New experience with CPAP

[dvella]

Hi all,

just woke up after my 2nd night using an Auto-CPAP with a nasal mask. I have been diagnosed with moderate Sleep Apnea - counter 23.5 every hour.

I managed to sleep well in the first night and took the mask off after 7 hrs of sleep with about 4 interruptions (waking up to full alertness).
In the 2nd night I managed 6 hours of sleep with just 1 interruption.

The thing which is most irritating is the noise of the machine which synchronizes with my breathing. Sometimes I end up following this noise and it seems ages before I fall asleep. Another thing that happened today is that I felt an uncomfortable feeling in my chest. The feeling was that my chest was full of extra air. From what I read in this forum, I think it's air leakage or else that I'm opening my mouth while sleeping. At one point I removed the mask, woke up in a sitting position, and then spent 2 mins of nearly constant burping. At once the unease in my chest went away. Did anyone experience this before?

Before deciding that I need a full face mask, I think I need to spend more time to try and get used to the nasal one.

And another thing....while in the beginning (of going to sleep) the flow of air is just right, when I wake up in the middle of the night it seems that the air flow has increased and it seems to be a bit difficult exhaling against the incoming air flow.

Thanks for any replies and well done on this great forum.

Duncan

[RogerSC]

On the noise issue, I find that earplugs help me. Then I don't hear the machine, just my own breathing. Hearing only the rhythm of my own breathing is really kind of soothing while I'm going to sleep *smile*. Works for me, anyways.

On the exhalation thing, please fill in your machine, mask, etc. in your profile so that it shows in your posts, and you'll get more help that relates to your specific machine. Just click on "User Control Panel" on the left hand side of the bar below the forum name/tool bar above, and you'll be able to enter your equipment names there. For my ResMed S9 AutoSet, I can adjust the EPR (expiratory pressure relief), and have it currently set to 3, which is most comfortable for me when exhaling. But I can't help you with your machine, since you don't list what it is *smile*.

Haven't experienced the uncomfortable feeling in my chest/burping, so I can't help you with that, unfortunately. Setting the EPR appropriately might help with that, too, I'm not sure, just guessing there.

[mgaggie]

Welcome Duncan. I hope you find this forum as useful as I have.

I listen to audiobooks or a relaxing sounds app on my tablet to mask/cover the noise of the machine. I haven't had your specific problem but I find the machine noise can be very distracting.

Its not unusual for you to swallow air or slightly mouth breathe at the beginning. Our bodies aren't used to having this thing on our face pushing air in. I find putting my tongue up against the roof of my mouth helps with this, you might want to think about using a chin strap or taping your mouth.

I found exhaling against the flow of the machine hard at first. I originally had my pressure at 8, but now I'm on 17 your body will get used to it. Don't be afraid to use the ramp feature on your machine.

Oh before I forget, could you please update your equipment profile? That way posters here will be able to give better advice.

[Julie]

Do a search on the forum for 'aerophagia' - it's what you're experiencing and there's lots of info on it, including how to handle it (some people turn their pressure down just one degree or so and it helps - and you are on a high pressure). If you keep track of your therapy with software you'll be able to tell if a very slightly lower pressure is still effective to treat your apnea.

[jazzer4]

I don't like to hear myself breathing on the machine either.
I use a small fan on high pointed away from me for white noise.
I even travel with a small fan

It sounds like you're doing very good for only your second night.
Aerophagia doesn't feel good. If you searched it on the forum you'll find lots of conversations about it.

[RestedRebel]

My machine is quiet, and I find my breathing makes me calmer and more likely to fall asleep because it is slow, relaxed, and methodical. I too use the nasal pillows and have not had any problems with mine. If you can stay with the nasal pillows, I'd highly recommend that you do so. I sleep well, and my whole outlook on life has changed now that I'm well rested. I can handle anything that goes my way.

[Bobby269]

I use the S9 autoset which has a ramp feature. This allows you receive lower air pressure when you are going to sleep. After a set period of time it goes back to normal pressure.
Some of the other machines might have a feature like this. This helps you to fall asleep easier. Believe me you will get use to the pressure after a short period of time.
I use a white noise machine. It blocks out all other noises and for me was easy to get used to.

[dvella]

Thanks to all for your replies.

I am currently using a RESPIRONICS REMstar Auto M Series.
The reason I haven't updated my profile yet is that I have only rented this machine for 30 days. The vendor offered to see how it goes before actually purchasing it. The actual machine will be a later version he said.

I do not even know what it is set as and don't know how to check either. I don't have any manuals since it's rented.

Thanks for the tips about the noise. My third night was good too. And noise did not bother me that much.
I wonder why I'm waking at 5:30am ... maybe it's because I'm getting much more sleep than I used to!!

Duncan

[BlackSpinner]

Manuals can be found on line. pm pugsy for details

[Stormynights]

Thanks to all for your replies.

I am currently using a RESPIRONICS REMstar Auto M Series.
The reason I haven't updated my profile yet is that I have only rented this machine for 30 days. The vendor offered to see how it goes before actually purchasing it. The actual machine will be a later version he said.

I do not even know what it is set as and don't know how to check either. I don't have any manuals since it's rented.

Thanks for the tips about the noise. My third night was good too. And noise did not bother me that much.
I wonder why I'm waking at 5:30am ... maybe it's because I'm getting much more sleep than I used to!!

Duncan

I think your new machine will work a lot better for you than the M Series. My old M Series machine didn't handle leaks very well. It just kept raising the pressure.

[Pugsy]

You can download the manual here for the M series APAP
http://www.apneaboard.com/manuals51/REM ... 0Guide.pdf

The newer model version comparable to the M series APAP would be this one
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... -tube.html

Good news...these newer models are indeed more quiet than the M series models. Plus we do get adjusted to the "sounds" these machines make...part is the machine and part is the breathing/vent noise. It becomes a non issue after some time.

[sewsleepy]

Hi,
I had the aerophagia pretty bad when I first started on cpap. Eventually it stopped happening. I've been using cpap 3 years or so now and I can't remember the last time I had an issue with that.

The noise will drive me nuts, like you. I find that if I sleep on the edge of my pillow so the tubes are not touching the pillow it is much quieter (I am a side sleeper). The pillow seems to act as a soundboard.

[locust78]

Regarding the noise, the rhythmic pulsing of the CPAP can get to me too, but fortunately we run an air purifier during the night which tends to drown out the CPAP with white noise. Another option can be to purchase a Marpac white noise machine which is pretty effective and portable.