1-2 suffocation episodes per night

michaeldwilson wrote:From what I can tell, just before I took the mask off last night (I don't remember doing so), the flow rate went to 0 and the mask pressure went to 0, and then the event. I wonder if I obstructed the tube with my arm.

The hoses I own (standard, heated and Slimline) would be very hard to shut off even if I were trying.

Best to post a Sleepyhead daily image. This lessens the amount of guessing. Just post the Flow Rate, Pressure and Leak graphs for the day. There is help to do this here - https://sleep.tnet.com/resources/sleepyhead . Plus, ask if you have problems.

michaeldwilson wrote:happen later into the night. I wonder though if the ramp feature has an effect that far into the sleep cycle.e

no, it doesn't, I'd suggest you get the clinical manual for your machine, and read it. it answers things like exactly what the ramp does.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

What I have found in the last couple of nights is that I get to sleep fine. The ramping and initial pressure do not seem to be a problem at all. However, about 2-3 hours into the night, I wake up feeling as if I cannot breath out. According to Sleepyhead, everything seems to be going really well until this happens -- even pressure, no episodes, and then boom a problem.

I'm at a loss about what to do.

Thanks,

Mike

This is because you aren't used to the high pressure. Waking up between sleep cycles briefly is normal, and if you relax, you should be able to continue the same breathing you have been doing while sleeping. You can reset the ramp by pressing the power button twice, but take try to go longer each time before you do this. Are you still using epr?

Thanks, WindCPC!

I do try to put the mask on after I wake up. It works for a few minutes but then I take the mask off again and just sleep without it. I will try to use the ramp feature after I wake up next time.

I tried the EPR at 2 and then at 1 but really found no difference in waking up so I set it back at 3. I played without with the EPR at 0 but with the pressure even at 9 it was a struggle to breath out.

Best,

Mike

I am not sure if this has been asked, but are you absolutely certain you need a full face mask? Nasal pillows are a lot easier for this type of situation.

Another thing you may want to try is using "ramp only" epr. That way while you are sleeping, you are getting used to breathing out against pressure. It's just a thought. That is how my epr is set up, but I am on a constant pressure of 9 so I really can't comment too much on what it is like to get used to higher pressures.

Guest wrote:7 minimum with EPR of 3 gave me suffocation feelings too, I upped the lower level to 10 and set EPR to 1.
I think it had to do with not enough of the used air exhausting from the tube, rebreathing stale air apparently caused me suffocation nightmares that work me up. Turns out the rate of exhaust is liner and related to the pressure. I learned that from a little chart of exhaust air rates vs pressure in an insert found in my mask box.

Just curious to where you posted from, as in your internet access. Your guest login gives a list of possible users, including me. Wondering it is a hotel wifi, or free wifi at a local business? I don't post that often away from home or my personal wifi.