Newbie, Asthma, Sinus Issues Oh My!

[Constance702]

Hi All. Newbie here. Just got my machine 5 days ago and am having alot of struggles adjusting.
Sleep Study Stats: 0 Apnea and 107 Hypopneas, AHI of 19, optimum pressure of 10
So on to the machine I go.

I have chronic nasal polyps and sinusitis. 5 surgeries over the past 10 years for the polyps so Full Face Mask is a must. Currently trying the Quattro FX FF Mask. During the sleep study they put a FF mask with the headpiece and I DESPISED it. It hurt, left marks and puts pressure on the sinuses. It's not an option in my book.

But I also have asthma. And currently Bronchitis with crackles in the lungs but that's another story. My asthma flares quite a bit, or at least it has been for the past 6 months.

Out of the past 5 nights I've only been successful using the mask/cpap about 5 hours total. I'm struggling here. When I put on the mask and machine at full force I feel like I can't exhale. It's like I'm suffocating. I can't get the air out. I panic and rip it off.

I've tried the ramp. It helps with the exhale problem but then my seal gets all wacked. The mask moves around and it pops (I can only describe it as "farting" noise around the seal". Sometimes I leaks at my nose when I lay down on my side. But the biggest issue is the feeling of suffocation.

Last night I was almost asleep and then the 5yo woke up. I tried to go back to sleep with the mask and go the panic I can't breathe feeling, ripped it off. By then it was 1:30 and I gave up. I have to be up at 5. I do not have a husband/partner to help with the kids so no help there.

Any help of insight anyone can provide with the asthma CPAP combo would be welcome.

[avi123]

It's not clear what machine you got there and its set- up. Also, how the Asthma effects the treatment when air is blowing into your lungs? Do you wheeze or wake up and ketch your breathe or what? About that difficulty when exhaling vs the Ramp, did you mean the EPR or Flex which are meant to help when exhaling (and not the Ramp?). By the way, what you despise or feel about the hardware don't mean much b/c you have no other choices if you want to be treated. Your Sleep Disorder indicates a disease like many other diseases which shorten life.

[cflame1]

which machine did they put you on?

[greyhound]

I, too, have recurring nasal polyps and have had multiple surgeries. I've never been able to get a good seal with a full face mask. However, surprisingly, I do very well with nasal pillows. I've found that if any air at all can get through my nose, the nasal pillows work. Except for those times that you've got total blockage in both nostrils, I suggest giving nasal pillows a try.

[Constance702]

Thanks Greyhound. Maybe pillows is worth a try.

To answer some questions.....
My machine is a "brick". Respironics p150 I don't know wahat EPR is. The machine has ramp where it starts at 4 then ramps up to 10. There is no exhale relief that I can program myself. it has a humidifier which living in the desert is necessary.

When my asthma flares I wheeze likes freight train and get 'tight'. Which anyone with asthma knows that feeling. The mask or machine exacerbates that feeling.

[HoseCrusher]

The main issue is that you haven't spent enough time with your new "bed partner" to understand its quirks.

If possible you may want to consider sending your 5 year old out to spend a night with others. This would leave you alone with the machine. If this is not a consideration you will just have to schedule some time for yourself around your 5 year olds sleep schedule.

After a leisurely dinner you could mask up and sit on the couch for awhile. During this time you can play with the ramp setting and adjust your mask to be just tight enough but not too tight. You can also lay down, roll over, and do some other movements to see how your mask rides while you are moving around.

It is much better to do this while you are awake than being suddenly woken up by a leak or a mask fart.

Think of it as learning to dance with a new partner. You will step on each others toes a few times then finally settle into a coordination of movements that you both can enjoy.

Next you move everything into the bedroom and get ready for bed. Before putting the mask on, take several deep breaths and concentrate on relaxing. If you almost hyperventilate you will minimize the feeling of suffocation you feel when you first put the mask on. Mask up, turn the machine on and calm yourself as you lay down and get comfortable. Keep breathing deeply and relax and let your mind settle. After a few minutes you should just drift off to sleep.

[49er]

Hi Constance,

Since you have only had the brick for 5 days, please see this link about exchanging it for a data capable machine:

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/2011/0 ... h-a-brick/

Then see this link for ones you should be looking to acquire:

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/2011/0 ... -machines/

There have been some recent updates to PR machines which hopefully someone else can chime in on.

Anyway, I would start with that as a first step because if you have a brick, it is pretty much going to be an exercise in futility trying to get good therapy without having any data to guide you.

Meanwhile, you might want to look into ways to sleep in an elevated position. Having sinus issues like you, I used a bed wedge last night and it definitely helped although I still woke up way too early.

You also might want to look into taking probiotics as apparently, they can help with sinus issues. Of course, run it by your doctor.

If you still find that you can't get used to exhaling against the air on an autopap in spite of using the exhalation relief features, perhaps you want to explore with your doctor getting a prescription for a bipap machine. Typically, they are prescribed for pressures of 15 and above but many people find they need one for lower pressures.

Regarding masks, you might want to try the new quattro air as it is supposed to be lighter. Also, look at the hybrids and the Full Face Fit Life Mask.

Best of luck.

49er

Hi All. Newbie here. Just got my machine 5 days ago and am having alot of struggles adjusting.
Sleep Study Stats: 0 Apnea and 107 Hypopneas, AHI of 19, optimum pressure of 10
So on to the machine I go.

I have chronic nasal polyps and sinusitis. 5 surgeries over the past 10 years for the polyps so Full Face Mask is a must. Currently trying the Quattro FX FF Mask. During the sleep study they put a FF mask with the headpiece and I DESPISED it. It hurt, left marks and puts pressure on the sinuses. It's not an option in my book.

But I also have asthma. And currently Bronchitis with crackles in the lungs but that's another story. My asthma flares quite a bit, or at least it has been for the past 6 months.

Out of the past 5 nights I've only been successful using the mask/cpap about 5 hours total. I'm struggling here. When I put on the mask and machine at full force I feel like I can't exhale. It's like I'm suffocating. I can't get the air out. I panic and rip it off.

I've tried the ramp. It helps with the exhale problem but then my seal gets all wacked. The mask moves around and it pops (I can only describe it as "farting" noise around the seal". Sometimes I leaks at my nose when I lay down on my side. But the biggest issue is the feeling of suffocation.

Last night I was almost asleep and then the 5yo woke up. I tried to go back to sleep with the mask and go the panic I can't breathe feeling, ripped it off. By then it was 1:30 and I gave up. I have to be up at 5. I do not have a husband/partner to help with the kids so no help there.

Any help of insight anyone can provide with the asthma CPAP combo would be welcome.

[Pugsy]

EPR is the term for the exhale relief that is available on the ResMed S9 machine.

You have the ultimate most basic Respironics machine that doesn't even offer any exhale relief...and Respironics calls their exhale relief CFlex or AFlex depending on machine model. How about pushing for a machine that offers exhale relief and while at it...full efficacy data.

EPR reduces the pressure upon exhale by 1 cm per setting up to 3 cm.

Flex relief works similarly but not exactly the same. The reduction is flow based and is not as dramatic as the EPR relief.

What pressure are you using?

[MagsterMile]

Perhaps you have already done so, but if you haven't, I suggest that you call your DME right away and tell them about the problems you are having. You are so new at this that you should be able to go back to them and get a different machine that can give you exhale relief. Don't be like me. I waited and suffered for 3 miserable weeks before I called the DME.

[Constance702]

Thanks y'all for all the suggestions.

Good news I slept for a full 6 hours last night with the mask/machine. That's a full nights sleep for me!
(11pm to 5 am)

Maybe this will get better. I have hope.

To the poster who asked... my pressure is 10.

[Kshynes]

Yay Constance! It's not perfect overnight, or every night, but it gets better all the time.