Resmed S9 VPAP Adapt (ASV) air pressure discomfort

[Piggyghost]

This is the second night I have used my new adaptive servo ventilator and I'm having an awful time with air pressure problems. I experience periodic strange "snoring" or something flapping in my throat, sensations of pockets of air caught in my throat, air escaping from the sides of my mouth (even when my mouth is shut) and occasional "hiccup" sensations (stomach sphincter?). Some of this isn't new. I used to get the "hiccup" on an old CPAP machine and seemed related to sleep position. I believe most of these symptoms are happening when the new machine is responding to my central sleep apneas with increased pressure. These same reactions interrupted my sleep during the titration, but the tech didn't have anything to say regarding my complaint. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone? Is it common to expect to have to take a new machine in for additional adjustments? Or am I out of luck? Thanks.

[49er]

This is the second night I have used my new adaptive servo ventilator and I'm having an awful time with air pressure problems. I experience periodic strange "snoring" or something flapping in my throat, sensations of pockets of air caught in my throat, air escaping from the sides of my mouth (even when my mouth is shut) and occasional "hiccup" sensations (stomach sphincter?). Some of this isn't new. I used to get the "hiccup" on an old CPAP machine and seemed related to sleep position. I believe most of these symptoms are happening when the new machine is responding to my central sleep apneas with increased pressure. These same reactions interrupted my sleep during the titration, but the tech didn't have anything to say regarding my complaint. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone? Is it common to expect to have to take a new machine in for additional adjustments? Or am I out of luck? Thanks.

Hi Piggyghost,

Welcome to the forum.

Please use the link in my signature to fill out your equipment profile. That way, members are in a better position to target their advice to your specific situation.

You also might want to change your subject to let people know this pertains to an ASV machine. That way, the folks who are on them will see your post right away and know that you have a question about an issue they can more likely help you with.

Hang in there.

49er

[TahoeGal]

I have the same lip flapping problem. It even occurs when my mouth is closed tight. If anyone knows about this, I'm interested to know about it,too. I don't have the hiccup, but I get a lot of gas. I am new to xpaping. I've been doing it 2 weeks.
TahoeGal

[JohnBFisher]

This note is to both Piggyghost and TahoeGal should consider calling your DME and request a full face mask. When you use an ASV unit the upper pressure is typically so high that it inevitably causes your pressure to leak (rush) out your mouth. Lip flapping, odd almost snoring sounds. There is nothing you can do (short of using a chin strap AND taping your mouth shut) that will stop it. A full face mask is almost a must for an ASV unit.

Additionally when you get a full face mask, you may want to consider using a mask liner to help reduce the sound of air leaking around the full face mask.

http://www.remzzzs.com/
http://padacheek.com/PAC_Maskliners.html
http://quietusliners.com/

[TahoeGal]

Thanks JohnB. I have a date with my DME tomorrow for just that!

[JeffH]

Using the Respronics premium chin strap helped me with this problem with my VPAP Adapt.

JeffH

[Piggyghost]

Thanks for the replies. I will look into the new mask although I prefer the nasal mask.

Update on third night: I decided to use the ramp for the first time, based on a hunch, and was able to sleep better. I want to check with the sleep doc for confirmation that my central apnea events happen with greater frequency right when I am falling asleep (I seem to recall the tech telling me that during titration). If I can fall asleep during the ramp phase, perhaps I will have fewer interruptions from the air bursts once I am asleep. Using the ramp did make a noticeable improvement, although I had to to restart the ramp a few times during the night.

[sawinglogz]

Also look at hybrids, if you're partial to nasal pillows (or congest when there's pressure on the bridge of your nose). They aren't technically rated for the max ASV pressure (only up to 20 cmH2O, I think, instead of 25), but that's never been a problem for me, whereas mouth leaks were.

[Sir NoddinOff]

]This is the second night I have used my new adaptive servo ventilator and I'm having an awful time with air pressure problems. I experience periodic strange "snoring" or something flapping in my throat, sensations of pockets of air caught in my throat...occasional "hiccup" sensations (stomach sphincter?). Some of this isn't new. I used to get the "hiccup" on an old CPAP machine and seemed related to sleep position.

I had this hiccuping/flapping problem and I think it has to do with a snore starting up before the machines pressure could attack it. Mine went away when I started to increase my EPAP level (for airway patency, ie. air splint support) by about a half cmH20 over the course of several nights. Hopefully once it's fixed you can utilize all the sleep positions. I'm in the same boat as you regarding mouth breathing/mouth leaks and am currently exploring full face masks.

[TahoeGal]

First night in a FFM and it was a success.
No lip flapping, no dry mouth, no gas, no loud noises from the machine/hose setup.
It was so quiet, that my husband said he'll come back to our bedroom.
A big yay!

[JohnBFisher]

Here's hoping you have many more nights of good sleep!!

[Piggyghost]

Thanks to everyone who posted a response here. I am posting future updates on the post "Hiccup - ASV issues"

[Becky at RemZzzs]

This note is to both Piggyghost and TahoeGal should consider calling your DME and request a full face mask. When you use an ASV unit the upper pressure is typically so high that it inevitably causes your pressure to leak (rush) out your mouth. Lip flapping, odd almost snoring sounds. There is nothing you can do (short of using a chin strap AND taping your mouth shut) that will stop it. A full face mask is almost a must for an ASV unit.

Additionally when you get a full face mask, you may want to consider using a mask liner to help reduce the sound of air leaking around the full face mask.

http://www.remzzzs.com/
http://padacheek.com/PAC_Maskliners.html
http://quietusliners.com/

Hi, TahoeGal!
JohnB mentioned our RemZzzs CPAP Mask Liners. My name is Becky.
I work for the company that makes RemZzzs.
I'd be more than happy to send you a free 6 Night Sample of our liners at no cost or obligation.
If you are interested, feel free to PM me.
I hope that you are able to settle in quickly and don't have to struggle with your PAP therapy.
Have a great week!
Becky