1st night on CPAP - disappointing

[Vallan]

Only 3 trips to pick up a CPAP machine and I finally got the S8 Autoset II w/ H4i humidifer I wanted. I was given the Mirage Softgel mask. Pressure set 9 - 15, no ramp, EPR on 3.

I was slightly congested, but the congestion felt worse wearing the mask. My biggest problem was exhaling through my nose. It felt like there was too much resistance to exhaling. I took my mask off in the middle of the night and my ability to breath through my nose got better. Put the mask back on 15 mins latter and back to having some problems. My machine info this morning said:
1 day 2.53 hrs
Leak .04L/s
AHI 11.7
AI 4.5
HI 7.2
Pressure 12.4

The sleep clinic study seemed easier to exhale. I realize 1 night is not much of a test, but I'm wondering how to fix the problem so I can wear the mask. I have surgery in 5 days where I know I'll get some hefty pain meds. I was hoping to get my cpap issues resolved by then.

[ozij]

Do you have a heated humidifier? Try changing it's temprature, some of us get more congested by humidity -- others need more humidity. It's trial and error.

O.

[DreamOn]

Fantastic that you were able to get the machine you wanted!!!

In addition to adjusting humidifier settings, you may want to consider using the ramp feature for a while until you become more accustomed to the machine. You could set the starting ramp pressure at 6 or so, for maybe 30 minutes. I wouldn't start the ramp pressure much lower than 6, as it can be more difficult to breathe when the pressure's too low. With the ramp feature, it will gradually increase pressure and won't get to full pressures until you've fallen asleep (hopefully), so you won't notice it so much. Over time, you'll probably want to turn the ramp off again.

It does take some time to get used to the machine. We often concentrate on our breathing too much in the beginning. Over time, you'll find what works best for you.

~ DreamOn

[BrianR4743]

Hang tough there Vallan, and spend a whole lot of time drawing on the resources available here. I've been doing the CPAP thing for a month now, and have had some good days, and some days where I just felt like I tanked. Everything you're doing now is for the right reason, getting healthy, and your first night isn't too shabby. You'll most likely see and feel incremental improvements, but it'll take a bit of time.

For me, the most important part was just getting comfortable with all of the equipment and developing a nightly routine to help relax. As a guy who first hated this contraption, I now look forward to hitting the hay knowing that I'm doing something that's going to make my quality of life better, and most likely, add some years to it. Is it still uncomfortable at times? Yep. Still frustrating? Yep. Tired sometimes? Yep. Making improvements...... absolutely, and you will too.

Good luck to you! You've got tons of friends here!

[xiola]

My biggest problem was exhaling through my nose. It felt like there was too much resistance to exhaling. I took my mask off in the middle of the night and my ability to breath through my nose got better.

Hi. I'm pretty new to this too, been using it just over a month. I felt exactly the same way, in fact, one of my first posts here was me panicking because I couldn't breathe with the machine on. I felt like i just couldn't exhale.

Relax. read a book, watch tv. it DOES get better. After a day or so you won't even notice it anymore once you get used to the newness of how it feels, and adjust to breathing with it.

[bailachel]

Welcome! I'm another newbie who has only been using my machine for about a month. Hang in there! It will be worth it. It will get easier as you go along. I have gotten so used to mine that I woke up the other night and at first I thought that the machine was off because I couldn't feel the air until I put my hand over the vent.

This board is a great resource. In my experience, one can find answers to any question here and the support is terrific.

[Guest]

Another newbie here to support and congratulate you on your success getting arguable “the” best machine, a stumbling block for most novices. Here to say if acclimation is difficult I might suggest trying straight CPAP and lowering the pressure with no or low EPR until you’re comfortable. EPR, ramp, etc. can just unnecessarily complicate matters at first. While a lower pressure will not provide for proper therapy, once you become acclimated to xPAP, you will then be able to increase your pressure and maximize therapy Efficacy
After all, if you don’t acclimate, you won’t use it, and no therapy puts you in square one again.

[FinceMgr]

Another newbie here to support and congratulate you on your success getting arguably “the” best machine, a stumbling block for most novices. Here to say if acclimation is difficult I might suggest trying straight CPAP and lowering the pressure with no or low EPR until you’re comfortable. EPR, ramp, etc. can just unnecessarily complicate matters at first. While a lower pressure will not provide for proper therapy, once you become acclimated to xPAP, you will then be able to increase your pressure and maximize therapy Efficacy
After all, if you don’t acclimate, you won’t use it, and no therapy puts you in square one again.

Was logged in as guest, thats me. Oooops

[Vallan]

Thanks for the many replies. I think I will try lowering the pressure to 9 (lowest pressure where I didn't snore in sleep study) and try it out on cpap mode and reduce the humidification a bit. Thank goodness for this forum and the wealth of info and folks. Doing this alone with no experience would be so much harder!

[Jaylee]

I agree that when my pressure was too low it was harder to breathe.

I started using a neti pot to help relieve congestion before putting my mask on for the night. Could you try that? Also toy with the humidfier settings because you might need more or less maybe. It could just take time to adjust. The first few nights I used my ramp feature and I was panicing when I put the mask on. Now it is no biggie for me and I don't use the ramp option. I think it might just take an adjustment period for some of us.

[SuperGeeky]

Vallan, pressured air sent into our sinus cavities, throat and lungs is not all that natural. I would suppose for most all of us, irritates sinuses with the occasional infection. Certainly does for me...

Neilsmed sells netipots and a squeeze bottle which works pretty well. Walmart, CVS etc..

Struggling with exhaling sounds like something to mention to the Doc, ask about a BiPap. I was fortunate to ask for a Bipap on my first titration. I liked it and the Doctor prescribed it after trying CPAP for a month or so...

Good luck and sleep well,

SG

[sleepywolverine]

Hi I'm a newbie too so I just wanted to say welcome!! It does get better. I'm on a bipap, so it's a little easier, but I think you'll get used to it. My hubby put my mask against his face one day to feel the pressure and felt like he couldn't breathe too, but once you've had it on a few nights you won't even really notice anymore.

[kteague]

If this congestion is only when you wear the mask, I agree, humidity could be an issue. Also, one mask I had sat on the bridge of my nose is such a way as to block my sinuses on both sides. Only got congested with that one mask. it also caused a pressure sore. One more thing to consider, soaking the mask to allow any offensive chemical or plastic smells to dissipate can help those prone to sensitivities.

[BrianR4743]

Good afternoon Vallan!

How did your 2nd night go? A bit better than night #1?

[Vallan]

2nd night was much better. I'd forgot to mention I did the neti pot 90 mins before bed on night 1, but didnt help.

Last night I took 1 benedryl to help with allergies and minor help to sleep, and I used afrin an hour before bed. I know many folks are anti-afrin, but for occasional use (I never use more than 1/day, never more than 2 days in a row. 1st time I've used it in 10 years) it makes a big difference. I'll go without it tonight. Also loosened my straps to where the mask almost leaks and that seemed to help.

Day 1 was Day 2 was
Usade 2:53 hrs 6:27 hrs
Leak .04L/s 0.00L/s
AHI 11.7 11.9
AI 4.5 4.6
HI 7.2 7.3
Pressure 12.4 11.8

Numbers don't look so good. Is my AHI total or per hour? I'm still not exactly sure what my numbers are telling me other than I think we're supposed to keep AHI <5 is possible. My machine is set 9 - 15 with a setpoint on a fixed machine a 12. Should I bump up my min pressure to 10, 10.5 or ?