After 4 months of success it's all gone wrong

[StaggerLee]

I have a PR System One aflex machine (with humidifier and swift nasal pillows) that I got at the start of January and it has worked fine for 4 months but for the last week or 10 days it has all gone wrong ... I spend ages trying to get to sleep because I feel as though it is pumping me up and now in the night I just rip it off ( i presume for the same reason) what has gone wrong?

Help !!!! ..... it was all going so well

[pdean44]

Have you been having any sinus issues? Acid reflux or anything of that nature?
Do you mean you feel like you are getting air in your stomach?

[Country4ever]

I have found that I go through cycles. Sometimes I fall asleep peacefully and other times I toss and turn. Its those nights that I can barely tolerate the mask.
Make sure you're really tired when you go to bed. Make sure you don't eat or drink caffeine or alcohol after dinner.
Of course, make sure your machine isn't malfunctioning first. Do you have any added stress in your life recently?

[StaggerLee]

Make sure you're really tired when you go to bed. Make sure you don't eat or drink caffeine or alcohol after dinner.
Of course, make sure your machine isn't malfunctioning first. Do you have any added stress in your life recently?

Well yes i am under extreme stress at the moment (for the last two weeks ) and i guess that would explain the waking up ...

But the pumping up as i try to get to sleep is new. Normally i read for 10 or so minutes to relax and get my breathing rhythm correct before sleeping but it just seems to pump me up like a balloon.

I wonder do these machines loose the reliability?

p.s. i have cleaned the filter but to no avail.

[gpk111]

I would think one of the first steps would be consult with the DME to have the machine checked out.

A little tricker if it's out of warranty, but you'd think they'd work with you.

[roster]

But the pumping up as i try to get to sleep is new. Normally i read for 10 or so minutes to relax and get my breathing rhythm correct before sleeping but it just seems to pump me up like a balloon.

Am I correct that you mean air is being pumped into your stomach and maybe into the intestines? This is known as aerophagia or in severe cases gastric insufflation. What are your pressure settings?

One thing you are doing that is counterproductive is concentrating on your "breathing rhythm". Your body knows how to breathe without interference from top management (the brain). Your body has been doing it all night for four weeks without interference from the brain.

The best thing you can do when falling asleep is to distract your brain from the breathing process by having other pleasant thoughts.

[Wulfman]

How is your machine configured? (pressure settings)
If you have your machine configured in a range of pressures, you need to realize that you don't breathe the same when you're awake (reading) as you do when you're sleeping.......and that could be why it's increasing the pressure.

I would suggest setting it in CPAP mode.


Den