called "rainout"? The mask has quite a bit of condensation which forms and pools in the mask. I have tried lowering the machine from my nightstand to the floor, covering the tube, and lowering the humidifier. It is now set on the lowest setting and I'm still getting water in the mask. Needless to say, so far, it's not been the most pleasant experience, but I'm willing to learn and am eager for advise as I don't want to be one of those non-compliant patients. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Another Newbie
5 posts
• Page 1 of 1
-
rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Hi russpat and welcome to the message board!
You've received a very good machine, imho. Do you know what pressure range they set it for?
When you say this:
"First, I seem to be able to fall asleep o.k., but I am not a back sleeper, I'm a side/stomach sleeper and when I wake up during the night, I get a feeling of claustrophobia."
Do you mean you are trying to stay on your back when you'd rather sleep on side/stomach...and that being on your back makes you feel claustrophobic in the mask if you wake up?
Or do you mean that you ARE sleeping on side/stomach and waking up then makes you feel the mask is claustrophobic...and that you think that feeling wouldn't happen if you were able to stay on your back?
Either way, it's hard to tell if the feeling is really from the mask, or if it's a matter of the pressure possibly set in a range that the low pressure is "not enough" to breathe comfortably. Often doctors order an autopap to be set "wide open" 4 - 20 cm. I think 4 is way too low to be comfortable for most people. 5 or 6 or even 7 for the low would be better, imho (but hey, I'm not a doctor.)
Or...if the machine has had to raise the pressure during the night, to prevent apneas/hypopneas...and you wake up when it's blowing harder, perhaps you're having difficulty breathing out against the pressure coming in? That could make one feel claustrophobic, too. I hope they turned on the C-Flex feature for you.
russpat, I don't know how much you want to "do for yourself" in this kind of treatment, but if you are interested in seeing what settings the DME set your machine for...what they did or didn't turn on in the machine -- features like C-Flex, ramp, patient's ability to see data results in the display window in the morning -- as well as what pressure range has been set, there is a way to go into the "setup" menu to see those things.
You can get a lot of help here, so keep reading, and ask anything.
If your mask is still getting a lot of rainout in it, even with the steps you've taken (reducing the heat on the humidifier, using a hose cover, placing the machine down low) you must sleep in a pretty cold bedroom?
Perhaps try making a cover for the mask itself, as long as you don't block the exhaust vent of the mask. Might be your warm breath hitting the cold plastic inside the mask adding to the moisture accumulation if the room is quite cold.
To really stop rainout as much as possible, many of us bought the Aussie heated hose out of our own pockets (insurance won't cover it, that I know of):
You can read a lot of discussions about it by clicking this link:
LINKS to discussions about the Aussie heated hose - to prevent rainout
viewtopic.php?t=5305
Good luck!
You've received a very good machine, imho. Do you know what pressure range they set it for?
When you say this:
"First, I seem to be able to fall asleep o.k., but I am not a back sleeper, I'm a side/stomach sleeper and when I wake up during the night, I get a feeling of claustrophobia."
Do you mean you are trying to stay on your back when you'd rather sleep on side/stomach...and that being on your back makes you feel claustrophobic in the mask if you wake up?
Or do you mean that you ARE sleeping on side/stomach and waking up then makes you feel the mask is claustrophobic...and that you think that feeling wouldn't happen if you were able to stay on your back?
Either way, it's hard to tell if the feeling is really from the mask, or if it's a matter of the pressure possibly set in a range that the low pressure is "not enough" to breathe comfortably. Often doctors order an autopap to be set "wide open" 4 - 20 cm. I think 4 is way too low to be comfortable for most people. 5 or 6 or even 7 for the low would be better, imho (but hey, I'm not a doctor.)
Or...if the machine has had to raise the pressure during the night, to prevent apneas/hypopneas...and you wake up when it's blowing harder, perhaps you're having difficulty breathing out against the pressure coming in? That could make one feel claustrophobic, too. I hope they turned on the C-Flex feature for you.
russpat, I don't know how much you want to "do for yourself" in this kind of treatment, but if you are interested in seeing what settings the DME set your machine for...what they did or didn't turn on in the machine -- features like C-Flex, ramp, patient's ability to see data results in the display window in the morning -- as well as what pressure range has been set, there is a way to go into the "setup" menu to see those things.
You can get a lot of help here, so keep reading, and ask anything.
If your mask is still getting a lot of rainout in it, even with the steps you've taken (reducing the heat on the humidifier, using a hose cover, placing the machine down low) you must sleep in a pretty cold bedroom?
Perhaps try making a cover for the mask itself, as long as you don't block the exhaust vent of the mask. Might be your warm breath hitting the cold plastic inside the mask adding to the moisture accumulation if the room is quite cold.
To really stop rainout as much as possible, many of us bought the Aussie heated hose out of our own pockets (insurance won't cover it, that I know of):
You can read a lot of discussions about it by clicking this link:
LINKS to discussions about the Aussie heated hose - to prevent rainout
viewtopic.php?t=5305
Good luck!
ResMed S9 VPAP Auto (ASV)
Humidifier: Integrated + Climate Control hose
Mask: Aeiomed Headrest (deconstructed, with homemade straps
3M painters tape over mouth
ALL LINKS by rested gal:
viewtopic.php?t=17435
Humidifier: Integrated + Climate Control hose
Mask: Aeiomed Headrest (deconstructed, with homemade straps
3M painters tape over mouth
ALL LINKS by rested gal:
viewtopic.php?t=17435
First of all I want to welcome you into the world of hose heads.
I would suggest that some time when you log in look at the Chat room if people are on line there you will find a lot of friendly folks there.
Listen to what RestedGal is saying.....if anyone can help
She can I think she knows more about cpap than most of the clowns that work at a DME (to remain nameless)
Welcome aboard, if I can help feel free to PM me.
_________________
| Machine | |
 |
Don't Bend or Squash, My Aluminum Hat,it keeps them from knowing what I am thinking!
I need more Coffee&Old Bushmills!
"Without Truckdrivers America Stops!"
I'm not always wrong,but I'm not always right!
"Semper Fi"
I need more Coffee&Old Bushmills!
"Without Truckdrivers America Stops!"
I'm not always wrong,but I'm not always right!
"Semper Fi"
-
Guest
WOW, rested gal! Now that's what I call a quick response and thank you for the welcome. My setting is 7-13 on my machine but the first couple of nights I ramped it down to 4 to start. Falling asleep initially isn't a problem because I am so tired, but I have been apprehensive about sleeping on my side or stomach because of the tubing. The weight of the mask and tubing, I think, is what gave me the claustrophic feeling. Last night after perusing this board, I tried positioning the hose over my headboard and boy what a difference. I really felt much freer to move around without having to adjust and move the hose every time I changed positions. And I didn't have that weighted down feeling. As far as the C-flex, since I haven't experienced other machines I can only report on my machine and I did try it at the different settings. I find that the least amount of pressure works best for me for now. Addressing the rainout problem, I live in Alaska and I guess cold room is relative . We normally sleep with the thermostat set at 55 and I guess to some people that might be cold, so last night we turned it up to 60 and no rainout!! Although I'm not there by any means yet, I did wake up on my stomach this morning, with no chlaustrophobia, no feeling of drowning, and no headache. I still have some tweaking for sure, and my husband says I still make weird noises in my sleep. I suspect that I may have a mouth leak, but I'm not ready to tape it. Anyway, thank you for your advise. This is all completely new to me and without this site I'd really be flying blind.
Pat
Pat
-
Guest
5 posts
• Page 1 of 1