Pressure lowered and feeling better

[maddoget196]

I have been on cpap therapy since January. Other than bags on my cheeks everything was going just great until about 6 weeks ago. I began to feel bad again, and was having problems with air coming through my tear ducts. I called my nurse practionier about my problems, after discussions with the doctor she gave me 2 suggestions. One was to raise my pressure from 12 to 15 to see if this would help my feeling better. Gel plugs were suggested for the air coming through the tear ducts, as I do suffer from dry eye, especially since starting cpap. The 2nd suggestion was to lower my pressure to 11 and see if that helped the air through the duct problem. I first changed to the pressure to 15, felt some better, but the eye problem was worse. So I lowered the pressure to 11, and so far feel even better, and air through the duct problem also is much better. I use a nasal mask, chin strap and have had to tape my mouth. Since lowering the pressure I have not taped my mouth, as it appears I am now able to keep my mouth closed.
I also wonder if the tongue position is also responsible for the air through the duct problem. Since it appears my sinus drain is now being closed off by my tongue/pallette.
I know I went around the barn to get to this, thoughts anyone.

[nanwilson]

For dry eyes use Genteal gel drops. I put in 2 drops each eye at bed time, then if I need (rarely) it during the day I will do the same again. When I first started using it I used it at bedtime and a couple of times during the day, now its not even every night. The gel tends to coat your eyes and the air doesn't seem to get through.

[Slinky]

Well, LOWERING your pressure you feel better and the eyes seem happier - its too bad you are stuck w/the Resmed S8 Escape II instead of the S8 Elite II. The data from pressure at 12, at 15 and at 11 might well provide some REAL answers instead of the NP's "by guess and by gosh" response to your problem.

Ask you DOCTOR to script a month's loan of a fully data capable APAP such as the S8 AutoSet II to find out what pressure you REALLY need to relieve those dry eyes and get restful sleep.

W/the eye problem you were/are having telling you to RAISE your pressure setting doesn't sound like your NP has the slightest knowledge about CPAP therapy.

You might well also benefit from a thorough mask fitting AND/OR a change of masks if you are having any mask leaks around the eyes at all. They can be very minor but still damage the eyes. If you feel even the slightest breeze or coolness around the eyes you have a minor leak. You MIGHT want to consider a mask that DOESN'T have a forehead brace. You want to be sure that the mask cushion edges are turned UNDER to seal.

[Pugsy]

Your Profile shows a ResMed Escape so no data to go on.

Feeling better at 15.. as in how? overall energy, etc?

Feeling better at 11 only relative to the eye problem? or still overall?

In other words...if you didn't have the eye problem which pressure allows you to sleep better and feel better overall?

[maddoget196]

I do not have any leaks from the mask into my eyes. The air is coming from through the sinus cavity and out through the tear duct. The NP did not know anything about the air through the tear duct problem, but the doctor had, thus the lowering the pressure to 11. Raising the pressure was based on my test results which also showed I responded well at that pressure. Since this all appears to be a work in progress, for now the lower pressure seems to taken care of my eye concerns.
Unfortunately the machine I have is what it is. I will speak with my insurance provider about the script for an apap machine to see if they will pay for the lease.
Maybe the short period of feeling bad at the orginial pressure of 12 was just phase of feeling bad. The pressure adjustment to 15 was something to try to see if it made a difference, and it didn't as far as I can tell. Though the period was short, as I got tired of taping my eyelid to stop the air from causing the "bubble" sensation in my eye.
I will get some of the eye gel that was recommended.
Thanks for the suggestions.

[Pugsy]

I understand about the air going through the tear ducts. If you don't feel any worse (overall) with the lower pressure and it relieves the eye problem then go for it. 2 cm drop may not make a huge impact on your sleep apnea if you don't feel worse. Now if you reported extreme fatigue.. sleepy etc being worse at the lower pressure..then different story.
I don't blame you for reducing the pressure and probably would have done the same thing in your situation.

[Cuda]

The manufacturers need to stop making these machines with no data capabilities. It should be something at least a doctor can unlock. Glad your feeling better but if you are stuck with a machine with no data they should have done a sleep study to see if the lower pressure is enough. Amazing they would guess with something so important and not even want to track progress.