Newbie question about obstructed exhalation

[tjgriffin]

Thanks for reopening this. I have the same problem. I'm pretty sure it's the same mechanism as my OSA. I can relax my throat and exhale and I get this slamming shut effect. CPAP is working for the apnea. My problem is blowing my nose. Until recently, I've been able to mitigate it by tucking my chin in tight when I blow my nose. Now that doesn't work as well. This morning, I couldn't get enough pressure to clear my nose without my soft palette slamming shut. Another solution I've found is moisture. I find it much easier in the shower. The stream softens the blockage and I don't need to blow was hard. I may have to start carrying saline spray. I hope this helps. If anyone has other ideas, I'd love to hear them.

[Saraseden]

It's been 2 years since the last post but this happened to me last night for the first time. I kept waking up because I had to consciously exhale through my mouth. It was still happening after I got up until I coughed up a very stringy little bit of mucus (yuck). Then I could breath normally. My throat was very sore and when I looked at it my uvula looked scratched and bloody. Why is this happening all of a sudden?

[Saraseden]

Didn't realize there was a second page. I guess the last post was actually yesterday. This condition doesn't seem as rare as I thought it was. I was hoping it was a one time rare occurrence but I guess I should expect the same thing happening tonight. Since everyone else seems to be suffering from sleep apnea maybe I should mention this to my doctor.

[sleepy711]

The reason many have not been able to give you a satisfactory answer or solution is because sleep apnea is about an obstruction occurring during inhalation (mostly - at least the kind we are often trying to treat.) Your exhalation obstruction is structural (as most of you have figured out and pointed out already.) I generally am not a big fan of surgical interventions but, unfortunately, think you might consider speaking with an Ear, Nose Throat doctor about having your uvula removed. This is not a decision to make lightly because there are many reasons why we have a uvula.

Removing your uvula (the little punching bag dangling in the back of your throat) can cause problems with juice or liquid in your food such as an apple just spurting to the back of your throat causing a coughing spell. Also, if coughing and food is in your throat, the food might go up your nose instead of out your mouth. It's the uvula's job to guide the food back out the mouth.

So, long story short, I'm not sure exactly why the uvula drops back during exhalation (which seems nuts - it shouldn't do that!) but everyone has clearly made the point that it can happen.

A good book to read about CPAP stuff is called "My Little CPAP Book" from iTunes and Kindle. Surgical interventions are not discussed, though. Good luck ladies.

[Sludge]

A good book to read about CPAP stuff is called "My Little CPAP Book" from iTunes and Kindle.

Horrible book. Waste of money.

[Julie]

Have you tried using the EPR (exhale pressure relief) feature on your machine, or the A- or C-flex one (on other machines)? Your AHI might go up by a cm or 2, but you could find a trade-off balance if using the feature works.

[Pevans75]

What a relief to see that this is a thing!
For me it seems to be worse if I am on my back and my head to the left. If it to the right it is slightly better but still not great.
December through February are awful. The dried out air makes it so much worse that my throat bothers me in the morning. It also contributes to a rise of heart palpitations throughout the winter time. I don’t know if this is anything to do with oxygen versus carbon dioxide, body pressure or fatigue.
I am all-too-familiar with the “slamming valve“ feeling. There have been times where it has happened in the middle of the day while standing up, though rare. I can actually make it happen on my own at this point and have discovered that just losing a few pounds really helps!

[eltink53]

Thank God I just found this site. My problem with not being able to exhale through my nose while lying down began about 15 years ago; steadily worsened since. Yes, it's the "slamming shut" sensation, if I open my mouth I can exhale; it happens when blowing my nose as well; cannot sleep on my back at ALL; I would have to be propped up into almost a full sitting position; even a recliner and just relaxing (not sleeping) is an issue. Inhaling is NO problem lying on my back (or ever). I have to sleep on my side, and one side is better than the other. Often now even when standing words get muffled as well ... "M's" and "N's" especially, I think. Last name is Tinker and I often have trouble getting that out when speaking. Turns out something like "Tinnnggger." I do not have a CPAP; since inhaling isn't an issue I didn't think having one would be beneficial. My ENT said he had "never heard" of the exhale problem ... and he's a younger guy!!!! Did want me to get sleep study, which I didn't think would help either, but now I think it may. I haven't yet seen any current (2021) posts about this, but I'm searching. Can anyone give me more information on this, and what the condition is called, so I can share it with my ENT? Thank you all VERY much for creating and posting on this site -- I don't feel QUITE like such a freak now! Oh -- I am a tad overweight now, but that has only happened since Covid ... I do have medical issues -- lupus, Sjogren's, and some others. ANY information y'all could give me would be incredibly appreciated re: your story, symptoms, any treatments that help, etc. It has gotten to the point where it is really driving me buggy. I would KILL to be able to recline and read a book, watch TV, or ... dare I say it??? -- SLEEP.

[LSAT]

This site is designed to help CPAP users adjust to their therapy...There are no doctors (that I know of) on the site. I may be mistaken, but I don't think any one here is qualified to properly help you based on the information presented. Continue to follow your doctor's advice.

[eltink53]

Wasn't looking for actual medical advice; just what people who have this problem find helps. As I said, my ENT said he'd never heard of it. So not a LOT of help there! Sorry to have encroached on a strictly CPAP site, but it's the only place I've inadvertently found people who know this is a real thing and have talked about it.

[Julie]

Most Cpaps do have features called Exhale Pressure Relief, but you'd need a machine that's giving you a hard time to take advantage of that.