Trouble breathing with cpap (first time user)

[jamaster14]

Hello all. I'm sorry if this has been addressed, ive done some searches but similar topics did not seem to apply to my issues.

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and perscribed a cpap. i picked it up today. I was very excited to get it as im always tired and this was providing some hope that i may soon rest well again. I know there is some stigma with having to use a cpap but friends i know who use it said it helped alot.

Anyhow, I have alot of trouble breathing when using the cpap. I have a full face mask (covers mouth and nose). I feel oxygen deprived after a few minutes, as to where i feel i need to take even deeper breaths to get air then when i have the mask off. most topics ive searched for point to anxiety or "needing to get used to the machine" but I dont feel as if that applies... ive been a scuba diver for years and used to breathing with an apperatus. im extremely calm with the mask on, even as i approach a point where i feel im out of air (training from scuba).

I brought this up to the people who gave me the device and they checked the fit, hoses, and mask and said that everything seemed fine. they even swapped the hose and the mask for me. the air flow seems fine... i just seems fine. im feeling air pressure but struggle for oxygen and need to take long deep breaths frequently not to feel oxygen deprive. i tried to meditate to calm myself and try to gut through it but it did not help.

is it possible due to my specific issue the cpap wont work for me? i do have trouble breathing through my nose in general

[jamaster14]

Also, forgot to add details.

-My setting is 8.0
i- have ramp turned off, so im getting 8.0 from the start

[Julie]

What is the full name of your machine (words on top and # - poss. REF) on bottom - don't turn over without emptying humidifier water first!

Is there a reason you only have a plain Cpap, or are only using Cpap in e.g. an auto machine set in Cpap mode?

[jamaster14]

What is the full name of your machine (words on top and # - poss. REF) on bottom - don't turn over without emptying humidifier water first!

Is there a reason you only have a plain Cpap, or are only using Cpap in e.g. an auto machine set in Cpap mode?

Hi Julie,

Thanks so much for your response. I have a:

Phillips Respironics
REF DSX50011TC

I'm not sure what you mean by "plain cpap". This is the same model my friend has. it has a humidifier built in. im not sur what cpap mode is... i dont see a setting for that.

Sorry for my ignorance. im new to all of this.

thanks

-J

[Pugsy]

Your machine is the Phillips Respironics DreamStation Auto CPAP.

Do you know exactly which mode you are using and what the settings are?

8 cm cpap mode with no ramp being used doesn't normally cause the issues you are having.
It's common when using ramp starting out or if maybe in auto adjusting (apap) mode where the machine starts at 4 and works up to 8 cm.

Let's verify exactly what your settings might be.

Go here and request the clinical manual so you can learn how to get into the clinical setup menu area and see those settings if you don't already know how.
https://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap- ... tup-manual

[jamaster14]

Your machine is the Phillips Respironics DreamStation Auto CPAP.

Do you know exactly which mode you are using and what the settings are?

8 cm cpap mode with no ramp being used doesn't normally cause the issues you are having.
It's common when using ramp starting out or if maybe in auto adjusting (apap) mode where the machine starts at 4 and works up to 8 cm.

Let's verify exactly what your settings might be.

Go here and request the clinical manual so you can learn how to get into the clinical setup menu area and see those settings if you don't already know how.
https://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap- ... tup-manual

I turned ramp off... it starts at 4, that makes it worse with ramp on. with ramp off its at 8

i entered provider mode.

it is set to

Auto
opti start = off
ez start = off
auto min = 8
auto max = 12

[Pugsy]

Which full face mask are you using?

Take the mask off the hose so that the hose isn't attached. Put the mask on and try breathing with it without the hose and with the air just moving through the now open hole where the hose attaches. How does it feel with no resistance to speak of?

You might be more comfortable starting the pressure at 9 cm....it's rare but a few people aren't comfortable with 8 cm starting point.
It is of course more common with the 4 to 6 starting pressures but I know a few people who need 9 or 10 to feel like enough air is moving.

Alternately...something else to try....Flex exhale relief...turn it on and try 2 or 3 as the setting and see if that helps or not.

[jamaster14]

Which full face mask are you using?

Take the mask off the hose so that the hose isn't attached. Put the mask on and try breathing with it without the hose and with the air just moving through the now open hole where the hose attaches. How does it feel with no resistance to speak of?

You might be more comfortable starting the pressure at 9 cm....it's rare but a few people aren't comfortable with 8 cm starting point.
It is of course more common with the 4 to 6 starting pressures but I know a few people who need 9 or 10 to feel like enough air is moving.

Alternately...something else to try....Flex exhale relief...turn it on and try 2 or 3 as the setting and see if that helps or not.

With the machine turned off and the mask on i can breath ok. i could easily fall asleep just with the mask on and machine off. its comfortable and i breath freely and normall. i tried setting the machine to 9, 10, 11, 12. its a little better at 12 but still oxygen deprived and need to constantly take extremely deep breaths to not have to take the mask off.

im not sure where the setting is for flex exhale relief, i dont see that anywhere

the flex was already on and set to 3. 1 and 2 did not seem to help... although i feel like this could be part of the issue as i feel like im breathing in the air i exhale and its all warm air which doesnt help.

[jamaster14]

The mask is a Repironics Dreamwear full face mask

REF 1133376

i believe it is this one:
http://www.thecpapshop.com/respironics- ... ask-bundle

[Pugsy]

I have used that mask at a starting pressure of 7 inhale and 4 exhale....which would be sort of like you starting at 7 with Flex of 2 or 3 with humidity set to near maximum withe the heated hose set to 86 degrees. It was quite comfortable but then I am not a newbie to this therapy either and I adjust easily to anything new.

What is your humidity setting?
Are you using a heated hose or non heated hose?
How quickly does it feel too warm to you? Are you uncomfortable and feeling stifled immediately or within a short period of time?...like how long?

[jamaster14]

I have used that mask at a starting pressure of 7 inhale and 4 exhale....which would be sort of like you starting at 7 with Flex of 2 or 3 with humidity set to near maximum withe the heated hose set to 86 degrees. It was quite comfortable but then I am not a newbie to this therapy either and I adjust easily to anything new.

What is your humidity setting?
Are you using a heated hose or non heated hose?
How quickly does it feel too warm to you? Are you uncomfortable and feeling stifled immediately or within a short period of time?...like how long?

i dont know if i use a heated hose or not. my humidity setting i believe is 3 (options are 1 thorugh 5, the wavy lines icon?)

i ramped it up to 14 for pressure. it was better. to where i can breath and leave the mask on. its still not great, but i breath closer to normal and dont need to take the mask off. i can maybe try and sleep with it like that.

it feels warm within a few breaths before moving to 14. and im become uncomfortable in 8 to 12 breaths maybe?

[D.H.]

Removed post (duplicate).

[D.H.]

I have used that mask at a starting pressure of 7 inhale and 4 exhale....which would be sort of like you starting at 7 with Flex of 2 or 3 with humidity set to near maximum withe the heated hose set to 86 degrees. It was quite comfortable but then I am not a newbie to this therapy either and I adjust easily to anything new.

What is your humidity setting?
Are you using a heated hose or non heated hose?
How quickly does it feel too warm to you? Are you uncomfortable and feeling stifled immediately or within a short period of time?...like how long?

i dont know if i use a heated hose or not. my humidity setting i believe is 3 (options are 1 thorugh 5, the wavy lines icon?)

i ramped it up to 14 for pressure. it was better. to where i can breath and leave the mask on. its still not great, but i breath closer to normal and dont need to take the mask off. i can maybe try and sleep with it like that.

it feels warm within a few breaths before moving to 14. and im become uncomfortable in 8 to 12 breaths maybe?

Try turning the max pressure up to 20.

[D.H.]

Which full face mask are you using?

Take the mask off the hose so that the hose isn't attached. Put the mask on and try breathing with it without the hose and with the air just moving through the now open hole where the hose attaches. How does it feel with no resistance to speak of?

You might be more comfortable starting the pressure at 9 cm....it's rare but a few people aren't comfortable with 8 cm starting point.
It is of course more common with the 4 to 6 starting pressures but I know a few people who need 9 or 10 to feel like enough air is moving.

Alternately...something else to try....Flex exhale relief...turn it on and try 2 or 3 as the setting and see if that helps or not.

With the machine turned off and the mask on i can breath ok. i could easily fall asleep just with the mask on and machine off. its comfortable and i breath freely and normall. i tried setting the machine to 9, 10, 11, 12. its a little better at 12 but still oxygen deprived and need to constantly take extremely deep breaths to not have to take the mask off.

im not sure where the setting is for flex exhale relief, i dont see that anywhere

the flex was already on and set to 3. 1 and 2 did not seem to help... although i feel like this could be part of the issue as i feel like im breathing in the air i exhale and its all warm air which doesnt help.

Try disabling the exhale relief totally. See if that works.

[tlohse]

Have you tried using the humidifier in your cpap with distilled water? I know that that sometimes helps with nose issues.