Sleeping with the VPAP

While I wake up a few times a night with the Resmed * VPAP machine on It usually happens when he machine leaks and I have to reset t he full mask I use. Tonight I woke up choking and coughing I must have forgotten to turn on the machine. I thin I stopped breathing or couldn't catch my breathe.......anyone have the same problem I got so scared and started to cry . My husband didn't even acknowledge it... so much for support. Any ideas. Because of the ramp I could not tell the machine was off.

Raggs wrote:While I wake up a few times a night with the Resmed * VPAP machine on It usually happens when he machine leaks and I have to reset t he full mask I use. Tonight I woke up choking and coughing I must have forgotten to turn on the machine. I thin I stopped breathing or couldn't catch my breathe.......anyone have the same problem I got so scared and started to cry . My husband didn't even acknowledge it... so much for support. Any ideas. Because of the ramp I could not tell the machine was off.

The machine is leaking? Are you getting water in the tubing? You may have the humidity too high or are filling the chamber too high. Can you do without the ramp?, Even with the ramp can you check for exhaust coming from the mask that will assure you the machine is on?

Raggs wrote:While I wake up a few times a night with the Resmed * VPAP machine on It usually happens when he machine leaks and I have to reset t he full mask I use. Tonight I woke up choking and coughing I must have forgotten to turn on the machine. I thin I stopped breathing or couldn't catch my breathe.......anyone have the same problem I got so scared and started to cry . My husband didn't even acknowledge it... so much for support. Any ideas. Because of the ramp I could not tell the machine was off.

First, Raggs, welcome to the forum! Fortunately, you should find some support here.

Second, you might want to register for as a member of the forum. You will not get spam email from the folks who run the forum. The forum will send emails (if you want) when you have a private message or if you want to follow a thread. But the real advantage is for you. We will know what equipment you have and can tailor our responses to your specific situation.

Next, many of us find that the RAMP feature is more of a nuisance than anything else after a while.

Yes, it can be VERY scary to awaken choking and gasping for air. I would also have reflux that would end up in my lungs. Talk about a frightening way to awaken! Many of us have similar tales to tell. So, we can empathize with you.

One problem that full face masks often have is that they squeak and squawk a lot. You can make that a LOT better if you use a mask liner. Here are some companies that offer mask liners:

http://www.remzzzs.com/
http://www.quietusliners.com/
http://padacheek.com

Here's hoping this helps.

Thanks for the responces. I am going to try a liner I never heard of it . I am using a resmed vpap A with a humidifier and a full face .

raggs, welcome to the forum.

Please sign up for an ID and fill in your equipment in your profile and we can help you more. There are some other things to look for if we know the exact machine you have.

We need to know which particular ResMed machine you have. Go here and tell us which machine yours looks like. If it's one of the ResMed S9 machines, look next to the power button and tell us what it says for the model number.

When this kind of thing happens again, see if you can control your panic and consciously breathe in and out without messing with the mask. See if the air is still blowing. Figure out where your mask vents air during normal operation. Put your hand in the airsteam and see how it feels.

If you can't wait, lift up the edge of your mask and see if air comes gushing out. That will tell you if the machine is still blowing. If it is, the rush of air should reassure you it's working. If not, you should be able to breathe around the mask. Try this a few times to see how it feels with the machine on while you're still awake.

If you have to rip the mask off, see if air is blowing before turning the machine off.

Your FFM (Full Face Mask) should have an anti-asphyxia vent. While you're awake, put on the mask with the hose disconnected. Plug up the hole where the hose connects with your thumb. You should be able to breathe fairly normally through the vent. Get used to how it feels.