Excess Carbon dioxide in the mask?

[Julie]

There have been problems in the past with masks that come with holes not punched out well... you could exchange with the dealer, punch them out by yourself, or... ? I don't know how that mask's valves block the holes if that's the issue, but talk to the dealer... if it's not defective then you will have to try others of course.

[palerider]

The F20 is the fist mask I have ever used and I am so happy I found this thread! Try getting your "support" team to believe you that your mask is not venting used air and the asphyxiation valves get stuck up blocking the vent holes [

The ANTI-asphyxiation valves should only be open when the machine is OFF. They MUST be closed when the entire time that the machine is in use.

Venting is done by tiny holes somewhere in the mask, in the F20 they're in a ring around the swivel.

If the mask was not actually venting, you would start breathing heavier and heavier, uncontrollably within a minute.

when you are just starting out using CPAP. They can't seem to grasp the concept that there really is a problem and that I have absolutely no issue or discomfort with physically wearing the mask...ugh, do they frustrate me!

Just because you *THINK* there is a problem does not mean that there actually is one.

I have observed the valves not working both with the machine on and off. Every single time the machine is on the valves are stuck blocking the vent holes with both inhale and exhale during ramp and normal pressure settings.

They are functioning AS DESIGNED.

The small holes that are in the gasket area of the elbow piece do not allow airflow our either.

You cannot physically feel any air exiting from either place.

Because the venting from them is very well diffused.

Moral of my story is if it feels, tastes and smells like you're breathing in air that came from inside a balloon you just blew up you probably are. I'm deciding which mask to try next-I don't care if I sound like Darth Vader.

You're welcome to believe whatever you want, irrespective of facts.

[Okie bipap]

I have been using the F20 mask since shortly after it came out. I have used the old style elbow which did not have the defuser ring on it and the new style elbow with the defuser ring. If you hold your hand over the elbow, you can feel different temperatures of the air coming out of the mask. When you inhale, the air temp is slightly cooler than when you exhale. The anti-asphixiation valve only opens and closes when you breath through the mask with the machine turned off.

[ChicagoGranny]

Every single time the machine is on the valves are stuck blocking the vent holes

No need to read any further than this. The anti-asphyxiation valves should be CLOSED when the machine is running.

[MidnightMimi]

I just had my most recent sleep study last night. After the first 2 hours with no CPAP, the technician came in and connected my mask - a ResMed Comfort Fit for Her- to their machine. He was gone only a minute or so when he returned saying there was a high CO2 alarm. He tinkered with the elbow connection and the mask and then left. There was still a high CO2 alarm, so he brought a new Comfort Full mask in a larger size. Again, even with the brand-new mask there was a high CO2 alarm. After calling in a colleague, they decided to try with a different brand of mask. I ended up with an F&P Simplus, which gave no high CO2 alarm

For the last three times I've had blood work done, my CO2 was high, which nobody could explain. That the ResMed mask was not allowing for the venting of CO2 seems to be the best explanation. I love the Comfort Fit mask (not the Comfort Full with the fuzzy lining) but I'm not willing to risk CO2 poisoning on top of the stupid recalled Dreamstation machine. The Simplus leaks up high on the left side, but I guess I have to learn to live with it.

[palerider]

ResMed Comfort Fit for Her-

That's not a Resmed mask, it's made by Drive Medical.

That the ResMed mask

See above.

[chunkyfrog]

This thread is just like flypaper!
(Can I have a teensy taste?)

[ChicagoGranny]

For the last three times I've had blood work done, my CO2 was high, which nobody could explain.

Have you had a consultation with a pulmonologist?

Also, as a matter of routine for all sleep apnea patients, a consultation and airway examination by an ENT should be undertaken.

[Wulfman...]

G'day again,

Just want to say thanks to everyone who has been giving me advice and helping me become a compliant CPAP user. I know that I can be neurotic but I am doing my best to make CPAP work. I have no doctor to help answer my questions - the overbooked sleep clinic that prescribed my CPAP machine (took 6 months to get into) gave me my prescription and kicked me out the door! So I have been getting my info online. I just have a couple of questions:

I have now been able to fall asleep a bit quicker with my CPAP on - before it was taking me a couple of hours. Now I can fall asleep within about half an hour to an hour. At times with the mask on I have sometimes felt a nice relaxing high before going to sleep or feeling a bit spaced in the morning. I am worried this is a sign that I have too much carbon dioxide in my mask - I use a Quattro FX small Resmed mask. The machine appears to be working okay. Does anyone have an knowledge about carbon dioxide buildup in CPAP masks? Does it happen, can it brain damage you? I may be a little neurotic but I just want to put the fear to rest by replacing the unknown with knowledge.

The second question I have - whilst getting used to the machine I seem to be a little more tired in the evenings. For example - I started excessively yawning already at about 5pm. I am also feeling a bit zombie/brain fog/spaced out and having trouble concentrating on typing this post. I had about 5-6 hours of sleep last night with the cpap on (may of been less, may have taken longer to fall asleep than I thought??). Should this be cause for concern, could it possible be related to a carbon dioxide malfunction or is this normal for people getting used to CPAP therapy. I should point out before the CPAP I was sleeping 10-12 hours per night as of 5 days ago and not waking up choking or anything like that but definitely snoring, drooling, and sometimes changing breathing patterns according to my wife.

As you can see the doctor didn't really tell me what to expect! Thanks again for any help and advice.

Back in "OUGHT NINE" we ("dsm" and I) had this conversation about Quattro masks and their vent rates:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=38408&p=335958&hili ... ro#p335958

Den

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[chunkyfrog]

Somebody once suggested that a really efficient mask would actively remove
ALL carbon dioxide from the mask.
This would be problematic, since the presence of CO2
helps prompt the impulse to breathe.
No CO2 means you don't breathe--the brain thinks you don't need to.
Masks are cleverly engineered to release just enough CO2, but not too much.

[palerider]

Somebody once suggested that a really efficient mask would actively remove
ALL carbon dioxide from the mask.
This would be problematic, since the presence of CO2
helps prompt the impulse to breathe.
No CO2 means you don't breathe--the brain thinks you don't need to.
Masks are cleverly engineered to release just enough CO2, but not too much.

Not true. Think about it, you don't have any retained CO2 in front of your face all day long, yet you breathe.

One can feel the temperature of the air being vented by the mask, when exhaling the air is warmer than when inhaling or not breathing, Therefore, and easy way to tell when all the exhaled air has been vented from the mask is to just feel the temp of the air.

Every time I exhale, the vented air is warm, then cools before I take another breath.

Masks are designed to vent all the CO2 between breaths.

The CO2 that drives your respiration is the PaCO2 in the blood, not in front of your nose.

[mummmz]

The one thing I find different between the Phillips Amara View and the ResMed F30 mask is that I can't feel any air exiting the mask with the F30. I know the exhaled air is exiting though since I don't feel like I'm rebreathing it. My little dog appreciates not being blown across the bed anymore. Yeah that's an exaggeration but it would startle her, lol).

[Wulfman...]

My most recent physical, my CO2 is elevated in my blood! This is the first time my carbon dioxide has been elevated and the first time I am using a CPAP machine: sleepMapper, Phillips Respironixs, system one. I will point out the company did not permit you to look or try sample masks, nor did the have various sizes. When I visited my MD, his partner, working in sleep apnea did have assorted masks. The small mask was much more comfortable, but I use the medium size. Unless I pull the mask down over my upper teeth, the air use to blow in my eyes. Pulled down, no air escapades the mask.

If my CO2 is elevated to abnormal levels in my blood, it must be from CPAP. Am I even safe to continue?

Don't blame CPAP for every darned thing that's wrong!

High levels of CO2 in the blood can easily be caused by taking antacids......bicarbonate of soda.

Check it out. If you regularly take antacids for heartburn, that can easily do it.

Den

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[Rubicon]

For the last three times I've had blood work done, my CO2 was high, which nobody could explain.

Then you're asking the wrong people.

By "blood work" do you mean blood gas or electrolytes?

Responding in case this isn't another "drive-by".