CPAP questions

Good afternoon,

I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. It wasn't very strong but it was there. The first night in the sleep study they put it on half way through and I slept a few additional hours. The next morning I felt amazing and knew it worked even for such a brief period of time. I picked up my machine the same day, a Dreamstation, and a mask which is really too big for me (I have one ordered). The new one is the Amara Full Face Mask. While I wait I figured I'd try to get used to the machine. The hospitals machine didn't kick the mask back when I exhaled. This machine stops pushing the air, so it seems, when I breath which causes the mask the shift outward and then back in. I can't tighten the mask more without discomfort. Any ideas if it's the mask or machine causing this?

The second issue is feeling like I can't breath when I use the ramp feature. The regular therapy setting is 10, and the ramp setting is 4. This feeling only happens when I'm just about to doze off and then that feeling wakes me up.

What is Flex? Options are 1-3

Choices101 wrote:causes the mask the shift outward and then back in. I can't tighten the mask more without discomfort.

Which model mask are you using?

Choices101 wrote:The second issue is feeling like I can't breath when I use the ramp feature. ... the ramp setting is 4.

I feel like there is not enough air at any setting below 7. Many others report something similar.

You could turn the ramp off or change the starting ramp pressure to 7 or 8.

Choices101 wrote:What is Flex? Options are 1-3

It lowers the pressure on exhale. 3 is greatest exhale pressure reduction. See also - https://www.cpap.com/cpap-faq/CPAP-and- ... -is-a-flex.

I don't like the flex function. A steady pressure throughout inhalation and exhalation is less disturbing to me. YMMV.

If you fill out your equipment profile, you shouldn't have to state again what you are using - https://www.cpaptalk.com/ucp.php?i=prof ... pment_info

I started to mess with the settings and followed some of your advice. It's the Comfort Gel Full mask. I turned the ramp setting to 7 and slowly adjusting to the regular setting. I can't change the prescription setting for some reason, it's at a 10. I clamped the mask down tight and it stopped moving out when I exhaled as much. I was confused because the mask at the hospital didn't require cutting circulation from my head for it not to move. Crossing my fingers for some awesome sleep tonight.

I think you're confused between prescribed settings and the ramp setting. Whatever your scripted settings are, they are and should only be changed for specific reasons (like you're not getting adequate pressure to treat your OSA). The Ramp feature settings are for time, to gradually get used to the pressure as it 'ramps' up to your low pressure (scripted) setting because you theoretically can't take the air blowing into your mouth... something that only normally happens to people whose scripted low pressure has been set high, e.g. 15, though in fact most of us have lower scripted settings and stop using the ramp altogether within a few days of beginning Cpap. Are you very sure your 'ramp' of 7 is not your prescribed low pressure setting? If you were to want to use the ramp to get to 7 gradually (as described above) it would only take a minute unless you set the ramp to a long period of time, which would mean for all that time you'd be treated inadequately because ostensibly you could not tolerate starting out at a prescribed (quite low as they go in fact) pressure of 7. Ramp and prescribed settings are two different things, and if you need more clarity, let us know.

Absolutely. My prescribed setting is a 10. My ramp setting was at a 4 and it was just too low. I moved it to 7 and I can tell a major difference. I've been wearing it for periods during the day to adjust, and I'm at 8-9 before I get uncomfortable and have to dial it back down. My goal is to just power it on the sleep on the 10 setting with in a few days. The flex setting is 1-3 and won't let me turn it off. I set it at the lowest, 1.

Choices101 wrote:Absolutely. My prescribed setting is a 10. My ramp setting was at a 4 and it was just too low. I moved it to 7 and I can tell a major difference. I've been wearing it for periods during the day to adjust, and I'm at 8-9 before I get uncomfortable and have to dial it back down. My goal is to just power it on the sleep on the 10 setting with in a few days. The flex setting is 1-3 and won't let me turn it off. I set it at the lowest, 1.

If you have problems exhaling then the last thing you want to do is to turn it off!

I don not have problems exhaling when it comes to the regular prescribed pressure, I only have it when it's at a low pressure of 4 and that has been resolved by turning the ramp setting to 7. The mask moving as much is because of that setting. I'd rather have consistent pressure. Moving it down to one has helped greatly. Thanks for all of the feedback. My new mask should be in Friday.

Choices101 wrote:The flex setting is 1-3 and won't let me turn it off. I set it at the lowest, 1.

I am not familiar with the menus on that model, but it is surprising the flex cannot be turned off. Maybe you have to get into the Clinician Setup Menu? Here are instructions on how to do that - http://www.apneaboard.com/dreamstation- ... structions

Flex should be under the Comfort Menu.