Waiting to Exhale

[runt08]

Hello everyone.
I went ahead and purchased the cpap from the place my doctor recomended. The price worked out as they provide 3 years of support and supplies.

The only thing is... It is hard for me to exhale. I checked and the c-flex is at 3. Is that the highest level, I can't tell as they locked it.

I need to know as it is really hard to exhale and even before I am ready to inhale, the pressure is very forceful.

Any tips or ideas?

[ozij]

[quote="runt08"]Hello everyone.
I went ahead and purchased the cpap from the place my doctor recomended. The price worked out as they provide 3 years of support and supplies.

The only thing is... It is hard for me to exhale. I checked and the c-flex is at 3. Is that the highest level, I can't tell as they locked it.

I need to know as it is really hard to exhale and even before I am ready to inhale, the pressure is very forceful.

Any tips or ideas?

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply.

Yeah I guess I should just try and get used to the proscribed pressure.

When I first started using the loaner, I did have some trouble, so I guess now that I am using a brand new mashine, its like I have to get used to the pressure again. (the other machine was an older one) Could that be it, and is just a matter of me getting use to it again?

[bdp522]

I found that if I took a couple of slow, long breaths as soon as the machine turned on, then started breathing 'normally', the machine seemed to follow my breathing instead of me trying to follow the machines pattern. It made it much easier for me to exhale.

Brenda

[Suz-E-Q]

I found that the ability to exhale for me has a lot to do with the mask as well. Some masks didn't vent well for me when I would exhale and they make me feel like I had to push too hard to get the air out of my lungs. But I did find 2 masks that seem to work well for me, the Mirage Activa (though it is a bit big for my fase structure) and the Swift II.

If you continue to have the problem you might want to see if the doc will prescribe a Bilevel. That is what I have 14/11. That helps a lot.

Keep at it runt08. Good Luck
Suzanne

[Guest]

Hi runt, I'm no expert since last night was my first night on CPAP, but I do have the same mask as you with the same pressure of 6. It wasn't a great night of rest, but I managed to do 7 hrs therapy my first night, however, I found the RAMP feature on my Respironics M Series Pro to make a big difference when I figured out how to push the button.

It looks like your machine has a RAMP, too. Is it set up? Are you using it? It just might help as I noticed a big difference trying to breathe out at 4 (RAMP start) as opposed to 6 (therapy level) when starting up.

[deerslayer]

I found that if I took a couple of slow, long breaths as soon as the machine turned on, then started breathing 'normally', the machine seemed to follow my breathing instead of me trying to follow the machines pattern. It made it much easier for me to exhale.

Brenda

good point! i have the same problem when i first turn on the machine useing the swift 2. takes me a min. or two for me to get the exhale effort (pressure resistance)comfortable enough to relax & bring on the Zzzzzzzzzzz....sorta reminds me of scuba when you first submerge and get into a breathing rythm inhaling,exhaling*

[Moby]

I would check that they have set it right. Maybe take it to them for them to check it is delivering as ordered.

If that is all ok, then I would suspect you are tense. Exhalation should just occur when you relax, maybe you are tensing up without realising it, so the muscles can't relax and the ribs and diaphragm aren't softening back down into their default position.

You know you don't have to "blow out" against the pressure. As I understand it, the machine provides a sort of localised increased atmospheric pressure, and the body adjusts to it naturally, just like in an aeroplane or mountaineering. If you try and "blow out" against it, you are stuffing up your natural breathing, overbreathing . This disrupts your body's chemical (acid/base, then calcium) balance, making yourself breathless and simulating panic.

I would practice lying on the bed without the mask, maybe with the radio or some music on, and just observe myself breathing when I am relaxed. If you meditate or have a meditation tape, that will be very helpful. I would really get to know how I breathe in a relaxed state. Then I would just bring the mask gently towards my face and practice the relaxed breathing again, just to see if I change my breathing when the mask is near.

If you are changing your breathing and breathing forcefully with the mask on, just being aware of what you are doing and having an alternative (relaxed) behaviour to practice may solve it.

My two cents

di

[rested gal]

Excellent suggestion, Moby.