First few nights and feeling choked

SuckingWind · Post by **SuckingWind** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 10:54 am

I just did my first few nights with my CPAP. I am on a pressure of 20 (I know!) which ramps up from 4cm in 45 minutes. I am good until the pressure gets to the high level, then I feel as if I am being choked. The air is being forced down my throat and into my stomach. I end up taking the mask off when the level gets high because the discomfort keeps me awake. Will a bilevel CPAP help solve this?

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 12:14 pm

Hi SuckingWind,

A Bipap might help but I would see if you could try an auto adjusting cpap first. If your AHI (the number of times per hour you have an apnea or hypopnea) is not to high the autopap would stay at a lower pressure (say 6cm) until you needed it to keep your airway open. If you have very frequent events it might not do you any good since you would stay at a high pressure most of the night anyway. In any event you may be able to start at a lower pressure for a while till you can tolerate it. Run this by your sleep doc asap and see if you can get some relief.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 12:31 pm

Straight cpap at 20. omg! What was the doctor thinking....

Even if they gave you that because of insurance issues (wanting "proof" for a month that you can't use the cheaper straight cpap) start calling the doc's office every day, telling them you absolutely can't breathe at that kind of steady pressure. Beg for a Bi-Pap. This is not your fault. The doctor himself should try breathing a straight 20 for a night or two.

Even though 20 is the ceiling for setting a straight cpap or an autopap, if it were me (I'm not a doctor!) I might even ask for a trial with the new Respironics Autopap with C-flex. It might be that you really don't even need the full 20 all night long - might be able to sleep more comfortably (especially with the neat C-Flex feature built into those new autopaps) at varying lower pressures most of the night.

Hoser · Post by **Hoser** » Sat Dec 04, 2004 3:43 pm

Bilevel machines were designed for clinical situations just like yours. Tell your Doc of the problems you are having (it is not likely to improve) and ask him to prescribe a Bilevel. It will make breathing much much easier.