New to the world of CPAP

Hi, I am a new CPAP user. Been using it for only a handful of days.

I was wondering if someone could give me advise. First, some background info as I read the new user post

I only got a sleep study for 1 reason. My girlfriend says I snore. That’s it. I personally feel rested before my diagnosis, I never woke up in the night, not even to go to the restroom. I did an at home sleep test and states I have moderate sleep apnea and my O2 levels would drop to 85% which concerned them.

Machine/mask info is in my profile as I was advised to do in new user sticky post.


1) The connection for the mask swivels and has air continuously coming out of it. I don’t think it’s a lot. But wanted to make sure that it is normal and not defective. It is coming from the swivel part and not the part I connect the hose too.

2) I wake up in the middle of the night with the machine pushing a crap ton of air into my mouth/nose, to the point I can hardly breath out causing me to rip the mask off. I have taken deep breaths in and keeping it on and it seems to not recognize I am breathing in as it continues to blow the air forcefully. I know it is supposed to have sensors that tell it if I am breathing or not. (I think. I am new). I have noticed sometimes it will change the air to my breathing pattern. Maybe I am wrong.

3) This may be related to #2. I will wake up and find the mask off and laying on the floor next to me. I do not recall ever taking it off. My guess is the forced air pressure woke me up enough to rip the mask off but not enough to wake me up.

I am attaching what data I have from SleepyHead. I know It has only been a few days but figured why not post it since it may relate the to pressure and/or the air leak question.

Thank you everyone who volunteers their time to help those in need.
Chris

wattsinator88 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 18, 2019 7:44 pm

1) The connection for the mask swivels and has air continuously coming out of it. I don’t think it’s a lot. But wanted to make sure that it is normal and not defective. It is coming from the swivel part and not the part I connect the hose too.

*ALL* cpap masks vent air, so that you don't suffocate and die... which is bad for repeat business.

wattsinator88 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 18, 2019 7:44 pm

2) I wake up in the middle of the night with the machine pushing a crap ton of air into my mouth/nose, to the point I can hardly breath out causing me to rip the mask off. I have taken deep breaths in and keeping it on and it seems to not recognize I am breathing in as it continues to blow the air forcefully. I know it is supposed to have sensors that tell it if I am breathing or not. (I think. I am new). I have noticed sometimes it will change the air to my breathing pattern. Maybe I am wrong.

Look into aflex, see if the pressure relief will help you exhale.

wattsinator88 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 18, 2019 7:44 pm

3) This may be related to #2. I will wake up and find the mask off and laying on the floor next to me. I do not recall ever taking it off. My guess is the forced air pressure woke me up enough to rip the mask off but not enough to wake me up.

Taping it to your face will help you learn not to pull it off at night.

wattsinator88 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 18, 2019 7:44 pm

I am attaching what data I have from SleepyHead. I know It has only been a few days but figured why not post it since it may relate the to pressure and/or the air leak question

Please review the instructions in that first post you mentioned on how to post sleepyhead info.

HAHA, I know all masks would have to vent air. It would be a very bad idea to not. I am saying if I hold my breath on purpose. Place my hand on top of my head where my hose connects to a swivel, the swivel continuously has air coming from it.
If that's normal, ok no worries.

As for SleepyHead, sorry. Here I thought I read enough to post it correctly.
I tried to do it the way the thread asks for it. In sleepyhead it says "Plots Disabled" where the graphs should be. I read some old posts and followed their suggestions. (uninstalled/reinstall. unchecking the various views options.) Not sure you even need to see it?

Aflex, from what I see on google, it is a technology in some CPAP machines??? I think my machine uses that technology anyways? I can sense it knows when I am breathing in and out and adjusts accordingly. It was just for some reason at night it stops sensing it and chokes me awake. My assumption on why.
If I am understanding correctly, I don't get much of a choice of what machine I use. I am a veteran and the VA had a closet full of the machine they gave me. I can request a different type of mask from them, there were some interesting mask choices I could get from the VA. I am not in the position to pay for a machine on my own if my current one doesn't come with it.

Thank you,
Chris

All DreamWear masks have 2 separate areas that will vent air....one down near the nose area and the other on top of the frame where the hose attaches to the frame...so that air you feel up there...normal venting and no big deal.

Someone else will have to help you with the Plots disabled problem....I can't seem to recall the fix for that problem...my brain is tired at the moment.