Sudden Problems Breathing Using CPAP

Long story here. Hopefully someone can steer me in the right direction. I have been using a CPAP machine for probably close to 15 years with absolutely no problems and my compliance is virtually 100% from a Resmed 9 to 10 and now 11. I have 2 homes in 2 different states. A newer S11 in state A and an older model 10 in state B, both using heated hoses and the same mask. I travel back and forth spending roughly a month at each location and both have been fine for at least a year.

Suddenly, in state A I started having problems using the S11 machine. I would feel like I was starving for air during the night and had to take off the mask to breath. Compliance went down to maybe 50% and sleep was disturbed. I obviously changed the filter. I checked ramp settings, etc, and tried unsuccessfully to diagnose the issue. Eventually I returned to state B and everything was fine with the S10 machine. I then returned to state A and starting from night 1 the problems started again. Night 1 I got about 3 hours of therapy. Night 2 I didn’t bother using the machine and slept much better. But, as I monitor my pulse ox overnight, I see that my pulse ox dropped to as low as 80% throughout the night so I know I still need therapy. Usually it had been steady around 95%.

I called my sleep medicine folks and they went through machine settings and whatever else they had access to but had no answers. They suggested calling my DME but I don’t want to go down that road for obvious reasons. I’d rather see if the experts here have any ideas. It seems to be S11 machine related but have no way to diagnose further. Any ideas?

What is the altitude at each location?

Have you compared the OSCAR or other software results at both locations?

Both are basically sea level. I’ll check current OSCAR data. Haven’t done that yet.

Next time you travel bring the machine with you. Then swap machines.

Now you'll know if its the machine, or environment.

Dog Slobber wrote: ↑

Wed May 06, 2026 1:28 pm

Next time you travel bring the machine with you. Then swap machines.

Now you'll know if its the machine, or environment.

Good idea. I go back in June and will try that although I was hoping to resolve this before then. I assumed machine but who knows. The only thing that changed in my environment is that I added a room humidified because my machine was running dry. The S11 seems to have a smaller reservoir.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Wed May 06, 2026 11:27 am

What is the altitude at each location?

Have you compared the OSCAR or other software results at both locations?

OSCAR data attached from problem location. I don’t have the SD card for the other location with me. Data is from current location, state 1. Missing data is where state 2 data would be. What is notable is that my apnea seems to be increasing! That shouldn’t be the case as I am actually on a GLP-1 and am at the lowest weight I have been since before being diagnosed with apnea. Like I said in the previous post the only change I can think of is the addition of a room humidifier and some weight loss. Very confused now…

I noticed something in my OSCAR data… my CPAP pressure prescription is 7 - 14 psi. In the first block of data above, when I was doing fine, I never approached 14 psi. That has been the case for years. In the second block of data my AHI and time in apnea started going up and my required pressure started going up. In the third block of data, when CPAP usage really got unbearable, my AHI and time in apnea went up more as did my required pressure. What I noticed is that numerous times in that block of data my pressure hit the 14 psi ceiling. I don’t know how that affects treatment but I wonder if I increased my max pressure, if that would help. I have no idea if treatment works that way but just throwing it out there.

I am trying to consult with my sleep doctor’s office but they are unresponsive. I can’t find a different provider in my area. My current provider is known for being unresponsive and it took a week to get a call back and their next ‘urgent’ appointment is in 3 weeks. That’s 4 weeks without treatment…