New CPAP user struggles - don't know what to do

[dooger54]

Just finished my third night and am really struggling. Using Sleepyhead to try and understand what is going on. My Titration recommended a pressure of 8 and during my initial sleep study I averaged about 35 AHI so was diagnosed as severe.

My first struggle has been with my nasal pillows and managing leaks. Last night was better after more adjustments with the mask. I have been awake a lot and my AHI has been around 15-20' so still having a lot of events. I also felt like last night I was struggling getting enough breath. I am not a mouth breather but do tend to open my mouth periodically and it wakes me up when air rushes out. I am using a chin strap but that hasn't solved the air leaking out from my lips. I am thinking about using some tape tonight to see if that helps.

I have the pressure set at auto, from about 8-11. What info do I need to post to get some help? Sorry for being so generalized but I really don't know where to start.

[grayghost4]

since you have sleepyhead operating, read through these threads telling how to orginize your screen and then post them to imgur.com and post a link or snapshot in you post.

https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize

[Cannuck 1]

I think you should up your higher pressure to 20cm/o2 and leave your lower pressure at 8cm/o2 and and see if you need a higher pressure, set on auto.
Download sleepyhead and use it to see what is going on with the pressures during your sleep to give you a more accurate indication of the upper pressure needed.( you might need a higher sweet spot for pressure on the higher side to lower AHI)
You will have to access the clinical options on A10 to tweak the settings or see your Clinic nurse to have them adjust your settings.
Autoset tells you a lot.(I myself like a more constant pressure( 7.8-8.6), yours might be 8-12.5?, sleepyhead will give you a window.)
Also check your mask designation on 3 way settings.
All the best

[Julie]

You say you're not a mouth breather, except for particular episodes, but when you're asleep you can't really tell what's going on and I wonder if it would be worth it to try a FF mask... might surprise yourself.

[LSAT]

Just finished my third night and am really struggling. Using Sleepyhead to try and understand what is going on. My Titration recommended a pressure of 8 and during my initial sleep study I averaged about 35 AHI so was diagnosed as severe.

My first struggle has been with my nasal pillows and managing leaks. Last night was better after more adjustments with the mask. I have been awake a lot and my AHI has been around 15-20' so still having a lot of events. I also felt like last night I was struggling getting enough breath. I am not a mouth breather but do tend to open my mouth periodically and it wakes me up when air rushes out. I am using a chin strap but that hasn't solved the air leaking out from my lips. I am thinking about using some tape tonight to see if that helps.

I have the pressure set at auto, from about 8-11. What info do I need to post to get some help? Sorry for being so generalized but I really don't know where to start.

Make sure you have the correct pillow size. When I tried pillows the medium fit OK but it felt like I was not getting enough air. I switched to large and the airflow was better. Personally, I don't like pillows and I'm much more comfortable with a FF Mask.

[CRMW]

Its been a while for me but I remember this struggles. The chinstrap drove me nuts, what ended up working for me was a F&P full face mask. Even then I kept tightening the straps and the leaks were really bugging me, it wasn't until I started loosening the straps that it all started coming together. A couple of years later, I moved to an F&P nasal mask and i'm still using variants of it today.

My advise is:

1 - Stick with it, it will get better, but it may drive you a little nuts in the meantime.
2 - Get your DME to recheck the fit of your mask, or fit you for another one. What works for one person may not work for another, and what works while sitting may not work when lying down. My DME was great but still screwed up on the mask and it needed to be changed.
3 - I stopped using the ramp function. The theory sounded good but if never worked for me.
4 - This may be the toughest - Trust the machine. Some days you will feel like your not getting enough air and other nights you will feel like your in the middle of a hurricane. It will even out, it just takes time and it won't happen when your lying there focused on your breathing.
5 - See number 1 - Stick with it, it will get better

Chris

[dooger54]

since you have sleepyhead operating, read through these threads telling how to orginize your screen and then post them to imgur.com and post a link or snapshot in you post.

https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead/shorganize

Thanks for this. I looked and could not find instructions on how to post. I will do this later tonight after I get home.

I originally tried the larger size pillow and I thought it was comfortable, but was having trouble with air leaks. So I switched to the medium last night and had less leaks but felt at like I wasn't getting enough air.

I don't like the idea of using a FF mask and so want to get the nasal pillows to work. But I may have to try one if I can't get the mouth leaks to stop.

[CRMW]

Don't be too quick to write of a full face mask. Think of it as a tool to help you adjust as It doesn't have to be permanent and they can come in handy during colds and allergy season after you switch to a smaller interface.

[LSAT]

What I like the most about a FF Mask is that there is nothing in or around my nose or mouth. I can wiggle my nose or open my mouth. Everything on my face feels natural. The silicone...if you find the right size...is comfortable. The key for me in avoiding leaks...aside from finding the right size...is to clean my face to remove facial oils and to wipe the silicone with a baby wipe to also remove oils. If for some reason you still have some leaks, there are mask liners that do work.

[Wulfman...]

Just finished my third night and am really struggling. Using Sleepyhead to try and understand what is going on. My Titration recommended a pressure of 8 and during my initial sleep study I averaged about 35 AHI so was diagnosed as severe.

My first struggle has been with my nasal pillows and managing leaks. Last night was better after more adjustments with the mask. I have been awake a lot and my AHI has been around 15-20' so still having a lot of events. I also felt like last night I was struggling getting enough breath. I am not a mouth breather but do tend to open my mouth periodically and it wakes me up when air rushes out. I am using a chin strap but that hasn't solved the air leaking out from my lips. I am thinking about using some tape tonight to see if that helps.

I have the pressure set at auto, from about 8-11. What info do I need to post to get some help? Sorry for being so generalized but I really don't know where to start.

Also, be sure to post the reports from the nights you TRIED your prescribed pressure (as I suggested). That way we'll be able to make some comparisons between the two settings.


Den

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[dooger54]

My first attempt at loading an image - hope it works. This is my third night.

[LSAT]

Need to control the leaks....possibly raise the max pressure a bit. Too many CAs may mean you need a different machine. Time will tell.

[Wulfman...]

Still waiting to see the reports from the nights with the "prescribed" setting of 8 cm. (straight pressure)


Den

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[BlackSpinner]

Need to control the leaks....possibly raise the max pressure a bit. Too many CAs may mean you need a different machine. Time will tell.

He said he was a wake a lot so the CA's may not mean much at this point.

[dooger54]

Still waiting to see the reports from the nights with the "prescribed" setting of 8 cm. (straight pressure)


Den

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Did not sleep with straight pressure of 8. I asked Doctor what to set machine at and he advised a range to take advantage of auto function.

What exactly do the CA's mean? I know clean airway but don't really understand them. Why would that mean buying a new machine? Just bought this one and my insurance doesn't pay!!