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My original post has disappeared, can't find it or the replies anywhere.

The pain the CPap was causing was too intense. I quit for days. The pressure was to be reset by my dr and tech.
The pain from the CPap took forever (days)to go away. I had endoscopy Weds. showing irritation and pre-ulcer areas (3) they took biopsies. I had MRI of cervical spine yesterday. No results yet.

SO...it doesn't seem the settings on my machine were ever changed as the tech said they would be? She said they'd contact my dr and make it a constant 5. It still reads 4-15 when I turn it on? I tried using it again last night, I didn't make it 10 minutes! Air in my stomach, and what felt like my throat going to burst, pain across my left collar bone and pressure building behind my eyes. PAIN. Ten minutes! I took the mask off and was up until 2am hurting. My stomach is still hurting this morning. I am giving up, not going to use it. I can't hurt like this and there's no "getting used to it". I'd hate to see how much pain I'd be in after actually sleeping all night!! I am done.

Thank you to those who tried to help. I don't remember names and the posts are gone.

There is certainly something wrong with the way your machine is set! What is happening to you, when you use it, should not happen!! Someone, along the way as you were set up, messed up big time!
I don't know if you can get it sorted out or not. A pressure of 5 is very, very low! Was your diagnosis "mild"?
I did not see yoru original thread and you say it is gone. I don't come to the forum very much anymore, so missed it, but this seems bad!

Learn how to change the settings yourself, it is your machine and your life at stake. I can tell you how to do it if you want help. It's easy to change.

Hawthorne...I had an at home study and wasn't given results other than the machine and how to use it. Since then, I've been reading to teach myself what the numbers and settings mean. Through two tech calls, exploring the machine buttons (no manual) and one dr visit I learned that I was having 11.2 apnea events per hour. I don't know if they are obstructive or central or a mix of both. I had a few frustrated nights at first, one decent night of 6+ hours, and then I switched from a nasal to full face mask because I am a mouth breather, and BAM. So much pain. Last night, after waiting ten days, I tried the nasal again. Ten minutes! I didn't even fall asleep because I felt it building. I'm still feeling some mild pain today eight hours later.

cheribaybee wrote:My original post has disappeared, can't find it or the replies anywhere.

The pain the CPap was causing was too intense. I quit for days. The pressure was to be reset by my dr and tech.
The pain from the CPap took forever (days)to go away. I had endoscopy Weds. showing irritation and pre-ulcer areas (3) they took biopsies. I had MRI of cervical spine yesterday. No results yet.

SO...it doesn't seem the settings on my machine were ever changed as the tech said they would be? She said they'd contact my dr and make it a constant 5. It still reads 4-15 when I turn it on? I tried using it again last night, I didn't make it 10 minutes! Air in my stomach, and what felt like my throat going to burst, pain across my left collar bone and pressure building behind my eyes. PAIN. Ten minutes! I took the mask off and was up until 2am hurting. My stomach is still hurting this morning. I am giving up, not going to use it. I can't hurt like this and there's no "getting used to it". I'd hate to see how much pain I'd be in after actually sleeping all night!! I am done.

Thank you to those who tried to help. I don't remember names and the posts are gone.

I am so sorry you are hurting, frustrated and concerned with test results. I hope you get some good news back or some hope for treatments.

The CPAP should not hurt. It is a therapy prescribed for your sleep apnea which can impact your ability to heal; it did mine. It sounds like you have some issues that need ironed out with the CPAP so you can get restorative sleep and not exacerbate your other health problems. I won't ever tell you to "get used to it" but I think it is worth another try if you're facing more than one health issue. Sleep and oxygen saturation during sleep is very important and can have an impact on several organs as well as other chronic conditions.

You need to do 2 things- and we can help you.
1. Download Sleepyhead (that will show you all the data needed)
2. Get the Clinician's Manual for your machine. (it can be downloaded too)
I am computer illeterate, and don't know how to add the links for those items, but many of here know how and should post them for you.

To access your machine settings : Hold down the round button and the Home bar at the bottom of the machine at the same time for about 5 seconds. That unlocks the settings so you have control of your own machine. The new settings will appear on the screen. From there, you can change your own settings.

I wish the original thread was still here.

This started with arm numbness. A stress test showed a hypertrophic left ventrical. So, an apnea test was ordered. I had no tiredness, no snoring. I have Gerd and hypothyroid, have been treated for about ten years. The endoscopy was looking for any esophageal, changes and the MRI for nerve issues causing the arm/hand numbness, since heart issues were ruled out.
My esophagus was spasming so bad a week ago, I left work. My BP med was changed to Cardizem to handle both my BP and the spasms. It seems to have helped a lot. The stomach/throat psi was gone, so I attempted CPap again.

I saw weeks ago (probably here in that initial thread)how to change my settings myself but, I do not trust myself to know the science behind CPap or how to set every aspect of the settings, so I relied on the tech and my MD (who I actually like btw he's always been very thorough). I guess I will wait until Monday when I can call the tech again.

I am registered for a USleep account but navigating it with "keys" is frustrating on mobile, and all it shows me is how I did each night, most of my days say 0 anyway--due to non use due to pain. I thought I was going to be "observed" cellularly and given advice but, I've had one call since the beginning of February. Maybe I misunderstood the visiting tech who dropped off the machine.

Suggestion for your MD - have them look at something called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - it could explain your numbness and collarbone trouble - it's about pathways in the area being blocked of 02 and blood flow, often by a small extra rib at the site.

I glad someone posted "how to change the settings" on your machine. I have never had a Resmed machine and, therefore, have not researched them much. I know very little about that machine. You can set your machine at a straight 5 yourself when you get into the settings. I still think 5 is too low -but 11.2 apneas is worth treating. Your settings may not seem related to that number but, if you get them right, I am sure you will feel better. I am thinking that a very narrow range of pressure might work well for you, as it does for me Setting the minimum a 5 and the maximum at 7 - 10 MIGHT just work. Not very many of us here rely on our sleep tech or our sleep doctor to deal with this! Of course, we have to keep in mind that you may have other medical problems that may need to be addressed separately.
Getting Sleepyhead is an excellent idea! It is free and gives you tons of information about what happens while you sleep. It is a free program and works with most machines. With it, you will know what kind of apneas you are having and how many of any type. Your leak rate will show and can help you with mask adjustment. After using Sleepyhead for a while, you may adjust your pressure again. Don't change it too often. Give any setting about a week, if you can, before making changes. Your lower pressure is the most important setting so that's the one you need to change, by small increments, until you get things going well.
Your mask MAY be too tight, from how you describe your night. I'm not sure about the full face mask vs the nasal mask, in your case. I have never been able to use a full face mask and I have tried. I trained myself to keep my mouth closed while I sleep by putting my tongue up behind my upper front teeth. I just place it there - no pressure really. I began by doing that during day as well, when I thought about it. I did it a lot, during the day when I was sitting or doing anthing. Now, when I mask up, my tongue automatically goes there and stays there all night. Might work for you. I now use, as you can see from my profile, nasal pillows. I started with a nasal mask - tried a full face and then did the "keeping my mouth closed" training. I am very happy with nasal pillows because they are so minimal.
Hope you can get thing sorted out! Do you own setting changes - get Sleepyhead - study the results and bring them here so that we may be able to help you. Anything more you think I might be able to do to help, feel free to PM me.
All the best!

Get sleepyhead and change your settings yourself. Most likely your pressure range is too wide and you're getting blasts of air (tho you weren't too specific in your complaints). We know you're pretty smart because you seem to have the basics of CPAP therapy, AHI and centrals down from your reading... Sleepyhead should be a snap for you. Don't panic, you just need info.

Yes you can take an active part in your treatment when you understand it better.
1. Get a copy of your Sleep Study Results it is your medical record and you can ask for it.
2. Did they prescribe a pressure or give you the machine to try to find your effective pressure? If you have a prescription, get a copy.
3. Here is a link to the Clinical Manual https://sleep.tnet.com/home/files/resme ... -guide.pdf I see you are a teacher so now you have homework. Learn all you can and ask questions when you don't understand.
4. Sleepyhead is a great tool to actually see what happens when you sleep and if pressure changes are needed. It's free and you can learn about how to download it here. https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead Sleepyhead was developed by a member here Jedimark, to help us better understand what the machine records. The site I linked to was developed by another member Krevlin with great pictures to make it easier. This is his main link and he has lots of other info to check out. https://sleep.tnet.com/main
From reading your post I didn't see where you were having pain. Where is the pain located? Does it seem to be gas pain, sinus or ear pain, or chest muscle pain?
Have you tried using the mask while relaxing and watching TV. Sometimes it takes relearning how to breath in and out through our nose using our abdomen muscles. Place your tongue at the top of your mouth with the tip behind your teeth and practicing breathing with the mask.

SirNoddinOff,

I'm not sure what's causing the pain (it's now almost noon and I'm still feeling effects of TEN minutes CPap last night).
My guess, along with others here, is the pressure is set too high. My tech doubted it but, said she would change it a week ago. I feel like I have been "inflated". I know, some here before say "that's impossible, it won't even inflate a balloon." I know what I am feeling. My throat feels numb and sore inside, my soft palate and sinuses feel swollen/numb and around the area of my lymph glands it feels as if overstretched and sore. During that ten minutes it felt like my eye pressure was increasing from behind my eyes like it was going to push them out. That eye pressure has subsided. My ears feel "full". My stomach hurts just below the sternum. Like I have to burp but can't. The throat feeling is the worst.

It seems I need a "real" computer for Sleepyhead and not a mobile (phone, iPad). My laptop is a dinosaur, I'll have to wait and get more thorough explanations from my dr and tech during business hours on Monday.

I do appreciate everyone's help and suggestions. Thank you.

It does sound like your pressure may be set too high. I hope you can find a way to get Sleepyhead. It will REALLY tell you what is happening in your sleep.
My desktop computere was purchased in 2008 and I have upgraded the operating system several times. It has Windows 7 on it now. I have a laptop with Windows 10. Sleepyhead works on both of them so try and download it, even though you think your computer is a dinosaur! You could be pleasantly surprised!! You have nothing to lose! If it doesn't work, try and get a small laptop that it will work on. It's the best tool for checking your own sleep. I would not wait, or trust, the doctor or the tech but that is because of my very bad experiences with both of them!!

As the others have said, take control of your own therapy.
Sounds like you have a poorly configured machine and it's causing "aerophagia" (look it up in the Search line above) which is causing the abdominal pain.

If your laptop is a Windows based machine, it will probably work for Sleepyhead software.

Your profile shows that you're a "teacher"........ Time to get "educated" in this new way of sleeping and breathing.


Den

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Set the pressure to 2. It will work