Is the Machine Breathing Me?

EPR is the exhale relief.
Each setting is equal to 1 cm reduction during exhale but the problem with the starting point of 5 cm even with EPR set to 3 cm would equal 3 cm reduction is the machine can't go below 4 cm so you aren't getting the full benefit of what EPR could do for you.
You might find it easier if the starting pressure were a little higher and use EPR so that you get the full benefit of EPR.

Are you having trouble actually exhaling or are you having a general feeling of not being able to breathe comfortably at the setting of 5..sort of like not enough air is movement and you are feeling stifled or suffocated...and the lack of air movement thing is different from actual inability to exhale against the pressure.

I suggest that you use your machine while you're awake, reading - watching TV - etc. and get used to it then. You're overthinking an automatic function. (breathing)

Pugsy wrote:EPR is the exhale relief.
Are you having trouble actually exhaling or are you having a general feeling of not being able to breathe comfortably at the setting of 5..sort of like not enough air is movement and you are feeling stifled or suffocated...and the lack of air movement thing is different from actual inability to exhale against the pressure.

I can exhale, I think I am simply fighting against the pressure and then I am too focused on my breathing and can't fall asleep. I practiced for at least on hour watching Tv but I can't get my mind off the feeling off the exhale. I simply do not have the rythym yet. I will turn my setting to 7 and then EPR at 3 (is that any different than starting at 4 with no EPR? Is it worth having the ramp on at all? I am very appreciative of everyone's help.

Duncan, there is nothing for you to get in terms of rhythm, etc. You do not adapt to the machine, it adapts to you. Breathe normally. Do turn the ramp off because it may be distracting you if anything. Accept the initial rush of air and just keep breathing normally... let it 'rush' around your face but don't rush to meet it or change anything because of it - as you would change nothing if you were in a sudden gust of wind... you would just breathe through it unconsciously. Concentrate if you have to on the headgear, where and how it touches and whether or not it's too tight, how it's affecting your hair, the pillow, etc... anything to not think about breathing. I would turn EPR off as I also think it's confusing you - at the pressures you're using it shouldn't be needed at all.

I tok this screen shot of my practice time last night:
http://imgur.com/a/8PckI

The machine won't guage anything useful while you're awake so don't try to test anything that way. It's not that it knows you're 'awake', but responds only to asleep breathing patterns (which are diff. from awake ones - you can't fake them).

Duncan117 wrote: I will turn my setting to 7 and then EPR at 3 (is that any different than starting at 4 with no EPR?

Yes, fairly big difference in terms of how it feels.
During inhale the pressure would be 7 and exhale would be 4 if you use EPR of 3.
EPR has to be able to go somewhere for the drop during exhale and when you start at 4 there's no where for it to go downward.
Some people like the way EPR feels and some don't.
I say use/do whatever is the most comfortable because you gotta be comfortable to fall asleep.

Duncan117 wrote:Is it worth having the ramp on at all?

Ramp is useful sometimes for people whose pressures are higher and they prefer to work up slowly to those pressures.
It isn't particularly useful when the starting pressures are lower like yours and if the lower pressure during ramp seems suffocating use ramp isn't helpful at all and making any discomfort worse.