What is it supposed to feel like?

[Mellorine]

Hi everyone,


I am a CPAP Noob, Diagnosed in November 2012, but due to financial constraints got my CPAP and gear in Feb 2013. My question is, what am I supposed to be feeling when I put my mask on and start my machine? Am I supposed to feel the air going into my lungs? Right now I turn it on, and it starts up and I don't really feel anything other than wondering if it's blowing air because i can't feel anything happening. My setting is at 7 right now.

I have a Breas iSleep20 with heated humidification and a SleepNet Phantom mask. If it would have been my choice I would have gotten a REMStar CPAP, those looked nice.

I am very anxious about it all, trying to adjust to the changes associated with sleeping with a mask on my back instead of sleeping with my head in the pillow on my side. *sigh* I hope this is all worth it.

[sickwithapnea17]

what are you supposed to feel like if you get a good night on the machine? aren't you supposed to feel refreshed? because I don't think I feel refreshed even on asv, I think my settings are wrong

[zoocrewphoto]

Hi everyone,


I am a CPAP Noob, Diagnosed in November 2012, but due to financial constraints got my CPAP and gear in Feb 2013. My question is, what am I supposed to be feeling when I put my mask on and start my machine? Am I supposed to feel the air going into my lungs? Right now I turn it on, and it starts up and I don't really feel anything other than wondering if it's blowing air because i can't feel anything happening. My setting is at 7 right now.

Most of the time, I don't feel any real airflow. If I wave my hand in front of the exhaust, I can feel it, so I know it is on. But other than a slight feeling of air sometimes on my lip, I really don't feel it. I think that is pretty normal as many people ask about waking up and feeling like it isn't on. I think it is one of those things where you brain ignores it after awhile.

[Julie]

As 7 is a relatively low setting to begin with, it's unlikely you'll be aware of much happening at all, and certainly you're not going to feel air going into your lungs anyhow, any more than you do without a machine. But if someone told you to sleep on your back, they're out to lunch, as that's the worst position for most of us - it provokes more apneas - and sleeping on your side is a good thing. Plus the way the machines work is based on the feedback they get from your breathing patterns when you're asleep, not when awake, so you can't really judge much that way either.

[zoocrewphoto]

I am very anxious about it all, trying to adjust to the changes associated with sleeping with a mask on my back instead of sleeping with my head in the pillow on my side. *sigh* I hope this is all worth it.

Many of us sleep on our sides with our faces smooshed into the pillow. I do this with a full face mask, and it works great. I think it just takes some experimentation to get comfortable without messing up the fit of the mask. I actually sleep on my side MORE than I did prior to cpap. When I roll onto my back, my mouth opens more, and the air starts to make them flap a bit. That bothers me, so I roll back onto my side.

[Mellorine]

I find with my mask, it makes it difficult to find a comfy position to sleep in. No one told me to sleep on my back at all, but I find that if I move in any position other than this that my mask leaks. It's very frustrating.

I am still working on finding my happy CPAP place.

[zoocrewphoto]

I find with my mask, it makes it difficult to find a comfy position to sleep in. No one told me to sleep on my back at all, but I find that if I move in any position other than this that my mask leaks. It's very frustrating.

I am still working on finding my happy CPAP place.

I would start another topic with the name of your mask and ask for help with leaks. I don't use nasal masks, so I have no experience with them. I had lots of leak issues with my full face mask, but people were able to give me advice. And it varied depending on where it leaked and when. For example, leaks later in the night may be caused by oil on the face, drooling, etc. Leaks that start right away are more about the fit and possibly being too tight (even if it seems like it is too loose). A lot of it is technique and experience that we newbies just don't have yet. My sleep tech fitted my mask, and it was prefect on the first try. No leaks, and I slept several hours with it. I got the same mask from my DME, and it took me 6 weeks to mostly master it. I still get some leaks occasionally, but usually due to drooling, or not cleaning it frequently enough. I can usually get it fit correctly in the first or second try now. Back when I started, it could easily take 20 tries before I was ready to try and sleep with it.

I think when I first started sleeping on my side with my full face mask, I was using my hand underneath it to keep it from contacting my pillow. But at some point, I realized it was okay, and I didn't need to do that.

[Sheffey]

I find with my mask, it makes it difficult to find a comfy position to sleep in. No one told me to sleep on my back at all, but I find that if I move in any position other than this that my mask leaks. It's very frustrating.

I am still working on finding my happy CPAP place.

Very typical. Just keep working at it. Good ideas in the forum. Best of luck.

[thousandeyes]

Hi Mellorine - welcome! I am another new user too. You will not feel air entering your lungs - on my first few days I felt breathing was artificial - like I had to tell myself 'breathe in' now 'breath out' but that soon stopped. I find taking a deeper breath as I turn on the machine lessens any slight shock of being 'online'. after a few days I woke up and thought I did not have the mask on - breathing was so natural. after a week or so I started sleeping more on my side, which is a good idea as other posts have said. I use nasal pillows and it feels a bit strange lying actually on the hose/nasal pillows but I am getting used to it - sometimes the little prongs need a slight adjustment. Persevere and you will have better and better nights. I am now sleeping soundly, not snoring at all and am really pleased I continued asking questions about my snoring, as my Dr had more or less dismissed my concerns for a few years. You will find that happy cpap place - keep a positive attitude, be curious and proactive about your treatment - being here in the forum shows already that you are!

[Nooblakahn]

what are you supposed to feel like if you get a good night on the machine? aren't you supposed to feel refreshed? because I don't think I feel refreshed even on asv, I think my settings are wrong

Not sure how long you've been on the asv... but I've heard it takes awhile to catch up on sleep and start to feel better. Possibly a few months.

[archangle]

Once I got used to it, I feel almost nothing when my machine is on, and I'm at a higher pressure than you. If you think the machine's not blowing, open your mouth and let the air gush out, or lift the mask up off your face and feel the air blow out.

You'll feel it pretty quickly if the machine stops blowing because the air will get stuffy. Try turning your machine off with the mask on and you'll see. Some machines turn on automatically, so you may have to unplug the machine.

There's nothing wrong with sleeping on your back with the machine turned on if the pressure is set right. The CPAP machine will prevent apneas even on your back if the pressure is right.

It's unfortunate you have a Breas iSleep20. Unlike better machines, it's not easy for the patient to see the AHI data the machine records to see how your therapy is working. Your doctor or DME (Equipment supplier) can read the data, but you can't see it yourself.

[Deenie-deen]

I am at 7 also and don't feel much of anything. The machine is set with the ramp feature and I may be asleep when it hits 7. I start on my back and as I get really sleepy I turn on my side and I believe I am on my side most of the night.

[Sheriff Buford]

I am at 7 also and don't feel much of anything. The machine is set with the ramp feature and I may be asleep when it hits 7. I start on my back and as I get really sleepy I turn on my side and I believe I am on my side most of the night.

If you are ok with the ramp... by all means keep it. At such a low pressure, do you need it? I also sleep alot on my side and I start out on my back. Yes, its not a good idea, but neither are french fries... and who can resist them?? mmmm?

Sheriff

[Sir NoddinOff]

But if someone told you to sleep on your back, they're out to lunch, as that's the worst position for most of us - it provokes more apneas - and sleeping on your side is a good thing.

Totally wrong. That's a a massive generalization (I don't think you can qualify your use of the above term 'most' without a serious poll). For some people, like me, sleeping on their back is the only way to go. That's not to say supine sleeping is for everybody but please don't make such wild misinformed statements, Julie. Also, the basic APAP/CPAP machne DOES NOT KNOW WHEN YOU ARE ASLEEP. VIS A VIS, SLEEP WAKE JUNK SHOWING UP ON YOUR FLOW LINES.

[Denial Dave]

for the first week, my higher bi-pap pressures felt like I was being inflated by air.... chipmunk cheeks, etc..

but you get used to it after a while.. I've been able to overcome claustrophobia with my full face mask.

The one tip I have is to try to not focus on the feel or sound of the airflow as much as possible. It's really easy to lay in bed and become fixated on the sounds and feel of the air flow.

keep up the good work...

dave