new user, random questions

[joshuamommie]

I am a new cpap user, just completed night 4 . I have no problems keeping the mask on all night, which is a miracle . But i do have a couple random questions , first, last night the outside of my nose kept itching which means i had to keep moving my mask to itch my nose then move it back and try to get a good seal again, it was just annoying . Also when i wake up and take the machine off in the morning, i feel short of breath and like i am struggling to breath, is this normal? Any help you have would be awesome!

~Thank you~
Jaime Lynn

[khauser]

Hi Jamie Lynn! Welcome to our corner of the WWW.

Your first issue ... itchy nose once the mask is on, is standard Murphy's Law material. Of COURSE that's when it itches! Or at least you're going to more aware of it.

Maybe some moisturizing cream? Be careful so it doesn't get on the mask though ... it'll make the seal degrade faster.

On the second issue, I don't think I've heard of that before. Maybe someone else will prove that wrong. I do know that some people experience chest pain the first few days, but shortness of breath is something I would truly want you to mention to a doctor.

Please take the time to add your equipment to your profile at some point. It'll help us tailor answers to future questions.

Great job on taking a first step towards good sleep! You'll be very happy you did this....

[Sheriff Buford]

Hi Jaime! Nice to hear that you appear to be adjusting well.

The itch: over the years, I have found that an itch will reach it maximum "need to be scratched" feeling... then subside. If you look at my mask, you'll see that there is more face that can't be reached (to scratch) than most masks. I used to keep a pencil handy to sneak under my mask, but now I use a finger nail file on my bed stand. I'll slide it under the mask cushion and itch away.

I am not aware of the shortness of breath in the mornings, but will guess that your body is used to the air being "forced" into your body all night. In the morning, your lungs need to take back over... thus the shortness of breath. How long does this last?

Best wishes, Sheriff

[chunkyfrog]

Sometimes a good rubdown with an unscented baby wipe helps prevent the itches.
Otherwise, just have a scratching device handy. The urge will pass.
I wish I could say there is a time when the itch stays away; but even reading this thread makes my nose itch.
Doggone it!

[joshuamommie]

Edited my profile to include my equipment, just had to take a minute to figure out how to do it, but it was easy... and the breathless feeling lasts probably between 30 minutes to an hour... and at least i am not the only one that gets the itchies, just annoying that it happened all night last night.... if it weren't for the itchies i would have had a WONDERFUL night of sleep i think

[Goofproof]

Welcome, on your profile you have the option to use text or iconny, text is better as iconny pictures all look the same mostly. Jim

[ReadyforRest]

I haven't had itches (but I use a nasal pillow mask, so my face isn't covered by much of anything).

Regarding shortness of breath, when you're new to this, the lungs have an adjustment period to go through. I remember them feeling achy for a while. Do you have a heated hose? Heating the air going into your lungs can make a big difference to your comfort levels. I found cold air irritating, especially when I first started on cpap. Or it could be your EPR setting. Or both.

What is your EPR set at? That's expiration relief. If it's off (set to 0) then you'll be exhaling against your full pressure setting all night, and that can get taxing on the lungs. Your lungs might feel tired, sore or (possibly?) you might feel a shortness of breath for a while in the morning in reaction to your lungs working so hard all night. Setting the EPR to 1, 2 or 3 will give you some relief, 3 being the most relief. So if your pressure level is 12, and EPR is set at 3, on each exhale your pressure will drop to 9, 3 settings below your max of 12. If it's set at 2, your pressure on exhale would be 10, and set at 1, your pressure would be 11 on exhale. It's all about what feels comfortable to you, and doesn't negatively effect your treatment. The higher you set the EPR, the lower the pressure on exhale, and consequently, the greater possibility for events caused by lowered pressure. Personally, I try to use the EPR at the lowest setting (1) because I've found that any higher and I get more incidents. But everyone is different and some can use 3 with no impact on their events. Others find that 2 is a happy medium.

[joshuamommie]

i don't know what the exhale is set at, i will have to check when i come home later, i am pretty sure there's a decrease in the pressure, because i feel there is a decrease when i exhale, does that make sense? But i will check, and yes i have a heated hose, but right now it's set at a cold tempature because i sleep in a cold room, i prefer the cold when i am sleeping, but maybe my lungs would prefer warmth, not sure, but i will check that and post later, off to a birthday party for my kids friends... the life of a mom right?

[BlackSpinner]

i don't know what the exhale is set at, i will have to check when i come home later, i am pretty sure there's a decrease in the pressure, because i feel there is a decrease when i exhale, does that make sense? But i will check, and yes i have a heated hose, but right now it's set at a cold tempature because i sleep in a cold room, i prefer the cold when i am sleeping, but maybe my lungs would prefer warmth, not sure, but i will check that and post later, off to a birthday party for my kids friends... the life of a mom right?

Even with EPR you are still pushing against air and your breathing muscles haven't done that for 8 hours before. They are muscles just like those in your arms and legs. If you decide to go for an 8 hour hike your legs will complain at the end of it.

[Julie]

Well I will ask if you've had any symptoms of asthma or COPD - both are incompatible with Cpap and you might want a referral to a pulmonologist to see what's going on. Or possibly a cardiologist if it makes any more sense to you (and your background). It's not something to fool around with though so I'd get checked out if you can.

[Aisa]

Greetings, Jaime Lynn and the rest...
I am also a newcomer and have been on my CPAP for 3 days. I'm doing pretty well except I have shortness of breath in the morning.

I was just about to post about it when I saw your post. Also, after I take my mask off in the AM I lay there and wake up slowly and can feel little apneas when I am 90% awake. Then, after I get up, I feel like I have to remember to breath and feel short of breath, but not like after exercise....like I am forgetting to breath. It lasts about 30 minutes.

An interesting thing...the machine I used for 2 days did not work right and they replaced it with a different type of machine. I did NOT have the breathing issues the first two mornings....only this morning after using the new/different machine for the first time. I looked for an exhale setting but could not find it. I'll keep looking.

I am so glad you posted! And thanks to all responders. This is so helpful.

Judy

[oak]

Aisa welcome to the board! Lots of little bumps and hurdles at the start. Keep plugging away. Your machine doesn't show up in your equipment information. If you have a cpap machine thats not listed, just type it in the comments section under control panel/equipment/comments. Do you have a loaner now or did they just replace your machine when it wasn't working correctly? I am sorry I don't know what to suggest as far as your breathing episodes when waking up other than to suggest you see your doc. Do you have a sleep doc yet?

[Aisa]

Hi Oak! I'm plugging away and so far so good. I've been sleeping through the night right from the start!! I do have a hurdle...we're going to our remote cabin in Colorado for 5 days and there is NO ELECTRICITY. Then off to Japan for a couple days, but supposedly the electricity there will work with my machine. And I have no clue why my machine name isn't showing up on my post. I entered it. Three times. I hit submit. A mystery. Maybe it will show up on this post? I'll add it to comments, also.

Re: my machines ... when I went to the supply place (the sleep clinic sends us to a supplier to get fitted and trained) it showed I was having 14.8 apneas an hour - same number as when I was in the sleep clinic. BIG coincidence! They insisted the machine must be at fault, called the maker and could not get an answer so determined the machine was bad and replaced it. I was suspicious but this new machine shows 3.9 apneas for last night. Anyways, I rent for 3 months, then, if I behaved well and wore the mask 25 nights out of 30, insurance buys the machine for me.

Should I be having ANY apneas? I am a level 8 so maybe that will need to be adjusted? I'll call Monday about that and the breathing. Yes, I do have a sleep doctor but he seems to fade away after the first visit and a sleep nurse comes along.

The good news is that I can totally do this! I fell asleep at the wheel a few weeks ago so I have incentive. The worst is trying to talk with CPAP on...I sound like a demented cyborg.

Thanks so much for your help!! Having this support is wonderful and I have many questions in formulation stage.

[Sheriff Buford]

Should I be having ANY apneas?

You never totally get rid of the apneas. My average is a .2 - .3 ahi, and I do have apneas almost every night. Two or three times a month, I'll get zeros, but that is the exception and getting the numbers that low is really an exception. What are your leak rates? Leak rates will deter your treatment.

Sheriff

[Aisa]

Greetings, Sheriff.
According to the machine, I have zero 'Large Leaks'. I've used the machine for 2 days and it reports 1 day, 7 days and 30 days. For '1 day' I have 6.8 AHIs ... which I am guessing means 3.4 AHIs an hour. Much better than the 14.6 I had during the sleep study. But if you average .2/.3 AHIs, I'm thinking I should be doing better??

My pressure is at 8.

Thanks for your reply!!

BTW, My breathing issue seems better this am. It helps not to focus on it.