wondering if there is anything I need to do...

[jmb521]

Its been a little over 2 weeks since I started cpap. Now I know its too early to feel better...but...I can't help but wonder if I'm doing something wrong. The reason I say this is that my blood pressure actually went higher than it was. Several months ago (and as far back as I can remember) it was 120/80 or better. last time I went to the doctor, it was 140/90....elevated my head and it went to 130's/80's. last time I checked got 4 readings in 10 minutes...2 of which were in the 140's. Concerned that cpap hasn't either maintained or lowered my bp.

Another odd thing is the fact that with my mask I can open my mouth and not have air come out. At least it seems that way. If I try and talk, I can feel air come out. Is this normal? I don't have a dry mouth in the morning and my 7 day average for my AHI is 2.6.

So, do you think I need to get a chin strap or something to keep my mouth closed?

[BlackSpinner]

It took more then 2 weeks to get where you are. The cpap hasn't had a chance to do any healing. You are probably anxious about the cpap thing and fussing about it.

What is your current AHI?

[jmb521]

All I can see on the machine is a 7 day and 30 day. The 7 day said 2.6

[Janknitz]

Another odd thing is the fact that with my mask I can open my mouth and not have air come out. At least it seems that way. If I try and talk, I can feel air come out. Is this normal? I don't have a dry mouth in the morning and my 7 day average for my AHI is 2.6.

Ever open your mouth under water without a lot of water rushing into your airway? I remember going underwater to "talk" in the swimming pool when I was a kid (we'd have pretend under water tea parties ). We actually have the ability to close off our airways from our mouth by the position of our tongues. The easiest way to do this is to lock your tongue on the roof of your mouth, on that ridge of gum just behind your front teeth. This is where your tongue is supposed to be when you swallow (uless you do something called "tongue thrust" like me) and it helps protect the airway during a swallow.

With my tongue in that position, I can open my mouth on CPAP. BUT, to talk, you have to force air up through the vocal cords and into the mouth. So the airway has to be open to talk and that causes the rush of air out of your mouth if your CPAP is on.

[LinkC]

All I can see on the machine is a 7 day and 30 day. The 7 day said 2.6

With a 7-day avg of 2.6, you are off to a good start!!! I agree with the other posted that your BP could be a temporary result of starting CPAP. And I echo that it can take more than a couple of weeks to undo what it took years to do.