Trying to switch to nasal mask, need advice

[KBee]

After years of using a full face mask, I'm trying to switch to a nasal mask because it is so much more comfortable. I guess it's the difference in air delivery, but I feel like I'm suffocating. It must make me breath weird because I swallow a ton of air. Is it just a question of giving myself time to get used to it? I realize I may just have to use the full face, but I'm hoping for some advice. Thanks.

[Pugsy]

Do you use the ramp function? If so, turn it off.

The way the pressure is delivered does feel differently so it may just be that your body needs more of an adjustment period.
Have you tried wearing the new mask while watching TV or reading just to pass the time and let the body get used to the change?
Swallowing of the air...it shouldn't make you do that anymore than with a full face mask so my guess is that something is causing arousals and maybe with the arousal comes a big gulp of air that finds its way to your stomach.

Are your cheeks inflating..we call that chipmunk cheeks? When that happens the tongue has stopped blocking the door to the airway and air enters the mouth..cheeks inflate and if the air doesn't go out the lips it goes back down the airway in a big gulp which might get side tracked and go to the stomach.

[avi123]

To stop air ingestion while using any mask you need to let SOME air leak out to the atmosphere thru your nose and/or mouth during the inspiration stage, when the CPAP machine is pumping air into your body. The leaking could be thru the vent holes or directly. This is b/c the CPAP switching from inspiration to expiration may not be synchronized 100% with your respiration. The idea is to have some loseness in the system. Try to generate some intentional leaks of let's say below 10 L/Min.

[Pugsy]

I don't have any issues with air ingestion using a nasal mask and any mouth leaks are rare and minimal.
I don't think that using a nasal mask automatically means that aerophagia is a given for everyone despite what Avi says.
The worst aerophagia I ever had was with a one night trial of a full face mask...

[HerbM]

Everything Pugsy said first.


When I started with the Airfit P10, the SMALL pillows felt VERY RESTRICTIVE compared with the medium or especially the large.

When first going to bed, I had to consciously control my breathing until I could relax.

Were I not an experience diver etc., the reduced flow might have been unmanageable.

It may take practice or a larger pillow size.

At this point I used the small pillows without thought or effort.

The trick is to concentrate on breathing regularly and just calm yourself as you keep the rhythm smooth and even.

[bavinck]

I find the same thing. Medium pillows fit me the best, but I use large as medium I feel like my airflow is too restrictive. Tried nasal mask, feels like I get lots of air but can't find one where leaks are controlled. Plus, trying new masks is tough as I am tired when I go to bed and just want to sleep.