Feel like there's no enough room to exhale - maybe a different mask is needed?

TrainGuy55 · Post by **TrainGuy55** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 9:55 pm

I recently started with a Phillips Dreamstation and the Dreamwear Full Face cushion mask. My pressure is auto titrating so it starts at 6 and so far has gone up to 10.

My biggest issue is that when I exhale I feel like there's just nowhere for the air to go. It may be the resistance from the pressure at exhalation or just that the mask is too small. But the issue is that my breaths are really drawn out. Exhaling normally may take 2 seconds but due to the mask when in use I fell like each breath needs to be extended to 5-6 seconds. This causes me to get anxious and agitated. Think hyperventilation. I just keep thinking if there was a quick release valve like on a construction N95 mask it would be so much nicer.

Any tips for me since I am just getting started. Thanks so much

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:14 pm

TrainGuy55 wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 24, 2018 9:55 pm
I recently started with a Phillips Dreamstation and the Dreamwear Full Face cushion mask. My pressure is auto titrating so it starts at 6 and so far has gone up to 10.

My biggest issue is that when I exhale I feel like there's just nowhere for the air to go. It may be the resistance from the pressure at exhalation or just that the mask is too small. But the issue is that my breaths are really drawn out. Exhaling normally may take 2 seconds but due to the mask when in use I fell like each breath needs to be extended to 5-6 seconds. This causes me to get anxious and agitated. Think hyperventilation. I just keep thinking if there was a quick release valve like on a construction N95 mask it would be so much nicer.

Any tips for me since I am just getting started. Thanks so much

Stop thinking about it, there's *plenty* of room for air to go... it goes out the vent.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:39 pm

Don't use the ramp button if you are using it.

Turn on the Flex exhale relief and play with all the available settings to see if one setting feels better than the others.
Your pressure needs to be at least 6 cm for Flex to engage.

If you don't know about Flex...go here and get the manual as it explains the feature along with how to get to the menu where Flex is located so you can change it and play with it.
https://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap- ... tup-manual
Request the clinical/provider manual via email. It's got some useful information in it that isn't included in the user manual.

Play with the Flex settings. It's as much about the timing of the inhale/exhale thing as it about the reduction during exhale.
A different setting might have a different timing that you find you like better.

Stom · Post by **Stom** » Tue Jul 24, 2018 10:56 pm

TrainGuy55 wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 24, 2018 9:55 pm
I just keep thinking if there was a quick release valve like on a construction N95 mask it would be so much nicer.

The pressure on exhale is deliberate - it's what's helping keep your airway open and it's part of why your mask doesn't just have the kind of respirator mask valves you are thinking of. You likely need *some* pressure even on exhalation for best results, the the extra pressure when breathing out takes getting used to . But as Pugsy notes, you can turn on various settings for pressure relief on your machine to make it easier to breathe out. (Some people, like me, who have central apneas can have issues if we use the exhalation pressure relief settings.)

Your mask has a specifically engineered "intentional leak rate" through the vent holes. So even though it may feel like you are not exhaling out the mask, your CO2 is being washed out when you exhale.

Feel like there's no enough room to exhale - maybe a different mask is needed?

Feel like there's no enough room to exhale - maybe a different mask is needed?

Re: Feel like there's no enough room to exhale - maybe a different mask is needed?

Re: Feel like there's no enough room to exhale - maybe a different mask is needed?

Re: Feel like there's no enough room to exhale - maybe a different mask is needed?