falling asleep issues

I've been using a Phillips Remstar System One machine for 2 + yrs with a nasal pillow mask. My starting psi is 4.5 and ramps up usually to a max of 8.5 - 9.0. The problem I have is I can't just put the mask on after crawling into bed. I have to get into bed, relax to the point of almost starting to fall asleep, then put the mask on. If I put the mask on too soon, I may doze off, but will wake up because my breathing rate is too high. I can tell this has happen because I'm sweating and hyperventilating.

This doesn't happen if I follow my relax routine.

I wish I didn't have to do this because sometimes I fall asleep without the mask on and you all know how miserable that is.

Hopefully someone has experienced this situation and has a solution.

Thanks

Mark

Ranman,

I like to relax a bit before I turn on the machine, too; this is what I do: I put on my mask, climb into bed, go through my relaxation routine (but never so long as to actually fall asleep), and when I feel I'm nearing that point, I hook on the hose and let the auto-on feature take over.

The trick is to put the mask on before you actually lie down so it's on you while you do your relax routine, and keep the hose in your hand (or your hand near the machine ON button) so you can quickly start therapy before sleep takes over.

2 cents from
Jean

Your correct. I'm not hyperventilating. The machine is pushing too much air. When that happens in the middle of the night and I awake enough, I'll press the start button to restart the pressure. But sometimes I'm not awake enough and just pull the mask off.

But it can all start wrong for the night if I put the mask on too soon before I'm already falling asleep. Honestly I think the psi is too high at 4.5 ( my starting point) .

Can that be lowered on this machine?

Philips Respironics REMstar Auto A Flex

It's not psi...it's cm to water.
And your machine can't go lower than 4 cm.
If you can't handle 4 cm for some reason then that's not a common thing. Most people won't like using 4 cm because there's not enough air moving and they feel like they are suffocating. Most people will want to start out with more than 4 cm and not less.

Make use of the exhale relief available on your machine but remember it doesn't even kick in until the pressure is 6 cm.

Wear the mask and turn the machine on while awake and not under the gun to fall asleep so that you can get better used to the pressure.

thanks for the suggestions. I'll try getting in bed earlier, putting the mask on and starting it up before I start to doze off. I'm a lite sleeper and have noticed that when stress at work increases, it effects my sleeping. Also have realized that alcohol consumption is a negative, unless I drink earlier in the day and let it burn off before I go to bed. All in all, I've adjusted to using the machine, but its a pain in the ass.

Different subject - I've used the Pilairo nasal pillow mask ever since I started on the machine. Using one head strap but then added another strap to keep my mouth shut. I went with that because I'm slightly claustrophobic.
Question - would a full face mask help with my nightly start up problems?

thanks

As long as you are not having air leakage through your mouth, I wouldn't go to the full face mask. I use one because I am a mouth breather once I get to sleep. I would love to be able to use nasal pillows, but can't because I breath through my mouth when sleeping.

Consider this mask. I love it! https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html