Apap is hissing and pressure feels too low

Julie wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 27, 2021 12:05 pm

Ask You Tube "How to build a manometer?" and you can do it at home.

Thanks!
I still looked to buy one, but didn't find anything fitting, so I will make the manometer myself

Cheapest is of course homemade which is fairly simple but if you end up wanting to purchase...

https://www.cpap.com/search?query=manometer

or you can check Amazon or EBay for similar product.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 30, 2021 9:46 am

Cheapest is of course homemade which is fairly simple but if you end up wanting to purchase...

https://www.cpap.com/search?query=manometer

or you can check Amazon or EBay for similar product.

Thanks Pugsy!
I ended up building my own U shape manometer.

Update on that:
I measured both my regular and for her machine, and the pressure seems to be correct on both machines. Which I did not expect, as I was 100% sure the pressure would be way lower than it should be. I am left feeling confused, as I used to be able to breathe well and comfortably on a min pressure of 13, and then over night it suddenly felt way too low and I am now using a pressure between 22 and 23 on an older VPAP machine I still had laying around. Anything lower than that and I can't breathe well. Sleep quality is very bad as well, I haven't slept ok since August. My mental and physical health is suffering a lot as a result.
Something about about the VPAP still: When I turn it on, the pressure sometimes feels too low as well, then I turn it off and back on and then it's okay.

A couple of thoughts from left field.

Could you get hold of a recording oximeter, preferably one that is compatible with Oscar? It might be good to be sure you are actually getting enough air.

And do you have any of these other symptoms of panic attacks: pounding or racing heart, sweating, chills, trembling, weakness or dizziness, tingly or numb hands, chest pain, stomach pain, and nausea.

Finally, do you ever feel short of air while you're awake?

Have you checked/replaced the filter?
Make sure nothing is blocking the air inlet.

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 09, 2022 12:20 pm

A couple of thoughts from left field.

Could you get hold of a recording oximeter, preferably one that is compatible with Oscar? It might be good to be sure you are actually getting enough air.

And do you have any of these other symptoms of panic attacks: pounding or racing heart, sweating, chills, trembling, weakness or dizziness, tingly or numb hands, chest pain, stomach pain, and nausea.

Finally, do you ever feel short of air while you're awake?

Thanks for your reply!
I do have an oximeter which is capable of recording, unfortunately each time I have tried it, it fell off during the night. I might try taping it to my finger.
I do have weakness and dizziness a lot, occasionally nausea as well, also tachycardia.
I feel short of air when I lie down, also when awake. When sitting or standing no problem with breathing.

stevenal wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 09, 2022 2:08 pm

Have you checked/replaced the filter?
Make sure nothing is blocking the air inlet.

Thanks! I replace the filter regularly, it seems to be fine.

strawberryfields wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 09, 2022 10:34 am

I measured both my regular and for her machine, and the pressure seems to be correct on both machines. Which I did not expect, as I was 100% sure the pressure would be way lower than it should be. I am left feeling confused, as I used to be able to breathe well and comfortably on a min pressure of 13,... then I turn it off and back on and then it's okay.

Get an oxygen adapter, hook it up at the back of the machine, and just leave the manometer hooked up, when you think it's "not working*, look at the manometer.

strawberryfields wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 09, 2022 5:26 pm

I do have an oximeter which is capable of recording, unfortunately each time I have tried it, it fell off during the night. I might try taping it to my finger.
I do have weakness and dizziness a lot, occasionally nausea as well, also tachycardia.
I feel short of air when I lie down, also when awake. When sitting or standing no problem with breathing.

Yes, tape the oximeter to your finger. Use it at night, and also use it when you lie down at other times. The data could be useful.

The additional symptoms you mention, along with your daytime shortness of breath lying down, make me think it’d be a very good idea to talk to your doctor about what’s going on. Can you call for an appointment sometime before too long?

palerider wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 09, 2022 5:31 pm

strawberryfields wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 09, 2022 10:34 am

I measured both my regular and for her machine, and the pressure seems to be correct on both machines. Which I did not expect, as I was 100% sure the pressure would be way lower than it should be. I am left feeling confused, as I used to be able to breathe well and comfortably on a min pressure of 13,... then I turn it off and back on and then it's okay.

Get an oxygen adapter, hook it up at the back of the machine, and just leave the manometer hooked up, when you think it's "not working*, look at the manometer.

Thanks, I'll look into this!

Miss Emerita wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 09, 2022 9:04 pm

strawberryfields wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 09, 2022 5:26 pm

I do have an oximeter which is capable of recording, unfortunately each time I have tried it, it fell off during the night. I might try taping it to my finger.
I do have weakness and dizziness a lot, occasionally nausea as well, also tachycardia.
I feel short of air when I lie down, also when awake. When sitting or standing no problem with breathing.

Yes, tape the oximeter to your finger. Use it at night, and also use it when you lie down at other times. The data could be useful.

The additional symptoms you mention, along with your daytime shortness of breath lying down, make me think it’d be a very good idea to talk to your doctor about what’s going on. Can you call for an appointment sometime before too long?

Okay, I will try that.
The dizziness and weakness were better before August :/ I attribute it to my worse sleep quality as I had the same prior to starting Apap. I see my doc regularly for other things as well, will ask next time I am there.