Losing Sense of Pressure (Newbie)

DouglasF · Post by **DouglasF** » Sun May 06, 2007 11:51 am

I'm new to CPAP therapy, and I've noticed that as I come out of sleep, or if I wake during the night, I've often lost the sense of pressure in my airway, and my breathing actually seems to take a normal amount of effort. The first time I fired up my machine, it felt like a taxi driving down my throat (14 cm). But now after a time I hardly notice it. Is this just me "getting used to it," or is it something that physics can explain in terms of my entire respiratory system coming up to pressure? More to the point, is my experience typical? The first time or two I noticed this, I thought "Oh no, my machine isn't delivering full pressure."

Thanks,
Doug

WearyOne · Post by **WearyOne** » Sun May 06, 2007 11:58 am

Welcome, DouglasF!

Yes, that's perfectly normal. Just this morning, I woke up and grabbed at my mask to feel the air vent to make sure air was coming out!

I've been on cpap about three months and just in the last, I'd say month, I've noticed that happening. From what others have said, this is normal and just your body getting used to treatment.

Glad to have you here.

Pam

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun May 06, 2007 12:03 pm

Hi Doug, and welcome to the board!

What you described is normal.

Dunno the physics of it, but yes, that's typical for many people...the sensation of a LOT of air each time they first put the mask on, and then seeming like no pressure at all later.

Many people report having to put their hand up to feel the exhaust air rushing out, to be sure their machine is still on.

Sounds like you're taking to it well!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun May 06, 2007 12:10 pm

Thanks, Weary and Rested ( )!

That sounds familiar -- reaching up to the exhaust vent! Glad to hear this is par. I'm about 10 days into my therapy, and really have made the most progress over the last 3 days, since getting myself the right size mask. This forum has been extremely helpful; I've rigged my hose to come down from the headboard and insulated it to prevent rainout. This forum is a great resource, and I'm very happy to have found it.

See you around the boards!

Doug

DouglasF · Post by **DouglasF** » Sun May 06, 2007 12:13 pm

(Oops, forgot to log in there...)

Regards,
Doug

Nitro Dan · Post by **Nitro Dan** » Sun May 06, 2007 12:58 pm

After over 20 years of 18 to 20 CM blowing through my head, I don't notice ANY pressure at all anymore, not even when I first put the mask on and push the switch. But I sure notice when there isn't.

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Sun May 06, 2007 1:22 pm

Hi Doug,

I was surprised when this happened to me during the sleep study. At one point I felt like I was smothering. I was wearing a SomnoTech mask during the study, which is super quiet anyway and then I woke up and forgot it was even on, I felt I was just breathing normally. I was pretty surprised by that one.

Losing Sense of Pressure (Newbie)

Losing Sense of Pressure (Newbie)

Re: Losing Sense of Pressure (Newbie)