New Member - pressure Question

[Georged]

Hello to all,

I'm new to this great forum, and don't know why I never went looking for this beforre!

I've used a respronics S7 with heated humidifier for over a year after being diagnosed with central APNEA (I think he said central).

After all this time I'm still not doing very well. Air leaks through my mouth .. feels like I don't get enough air through my nose, or the pressure over powers me. Meds helps my sinus congestion, but still sometimes gets bad at night. The noise from air coming out my mouth wakes me a lot, and I often pull the mask off. Without it I sometimes wake up gasping. Even when I keep it on most of the night, still don't feel rested.

I've tried chin straps and the tape that holds your mouth closed with no improvement. A full face mask leaks from the sides if I turn my head .... that drives me crazy and wakes me.

My clinician insists I need it set at 11 even after two titration tests ..... I told him how it feels to me.

It's causing problems at work even though I've filed FMLA papers - that avoids dicipline for taking time off, but can't stop them from having negative feelings about me. I'm feeling I may have to go out on disability, but that's not something I want.

My main question: is there any risk in reducing the pressure myself against medical advice? Seems to me no more risk than pulling the mask off, but would that give me a false sense of security and insufficient air? I have the menu instructions for changing the setting.

I'm seeing an ENT for a second opinion on the sinus probloems, but expect he will also recomend nasal surgery. I've heard mixed results on that from friends, so am reluctant to go down that road.

Wow, reading this over I've thrown out a lot of information, so sorry for the length, but I can see that people here will understand how frustrating it is dealing with this problem.

Of course any other suggestions are welcome.

George

[Titrator]

Hi George,

I undestand your situation. There are many that have the same issues and frustrations.

Sinus issues can complicate cpap therapy. You mention that you want to turn the pressure down, but later say that you feel oxygen starved. Can you ellaborate on that point?

Do you use heated humidification? This may help if you aren't. Also, seeing the ENT may not be a bad idea, to at least find out what is going on with your sinuses.

Your situation may be tricky, but not impossible to solve. I am glad you posted.

Don't give up.

Regards,

Ted

[Guest]

It does seem contradictory and is hard to explain how I feel.

W hen even a bit congested, it seems like the CPAP can't push enough air through my nose -- kind of a short of breath feeling. On the othe rhaqnd, the CPAP seems to be trying to push so hard it's annoying.

I have a heated humidifier, but can never seem to adjust it right, and still wake up with a mouth so dry I can hardly move my tongue.

Hi George,

<some snips>

Sinus issues can complicate cpap therapy. You mention that you want to turn the pressure down, but later say that you feel oxygen starved. Can you ellaborate on that point?

Do you use heated humidification? This may help if you aren't. Also, seeing the ENT may not be a bad idea, to at least find out what is going on with your sinuses.

Ted

[Peter]

Try a 1 or 2 inch ace bandage wrapped around the mask and your head, or go to your local fabrics store and get some velcro and a piece of comfortable material. Put your mask on. Take two pieces of 2" duct tape, about 6-8" long and put them somewhere on either side of the mask. Pull the ends of the duct tape towards the back of your head as if you were going to fasten them together. See if that helps seal the mask better. If not, try a different place on the mask, and repeat the process. Once you have determined the best location for the duct tape, glue or use double-stick tape to adhere a couple of the velcro patches to the mask. Then cut out a piece of material to basically make your own head gear, and attach glue or sew the other velcro patches to the ends of the head gear, and attach them to the mask. Remember that your supplemental head gear will stay in place better on the back of your head if it is 3-5" wide at that point, tapering as it gets closer to the mask. Now, please let me know if this works, as I haven't even tried it yet. The idea just came to me when I read about people having air leaks, as I do myself. Well, off to the fabric store. Also, who do I know that can sew...???