Well, I started out pretty good on my REMstar M series with humidifier with ComfortLite2 mask. I was getting at least 7 hours a night sleep with only a few wake ups and feeling much more rested.
For the past two nights I have tried to put in on as usual, only to be overcome by the horrible sensation that I cannot breathe and MUST take it off. I have tried to rest a bit and retry, only to have it happen again. I will close my eyes and breathe slowly and then I get that suffocation feeling that will only stop when I pull the mask off and suck in some real air.
Has anyone had this happen to them? I finally had to try sleeping without the machine, and I am really tired and don't feel well.
I don't want to give up either, and I will keep trying and use some relaxation techniques to hopefully get my mind off any negative feelings. I need this to work!
First week good, then it went bad
First week good, then it went bad
To sleep, perchance to dream
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wading thru the muck!
- Posts: 2799
- Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:42 am
I just read in another post that your pressure is set at 6.
I know when I used my ramp feature the start point was somewhere around 8
It wasn't long before I raised the start point to 11 for the same reason I felt like I wasn't getting enough air.
you could always call your doctor and tell him that your not staying compliant for this reason and see what he says.
I know when I used my ramp feature the start point was somewhere around 8
It wasn't long before I raised the start point to 11 for the same reason I felt like I wasn't getting enough air.
you could always call your doctor and tell him that your not staying compliant for this reason and see what he says.
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body totally worn out and screaming,WOO HOO what a ride!
Sibby, on another thread you mentioned that you were titrated at 6, but thought your doctor might have it wrong since your AHI's were over 50. Actually, I don't believe the number of events has anything to do with titrated pressure.
But, your pressure of 6 might be the problem with you having trouble breathing.
1. On Monday, call your DME and/or doctor and tell them you are having trouble breathing at 6, and see if your pressure can be bumped up to 7.
2. Make sure you turn your machine on before you put on your mask. Do not put on the mask and then take several breaths to activate the machine. Obviously, if you put your mask on first, then you would have trouble breathing before the machine turns on.
3. If you have a ramp set, don't use it.
Perhaps that might help. Good Luck.
But, your pressure of 6 might be the problem with you having trouble breathing.
1. On Monday, call your DME and/or doctor and tell them you are having trouble breathing at 6, and see if your pressure can be bumped up to 7.
2. Make sure you turn your machine on before you put on your mask. Do not put on the mask and then take several breaths to activate the machine. Obviously, if you put your mask on first, then you would have trouble breathing before the machine turns on.
3. If you have a ramp set, don't use it.
Perhaps that might help. Good Luck.
_________________
| Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine |
| Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier |
| Additional Comments: Compliant since April 2003. (De-cap-itated Aura). |
6 cm is a really low pressure, way lower than I could stand. Do you use the ramp feature? It isn't need at your pressure, in fact I never have used it and I started at 14 cm.
If you are using the ramp, they may have it set for 4 cm start, so I wouldn't use the ramp at all, the Dr. may want to bump your pressure up a little too.
I take a couple of 81 mg aspirins 10 minutes before bed, if you can take them. Jim
If you are using the ramp, they may have it set for 4 cm start, so I wouldn't use the ramp at all, the Dr. may want to bump your pressure up a little too.
I take a couple of 81 mg aspirins 10 minutes before bed, if you can take them. Jim
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
I stopped using the ramp (4) for that reason, and I turn on the machine before putting the mask on my nose, so I am glad to hear that I am doing something right.
When I have felt that awful not breathing feeling I have been trying to pull the nose mask off and breathe for a few breaths and try again. I stopped last night about about 6 tries.
Thank you all for your help, and I will attempt to get the RT on the phone on Monday. If I can't get her I will leave a message at the doctor's office as well.
Just so you know, the sleep test said I did best at the level of 6, so it makes sense that the doctor wrote the script for it. You would think that they would make it possible for the patient to be able to change it within one number or so if needed.
When I have felt that awful not breathing feeling I have been trying to pull the nose mask off and breathe for a few breaths and try again. I stopped last night about about 6 tries.
Thank you all for your help, and I will attempt to get the RT on the phone on Monday. If I can't get her I will leave a message at the doctor's office as well.
Just so you know, the sleep test said I did best at the level of 6, so it makes sense that the doctor wrote the script for it. You would think that they would make it possible for the patient to be able to change it within one number or so if needed.
To sleep, perchance to dream
Are you having trouble with congestion, that's my downfall, so I have to use a FF Mask. Jim
The Sleep Test set me at 12, before the Dr. set me up for a machine, he had it set to 14. Later when I had my software and reader, I found my (Sweet Spot), the pressure where you have the lowest events, to be 15.5 cm. For me 15 to 15.5 is the sweet spot AHI under 1.0. If I go to 16 cm, I start having central apnea and the numbers go up againm this is using CPAP.
My APAP is set 12 to 16 cm, with it I spend most of the night under 14 cm, sometimes it hits 15 cm mainly if the mask leaks, and I snore then.
The Sleep Test set me at 12, before the Dr. set me up for a machine, he had it set to 14. Later when I had my software and reader, I found my (Sweet Spot), the pressure where you have the lowest events, to be 15.5 cm. For me 15 to 15.5 is the sweet spot AHI under 1.0. If I go to 16 cm, I start having central apnea and the numbers go up againm this is using CPAP.
My APAP is set 12 to 16 cm, with it I spend most of the night under 14 cm, sometimes it hits 15 cm mainly if the mask leaks, and I snore then.
Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." Voltaire
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Guest
I am actually crying as I type this. I have gotten little to no sleep tonight, my anxiety level is really high and I haven't felt this depressed in a long time.
I just can't take this. The cruelest thing being that it seemed fine for the first week. I could fall asleep with the machine just fine and must have gotten some good sleep because I felt awake during the day.
It is now 5:50 am. I know I wasn't able to relax enough to fall asleep until almost 2 am when I finally gave up using the machine. I was awoken by my daughter because she heard sound like I was choking in my sleep and making a sound she said she couldn't describe around 5 am.
While I haven't given up all hope, this is the worst night yet.
You can believe that Monday I will be calling the RT or the Dr.
I just can't take this. The cruelest thing being that it seemed fine for the first week. I could fall asleep with the machine just fine and must have gotten some good sleep because I felt awake during the day.
It is now 5:50 am. I know I wasn't able to relax enough to fall asleep until almost 2 am when I finally gave up using the machine. I was awoken by my daughter because she heard sound like I was choking in my sleep and making a sound she said she couldn't describe around 5 am.
While I haven't given up all hope, this is the worst night yet.
You can believe that Monday I will be calling the RT or the Dr.
To sleep, perchance to dream
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littlebaddow
- Posts: 416
- Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 12:21 pm
- Location: Essex, England
Sibby
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence in this forum that the prescribed pressure is often inaccurate. A single night sleeping in a strange environment using unfamiliar machinery is unlikely to be representative. In my case, I slept on my back, which I never usually do, and was prescribed a pressure of 11cm. I now have an apap set at a range of 6 to 11cm and rarely go above 8cm yet have an AHI averaging around 1.
Unlike some of the other respondents, I find 6cm a reasonable pressure to start with, though I usually switch on the flow before putting the mask on.
Good advice to talk to your doc and explain what your experiencing. Most importantly, do persevere and don't get downhearted. This is too important and the effort to work through the difficult periods will be worth it.
Good luck.
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence in this forum that the prescribed pressure is often inaccurate. A single night sleeping in a strange environment using unfamiliar machinery is unlikely to be representative. In my case, I slept on my back, which I never usually do, and was prescribed a pressure of 11cm. I now have an apap set at a range of 6 to 11cm and rarely go above 8cm yet have an AHI averaging around 1.
Unlike some of the other respondents, I find 6cm a reasonable pressure to start with, though I usually switch on the flow before putting the mask on.
Good advice to talk to your doc and explain what your experiencing. Most importantly, do persevere and don't get downhearted. This is too important and the effort to work through the difficult periods will be worth it.
Good luck.
_________________
| Machine | Mask | |
 |  |
Sibby,
Please verify that when you turn the machine on without putting the mask on that there is a high volume of air flow through the hose and out the mask. It is possible that you have a malfunctioning machine or an obstruction in the air path. I had to get three machines before the one I have now worked as designed. It is possible that yours has failed. There should be plenty of air flow to an open circuit while the machine tries to reach the required pressure. The machine may shut down after trying to reach the pressure without success for some period like 30 to 60 seconds but that may be automatic.
TerryB
Please verify that when you turn the machine on without putting the mask on that there is a high volume of air flow through the hose and out the mask. It is possible that you have a malfunctioning machine or an obstruction in the air path. I had to get three machines before the one I have now worked as designed. It is possible that yours has failed. There should be plenty of air flow to an open circuit while the machine tries to reach the required pressure. The machine may shut down after trying to reach the pressure without success for some period like 30 to 60 seconds but that may be automatic.
TerryB
_________________
| Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Additional Comments: 14 CM , C-Flex Off |
Hang in there Sleep is coming!
Sibby,
whtat helped me and keeps me going is what drove me to treatment in the first place!
Angry, yelling at loved ones, being so tired I hurt all the time, probably why I yelled.
I never want to go back to that person again no matter what!
You'll do it, and the rewards will be worth it!
Hambone
whtat helped me and keeps me going is what drove me to treatment in the first place!
Angry, yelling at loved ones, being so tired I hurt all the time, probably why I yelled.
I never want to go back to that person again no matter what!
You'll do it, and the rewards will be worth it!
Hambone
Hi Sibby,
I'm having the same problem as you are. I had a Comfort Classic mask and they switched me to a Snapp nasal pillows, but I'm still having a problem with the feeling of not being able to breath.My machine is set at 10 and the pressure seems fine, but I wake up in the middle of the night and feel I can't breath. I've tried different settings on the humidifier and even shut it off completely.I now think I have it in my head some how and I'm having panic attacks. I'm just going to keep trying and hope things will work themselves out. I too started out very well the 1st week, but then everything went bad for me too.Maybe we just have to get the right combination. Keep trying, I know I will.
I'm having the same problem as you are. I had a Comfort Classic mask and they switched me to a Snapp nasal pillows, but I'm still having a problem with the feeling of not being able to breath.My machine is set at 10 and the pressure seems fine, but I wake up in the middle of the night and feel I can't breath. I've tried different settings on the humidifier and even shut it off completely.I now think I have it in my head some how and I'm having panic attacks. I'm just going to keep trying and hope things will work themselves out. I too started out very well the 1st week, but then everything went bad for me too.Maybe we just have to get the right combination. Keep trying, I know I will.
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mister_hose
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 7:21 am
Sibby,
My first thought was to get a machine with C-Flex (automatic pressure relief on exhales) until I heard you're set at 6 cm, which is probably too low for C-Flex to matter. In fact, this may be why you were given a machine without C-Flex.
Try shutting off the humidifier, if you have one, and don't put any water into it (so it doesn't even work as a "passover" humidifier). I found that, at least during summer (now), I can't tolerate humidity, especially heated humidity. It gives me that "can't get enough air" feeling. With an empty, deactivated humidifier, I'm fine. However, if your mouth gets annoyingly dry, you may need the humidification.
Some of your problem may be conditioning. After the first time it happened, you become fearful of using the CPAP. Try to get over that, remain positive and try new things. I know that's not easy.
Your pressure may be too low. You may want to ask for a machine with detailed data recording (like the REMstar Pro M-Series I have), as with this machine you can see your AHI and system leak values right on the screen (assuming those displays are activated, but you can easily find how to enter the "provider mode" to activate them if your DME doesn't do it for you). Using the same "provider mode" you theoretically COULD change your pressure value and observe the AHI values that result, and keep changing/observing until you get the lowest AHI. HOWEVER, do NOT do this, it's better to work with your doctor, only your doctor should do pressure changes, officially you shouldn't do them yourself!
I suspect you may need more than 6cm, and perhaps the 6cm titrated value is too low. But, like I said, you should check with your doctor, don't change pressures yourself. Even if 6cm is your optimal value after all, keep in mind that low pressure values can reduce CO2 washout in most masks, and having too much CO2 lingering in the mask can definitely cause the "suffocating" feeling. The less pressure that's being pumped into the mask, obviously the less CO2 that gets forced out between breaths. If you need to stay at 6cm, you may need a mask with greater "intentional leak" (i.e. bigger and more exhaust holes) to increase the CO2 washout. Your machine should notice the extra "intentional leak" and compensate for it, from what I've read.
Also, keep your room cool. A cool/cold room can reduce the "suffocation" feeling, particularly in summer. Crank up the A/C.
Hope some of this helps. Let us know how you're doing! And again, run all this by your doctor, don't make any changes you're not supposed to make all by yourself. He/she usually knows best.
My first thought was to get a machine with C-Flex (automatic pressure relief on exhales) until I heard you're set at 6 cm, which is probably too low for C-Flex to matter. In fact, this may be why you were given a machine without C-Flex.
Try shutting off the humidifier, if you have one, and don't put any water into it (so it doesn't even work as a "passover" humidifier). I found that, at least during summer (now), I can't tolerate humidity, especially heated humidity. It gives me that "can't get enough air" feeling. With an empty, deactivated humidifier, I'm fine. However, if your mouth gets annoyingly dry, you may need the humidification.
Some of your problem may be conditioning. After the first time it happened, you become fearful of using the CPAP. Try to get over that, remain positive and try new things. I know that's not easy.
Your pressure may be too low. You may want to ask for a machine with detailed data recording (like the REMstar Pro M-Series I have), as with this machine you can see your AHI and system leak values right on the screen (assuming those displays are activated, but you can easily find how to enter the "provider mode" to activate them if your DME doesn't do it for you). Using the same "provider mode" you theoretically COULD change your pressure value and observe the AHI values that result, and keep changing/observing until you get the lowest AHI. HOWEVER, do NOT do this, it's better to work with your doctor, only your doctor should do pressure changes, officially you shouldn't do them yourself!
I suspect you may need more than 6cm, and perhaps the 6cm titrated value is too low. But, like I said, you should check with your doctor, don't change pressures yourself. Even if 6cm is your optimal value after all, keep in mind that low pressure values can reduce CO2 washout in most masks, and having too much CO2 lingering in the mask can definitely cause the "suffocating" feeling. The less pressure that's being pumped into the mask, obviously the less CO2 that gets forced out between breaths. If you need to stay at 6cm, you may need a mask with greater "intentional leak" (i.e. bigger and more exhaust holes) to increase the CO2 washout. Your machine should notice the extra "intentional leak" and compensate for it, from what I've read.
Also, keep your room cool. A cool/cold room can reduce the "suffocation" feeling, particularly in summer. Crank up the A/C.
Hope some of this helps. Let us know how you're doing! And again, run all this by your doctor, don't make any changes you're not supposed to make all by yourself. He/she usually knows best.
"Mister Hose, that's my name, that name again is Mister Hose!"