low air volume

[jackr]

I havent missed a night in about 5 years on cpap but lately i seem to be struggling to get enough air. I mean it seems my air volume is low. I dont want to increase my pressure because when the pressure is too high i swallow air and have to burp a lot. about a year ago i went from a pressure of 8 cpap to apap 6.5 to 10 (under a doctors advise) because i lost 30 pounds and the 8 was causing me to swallow air.

I set it back to 8 just to see if that would fix my low volume issue but it didnt.

i changed the filter of course but i even took out the filter just to see if that was the problem but it wasnt. I changed hoses and nasal pillows as well

Any suggestions where to go next. I am hoping my machine is not just "tired" as i dont have insurance for apnea.

I am using the respironics m series and swift light nasal pillow mask by the way

[Sheriff Buford]

Know that a machine's lifespan is around 5 - 7 years. Some folks may get more, and some machines can crap out before the 5 year mark. If it was me, I'd call my DME and see if I can bring the machine in for a checkup. I bet they can tell you real quick if the machine is putting out the proper air pressure. They may immediately pressure you into getting a new one if your machine is at the end of the rope. Read up and be prepared to request the top of the line machine. You need to tell your physician to request their "better" machine.

Sheriff

[jackr]

Thanks Sheriff. What is a DME?

[tetragon]

He's referring to your CPAP shop.

[Sheriff Buford]

Thanks Sheriff. What is a DME?

The place you get your supplies from...

[jackr]

i got it from cpap.com

[Pugsy]

Maybe you could buy a manometer to check the actual pressure delivered to see if it delivering close to what it is supposed to deliver.
Cpap.com has them or from what I have read it is fairly simple to build your own.
Building your own has been discussed on the forum in the past.

[LSAT]

I'm sure that you could walk in to any DME and they would check the pressure for you. That's the way I met my current DME.

[chunkyfrog]

Without insurance, you probably need a back-up machine anyway.
Secondwindcpap.com has gently used reconditioned and unused "open box" units.
Some folks have gotten lucky buying used--(some not so lucky.)
Know the machines; check hours use; make sure everything is there, clean, undamaged.
Do it where you have access to an electrical outlet.

[Goofproof]

Maybe you could buy a manometer to check the actual pressure delivered to see if it delivering close to what it is supposed to deliver.
Cpap.com has them or from what I have read it is fairly simple to build your own.
Building your own has been discussed on the forum in the past.

You could also use the software to tell you the pressure and flow you are getting. Maybe your mask isn't allowing the air you need in your nose, a F2F mask may flow better. Jim

[jackr]

i have been using the same type of mask for a couple of years and thats never been an issue. I dont have the software anymore since i upgraded my computer.

[Pugsy]

I sent you a private message about the software if you want to try it.

[qmx]

I would never be able to get enough flow through a nasal mask. I imagine you have tried a full face mask in the past. I get tons of flow with my Mirage Quattro FF. Of course, your problem could very well be a worn out machine. DEAN

[jackr]

yes i have tried full face masks but i find them much less comfortable. like i said it is a new problem, everything was working fine with what i had for years.