Just started CPAP a few days ago

Pappillon · Post by **Pappillon** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 11:41 am

I just start using CPAP a few days ago and have a question. Im at a pressure of 9 using an activa mask. Should of I have distinct air pressure feeling when wearing the mask? I just dont seem to notice any pressure whatsoever after the unit ramps up to 9. I thought holding my breath breifly would at least induce a feeling of pressure working against me. Its puzzled me and I am wondering if something isnt setup correctly. I get a lot of air flow coming out of the exhaust holes in the mask. The mask seems to properly inflated. I felt around and cant find any leaks occurring. Also if i restrict the exhaust holes it still doesnt seem to make any difference in pressure I feel inside the mask. Is this normal or is these something I can look at?

Thanks

FLIGHTYONE · Post by **FLIGHTYONE** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:13 pm

I am new to this too, so I dont have an answer for you but can you call your DME and ask them, I have numbers from them and also some place that my insurance keeps in touch with to ask questions , but I usually find help on here,
I hope things work out for you and good luck

Bamalady · Post by **Bamalady** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:50 pm

Hi.....it is a common phenomenon to not feel the pressure once it is built up. Your body adjusts to it. When I first started treatment, I was checking my machine and my mask because the same thing happened to me.

What machine do you have? Can you check your pressure?

Greg baton rouge · Post by **Greg baton rouge** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:54 pm

I am new as well. I can tell you that when I open my mouth air shoots out freely whether I am breathing or not.

Are you able to keep your mask on all night? I don't know if it is because of moisture from the machine or the mask causing me to sweat where it touches my face. But most nights I have ripped it off my face and when I wake up I find it is on the floor.

Bamalady · Post by **Bamalady** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:01 pm

Greg....how long have you had your gear? The first 4 nights I had mine, I pulled the mask off too. I just kept putting it on the next night each time. The 5th night I managed to keep it on.

If you are mouth breathing (air shooting out), you may want to consider a chinstrap. I use one I made from Ace Bandage. You have to keep your mouth shut for treatment to work.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:00 pm

As Bamalady said, it's normal to not feel any pressure on your face from the air inside a mask.

Pappillon · Post by **Pappillon** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:31 pm

Thanks for the quick replies all

drummergirl410 · Post by **drummergirl410** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 5:48 pm

I also have the Activa. It is common I think to have a significant amount of air coming from the exhaust ports. The machine knows how to compensate for this to make sure the pressure is right. Better to have it that way so you don't rebreathe the same air.

Mask