Cpap Beginner: My first night -- 1 Hour

[Jeanne Ellen]

Last night, before I tried out my new DreamStation Auto Cpap, I put in my mandibular adjustment device, took a Benedryl and taped my mouth vertically in three places. My doctor had ordered that my pressure be set from 8-12, with the ramp at 4 for 20 minutes. I had no problem adjusting to the pressure and found that I was able to exhale more easily than I thought I could, even when it was at 8. However, the problem started as soon as I began to drift off to sleep. My mouth relaxed, my tongue fell away from the roof of my mouth and air filled my cheeks like a puffer fish. I also had the sensation of an air bubble coming up my throat. I think this was what happened to me during my "night from hell" titration experience. After about an hour of almost falling asleep but never getting there, I took off the equipment and that was the end of that. From what I read, it sounds like chipmunk cheeks is a common experience, but what about that air bubble in my throat? The tech at the titration session said she was never able to get the pressure above 5 before I'd wake up. I'll see my doctor today, but wanted to get your thoughts.

[Sylvia54]

Hi, I've been on cpap therapy for over 6 mos. now. Cheeks puffed up with forced air, that's just one of several adjustments I've been through.
I'm sure your sleep clinic will tell you that it's nothing unusual.
Just like you, it happened to me during the titration study, and then intermittently for maybe the first month, just a few times while falling asleep.
As you can see, I'm using the same machine and mask that you are.
Sorry, never heard of air bubble in the throat. Hopefully the clinic can help you with that.

Okay, I read your post again and maybe it's the mandibular adjustment device causing the air bubble.
Most on here don't use one of those.
Also, I have intermittent dry mouth but haven't tried taping.

[Jeanne Ellen]

Sylvia, did you have trouble falling asleep with the puffy cheek business? When did you actually get a good night's rest? It's encouraging to think that I might get past this at some point.

[D.H.]

Interesting, so you're using both a mandibular adjustment device and a CPAP machine to treat your Sleep Apnea! I don't know how common it is to be treated with both.

You might want to raise the max pressure above 12. I actually raised mine to the machine max (20), but it has never gone above 17 (and that only happened once).

[Julie]

I think you should be reported for practicing medicine without a license - you DON'T know what you're talking about and you're dangerous! Do you want to be held responsible for others getting sicker (or worse)?

[Ladyskets]

First off I just want to say hooray for you! You lasted an hour with your PAP. I can't help you with what might be happening with your treatment, but I can give encouragement. We all went through an adjustment period when we got our machines and masks. Eventually you'll get the hang of it. Keep trying and don't give up. You'll find that you'll get a little more time each night and it really isn't so bad. You'll learn how to keep your tongue touching the roof of your mouth instead of flopping into your throat while you sleep. You'll also learn to sleep with your moth closed (hopefully). We've all had chipmunk cheeks and swallowed some air in the beginning. It's just part of the learning process. You've come to the right forum for support.

[Sylvia54]

Sylvia, did you have trouble falling asleep with the puffy cheek business? When did you actually get a good night's rest? It's encouraging to think that I might get past this at some point.

Yes, it was just one of many things that woke me at sleep onset when first starting out a few months ago. But I'm not a good one to ask about getting a good nights sleep because I seldom do. Apap therapy has helped almost eliminate the nerve problems that made my insomnia worse. I've experienced about every kind of abnormal sleep pattern there is over the past 4 yrs. Just lately, I've had better luck with two recent adjustments to apap, but since you're just starting out, I don't recommend making adjustments to the machine yet. Its best that you start with what your clinic prescribed and go from there, see what happens.

It was hard for me to sleep with a breathing machine and mask on my face at first, but the brain does gradually adjust. You could ask the clinic to prescribe you some Lunesta or other sleep aid to help you get to sleep for the first couple of weeks or so. Benadryl probably won't cut it. I still use alittle clonazepam that was previously prescribed to me last year for insomnia, restless legs and other nerve problems. My sleep doctor also approved that prescription but I hope to stop it completely before long. This week I've been getting about 6.5 hrs sleep but with some middle of the night insomnia and then vivid fragmented dreams. Most people wouldn't call that a good nights sleep, but I feel better and keep hoping. Good luck!

[Sir NoddinOff]

I have a cat that looks just like yours!!!

With my FX nasal pillows I used to sometimes get the air bubble in my throat and also chipmunk cheeks from time to time. Some folks here had luck with 'training' their tongue to stay glued to the top of their palate... sadly, I never really managed to do that, so ended up with a full face mask. The epiglottis air bubble is a real uncomfortable thing to get, so I sympathize completely. Let us know what you end up doing.

[Guest]

Epiglottis air bubble! At least I now have a name for it--ha. When I see him today, I'll ask the doctor about a sleeping pill. I use Sonata sometimes for short-acting medicine, but that's only good if I wake up at 2 or 3AM and can't get back to sleep. I thought the mandibular device might help me keep my tongue on the roof of my mouth, but since that didn't work, I'll go without it tonight. Since the tape doesn't bother me and it's keeping my mouth shut, should I just let the puffy cheeks happen or let the air out or swallow it, or what? Should I not tape at all? It seems like if I don't keep my mouth shut, cpap isn't going to work. If I use a full face mask, won't that encourage mouth breathing? I've never been a mouth breather and don't exactly want to start that habit. But maybe.....

[palerider]

Interesting, so you're using both a mandibular adjustment device and a CPAP machine to treat your Sleep Apnea! I don't know how common it is to be treated with both.

You might want to raise the max pressure above 12. I actually raised mine to the machine max (20), but it has never gone above 17 (and that only happened once).

to all reading this, please understand that the posting history of D.H. shows that he's ignorant of pretty much everything related to cpap use, and worse yet, he thinks the world needs to read his crazy thoughts, the best course of action is to click this link:

https://www.cpaptalk.com/ucp.php?i=zebr ... s&add=D.H.

and then click 'yes'.

[Julie]

Please explain the 'course of action' as the link doesn't (only wants me to click on it) and I only 'sign' stuff if I know what it says...

[palerider]

Please explain the 'course of action' as the link doesn't (only wants me to click on it) and I only 'sign' stuff if I know what it says...

it adds DH to the foe list.

[Julie]

But that could besmirch it as it now stands!

[palerider]

But that could besmirch it as it now stands!

what are you talking about?

[Julie]

The foe list is the usual suspects... this could bring it even lower! Whatever..