Just Got my Auto-Pap But Have Trouble Exhaling ?

[JonBoyOhBoy]

OK so I finally got my autopap today with the full face mask. I wore it this afternoon when I took a nap. Mind you, I am totally new at this.
Inhaling felt fine, but exhaling felt like I was struggling. Mild exhaling through my nose is fine, but when I take those occasional deep beaths and exhale through my mouth I could feel alot of resistance. Is this normal?
Its a Phillips Respironics REMstar A-Flex . I press the round button to start and then the smaller button to the right.

[Bons]

What is your pressure setting? It can feel weird for awhile, like trying to breathe with your head out the car window. After some time goes by you will not feel the pressure at all.

Your machine should have an a-flex setting (or c-flex) that lowers pressure up to 3 cmH20 while you are exhaling. That can help to make exhaling feel more natural.

[JonBoyOhBoy]

I dont know. Its set at 4 I believe. I press the "ramp" button at the start and it supposed to ramp up slowly. Its an auto pap. Yes thats what it feels like, my head out the window of a car, inhaling is much easier then exhaling

[Xney]

Try to relax, your body will adjust to it. it's very weird at first.

As an above poster mentioned, try setting a-flex or c-flex to 2, maybe 3. It may help. That will cause the machine to lower the pressure a bit when you breathe out. For some people, it can make a big difference.

[JonBoyOhBoy]

Well last night was the first full night of using the machine. In the beginning it felt strange and it was making me short of breath a little. It felt a little hard to exhale or take those deep fulfilling breaths, but after a while I relaxed and fell asleep. I haven't slept this well in years. I woke up very rested and didnt feel short of breath at all! perhaps the auto pap adjusted itself during the night? The only issue I had was one time I rolled over and the hose came out.

I tried to stop breathing to see what would happen, I wanted to see if the pressure would push the air in, but I didnt feel it.

Anyway, I felt much better today and cant wait to go to sleep tonight

[chunkyfrog]

It is indeed a wonderful thing.
I heard something awhile back that comes close: (by Carbonman, our resident poet)
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