New Dreamstation Auto, new user. feels suffocating

[NWMac]

I got a Respironics DreamStation AUTO CPAP 2 days ago. I tried to use it night 1, couldn't keep it on for longer than 45 min, couldn't sleep, took it off. I woke about 4am and tried again and managed to keep it on for 4 hours (tossing and turning), woke up in a panic as it feels like my breath is being sucked out of me. 2nd night, tried again, had to take it off, fell asleep, woke and put back on for a little over 2 hours, then had to remove it again. It makes me feel like I have bronchitis and my in and mostly out breaths are labored. Even after getting up this morning, I have a heavy feeling in my chest and breathing is not effortless.

The level is set at 5, the ramp function goes to 4 then up to 5. using the ramp or not seems to not matter... the act of exhaling is difficult. There is another feature in settings (I can't remember what it is called but I think it has to do with exhaling?) that I can change from 1 to 3, but I don't feel a difference and do not know if 1 is less pressure or 3 is...

Mask fit is reported as 100%

My initial AHI during sleep study was 17. AHI with the CPAP is 7, but some of that might me my holding my breath since it is not pleasant to breathe normally with this on.

I also wake up with swollen tissue on the upper bridge of my nose. Not sure what that is about.

Will this get better? Can others please share if they experienced this?
thank you.

[LSAT]

Personally I have never seen anyone with a prescribed pressure as low as 5. Using ramp is useless with that pressure as is the EPR function on your machine. My guess is that you need a slightly higher pressure. Can you fill in your equipment profile and download Sleepyhead software. (I'm not sure if Sleepyhead works with Dreamstation yet). It may help if you can give us some information on your sleep study.

[SleepyCarey]

That is an awfully low fixed pressure. When I try to use my ramp feature (it starts at 4 cm/h20) I feel like I'm suffocating. Maybe talk to your doc about increasing the pressure?

[Wulfman...]

I got a Respironics DreamStation AUTO CPAP 2 days ago. I tried to use it night 1, couldn't keep it on for longer than 45 min, couldn't sleep, took it off. I woke about 4am and tried again and managed to keep it on for 4 hours (tossing and turning), woke up in a panic as it feels like my breath is being sucked out of me. 2nd night, tried again, had to take it off, fell asleep, woke and put back on for a little over 2 hours, then had to remove it again. It makes me feel like I have bronchitis and my in and mostly out breaths are labored. Even after getting up this morning, I have a heavy feeling in my chest and breathing is not effortless.

The level is set at 5, the ramp function goes to 4 then up to 5. using the ramp or not seems to not matter... the act of exhaling is difficult. There is another feature in settings (I can't remember what it is called but I think it has to do with exhaling?) that I can change from 1 to 3, but I don't feel a difference and do not know if 1 is less pressure or 3 is...

Mask fit is reported as 100%

My initial AHI during sleep study was 17. AHI with the CPAP is 7, but some of that might me my holding my breath since it is not pleasant to breathe normally with this on.

I also wake up with swollen tissue on the upper bridge of my nose. Not sure what that is about.

Will this get better? Can others please share if they experienced this?
thank you.

Those settings sound like you've been set up to fail.
You need to learn how to get into the clinical setup to change some of those settings. Most of us couldn't even breathe at those low pressures.


Den

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[ChicagoGranny]

The level is set at 5

I know this sounds like an echo, but that is a very low pressure. The average CPAP pressure is somewhere around 10. Personally, anything below 7 and I feel like I am suffocating.

Do you have a copy of your CPAP prescription? It should state the machine pressure setting.

Do you have a copy of your sleep study with the doctor's recommendations?

Don't think what you have experienced so far is what using CPAP is like. Once you get the correct machine settings, you will have a much better experience. Personally, it is very pleasant to feel the air pumping in to hold my airway open.

[PoolQ]

Yes please let us know what your prescription is.
If you are set at 5 pressure then that could cause your feeling suffocated, your just not getting enough air. Now it could be set at 5-20 or something like that which we have seen, which is wide open and raising the 5 up some could help.

YES it should be better and you can get there

[NWMAc]

So, I was mistaken, 5 is the number it starts at. Last night during one of the many times awake i pushed the button to see the screen and it was at 9.8. it was blowing like a gale force wind and I had to remove it. My problem is the EXhale. I feel like i can never empty my lungs due to the pressure blowing in while I am trying to blow out. I have a horrid headache during the night and in the morning.

I have no idea my prescription, other than this machine.
My sleep study showed moderate (low end, AHI 17) and Oxygen as low as 82%

I will ask questions of my clinician and your questions help me know what to ask. So thanks!

(I can't put equipment info in my profile because my machine nor mask are listed in the available drop downs. )

One other issue is I am a side and tummy sleeper. Not easy with the mask as it gets pushed out of place. My mask fit shows 100%, but I wake up with air blowing on my lips and eyes quite often. I wonder if the nasal pillow type would be better for sleeping on my side?

[NWMAc]

Went online and found where it does say settings 5-20 cm H2O with "Flex" of 1-3. I think flex is exhale relief? But not entirely sure. This unit is so new I cannot find out much about it. I am not able to change any settings and since I did not pay for this not sure I should. My clinitian can remotely connect so I will get in touch with him and see if anything should,be adjusted or I just need to keep trying.

My sleep study shows the majority of events I had were Hypopneas. What is the difference between Hypopnea and Apnea?

Thanks for all your wisdom!

[big_dave]

Went online and found where it does say settings 5-20 cm H2O with "Flex" of 1-3. I think flex is exhale relief?

Those settings give you the freedom to choose your own Flex level. Flex is a comfort setting. By all means, change it if it makes you more comfortable. A Flex of 3 gives you the most exhale relief.

In your first post, you said your mask was hurting the bridge of your nose. You may want to try a nasal pillows mask, which does not touch the bridge of your nose.

[PoolQ]

I don't have that machine, but I did have the same issue you are having, exhaling into pressure.
I tried a nasal pillow mask (P10) and that was not the way for me to go. DME tech agreed that I wanted a bigger area to exhale into and not smaller.
I use a full face mask even though I don't mouth breathe, first Simplus and now Amara View
I have been changed to a BiLevel (BPAP) machine because even using EPR at 3 was not enough for me. Exhaling is no longer a problem at all, each step of getting here got better.

Get the clinician manual for your machine, as it will give more of an explanation about what the settings are for.

As for changing things, my Doctor at least is fine with me changing anything, but does not recommend me changing the pressure range. Others here change that all the time, with guidance.
Anything that you can change on the user menu, go ahead and have at it. There is another menu for clinicians that your doctor may or may not care about.

[JasonK94Z]

I have this machine.

Flex is for exhale relief. 3 being the hardest to exhale, 1 being the easiest. The machine lowers the pressure when it senses your exhale.

You can also adjust to have your ramp start at a higher pressure of your choice. It's in the menu.

[Wulfman...]

I have this machine.

Flex is for exhale relief. 3 being the hardest to exhale, 1 being the easiest. The machine lowers the pressure when it senses your exhale.

You can also adjust to have your ramp start at a higher pressure of your choice. It's in the menu.

It's always been the other way around. 3=most exhale relief, 1=least exhale relief (other than Off)


Den

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[chunkyfrog]

If your machine does not have exhale relief, you need to make the dealer give you one that does,
---instead of the POS they sold you.

[MJKelleher]

(I can't put equipment info in my profile because my machine nor mask are listed in the available drop downs. )

Even if your equipment isn't in the drop-down, you can use the Additional Comments box to list what you're using. Having it there will help the local experts with your questions, without having to ask you what you've got.

[DeadlySleep]

Last night during one of the many times awake i pushed the button to see the screen and it was at 9.8. it was blowing like a gale force wind and I had to remove it. My problem is the EXhale. I feel like i can never empty my lungs due to the pressure blowing in while I am trying to blow out.

This is your mind fighting the machine. Your body has no problem breathing out at this pressure (Unless you are a sickly wimp.)

I know a little old lady who sleeps all night against a pressure of 18.

Think about it.