Am I getting enough air?

[paulak]

I've had my machine for about a week and I'm still feeling a little clueless. I've been reading this forum, but this is just my second post. I have ResMed Swift LT for Her (nasal pillows), but it seems like every night, one or the other of my nostrils is stopped up. This may sound silly, but can you get enough air from just one nostril? I went in to see the technician that did my titration and I (timidly) asked if I should try a different mask. They talked me out of it. This one is comfortable except for that. Do ya'll think I should try something else or stick with this one? This forum is so helpful and I really appreciate any wisdom that you can give me! Also, I have a ResMed s8 series II, Autoset II, Elite II (w/ humidifier), and when I looked on the menu (I'm intimidated by the buttons), all I see is how long it's been used. I didn't even go there since I kind of know how long I'm using it! Is that what that really meant or is there somewhere else that shows more info? Thanks so much, you guys!

[Hawthorne]

I don't know much about Resmed machines but I really think you can get more data than that from the screen. Someone here who knows about Resmeds can tell you how.

As far as having one stuffed nostril - yes, it is possible to get enough air that way as long as the other one is not stuffed. I expect you will settle into the mask and this will not continue. You might, however want to have a backup mask that is a different type sometime in the future.

However, I use a nasal spray called "Simply Saline" every night about an hour before bedtime - a few sprays in each nostril - and it clears both nostrils well. I use the same mask as you do. If I am congested with a cold, I do a nasal rinse a few times during the day. I don't use a neti pot but rather a squeeze bottle type. I use Nasopure but there are others.

Do you know what your pressure is? Do you feel like one nostril is congested or do you feel like you are not getting enough air?

[BlackSpinner]

My big concern would be if my nose is plugged am I breathing through my mouth? Because if you are then you are no getting the therapy you need.

[scrapper]

Also, I have a ResMed s8 series II, Autoset II, Elite II (w/ humidifier),

The Autoset II and Elite II are two different machines.......take a look at your machine and verify which you have. Both are good machines.

when I looked on the menu (I'm intimidated by the buttons), all I see is how long it's been used.

Don't be intimidated........fill out your equipment by going into the User Control Panel, click on the Profile tab along the top, and then the Edit Equipment on the left side........

The information you currently see is mainly for the dme to prove compliance to the insurance company.

You can learn here, and become you're own advocate. You must learn and take charge of your therapy. It's necessary in order to survive--but easy with this community

[paulak]

Oh, Sorry, Scrapper! I was looking at the User's Guide (for both machines). I hope I got my equip. listed correctly, now! I’m ready to become my own advocate (I really like your Swindoll quote!). In my fog I let too many things go. If anyone has advice on reading the Resmed machines, I would love to hear it. Just type very clearly and very slowly so I can understand!! lol I was up last night with a neti pot and Sudafed, but I will def try these suggestions. They told me I have severe OSA and my pressure is 7. Starts ramping at 4 (too low?) I know one nostril is clogged, but I’m not sure if I’m getting enough air or it’s in my head! Is it possible to get enough oxygen with one nostril? I have still had a few a.m. headaches. How can I tell if I’m breathing through my mouth? Thank you guys so much for your replies!

[AirBreather]

I've had my machine for about a week and I'm still feeling a little clueless. I've been reading this forum, but this is just my second post. I have ResMed Swift LT for Her (nasal pillows), but it seems like every night, one or the other of my nostrils is stopped up.

What do you have the humidifier temperature setting set to? Insufficient humidity is a common cause of nasal congestion. Unless you are having a problem with "rain-out" (water condensing in the air hose) I suggest that you raise the humidifier temperature setting to learn whether that will help.

[Hawthorne]

I certainly think that 4 cm is too low, even for ramp. Most people cannot get enough air at 4 cm. At 4 cm, you wouldn't get enough air even if both nostrils were open!

With a pressure setting of 7, ramp would not even be necessary. That's quite a low pressure.

I hope someone can tell you how to turn off "ramp" on your machine. I don't know much about Resmeds, as I said.

AirBreather has suggested that your humdifier might be set too high. That's correct. If it is set too high for the room temperature and humidity level it can cause congestion.

I think, for starters, you need to turn off ramp and start right at 7 cm pressure. If your humidifier is set at more than 3, you may do better turning it down to 1 or 2.

[DoriC]

We ask a lot of personal questions here so do you sleep with a bed partner that can tell you if you've got your mouth open?

[letchworth]

However, I use a nasal spray called "Simply Saline" every night about an hour before bedtime - a few sprays in each nostril - and it clears both nostrils well. I use the same mask as you do. If I am congested with a cold, I do a nasal rinse a few times during the day. I don't use a neti pot but rather a squeeze bottle type. I use Nasopure but there are others.

At the first sign of a cold I use a saline spray- 2x in each nostril- that has really helped a lot. May not totally open up the stuffy side, but allows additional air passage & helps me feel better.

I sometimes use a half dose of Sudafed and that seems to lesson the swelling of the nasal passage without drugging myself up.

A third thing (only if you have a backup nasal pillow for your mask)-- I felt I wasn't getting enough air in my Respironics OptiLife nasal pillows-- so gently enlarged the air passage-- WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! (I am currently on the second modified nasal pillow for my OptiLife-- after six months on the original-- this time I tried enlarging the holes only on the part of the holes closest to each other-- not quite as much air, but sufficient so far-- I tend to be claustrophobic, so plenty of air helps). Ramping seemed to make the situation much worse-- I prefer to not ramp rather than put up with low airflow.

One more thing: OptiLife mask has a choice of pillows or cushions-- I used the cushions for awhile because of this air restriction-- much more open and that might be an alternative for you at some point. I like both.

Good luck---- letchworth

[Ms.Snuffleupagus]

Check DreamOn's post. She explains how to get data from the screen on your machine and gives the link for obtaining the clinician's manual.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=48430&p=441625&hili ... t#p441625/

[sagesteve]

Most of the time the nose is using one side or the other more frequently. It fluctuates from side to side...just the way the body works.