Sufficating

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 7:24 pm

I have not had this problem for a long time and now all of a sudden the last two nights I have felt like I am suffocating when I put my mask on.

Is this a normal reaction again, or is my sinuses playing havoc with my CPAP.

BP · Post by BP » Wed Aug 31, 2005 8:12 pm

I'm very new to this, so please take my input with a grain of salt, but I've noticed this too occasionally. It's usually when I'm a bit stuffed up, or if I put my mask back on after I've had a bathroom break in the middle of the night. I've been assuming that I'm so used to the pressure that it feels hard to breathe when I put it back on. I did notice something interesting the other night however. As I was watching TV I noticed that I was pretty stuffed up, and was only able to breathe partially through one nostril, and yet I was breathing just fine. I didn't have a cold or a runny nose or anything, but I figure if I can breathe normally in that condition watching TV, then I should be able to breathe OK with a mask on as well.

-BP

Im2tired · Post by **Im2tired** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 8:17 pm

I was feeling that way 3 - 4 weeks ago. I think because my allergies were acting up. I would keep opening my mouth to get more air. So I ended up switching to a FF (Mirage) mask. It leaks a lot even if I wear it very tight. I would rather go back to the Swift. I feel like I'm breathing through a thin straw but my allergy dr. said there isn't anything else he could give me (I'm already on two meds and 2 nasal sprays and then I also take sudafed and use a nasal strip). I'm thinking of going to an ENT to see if there's something wrong with my nose that I can't get enough air.

Do you have trouble breathing during the day or have congestion in your nose or sinuses?

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 8:18 pm

Severeena,

I noticed that when I used to use my heated humidifier and it was too warm outside to use it. It made me feel like I was suffocating. Is yours maybe up too high for your weather conditions? Just a thought. That or too low a pressure if you're using an auto?

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 10:50 am

I even turned the humifier control back and it still didn't help last night.

I am also suffering from insomnia, maybe the two are related.

I also have Sarcoidosis and it does cause insomnia, sleep apnea, you name it. Plus, the meds for the Sarcoidosis can cause the insomnia.

I really love this happening to me .

BP · Post by BP » Thu Sep 01, 2005 10:55 pm

Severeena, wish I could say something that would help. Hang in there. I've had some pretty bad bouts with insomnia myself, and I know first hand that it can really, really, suck! I find that if I can stay calm and not get too worked up, most of the time it helps. Sometimes I just have to grin and bear it.

Take care,
BP

akpacfan · Post by **akpacfan** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 2:01 pm

Hi, I too am a fairly new cpap user, (2 weeks ago). I initially had a hard time getting used to the nose mask, or whatever the thing is called. But then One night last week I fell asleep with it on and slept almost 7 hours. I haven't slept more than 2 to 4 hours per night since November 1973!

I've since had some trouble during the night... waking to find the mask off. I figured out it was due to plugged sinuses. There is a lot of road construction going on around here and remodeling the plumbing in the building where I live that is causing a lot of dust. So I shower before bed and clears them a little. I also have to not use the humidifier although it was prescribed. I live in Juneau Alaska and it rains a lot here. nearly 100% humidity anyway!

I did see a post on this sight once that a guy said he looked forward to going to bed while he had sinus congestion because the cpap would open them up and drain but, I haven't had that luck.

I have numerous other ailments that apparently are aggravated by lack of sleep. Diabetes, hypertension, fibromyalgia, degenerative joint disease to name a few so I do take my sleep seriously.

Keep at it because as I was told here once that partial compliance is better than none!

Robb

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 4:26 pm

Hi Severeena!

I've had this problem at times too, especially when I get up during the night for something like taking Rx, etc. When I go back to bed it feels like the machine is not delivering enough air.... it isn't! My machine adapts itself to my breathing patterns. When I am in deep sleep my brething becomes very shallow ( i think this is true of everyone to some extent?). When I get up, my breathing becomes deeper. Then when I put the mask back on, the machine is still in deep sleep mode!

Maybe try taking a few deep breaths to break this patern?

Good luck!

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 4:39 pm

Severeena,
If what ahujudybear is saying about her machine applies to yours, maybe you can shut the machine down when you have this problem and start over? I don't know if you're monitoring yourself with software. But I have the Remstar Auto and if I have to get up the use the "facilities" during the night, which happens sometimes once a night, I can shut mine down for the few minutes and it will just show as a minor break (a black little line) on the software and doesn't affect the rest of the night's readings. It all gets counted in the morning. I guess if you don't have it off for too long, it still gets recorded as part of that earlier part of the night.
What machine is it that you are on?

Im2tired · Post by **Im2tired** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 6:30 pm

Lori - I have a Remstar Auto too and was wondering if it was better to turn it off when I get up at night (at least once a nite). By the time I go to the bathroom, test my blood sugar, brush my teeth (to get rid of that bad taste), and wipe my eyes with a wet wash cloth because they are dry; it might bemore than a few minutes! Hopefully I can get the software working this weekend with the suggetions from Derek and also it seems that maybe we need to delete some of our stuff so there's more room.

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Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 6:53 pm

Laurie,
I have no trouble with turning mine off; however, it isn't for very long. I don't know if it goes by calendar day or by the time between last on and last off as to when it won't put the two together on one session software wise. That would be a question I would love to get the answer to. Think I'll do a separate post and try to get someone who would be able to provide the answer to that.
I hope you get your software up and running. I think it's invaluable to have. Hope you have a pleasant holiday weekend. Sleep well .

Im2tired · Post by **Im2tired** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 9:37 pm

Lori - I saw that you posted the question about turning off the machine. Thanks.

I think I'm going to try the Swift tonight and see if I have fewer leaks and sleep better. I figure with it being the weekend I'm less stressed to get my sleep hours in by a certain time before I have to get up and go to work.

You have a good weekend too! We can be greatful to be in dry homes with electricity to run our XPAP's - not to mention having food and water. My heart goes out to the all the hurricane victims especially those with medical conditions.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 10:03 pm

My heart goes out to the all the hurricane victims especially those with medical conditions.

You can say that again. Makes you put your problems in perspective, no?

Have a nice weekend!

Flower51 · Post by **Flower51** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 3:02 pm

I agree w/ahjudybear's suggestion of taking deep breaths and exhaling strongly. That seems to clear up the problem for me.
BTW my remstar auto is set on 4-16.
Terry

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): auto

GoodKnight · Post by **GoodKnight** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 11:03 pm

Severeena,

Sorry for coming into this thread a little late, but I have been busy the last couple of days.

I also experienced this and had a very difficult time. Finally went to my doctor and I had inflamed turbinates in my nose causing difficulty breathing at night with the CPAP as well as during the day. He said this needed to be treated aggressively and prescribed Astelin and Flonase nasal sprays which cleared me up pretty quickly. I now use them whenever I feel stuffiness coming on and i can control it pretty well that way.

I think it is worth a trip to your doctor to see if this is your problem.

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