Pressure in mask seems less after 3 weeks.

[johnc]

I started on cpap about 3 weeks ago. I have a Resmed S9 and "desire" full face mask. The first 2 weeks, I could feel pressure in the mask, and I was having problems with my stomach filling with air. I tried the trick of rolling up my tongue, and that seemed to help. When I did this, the incoming air would push on my tongue. Lately, the pressure in the mask seems a lot lower, and no pressure on my tongue. The mask check shows OK. The AHI readings in "info" have showed a wide variation since then. They ranged from a mid "4" to "20.1". The pressure is 13 and it shows this when it is running. Am I just learning to live with using the cpap machine, or should I have it looked at? I am still in my eval period for insurance and worried about the first download showing no improvement.

[Sir NoddinOff]

Without seeing your software screen data, I'd have to say that you're simply getting used to the sensation of having your airways inflated. I'm so used to it I sometimes have to wave my hand in front of the exhaust vent to tell if the machine is on... seriously. Also, I'm not clear whether your peak AHI runs up to 20 or if your nightly AHI sometimes runs up to 20? There's a pretty big difference.

[johnc]

The AHI stated was for the night. I took the machine in, and had the pressure checked. Everything is fine with it. Average AHI was 11 and change. I think I must just be getting used to it. The download covered enough time to meet the minimum requirements for use, and I see my doctor on the 17th anyway. Looks good for the insurance requirements.

[archangle]

It's very common to feel like you're being blown away to start, and then not feel it later, even with the same pressure.

I start with a pressure of 16 now, and often can't feel the pressure and have to lift up the edge of my mask to convince myself it's blowing.

[roubai]

Exactly as archangle said
I sometimes hold my hand outside the vents to reassure myself that it's the same as ever.

[Pugsy]

We do get adjusted to the pressure. What starts out feeling like a hurricane ends up feeling like a gentle breeze that we can barely feel.
The body just adapts to a new "normal".

When I first started therapy I was using 10 cm starting pressure. Thought for sure it was going to blow my nose off but it didn't take long before I was waking up wondering if the mask was even on my face.
Now if I try something lower than 10 cm I feel like I am suffocating.