Pressure drops when I sleep on my side

I only recently, say about three months ago, found a mask that didn't make my face and nose itch unbearably and thus have been able to use my Remstar Pro 2 (with humidifier and 02) on a regular basis. At first it was great: I could feel my lungs filling, my hands stopped shaking, the long-time eyebrow twitch I had stopped altogether, and I began to have more energy during the day.

However, during the past month, I've noticed a decrease in pressure. The easiest way for me to tell this is to simply open my mouth (I use a full face mask) and see if my cheeks fill with air. At first, I thought it was a dirty filter. I cleaned the filter and it did make a difference at first, but within a few days the pressure dropped again. I thought perhaps it was just the C-Flex adjusting to my breathing rythm, but I did a little experiment tonight that makes me think it's not. I normally sleep on my side and really can't sleep on my back. However, when I was manuevering to get comfortable tonight, I noticed the pressure increased when I was on my back.

So I tried switching between the positions several times. I found that on my side, the pressure decreases, I can't feel it filling my lungs, and there's no pressure on my cheeks when I open my mouth. When I turn onto my back, suddenly the pressure increases, I can feel it in my lungs, and my cheeks puff up when I open my mouth. I can't sleep on my back due to another medical condidition, so I can't use that as a solution. Does C-Flex know what sleep position I'm in and make some adjustment? I can't see how, but if it does, I'd like it stopped. The hose isn't crimped or anything, so I know it isn't that. Does the machine need servicing? The manual says it doesn't, but could it be malfunctioning?

I don't understand it. I'm feeling less energy during the day now and tonight, my eyebrow twitched a few times for the first time since this mask started working for me.

Does the mask exhaust seem louder when you are on your side? Could the anti asphyxia valve be falling open when you are on your side? Have you checked the hose for leaks, possible when moving cuff of the hose allows leakage? Be sure the connection between the humidifier and machine are nice and tight with no leaks.

Brenda

I've checked the hose for leaks, at least by covering one end and blowing in the other. I've checked and rechecked the connections and feel/hear no air coming out. I don't think the mask exhaust sounds louder when on my side, but I'll check. How can I tell if the anti asphyxia valve is falling open? Thanks

Some times you can hear and/or feel the air rushing out. You could use a mirror to watch the valve and see if it moves. When checking the cuff of the hose, turn the machine on and cover one end with your hand while moving the hose around to see if pulling on or twisting the hose(GENTLY!!) causes a leak.

Brenda

Thank you, I'll give it a try!

It doesn't look like there are any problems with any of the connections and, as far as I can tell, nothing is wrong with the valve. A new thought occured to me: I use an oxygen compressor and since it sounds a loud siren to let everyone know it's been turned on, I usually turn it on before my wife goes to bed so it won't wake her when I come to bed an hour later. Maybe the C-FLEX is interpretting that as light breathing? I don't know... I'll keep trying to find a pattern.

There is no reason for you to have positon dependant pressure variations on a Remstar Pro 2. And C-Flex is something that happens each time you exhale - no reason to think that is affected by your position either.
It would be a very weird machine malfunction, for the PRO 2, a fixed pressure machine to respond to your sleeping position.

Since something is very wrong, I would have the machins serviced, and I would try the system with a new hose and mask.

Another thought: Could your oxygen concentrator connection be wiggling out of place when you're on your side?

O.

W/or W/o 02 supplementation, I can't sleep on my sides any more. I just get the feeling like I'm slowly suffocating, can't get enough air, just too much effort to breathe comfortably. I understand what you are saying and feeling ... I just don't have any answers for your either.