Rebreathing

RiverDave · Post by **RiverDave** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:34 pm

I tried my equipment out for the first time last night. I made it about 4 hours before I was startled awake the the impression that I had been breathing the same air for a while (less oxygen and more carbon dioxide) It felt kind of like the old hyperventilation cure of breathing into a paper bag. I had to abandon the therapy for the night.

Is this a misfitting mask or just my paranoia? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:42 pm

Can you tell us more?

What is your pressure(s) and other settings in your machine?
Your profile shows that you have the Vantage, an Auto/APAP....is that correct?
If you're running it in Auto mode (range of pressures), your bottom pressure might be too low and hence the sensations you experienced.

Den

patbringer · Post by **patbringer** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 8:11 pm

RiverDave wrote:I tried my equipment out for the first time last night. I made it about 4 hours before I was startled awake the the impression that I had been breathing the same air for a while (less oxygen and more carbon dioxide) It felt kind of like the old hyperventilation cure of breathing into a paper bag. I had to abandon the therapy for the night.

Is this a misfitting mask or just my paranoia? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

Dave,
I recall reading earlier some posts that the Quattro has a lower vent flow rate than other FF masks. ResMed could have done this to make the mask quieter but it has the undesirable effect of CO2 retention. Is your pressure less than 10? Generally, this is more of an issue at lower pressures.

Cheers!

Pat

RiverDave · Post by **RiverDave** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 5:40 pm

Pat and Wulfman...

Thanks for the information. My pressure settings are as follows (Sorry I don't know the lingo yet): Minimum setting is 6 cm H2O, Maximum is 12 cm H2O. As far as I know, I haven't been above 10 cm yet. The unit I have is the Vantage.

Based on your replies, it sounds like I need to move my pressure up. Incidentally, I haven't noticed the problems the last couple of nights.

Thanks

Dave

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:03 pm

Dave,

Do you know if you had a titrated (prescribed) pressure.....and what it is?
I would suffocate at anything below about 9 cm......but then everybody's different.
Since you're already spending time at the pressures in-between, I would suggest moving the bottom pressure up 1 cm. at a time for a few nights and then see how you do. OR, you could just go up to 8 and see how that does.

Also, are you using Ramp or Settling Time? (and what are their settings?)

Hang in there.

Den

RiverDave · Post by **RiverDave** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 6:45 am

WulfMan,

I have no idea about the prescribed pressure (I haven't seen my prescription). My sleep study said that I had no AHI at 12 cm. I haven't used the ramp/settling time. How does one change the bottom pressure - I couldn't find anything about it in the mainual?.

Thanks,

Dave

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 8:31 am

Dave,

You NEED to get a physical copy (or original) of your prescription.....it's good for life.
It sounds like 12 is where they must have stopped. If they saw no events there, I would suggest getting your bottom pressure within a couple of cm. of that or even go to a single pressure of 12......that's the pressure I use.

Here are some instructions on getting into your machine menus. I would strongly suggest going through all of the screens and writing down all of your existing settings before making any changes.

Good luck.

Den

1. Accessing the Clinical Menu

Turn on the device and wait until the standby (RAMP/SETTLING) screen appears on the LCD.
At this stage you can adjust the ramp/settling time.

Press the DOWN and RIGHT keys simultaneously for 3 seconds to access the clinical menu.

2. Changing Options and Settings.

Press the LEFT (menu) key to access the SETTINGS menu screen.

Use the UP and DOWN keys to scroll through the RESULTS, OPTIONS and SERVICING menu screens.

From a menu screen, use the LEFT (enter) key to access the parameters in that menu.

Use the UP and DOWN keys to scroll through menu parameters.

Use the LEFT key to view or change each parameter setting as required.

Press the RIGHT (exit) key until you return to the standby (RAMP/SETTLING) screen.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 9:00 am

You're getting good advice on this. I just thought I would chime in by saying that the 4 hours is a great start, and that I had that feeling also from time to time when I first started therapy. I think it was just plain old anxiety, and went away as I became comfortable with the hose strapped to my face

RiverDave · Post by **RiverDave** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 4:33 pm

Wulfman and Missy:

Thanks for in information ans support. I will try things out tonight.

Dave

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 12:23 pm

I agree your Minimum pressure is set too low, that mask needs at least 6.5cm pressure or higher to properly flush out exhaled CO2.

Retain too much CO2 or rebreathing too much of your exhaled air can cause you to feel like you are hyperventilating, the incoming air may also feel more humid and stuffy.

RiverDave · Post by **RiverDave** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 6:15 pm

Snoredog,

Thanks for the confirmation. I have reset my minimum to 8 cm and all is well.

Dave

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