I have been using my cpap for about a year, however when i originally got it I had a difficult time and put it away for about 2 yrs. Its been working great, however recently, I am not sleeping thru the night...I am experiencing choking spells and air leaks. Would it be possible to need higher pressure???? Do I need to get another sleep study done??? Could my machine be wearing out????? Or would it just be the air leaks that would cause the pressure to be low?
Should I have another sleep study or find a new mask?
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1
-
careers0001
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2006 9:02 am
-
sir_cumference
- Posts: 240
- Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2005 10:47 am
- Location: UK
What machine and mask have you got, and what pressure is it set at?
It could simply be that your prescription has increased over the 3 years? since you first had it prescribed and you need to up the pressure?
So if you are happy with the mask, either get another sleep study, or if you can't afford it, up the pressure a little at a time night after night until you sleep through and don't get the choking sensation! BUT, if at all worried about doing it yourself, get another sleep study and find out what pressure you actually need now.
sir_cumference
It could simply be that your prescription has increased over the 3 years? since you first had it prescribed and you need to up the pressure?
So if you are happy with the mask, either get another sleep study, or if you can't afford it, up the pressure a little at a time night after night until you sleep through and don't get the choking sensation! BUT, if at all worried about doing it yourself, get another sleep study and find out what pressure you actually need now.
sir_cumference
-
rested gal
- Posts: 12880
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
careers, in the first topic you started (where you were asking about the Comfort Curve mask) you mentioned you had used a full face mask and a nasal mask.
The usual reasons someone is given a FF mask is if you mouth breathe at night or if treatment air sneaks out your mouth puffing through loosely closed lips. If either of those things are happening and you are wearing just a nasal mask (covers nose only) that could account for waking up choking while using cpap. Unless you have mouth air leaks under control, cpap treatment is going out into the bedroom instead of down your throat to keep the airway open.
sir_c gave good advice. Another sleep study would be a very good idea, as would some real help getting a mask that suits you and doesn't leak. The observation that takes place during a sleep study would also determine if you're leaking air out of your mouth or trying to breathe through your mouth when you sleep.
As sir_c said, if a person can't afford another sleep study, then experimentally raising the pressure a notch or two is something to consider. Most sleep doctors would do that - without a study. You might want to ask your doctor about it...or...do it yourself if you feel comfortable about making some of your own treatment decisions.
An alternative to another sleep study is to get an autopap machine like the Respironics REMstar Auto with C-Flex, the Puritan Bennett 420E auto, or the ResMed S7 Spirit or S8 Vantage (both those are autopaps too.) Get the software for the autopap and see a lot of data, including leak rate.
First and foremost, imho (and I'm not a doctor) is to be sure you get leaks under control... especially mouth air leaks. A very good nasal mask is the ResMed Activa. A very good full face mask - ResMed's Ultra Mirage FF.
Good luck, careers!
The usual reasons someone is given a FF mask is if you mouth breathe at night or if treatment air sneaks out your mouth puffing through loosely closed lips. If either of those things are happening and you are wearing just a nasal mask (covers nose only) that could account for waking up choking while using cpap. Unless you have mouth air leaks under control, cpap treatment is going out into the bedroom instead of down your throat to keep the airway open.
sir_c gave good advice. Another sleep study would be a very good idea, as would some real help getting a mask that suits you and doesn't leak. The observation that takes place during a sleep study would also determine if you're leaking air out of your mouth or trying to breathe through your mouth when you sleep.
As sir_c said, if a person can't afford another sleep study, then experimentally raising the pressure a notch or two is something to consider. Most sleep doctors would do that - without a study. You might want to ask your doctor about it...or...do it yourself if you feel comfortable about making some of your own treatment decisions.
An alternative to another sleep study is to get an autopap machine like the Respironics REMstar Auto with C-Flex, the Puritan Bennett 420E auto, or the ResMed S7 Spirit or S8 Vantage (both those are autopaps too.) Get the software for the autopap and see a lot of data, including leak rate.
First and foremost, imho (and I'm not a doctor) is to be sure you get leaks under control... especially mouth air leaks. A very good nasal mask is the ResMed Activa. A very good full face mask - ResMed's Ultra Mirage FF.
Good luck, careers!
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1